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Japan Rail Pass

  • 21-08-2014 2:17pm
    #1
    Raoul
    Registered Users Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys,

    Can anyone recommend the best place to get this?

    Also is it worth upgrading to the 1st class rail pass. I will be doing one long overnight train journey from Sapporo to Tokyo.

    From looking at other threads the below have been used but just wondering if they are still the best or if anyone has seen any different.
    http://www.japanspecialist.co.uk/Japan-Rail-Pass/BUY-online
    http://www.jrpass.com/


Comments

  • #2
    Caybar
    Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭Caybar


    My Parents got their Pass from this crowd in Dublin. No hassle but think u need to book well in advance.

    japanirelandtrqvel dot ie (cant post link)

    I wouldnt bother with first class, not sure what train you will be getting from sapporo, but genrally the ordinary seats on any long distance trains are grand and have loads of leg room. If you are traveling at a busy time i'd recommend you book reserved seats at the ticket office in the station beforehand.


  • #3
    Links234
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,944 ✭✭✭✭Links234


    I wouldn't bother upgrading to first class either, the trains are fantastic and plenty comfy. I never went Sapporo > Tokyo though, or anything overnight, but judging by any of the rail services I've used in Japan, you'll be grand with standard.


  • #4
    Raoul
    Registered Users Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭Raoul


    I didn't mention that...one week of the rail pass will be paid for (not by me). So was thinking for a trip where I might want to sleep, would I treat myself to first class. :). Just while I have some peoples attention. It is hard to find how does a 3 star hotel in Tokyo/Sapporo compare to a 3 star here.

    Hotels seem reasonably priced but maybe that is because a 3 star isn't great or something.


  • #5
    Konata
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,164 ✭✭✭Konata


    I got my rail pass from a JTB agent in England. It was linked to on the official website for the rail pass. Doesn't really matter who you buy it from as long as it gets here in time!

    What train exactly are you taking from Sapporo to Tokyo? Is it the Hamanasu? If so you'll have to change trains twice (once in Aomori and then in Shin-Aomori) to get to Tokyo so it's going to be a disturbed night anyway! I think it's 7 hours though on the Hamanasu right? I did the trip last year but during the daytime so I'm not 100% sure.

    Anyway, the first class seats on shinkansen etc. are not that different to the regular seats so imo the first class ticket isn't worth the extra cost. The regular seats are fairly comfortable! However, if it is the Hamanasu you're taking, it's a special overnight train. You can pay a one-off surcharge for a sleeper seat (i.e. a bed) or you can just reserve a seat with no extra charge. According to this guy, the Dream Car class seats are the same/similar to Green Car seats (1st class) so yea, really doesn't look like upgrading to a 1st class pass is gonna be worth it unless you want 1st class for all your journeys. If you really want to sleep I'd say go for one of the sleeper seats.

    EDIT: Is Sapporo to Tokyo the only journey you're doing? Not sure if that's what I'm reading from your first post!


  • #6
    Raoul
    Registered Users Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭Raoul


    Konata wrote: »
    I got my rail pass from a JTB agent in England. It was linked to on the official website for the rail pass. Doesn't really matter who you buy it from as long as it gets here in time!

    What train exactly are you taking from Sapporo to Tokyo? Is it the Hamanasu? If so you'll have to change trains twice (once in Aomori and then in Shin-Aomori) to get to Tokyo so it's going to be a disturbed night anyway! I think it's 7 hours though on the Hamanasu right? I did the trip last year but during the daytime so I'm not 100% sure.

    Anyway, the first class seats on shinkansen etc. are not that different to the regular seats so imo the first class ticket isn't worth the extra cost. The regular seats are fairly comfortable! However, if it is the Hamanasu you're taking, it's a special overnight train. You can pay a one-off surcharge for a sleeper seat (i.e. a bed) or you can just reserve a seat with no extra charge. According to this guy, the Dream Car class seats are the same/similar to Green Car seats (1st class) so yea, really doesn't look like upgrading to a 1st class pass is gonna be worth it unless you want 1st class for all your journeys. If you really want to sleep I'd say go for one of the sleeper seats.

    EDIT: Is Sapporo to Tokyo the only journey you're doing? Not sure if that's what I'm reading from your first post!

    Hey, I am not really sure yet what journeys exactly we will be doing but I just know that the Sapporo to Tokyo one is definitely one we will be doing. Flying into Tokyo and then after a couple of days, flying to Sapporo. Then going to get the overnight train back to Tokyo.

    One of the other benefits of first class is meant to be that you have extra room for your luggage. Supposedly, anyway.

    Thanks for the JPR site rec.


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  • #7
    Konata
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,164 ✭✭✭Konata


    Raoul wrote: »
    Hey, I am not really sure yet what journeys exactly we will be doing but I just know that the Sapporo to Tokyo one is definitely one we will be doing. Flying into Tokyo and then after a couple of days, flying to Sapporo. Then going to get the overnight train back to Tokyo.

    One of the other benefits of first class is meant to be that you have extra room for your luggage. Supposedly, anyway.

    Thanks for the JPR site rec.

    Ah right, I was just going to say that using the JR pass for just the one journey is in no way cost effective. If you have a couple of long-haul journeys though it more than pays for itself.

    I've taken the shinkansen tons of time with big suitcases and never had a storage problem. True, the regular seats don't have a designated luggage storage space which I always thought was odd but there's space behind the last row of seats in each carraige and I always left my suitcases there no problem. There's overhead storage of course but it's not much good unless you have a small suitcase.

    When are you heading off?


  • #8
    Raoul
    Registered Users Posts: 7,683 ✭✭✭Raoul


    Konata wrote: »
    Ah right, I was just going to say that using the JR pass for just the one journey is in no way cost effective. If you have a couple of long-haul journeys though it more than pays for itself.

    I've taken the shinkansen tons of time with big suitcases and never had a storage problem. True, the regular seats don't have a designated luggage storage space which I always thought was odd but there's space behind the last row of seats in each carraige and I always left my suitcases there no problem. There's overhead storage of course but it's not much good unless you have a small suitcase.

    When are you heading off?

    16th of Oct. Until 29th. Day in Dubai on the way over too. It is one third business one third pleasure. And I am quite busy at the moment so I have no idea about what I am going to do or anything. Or where to book hotels. Going with another guy I work with, so will have to talk over everything with him.


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