JR Kyushu Rail Pass Guide: Prices, Coverage & Is It Worth It?

Sakurajima in Kagoshima, Japan

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass is designed for international visitors traveling around Kyushu by train. Depending on your itinerary, you can choose a pass covering all of Kyushu or a smaller pass focused on northern or southern Kyushu. The passes cover many JR Kyushu local trains, limited express trains and Shinkansen services, making them worth … Read more

5-Day Takayama-Hokuriku Itinerary: Nagoya to Osaka via Shirakawa-go

Hida Folk Village in Takayama, Gifu, Japan

This 5-day Central Japan train itinerary travels from Nagoya to Osaka through Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa and Kyoto using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. The route combines scenic mountain rail travel, traditional towns, a UNESCO World Heritage village and some of Japan’s most rewarding historic cities—all within the pass’s five consecutive days of validity. 5-Day Route … Read more

6-Day Hokkaido Itinerary Using the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

Lavender farm and flower beds in Furano, Hokkaido Japan

This 6-day Hokkaido train itinerary is designed for travelers who want to explore several parts of Japan’s northernmost island without renting a car. Hokkaido is much larger than many first-time visitors expect, so this route focuses on destinations that can be connected efficiently by JR trains while still allowing time to enjoy each stop. 6-Day … Read more

Hokkaido Rail Pass Guide: Prices, Coverage & Is It Worth It?

Furano lavender farm and flower beds, Hokkaido, Japan

The Hokkaido Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on most JR Hokkaido trains for 5, 7 or 10 consecutive days, making it worth considering if you plan to explore several parts of Hokkaido by rail. Because Hokkaido is large and some intercity journeys are expensive, the pass can provide good value on routes combining destinations such … Read more

7-Day Western Japan Itinerary with the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

Map of Western Japan around Hiroshima

This 7-day Western Japan train itinerary combines Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima and Miyajima while making strategic use of the 5-Day Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. Instead of activating the rail pass immediately, this itinerary saves its five consecutive validity days for the part of the trip where the more expensive long-distance journeys begin. … Read more

The Road Less Travelled: A 17-Day Central and Western Japan Rail Itinerary

Kanazawa castle, Japan

This 17-day Central and Western Japan rail itinerary takes a different approach to the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route, combining famous destinations with several cities and regions that many first-time visitors overlook. The journey crosses Central and Western Japan by train, with stops ranging from mountain resorts and historic temple cities to traditional districts, castles, gardens and … Read more