Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jashlee83]

Sorry if this has been covered but I think we all agree the search function on here really blows...

I'm planning to go to Tokyo in a couple of weeks, just for 2 nights though. I know the JPR is economical if you're planning to travel around Japan. But should I really fork over the 280,000 won if I'm only staying in Tokyo for 2 nights???? I already know my won will die a slow, painful death...just wanna make sure I'm not giving it away. I want to hit all the normal places in Tokyo like Ginza, Shinjuku, etc. Help please!!

[doc_ido]

I don't think anyone would consider buying a JR pass just to get around Tokyo (though it does cover suburban JR lines). If you're going to and from Fukuoka, though, a 7-day pass may be cheaper than the return shinkansen fare - but the overnight bus is by far the most economical option.

[Jashlee83]

Thanks, Doc ido!!!!!! I didn't think I'd need that for just Tokyo.

[CPT]

This seems like the best place to ask about the JR Pass, so I'll just put my questions here instead of making a new thread.

Where can I go to buy the pass in Seoul?

Can I buy more than one, or do you need to have your passport to buy it? I know you need your passport to activate it.

[Toon Army]

definitely don`t buy the JR pass!

If you`re staying only in the Tokyo area I recommend you buy the Tokunai Pass (730 Yen per day). This is good only for JR and not subway. Anyways most places like Shibuya/shinjuku/harajuku etc are on the JR lines.

You can buy the combined JR and subway for about 1500 yen (per day) though.......useful I suppose if you plan to go to Ginza and Asakusa.

Perhaps you can plan it so that you do the places on the JR line in 1 day and buy the tokunai pass for 730 yen. Then the next day buy the 1500 yen pass and do the places that require subway more like ginza and asakusa

[little mixed girl]

you don't need a JR pass if you're only going to be in tokyo.
it's not like their subway is a shinkansen and whatnot.
just pay the fare when you buy your ticket.
or see if they have some kind of day pass.

[bucheon bum]

[CPT]

[chris_J2]

Any Japan Airlines office will sell you a Japan Rail Pass. But it's only worth getting, if you're travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto & back. (Or Nagasaki / Fukuoka). It also covers the JR boat to Miyajima off Hiroshima.

[Jashlee83]

Thank you, Toon Army. I'll look into that. I really hope getting around isn't as complicated as it seems..

[liquidwmn]

Hi, I hope you don't mind my piggybacking on this link, but my question is similar and yet different enough...
I will be heading to Japan from Pusan, Korea. I want to head to Kyoto and I will probably stay NO longer than 2 days. From Japan I need to fly/or take a boat (which is cheaper?? Do I have a choice?) to Vietnam.
So, knowing this, would a rail pass be a good idea? Would the cost of the RP save me money on getting to Kyoto from the ferry and then to an airport?
(speaking of airports, does anyone know where it would be cheapest to fly from Japan? I've heard Tokyo, but I would like some advice)
Thanks!

[doc_ido]

You can check out train fares on the Hyperdia website, and compare them to a 7-day JR pass (though you may only need the western region if you fly out of Osaka). A bus from Fukuoka to Kyoto will be about Y10,000...of course, you could always get the ferry from Busan to Osaka and save yourself some travelling within Japan.

There are no ferries to Vietnam as far as I know - but check seat61.com as they should have up-to-date information.

[Flash Ipanema]

I got my rail pass through Unique Travel: [email protected]

I did it all online and got the exchange order mailed to me. You need your passport number, but you don't actually give them your passport.

[arpeggi]

any other places to recommend to get the jr pass in seoul (preferably around seoul station area)? thx!!

[chris_J2]

JAL Paiknam Bldg., 188-3, Eulchi-Ro, 1-ka Chung-Ku, Seoul, KOREA TEL (02) 757-1711