Types of Train Tickets in Japan: This is the Difference Between JR Passes and IC Cards!

By Admin November 11, 2024 Blog 0 Comments

There are many types of train tickets in Japan. Here’s the explanation!

Trains are the main transportation for Japanese people. It’s not surprising, there are really a lot of train lines in Japan. In fact, according to 2015 data, the length of train lines in Japan reached 27,311 kilometers!

It’s only natural that there are quite a lot of types of train tickets in Japan, which can be confusing for tourists visiting Japan for the first time. But don’t worry! Klook will help you find out what the JR Pass is , how Suica is different from the Tokyo Subway Pass , and so on.

One Way Ticket vs Travel Pass

First, you need to know that you can choose between buying a one-way ticket or buying one pass for multiple trips – what Klook then calls a travel pass. If you can buy a one-way ticket before leaving and really only covers one trip, you can use the travel pass to take the train multiple times during the validity period or as long as you have sufficient balance.

Some passes can even be used to take buses, ferries, or enter famous tourist attractions! So using a pass is much more profitable than buying a one way ticket . Moreover, buying a one-way ticket can be a hassle because it means you have to always buy a ticket every time you take a train in Japan.

Types of Passes You Need to Know

Basically, there are lots of passes in Japan that you can buy, depending on where you want to go and what you want to see during your holiday in Japan. But of all things, there are several types of travel passes that you need to know about because they can be said to be the most important for tourists.

1. JR Pass

JR Pass or Japan Rail Pass is a travel pass for tourists who want to take trains on Japan Railways Group lines. This JR line dominates the majority of intercity train lines in Japan, soif you plan to travel to more than one city in Japan, buying a JR Pass is something you need to do.

There are also many types of JR Pass, you know. Apart from the All Japan JR Pass which allows you to ride all trains on all JR lines in Japan, there is also a regional JR Pass which covers certain areas. Klook recommends you buy a JR Pass All Japan if you want to travel to many cities, but if you only go to a few cities in one region, buying a JR Pass for the region you want to visit will save you more.

2. IC Card

IC Card is an electronic card for payment of various types of local transportation in Japan – like e-money cards in Indonesia. There are many types of IC cards in Japan, issued by different companies and valid in different regions as well. Please note: IC cards can only be used within an area for local trains or buses .

Here are some of the most famous IC cards:

1. SUICA

Suica can be used to take trains in the Tokyo metropolitan area, be it trains on the JR East line, subway, buses, and the Tokyo Monorail which connects Haneda airport with downtown Tokyo.

Oh, Suica can also be used for shopping at many stores including minimarkets! Usually these shops display the Suica logo on the front (glass/door) of the shop.

2. PASMO

Similar to Suica, PASMO is also a transportation card that can be used in the Tokyo metropolitan area . Can be used for trains, subways, buses or shuttle buses. Like Suica, you can also use PASMO to shop at stores that display the PASMO logo.

So what’s the difference with SUICA? The only difference is the company that issues it. Suica is issued by JR East, while PASMO is issued by Tokyo Metro. So, some of the rules for the two cards are also different, including where you can buy and return cards, and others.

3. ICOCA

ICOCA is a transportation card for the Kansai region, including two famous cities; Osaka and Kyoto. You can use this card for JR trains, subways, buses and shopping.

4. KITACA

Kitaca is a transportation card for the Hokkaido region . Just like other IC cards, Kitaca can also be used to use various local transportation such as trains and buses, as well as for shopping.

Apart from the names above, there are also other IC cards such as SUGOCA (Kyushu area), nimoca (Nishitetsu area), TOICA (Chūkyō area, including Nagoya), to manaca (specifically for Nagoya).

Because they are both IC cards, actually the cards above can both be used in areas covered by IC cards . For example, Suica and PASMO can also be used in the ICOCA area (Kansai area), and vice versa.

However, IC cards cannot be used for intercity trains. For this, you need a JR Pass or buy a separate ticket.

3. Tokyo Subway Tickets

Tokyo Subway Ticket is a pass forunlimited use of the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway train networks. The limits for this ticket are only for the period you choose: there are one, two, and three day options.

This ticket offers the opportunity to ride trains on 13 different routes and over 250 metro stops, with no limits! So if you are planning a holiday to Japan but only visiting Tokyo, the Tokyo Subway Ticket is the best choice for traveling around this city.

4. Osaka Amazing Pass

As the name suggests, the Osaka Amazing Pass is a pass for tourists visiting the city of Osaka . However, not only is it free to use unlimited Osaka city transportation, this pass can also take you into many of the main tourist destinations in Osaka city for free!

Some of what is included in this pass are the Osaka Castle Museum, Osaka Science Museum, HEP Five Ferris Wheel, and Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory. Apart from that, you can also ride local Osaka buses and trains without limits

5. Kansai Thru Pass

The Kansai Thru Pass gives youunlimited access to buses, subways and local trains in the Kansai area. The exception is that this pass cannot be used on JR train lines – for this reason, you need a JR Pass if you want to take a train on this train line.

This pass also offers special discounts for entry to several tourist attractions in the Kansai region. Pretty good for those of you who want to tour the unique Kansai

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