Youthful 18 ticket travel (seishun ju-hachi kippu)
I’m traveling with a discount rail ticket called the seishun ju-hachi kippu, which translates to the “youthful 18 ticket.” You don’t have to be youthful to buy it as the name implies, but it does include some restrictions. You can only buy and use it three times a year during the school holidays in the winter, spring, and summer. The ticket is good for five days or up to five people in one day, and is good for unlimited travel within the day it’s validated.
The ticket is a great option if you have plenty of time, as it is only good for local and rapid train service (no bullet or express trains). I recommend it for those travelers who either live in Japan, are visiting friends and have fewer time restrictions, or are linking Japan with travel from or to other Asia countries. I have found this ticket works perfectly in combination with ferry service between Korea or China because five days can give you a leisurely one-way trip between Tokyo and Western Japan, but a round-trip would be rushed and difficult without previous experience negotiating Japanese train schedules and stations. Not to say it isn’t possible. I met a guy who had made it from Tokyo to Hiroshima in one day traveling from first train to last train. He had to transfer over a dozen times, but made it. Make sure you bring a good book.
If you think you can cope with the conditions, this ticket is a real travel bargain at 11,500 yen. Ticket details can be found here.
Tags: Capitals tour of Asia, Japan on the cheap
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