Is the New JR Move Price It?

A chill ran up the backbone of each potential international customer to Japan in mid-2023, when it was introduced that costs for the Japan Rail Move could be going up in October. And going up considerably, to the tune of 70 per cent.

That 7-day Japan Rail Move, which used to value simply over 200 USD on the present change fee? Effectively, it’ll run you ¥50,000 (~340 USD) now, and that’s solely the start. Even worse? Whereas nationwide JR Move worth will increase are essentially the most extreme, costs are going up for all regional Japan Rail Move merchandise as effectively.

This has led many vacationers to ask a easy query: Is the brand new JR Move price it? Worry not, I’m right here to provide the not-so-simple reply.

Japan Rail Move Costs Simply Went Up—a Lot

Earlier than deciding whether or not the JR Move continues to be price it, you could first reckon with the truth of the value improve. Listed below are the brand new JR Move costs (outdated ones are in parentheses):

• ¥50,000 for a 7-day Japan Rail Move (¥29,650)
• ¥80,000 for a 14-day Japan Rail Move (¥47,250)
• ¥100,000 for a 21-day Japan Rail Move (¥60,450)

NOTE: Whereas Inexperienced Automotive passes have additionally seen commensurate will increase, I’m not itemizing them as a result of I don’t usually take into account the Inexperienced Automotive to be price it.

And why, precisely, are Japan Rail Move costs rising now? Effectively, for one hand, they haven’t gone up in additional than a decade. That is regardless of the truth that the Japanese yen is now price round half of what it was at its peak within the early 2010s, when it traded at simply 77 JPY per USD. Another excuse? JR is aware of the numerous vacationers nonetheless see the move as an extremely worth. However is it?

Why the JR Move is (Typically) Nonetheless Price It

Limitless station entry

While you purchase a Japanese Shinkansen or Restricted Categorical practice ticket outright, it permits you one entry to the origin station and one exit from the vacation spot station. With the Japan Rail Move, however, you’ll be able to entry all JR and Shinkansen platforms and limitless variety of instances throughout your move. That is particularly useful in case you are driving a Shinkansen and not using a reservation (equivalent to on a day journey from Kyoto or Osaka to Himeji Fort) and wish to have the ability to enter the station spontaneously. 

Simple on-line reservations

The Japan Rail Move (presuming you purchase it instantly, and never by way of a 3rd social gathering) can be good for reserved seats, nonetheless. You should use the identical dashboard on the official JR Move website to make reservations on your complete journey simply and in English. I like to recommend doing this as quickly as doable after you purchase your move.  That method, while you decide up your move, the affiliate who processes the order can print out the reservation chits. Is JR Move nonetheless price it? Undoubtedly, no less than when it comes to comfort.

Peace of thoughts

Comfort, and peace of thoughts: There’s one thing to be stated for figuring out that you simply’ll have the ability to get your self from Level A to Level B, even if you happen to haven’t fairly determined A, B or any of the opposite letters of the alphabet. Moreover, the brand new JR Move will provide reductions at a wide range of sights in Japan, which can additional improve your financial ROI. Mixed with the benefit of reservations and the pliability of station entry, having a Japan Rail Move can relieve a whole lot of the stress of touring in Japan.

Entry to Nozomi and Mizuho

One other factor that makes the brand new JR Move price it? The truth that you’ll quickly have the ability to use the super-fast Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen trains, which have historically been off limits to JR Move holders. Whereas the dangerous information is that utilizing these trains would require you to pay a small surcharge, the excellent news is that doing so can shave hours off particular person journeys, which may result in a way more environment friendly use of time when zooming out to your complete journey.

Time vs. cash

Certainly, this encapsulates a giant bigger level of mine with regards to the JR Move: That even when you find yourself solely breaking even, and even paying a bit extra, you’ll save time with the Japan Rail Move. You don’t want to attend in line to make seat reservations; you may make these on-line or at a ticket machine. You don’t have to waste time on the Hikari or Sakura; you’ll be able to take the Nozomi and Mizuho as a substitute. A Japan Rail Move permits basically frictionless journey in Japan—isn’t that price its weight in gold?

How Do I Maximize My JR Move in Japan?

As a common rule, the extra you employ your move—specifically, on costly Shinkansen and Restricted Categorical trains—the extra bang on your buck you get. Listed below are some sensible methods to let your Japan Rail Move do the give you the results you want:

• Use the Narita Categorical (versus the Keisei Skyliner) if you happen to fly into or out of Narita Airport.
• Journey to Nikko utilizing the Tohoku Shinkansen, as a substitute of a non-public operated Tobu practice.
• In case you go to Mt. Fuji, use the Fuji Tour practice from Shinjuku Station, as a substitute of driving a Fujikyu Bus.
• Entry the Japanese Alps metropolis of Takayama utilizing the Shinkansen to Toyama or Nagoya, then the Hida Restricted Categorical from there.
• Go to Kyushu island and the Tohoku area (moderately than Shikoku island and the San’in) area, because the former locations have extra Shinkansen and Restricted Categorical trains than the latter ones.
• Spend fewer days in every place—and go to extra locations—so that you simply’re masking extra floor all through your journey.

Different FAQ In regards to the New JR Move

Is JR Move limitless rides?

The Japan Rail Move provides limitless rides on JR-operated trains, together with the Shinkansen bullet practice, throughout move’ validity. Nonetheless, in some instances, you might have to pay a surcharge, normally if the JR practice travels on privately-owned railway tracks (equivalent to on the Nanki Restricted Categorical, which travels a part of the between Shingu and Nagoya on Kintetsu Line tracks).

Is the JR Move price it if solely staying in Tokyo?

As a common rule, the Japan Rail Move just isn’t worthwhile if used just for Tokyo’s metropolis heart practice strains, such because the JR Yamanote Line. Alternatively, if you happen to plan to make a lot of day journeys from Tokyo—significantly distant ones, equivalent to Hiroshima and Sendai—you then could possibly make the case that having a JR Move is price it.

What are some alternate options to the Japan Rail Move?

In case you don’t wish to purchase a nationwide Japan Rail Move, you may as a substitute order any variety of regional JR Passes, such because the Hokkaido Rail Move or the Hokuriku Arch Move. Alternatively, you may benefit from non-public rail methods (Tobu and Keisei within the Tokyo space; Keihan, Hankyu and Kintetsu within the Kansai area) and use your PASMO or Suica card for seamless journey when not utilizing JR.

The Backside Line

Is the brand new JR Move price it? As irritating as it might be to listen to, that merely is determined by your itinerary. In case you plan to take Shinkansen and Restricted Categorical trains on most or all days of your journey, a Japan Rail Move might be price it, even on the “new costs.” Alternatively, the outdated axiom—{that a} 7-day JR Move prices the identical as a round-trip Shinkansen journey between Tokyo and Kyoto—is not true. Want personalised assist assembling all features of your subsequent journey to Japan? I do hope you’ll take into account commissioning a customized Japan itinerary, and letting me sweat the essential particulars.