pass – Matthew Baxter

Exploring Hakodate on the cheap with a tram pass

In preparation for the release of my new book, Super Cheap Hokkaido, I went to Hakodate to see what all the fuss was about! Located to the south of Hokkaido, it’s a port town well known for its foreign influences, fish market and easy-to-use tram system. With a one-day tram pass only costing 600 yen,Continue reading “Exploring Hakodate on the cheap with a tram pass”

Snowy Buddhist mountain town – Koyasan Day 1

Koyasan is a secluded town south of Osaka, full of temples for people to stay in and view. I went here last week and had one of my holidays in Japan. This UNESCO World Heritage site is so stunning in the winter. Day 2 report can be found here. Here are some highlights from my trip:Continue reading “Snowy Buddhist mountain town – Koyasan Day 1”

San’in-Okayama Area Pass

The JR San’in-Okayama Area Pass allows for unlimited use of JR local, rapid and express trains in the northern Chugoku area for 4 consecutive days. It includes popular tourist spots such as Okayama, Kurashiki, Tottori and Matsue, as well as access to near Izumo-Taisha. What does it cost? Bought before entering Japan: Adults 4500 yen (about $45), ChildrenContinue reading “San’in-Okayama Area Pass”

Toei One-Day Economy Pass

The Toei One-Day Economy Pass allows unlimited use for 1 day of the Toei transportation network, which includes a small subway network, a large bus network and a few other services. Note that the Toei subway is separate from the Tokyo Metro. What does it cost? 1 Day pass: Adults 700 yen (about $7), ChildrenContinue reading “Toei One-Day Economy Pass”

Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket

The Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket is a little known, little used bus pass for central Japan, allowing for 3 or 5 days of unlimited travel on the Meitetsu bus network. The 3 day bus allows access to the main cities of Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Nagoya. The 5 days additionally includes wider access to cities such asContinue reading “Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket”

Minami Izu Unlimited Ticket

Izu Peninsula is a famous hot spring and sightseeing destination, and a popular side trip from Tokyo. While not that popular with foreign tourists, it is becoming increasing well-known, and this pass will help out budget travellers. This pass includes a round-trip ticket to Izu, with unlimited use of transportation in the area around andContinue reading “Minami Izu Unlimited Ticket”

Ito Kanko Freepass

Izu Peninsula is a popular side trip from Tokyo. While not that popular with foreign tourists, it is becoming increasing well-known, and this pass will help out budget travellers. It includes a round-trip ticket to Izu, with unlimited use of transportation in the area. Discounts are also included to various tourist destinations. What does itContinue reading “Ito Kanko Freepass”

Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass

The Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass is a new rail pass, introduced just after the Hokuriku Shinkansen was finished. This new line extends the Shinkansen all the way to Kanazawa from Tokyo. The pass therefore takes visitors on an arch route from Tokyo to Osaka via the northern coast. It includes tourist hotspots such as Kanazawa, Kaga Onsen, Kyoto, Kobe, and NaraContinue reading “Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass”

JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass

The JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is an interesting new pass that has opened to celebrate the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen line. It allows unlimited travel on all JR (national rail) trains from Tokyo and Yokohama in Kanto all the way up to Otaru and Sapporo in Hokkaido, via Tohoku. Highlights in between include the Kakunodate, Sendai, Hakodate andContinue reading “JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass”

Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass provides unlimited travel on JR lines in northern Chubu, plus use of the bus network to World Heritage sites in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. It is over a 5 day period and also includes tourist spots such as Takayama, Kaga Onsen and Kanazawa, connecting to Osaka, Kansai Airport and Nagoya in the south.Continue reading “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass”