Budget travel Japan, New Year 2007

Here is information on budget travel around Japan for the holiday
season. I hope this helps stretch your precious yen. Pardon me if any
fine details here turn out wrong.

Index

1. Rail budget tickets

(Seasonal passes for the energetic)

1.1 JR Group Seishun 18 Kippu
1.2 JR Hokkaido & Higashi Nihon Pass
1.3 JR East New Year's Day Pass
1.4 Sanriku Railway One Day Free Pass
1.5 JR Central Kodama and Wide View Free Ticket
1.6 JR Nagoya area Aozora Free Pass
1.7 JR Shizuoka area Shinshun Norihoudai Kippu
1.8 JR Central Iseji Free Kippu
1.9 Kintetsu Ise Yumemoude
1.10 Kintetsu Kei-Han-Na One Day Ticket
1.11 Kintetsu Three Day Free Pass
1.12 O-Keihan One Day Free Ticket,
Koto-koto Ohtsu One Day Free Ticket
1.13 Nankai Hatsumoude Free Ticket
1.14 JR West Nenmatsu Nenshi Norihoudai Kippu
1.15 JR West Kei-Han-Shin Norihoudai Kippu

2. Japan Rail Pass and regional passes from JR companies

(Year-round plans for foreigners)

3. Budget ferry travel

3.1 "Pacific Story": Tokyo to Sapporo by bus and ferry
3.2 Honshu to Hokkaido by Ferry

4. Service suspensions and special runs

4.1 Services suspended due to natural hazards
4.2 Permanent line closures
4.3 Renovation work in JR Kyushu Fukuoka Station
4.4 All-night service on New Year's Eve

5. More info

6. Disclaimer

===================================

1.1 JR Group Seishun 18 Kippu

Set of 5 tickets, each good for one passenger, one day. Good for all JR
local and rapid trains, JR Miyajima Ferry, and limited express trains on
two JR sections with no local service.

No upgrade to Shinkansen, express & limited express trains.

Good for limited express trains between Kanita - Kikonai (Seikan Tunnel)
and Shin Yubari - Shintoku (Sekisho Line, Hokkaido); no extra fare required.

Green car and reserved seats of local & rapid trains available if you
pay the surcharge. (Until recently upgrade to green wasn't possible.)

No refunds for delays.

No age restriction. No child fare.

11500 yen. Use by Jan. 20.

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html (English)

* Morioka to Hachinohe on the Tokyo - Aomori trunk is now operated by
non-JR companies. See about 3000 yen extra.

- Nambu Bus has two runs between Morioka and Hachinone each way daily.
2 hours, 1830 yen. See:
http://www.nanbubus.co.jp/hiwaybus/index.html#morioka

- The following 'Hokkaido & Higashi Nihon Pass' covers Morioka -
Hachinohe.


-----------------------------------

1.2 JR Hokkaido & Higashi Nihon Pass

Like the Seishun 18 Kippu, but good only for JR East and JR Hokkaido.
Also good for IGR Iwate Railway and Aoimori Railway (3rd sector firms,
former JR Tohoku Line) and Hokuetsu Express.

Unlike the Seishun 18 Kippu, valid for five consecutive days, one
passenger only.

10000 yen. Available to Jan 17. Use by Jan 21.

http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/network/kipp/f_4.html (J text)

Special provisions for channel crossings:

Night express HAMANASU boardable, with no extra fare. (Day coach seats,
non-reserved. Expect this train to be crowded.)

Limited express HAKUCHO boardable with no extra fare, if riding just
Kanita - Kikonai. (Not many chances.)

Covers base fare for the HAKUCHO, if riding just Aomori - Hakodate.
Add non-reserved ltd. express surcharge: 1680 yen.

Another option is the Aomori-Hakodate ferry. Ships of three companies
cross sea in about 4 hours. 2nd class fare is 1420 yen to 1850 yen.
Piers are quite far from stations. See 3.2 below.

NOTE: Seikan Ferry Line and Donan Ferry will not operate between
Dec 31 2006 - Jan 3 2007.

* The restricted time frame greatly diminishes the value of
this pass, for it takes a full day for Tokyo-Aomori by local,
and another full day for Aomori-Sapporo, if not using the HAMANASU.

* Very few local trains run in Hokkaido. The ferry is an option
worth consideration. See section 3.2.


-----------------------------------

1.3 JR East New Year's Day Pass

Good for JR East, JR Hokkaido to Hakodate, IGR Iwate Railway, Aoimori
Railway, Hokuetsu Express and Izukyu. Shinkansen and Limited express
boardable with no extra.

Adult fare, with 4 green reserved seat opportunities: 15000 yen
Adult fare, with 4 2nd class reserved seat opportunities: 12000 yen

Reserved seat charge included in pass, but reservations must be done
before boarding. Note that the HAYATE and KOMACHI are all seats
reserved: buy early if heading far north.

Tachiseki (standing space issued when all seats sold out) on HAYATE
and KOMACHI count as reserved seats.

Pass must be purchased during December.

http://www.jreast.co.jp/tickets/info.aspx?GoodsCd=1208
http://www.jreast.co.jp/tickets/info.aspx?GoodsCd=1209 (J text)


-----------------------------------

1.4 Sanriku Railway One Day Free Pass

One Day Free Pass

North section: 2000 yen
South section: 1100 yen

Available at Sanriku Railway Stations. Good year round on Sun, Hol and
Dec 31 - Jan 3.

One Day Tokuwari Free Pass

North section: 900 yen
South section: 530 yen

Show JR Seishun 18 Kippu in use for the day to get this special
discount. Hokkaido and Higashi Nihon Pass not valid. Available during
season at Kuji, Miyako, Kamaishi and Sakari.

-----------------------------------

1.5 JR Central Kodama and Wide View Free Ticket

Good for Tokaido Shinkansen KODAMA (Tokyo - Shin Osaka) and all JR
Central non-Shinkansen lines. Limited express charge included.

With 4 green reserved seat opportunities
Adult fare 15000 yen, child fare 5000 yen

With 4 2nd class reserved seat opportunities
Adult fare 13000 yen, child fare 3000 yen

HIKARI between Nagoya and Shin Osaka boardable: non-reserved 2nd class
seats only.

Separate fare necessary for Ise Railway. (Ltd. express WIDE VIEW NANKI
uses this shortcut.)

Details in Japanese:
http://jr-central.co.jp/news.nsf/news/20061122-1573/$FILE/newyear%20ticket.pdf


-----------------------------------

1.6 JR Nagoya area Aozora Free Pass

Unlimited access to local and rapid trains in the greater Nagoya area:

Tokaido Line Futagawa (*1) - Maibara
Iida Line to Iida
All of Taketoyo Line
Chuo Line to Kiso Hirasawa (*2)
Kisei Line to Ise Nagashima (inc. Ise Railway)
All of Sanguu Line (*3)
All of Meishou Line
Takayama Line to Gero
All of Taita Line

(*1) two stops east of Toyohashi. One way fare to Hamamatsu: 480 yen.
(*2) four stops south of Shiojiri. One way fare to Matsumoto: 570 yen.
(*3) Ise-shi, gateway to shrine, is on this line.

Upgrade to limited express possible. Not good for Shinkansen and night
express GINGA.

2500 yen adult fare, 1250 yen child fare.
Available at JR Central stations in the above area.

Good for one day Dec 31 - Jan 1.

Details in Japanese:
http://jr-central.co.jp/news.nsf/news/20061122-1573/$FILE/newyear%20ticket.pdf


-----------------------------------

1.7 JR Shizuoka area Shinshun Norihoudai Kippu

Unlimited access to JR Central local and rapid trains in the Shizuoka area:

Tokaido Line Atami - Toyohashi
All of Gotemba Line and Minobu Line.
2600 yen. Child fare 1300 yen
Available at JR Central stations in the above area (excluding Kofu and
Kouzu).

Not good for Ito Line.

Rules are like the above Aozora Free Pass.

2600 yen adult fare, 1300 yen child fare.
Good for one day between Dec 31 - Jan 1.

* From Odakyu transfer at Shin Matsuda to JR Matsuda.


-----------------------------------

1.8 JR Central Iseji Free Kippu

Round trip to Ise area and free roaming between Matsusaka and Toba.
7500 yen from stations in Nagoya City. Each additional passenger +2000
yen. No leave at other stations. No access to ltd. express trains;
use rapid MIE.

Comes with taxi coupons worth total 6000 yen. They must be converted to
taxi-fare tickets at the destination station before boarding cab.

You may elect to use up to 2000 yen of the taxi coupons at designated
stores in the 'Okage Yokochou' reconstructed historical district near
Ise Shrine Naiguu.

http://jr-central.co.jp/services.nsf/otoku/otoku_ise
(J text; Click red oval for a map of designated stores.)

(The Naiguu is the main shrine far from Ise-shi Station. If I remember
correctly, the bus fare from Ise-shi Station to Naiguu was 500 yen.)

Details in Japanese:
http://jr-central.co.jp/news.nsf/news/20061122-1573/$FILE/newyear%20ticket.pdf

* Recommended for group visits to Ise Shrine. Kintetsu also has a
budget plan for Ise. See below.

* You should see this shrine once while you are in Japan.
http://www.isejingu.or.jp/ (Japanese, English, Chinese & Korean)

* On Jan 1st free drinks are offered, but with the crowds it will be
difficult to appreciate the natural beauty of the shrine.


-----------------------------------

1.9 Kintetsu Ise Yumemoude

Round trip to Ise area, free roaming between Ise-shi and Kashikojima.
Good for 3 consecutive days between Dec 30 - Jan 31. Pass holders get
discounts when entering major tourist attractions in area.

Regular version: 2700 yen (from Osaka or Kyoto), 2100 yen (Nagoya)
Ltd. express version: 5000 yen (from Osaka or Kyoto), 4500 yen (Nagoya).

Must be purchased during December.

http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/ensentokus.../ticket-1.html
(J text)

* The JR rapid MIE is as fast as the Kintetsu limited express train.
Kintetsu runs more trains than JR, and is more comfortable with
broader tracks.


-----------------------------------

1.10 Kintetsu Kei-Han-Na One Day Ticket

All Kintetsu rail lines in Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.
1200 yen. Good for one day between Jan. 1 to 8.

New Year's day riders are entitled to an early start: ticket becomes
valid 6 PM New Year's Eve. (Trains will operate all through that night.)

Must be purchased during December.

http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/ensentokus.../ticket-2.html
(J text)


-----------------------------------

1.11 Kintetsu Three Day Free Pass

All Kintetsu rail lines, and cable car lines. Supplement necessary for
limited express trains. Two ltd. express fare discount coupons, -200
yen each, attached.

Good for three consecutive days, to Feb 28.

Must be purchased during December.

http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/ensentokus.../ticket-3.html
(J text)


-----------------------------------

1.12 O-Keihan One Day Free Ticket,
Koto-koto Ohtsu One Day Free Ticket

"O-Keihan" Keihan Line version: 1000 yen
"Koto-koto" Ohtsu Line version: 500 yen

Ohtsu version is not good for Kyoto subway.

Good for any one day between Dec 28 - Jan 4.

Limited supply, for sale at major Keihan stations.

http://www.keihan.co.jp/traffic/otok...i06/index.html
(J text)

* Note the stamp pads on this page. These stamps will be found at major
temples and shrines along the Keihan Line.


-----------------------------------

1.13 Nankai Hatsumoude Free Ticket

Good for all Nankai Railway trains and the Koya-san cable car.
Supplement required for ltd. express trains. Valid for any 2 days
between Dec. 30 - Jan 8.

2000 yen adult fare, 1000 yen child fare.

Must be purchased by Dec. 29. Limited supply.

http://www.nankai.co.jp/company/news/pdf/061130.pdf (J text)


-----------------------------------

1.14 JR West Nenmatsu Nenshi Norihoudai Kippu

("Year-end Year-start Ride-as-much-as-you-can" ticket)

Good for all JR West Lines including Shinkansen.

Not good for compartments, night train berths. Not good for Shinkansen
between Kyoto and Shin Osaka. Seats must be reserved before boarding.

Two-day version good for Dec 31 & Jan 1.
One-day version good for Jan 1.

Two-day green version: 29000 yen adult fare, 18000 child fare
One-day green version: 18000 adult fare, 11000 child fare
Two-day 2nd class version: 24000 adult fare, 12000 child fare
One-day 2nd class version: 15000 adult fare, 7500 child fare

Available at manned windows at JR West stations (inc. Kokura, Hakata)
Must be purchased by Dec. 30.

http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslis...061214a_01.pdf
(J text)


-----------------------------------

1.15 JR West Kei-Han-Shin Norihoudai Kippu

Unlimited access to local, rapid and special rapid trains in the
Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Nara area:

Tokaido Line to Kusatsu
Sanyo Line to Nishi Akashi
Kosei Line to Katada
San'in Line to Kameoka
Fukuchiyama Line to Shin Sanda
Hanwa Line to Wakayama and branches
Kansai Line to Kamo
Sakurai Line
Wakayama Line east of Gojou (4 stops east of Hashimoto)

Good for any one day between Jan 1 - Jan 3.
Good for two consecutive days if you start on Dec. 31.

Not good for Shinkansen.

1600 yen adult fare, 800 yen child fare.

Available at most JR West stations in the above area.
Must be purchased by Dec. 30.

http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslis...061214a_02.pdf
(J text)

===================================

2. Japan Rail Pass and regional passes from JR companies

(Links here are to English-language net-pages.)

Hokkaido:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/...pass/rail.html

Eastern Japan:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/top.html

Central Japan, also Hiroshima:
http://jr-central.co.jp/eng.nsf/english/shinkansen_tour

Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area, greater western Japan:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html

Kyushu:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/kyushu_railpass.html

These passes are available only to foreigners. Read carefully the terms
of usage for you may have to procure before departure.


===================================

3.1 "Pacific Story": Tokyo to Sapporo by bus and ferry

Budget offer from Mitsui Line and several bus companies.

Tokyo 14:00 (13:30 Sat, Dec 29,30, Jan 2 & 3) - Sapporo 15:45 next day
Sapporo 15:00 - Tokyo 17:59 next day
Ferry between O-arai and Tomakomai.
Campaign available between Dec 15 - March 31.

Total fare 9500 yen.

For more information and reservations see this Japanese page:
http://www.sunflower.co.jp/ferry/news/20061205.shtml

* The ferry alone is 8000 yen 2nd class. (Off-peak fare; higher in
summertime.)

-----------------------------------

3.2 Honshu to Hokkaido by Ferry

Three ferry companies operate between Aomori and Hakodate:

Higashi Nihon Ferry
http://www.higashinihon-ferry.com/ (J text)

Donan Jidousha Ferry
http://www.donanferry.co.jp/ (J text)

Seikan Ferry
http://www.seikan-ferry.co.jp/index2.html (J text)

2nd class fa
Higashi-Nihon Ferry: 1850 yen
Donan Jidousha Ferry, Seikan Ferry: 1420 yen

The trip is about 4 hours. (The JR HAKUCHO Ltd. is 4830 yen, 2 hours.)

All lines offer a 20% student discount (ID required).

Higashi-Nihon line offers 10% off non-student fare for purchases
through internet.

Donan Ferry has a 20% off print-out coupon on its net page:
http://www.donanferry.co.jp/print.html

Bus trips from station to pier are about 15 minutes, 300 yen on both sides.

The Higashi-Nihon & Donan pier at Hakodate is somewhat near JR Nanaehama
Station. The Seikan pier at Hakodate is somewhat near JR Goryoukaku.
(About 30 minutes. Walking distance by Japanese standards, but be ready
for icy streets. Very few trains stop at Nanaehama.)

There are late night crossings. No bus connections. The ferry
terminals are at least open during the late night, unlike JR stations
which close doors.

Donan Line and Seikan Line will curtail services for several weeks
around the New Year. Both will completely close down between Dec 31 -
Jan 3 2007.

* Other ferry links between Honshu and Hokkaido:

Ohma - Hakodate
Aomori - Muroran 7h, 3460 yen
http://www.higashinihon-ferry.com/

Hachinohe - Tomakomai 7-9h, 4490 yen (fare to rise soon)
http://www.silverferry.jp/

Akita - Tomakomai 10-12h, 4400 yen
http://www.snf.co.jp/

Hachinohe - Muroran recently closed.


===================================

4.1 Services suspended due to natural hazards

* North end of JR Central Takayama Line
(severed between Hida Takayama and Toyama)
* Part of JR West Etsumi-hoku Line
* Part of JR West Tsuyama Line
* Part of JR West Geibi Line
* Part of JR West Sankou Line

All the above are local lines. The Takayama Line break is on a course
some tourists use. The others should not be of concern unless you have
a penchant on visiting deep remotes. Substitute buses are running.


-----------------------------------

4.2 Permanent line closures

* Chihoku Line, Hokkaido closed 2006.
* Kamioka Railway closed Nov. 2006.


-----------------------------------

4.3 Renovation work in JR Kyushu Fukuoka Station

Works in Fukuoka Station will cause service disruptions during the night
of January 1-2. 2 rapid trains and 3 local trains will not run. Minor
time changes are planned for 9 limited express trains and 22 local trains.


-----------------------------------

4.4 All-night service on New Year's Eve

Many lines in the Tokyo and Osaka area will stay running through the
night of Dec 31 - Jan 1.

The JR Yamanote Line will run trains every 10-12 minutes; the Osaka Loop
Line, every 15 minutes. On most other lines in urban Tokyo and Osaka
trains will come once every 20 to 60 minutes.

Nagoya Railway (Meitetsu) will not operate beyond weekend/holiday hours.

* It is not a good idea to follow the crowd on New Year's Eve. Small
local shrines can have interesting events. A dangerous gastric virus
is at large which you can get by inhaling.


===================================

5. More info

Some more JR East discount tickets, in English:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html

Hitachi Hyperdia Online Timetable:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

English guidance available. You can specify "no Shinkansen"
"no Ltd. Express" for courses suitable for Seishun 18 Kippu, etc.

Another collection of free rail passes, in English:
http://desktoptetsu.at.infoseek.co.jp/freeticket.htm


===================================

6. Disclaimer

This is a private translation of railway authority announcements.
Though the author has checked through everything, there may be errors.
Most tickets here are special offers for this season: fare, terms and
availability subject to change.

All prices tax included.

Please confirm with official announcements from each company. Kindly
reply to the newsgroup or if anything seems wrong.


Bon Voyage,

Douso, The Prophet of the Way