Japan Travel Hacks

Himeji Castle in Hyōgo Prefecture

Passes, tickets, and more passes.

Disclaimer: All the prices I will be declaring in this post is the ADULT price (18 years old and above). Prices are discounted for children, students and minors. Terms and conditions apply.

Arguably one of the biggest chunk of the cake in a budget traveler’s expense is the transportation. In a country like Japan, this is very, VERY true. One train or bus ride in Japan costs around 200-230 yen (around 83 PHP or 2 USD*). This is the base fare and it would even cost higher the farther your destination is from your starting point. With commuting being a bit expensive, how can travelers in Japan make most out of their trip? Luckily, I found a way to work around this problem.

Passengers onboard a train

The different railway and bus companies operating in Japan offer passes that can give a commuter UNLIMITED rides on a certain duration ranging from one calendar day to a month. However, one must take note that since there are MANY companies operating in Japan, a pass may not work on some train or bus lines. This is different on some countries where one card can work on all subway lines such as the Octopus Card in Hong Kong.

During my 12-day solo travel in Japan, I was able to cover 10 cities in 3 regions using several passes: Sapporo and Otaru (Hokkaido), Narita and Tokyo (Kanto), Kyoto, Nara, Uji, Kobe, Himeji and Osaka (Kansai). On this blog post, I will be giving out details on passes I used on my trip and will be comparing them to several passes also commonly used by travelers.

Trains and buses for dummies

A normal train/subway ticket

Train tickets are bought on ticket vending machines. Unlike trains in some countries where you can click the destination on the map projected on the screen of the machine then you would know your fare, Japan ticket vending machines only show the TICKET FARE PRICE. Don’t fret though, the stations along a line and its corresponding fare is shown on the train map above the ticket vending machine. When you’re uncertain, don’t be afraid, just look above you and you will find your answers (lol).

In the event that you miscalculated your fare or you got down the wrong stop, don’t panic, there are fare adjustment machines near the exit where you will insert your train ticket and you will see how much yen is still lacking on your fare.

Fare adjustment machines (credits to this website)

Buses are a different story. There are no bus ticket vending machines. You simply hop on the rear end of the bus and you pay by dropping your coins or tapping/inserting your card in the machine found beside the bus driver. Then, you get off on the front door of the bus. Below is a diagram of a bus in Japan.

A typical bus found in Kyoto (credits to this website)

Reloadable Cards

If you want to save yourself from the hassle of looking for passes, you can get cards such as an IC, SUICA or PASMO cards (don’t ask me what these words mean lol). Basically, they’re just reloadable cards which you can use on all trains and buses. These can be reloaded on convenience stores like 7-11, Family Mart, Ministop, Lawson, etc. The downside of these cards is that you will be charged the normal fare unlike in passes where you can probably breakeven on costs by the second or third ride on a bus or train.

Make a wish! Wishing/Prayer blocks in Naritasan temple

THE PASSES

These are some of the most commonly used passes in Japan. Note that there are A LOT of passes being sold other than what I will mention. These passes are sold to tourists ONLY as they require your passport upon buying. So be sure to have your passport on hand once you buy these passes.

Enjoying butter beer at Universal Studios in Osaka

Japan Railway (JR) Pass. This is the most commonly used pass among travelers. It covers all the trains and buses operated by JR which includes the coveted shinkansen or bullet train. This is ideal for travelers doing multi-city trips.

Cost: Ordinary 7-day JR pass: 29110 Yen, 14-day JR pass: 46390 Yen. (for other prices: see this link)

Where to buy: The JR pass is not sold inside Japan. Therefore, this must be bought prior to your trip to Japan. For Filipinos, several travel agencies that offer Japan visa assistance also sell JR passes. You may also acquire your JR pass thru websites such as this.

Advantages: With access to the shinkansen, you can go to several cities around Japan in a matter of hours! And by March 2016, the shinkansen line will also be able to reach the northern island of Hokkaido thru Sapporo.

Disadvantages: Do note that not all the lines are being operated by Japan Railways so this pass will not work on some trains and buses which will lead you to buying tickets. This pass is also a bit expensive (costs are stated above).

You may choose the starting date to which you can use the pass but once you have started using JR pass, the days of usage MUST BE CONSECUTIVE. So if you use your 7-day JR pass on the first day of the month, it will expire and will be unusable by the seventh day of the month at exactly 11:59PM (terms and conditions apply).

I did not avail of this pass because I cannot shell out that huge sum of money in one go. I will also be spending so much money for the JR pass for my duration of stay (again, I stayed for 12 days so I needed to avail the 14 day JR pass if I want to make most out of my trip).

Tokyo Metro 3-day pass (yellow, left) and Keisei Skyliner one-way ticket (white, right)

Tokyo Metro Subway Pass. During my stay in Tokyo, I availed of the 3-day subway pass for 3500 Yen. From the name itself, this pass offers 3-day unlimited rides to all Tokyo Metro and Toei subway line and a one-way Keisei skyliner from Narita Airport.

Cost: Tokyo Subway 3-day Ticket + Keisei Skyliner One Way Ticket – 3500 Yen

Where to buy: This pass is being sold on Ticket Counters at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport and more. Peach Airlines also sell these tickets on their domestic flights headed for Tokyo.  I bought mine during my domestic flight from Sapporo Chitose to Narita Airport onboard Peach Airlines.

Peach Airline Ticket Catalog

Advantages: For 3500 yen, you will be able to ride on TEN subway lines. If you choose to buy the train tickets separately, a one way Keisei Skyliner ticket from Narita Airport to Ueno (the last station) costs 2470 Yen which leaves 1030 Yen for the subway which you can breakeven on the fourth or fifth subway ride. And this pass is for 3 days! Definitely worth it!

Disadvantages: Several lines are not covered by this pass. I had to buy extra tickets when I headed to an area on the outskirts of the city. You can consult the map here to check whether your preferred tourist spot is on a station covered by the pass. (The bold colored lines are COVERED by the pass.)

For more info on the variety of passes offered by Tokyo Metro, you can visit this website 

Kansai Thru Pass with a free guidebook

Kansai Thru Pass. As the name implies, this pass can be used for the WHOLE Kansai Region. The Surutto Network, made up of several train and bus companies, teamed up to give a traveler a hassle free choice of going around Kansai region by making a consolidated commuter pass.

Cost: 2-day ticket – 4000 Yen, 3-day ticket – 5200 Yen

Where to buy: Several outlets can be found throughout Kansai region that sell this pass. You can find a list of these said outlets here. In my case, I bought my pass from the bus information center in Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station Bus Information Center

Advantages: You can go to all the areas inside the Kansai region! From the wonderful Himeji Castle in Hyōgo Prefecture to world-renowned outdoor onsens or hotsprings in Wakayama Prefecture. Also, usage of this pass doesn’t have to be on consecutive days! You can choose which days you can use this pass provided it falls within the validity period. However, you must note that a ‘day’ means one calendar day and NOT 24 hours from the time you started using the pass.

The pass also comes with a guide book filled with train, subway and bus maps covered by the Thru Pass. Coupons also come with the pass which you can use on some tourist spots to avail of some discounts and/or freebies. 

Disadvantages: Cost is a bit pricey for 5200 Yen for 3 days. This pass is NOT suggested for tourists going to Kyoto-Osaka-Nara ONLY. If you want to breakeven on costs, I suggest you go to Kobe, Himeji and other areas of Kansai region as well. Several buses and trains (such as JR line and shinkansen) are also not covered by this pass. To know more about the limitations of the Kansai thru pass, you can visit the Surutto Network website here.

Kyoto City Bus Pass

Kyoto One-Day Bus Pass. For only 500 Yen, you can have unlimited bus rides inside the city of Kyoto for one calendar day! A bus ride in Kyoto costs around 210 yen so you can breakeven on costs by the second/third bus ride.

Cost: 500 Yen on one-calendar day (12AM-11:59PM)

Where to buy: If you are in Kyoto station, you will be able to buy this on the bus information center (same location with where I bought my Kansai Thru Pass). There are also vending machines that sell this bus pass.

Advantage: Unlimited bus rides in one day. I have noticed that this pass can be bought by anyone (not just tourists). A free free map comes along with the pass so you will know which buses stops on a certain tourist spot. Almost ALL the well-known tourist spots (temples, pavilions, etc.) are inside the bus pass region.

Disadvantage: The bus pass only covers the flat fare region inside the city of Kyoto. You will be paying extra if you hopped on or off a bus that is not covered by the pass. The designated area covered by the pass is indicated on the map (areas enclosed by red line).

In front of Sapporo's Old Government Building

Holiday/Weekend Pass. On some areas, such as Sapporo, you can avail of passes cheaper than the usual day pass. A normal day pass which allows you to have unlimited subway rides costs 830 Yen. However, on a holiday, weekend or year-end/new year (December 29 – January 3), you can get the said pass for only 520 Yen! You can breakeven by the second or third subway ride!

Unfortunately, during my stay in Sapporo, I wasn’t able to avail of this since I was not informed that it was a holiday. So sad :( hehe.

Where to buy: Subway ticket vending machines, tourist information centers, commuter offices, etc.

You can read more about the Sapporo passes here.

Attempting to ring (don't worry I didn't!) the bell at Tōdai-ji temple at Nara

Willer Express/Overnight Buses. Several bus liners offer long distance trips to different areas in Japan. For my trip going to Kyoto from Tokyo, I availed an overnight bus from Willer Express. I chose to buy tickets from this company due to good recommendations from friends and travel blogs. Mine costs 5600 Yen which is significantly cheaper than the shinkansen or bullet train which costs around 13000 Yen one way (that’s a whopping 8000 Yen difference).

The downside of riding a bus is that the trip takes 8 hours which a shinkansen can cut down to 2 hours. Still, I highly recommend you take an overnight bus so that you not only save up on transportation expenses, you can save up on accommodation expenses too! Plus, you won’t be able to feel the length of the trip since you’ll be asleep most of the time. :-P

Where to buy: You can book your tickets online through their website here.

Don’t have a credit card? Don’t worry! You can pay for your tickets via convenience stores such as Family Mart, etc. Just make sure to follow the directions which will be sent to your email. This is actually what I did since I saved my credit card for emergency expenses during my trip.

THE VERDICT

The table below shows my TOTAL transportation expenses throughout my 12 day stay in Japan.

Comparing this to the 14-day JR pass, you will be able to save MORE THAN 6000 yen! Why did I say more than? It’s because as what I have said earlier, not all the lines and cities are covered by the JR pass (such as Kyoto). Buying extra train tickets or riding a non-JR pass covered bus will be inevitable. And again, this is also an advantage to people who cannot produce a huge sum of money in one go to buy a JR pass (I had to save up for a year and I booked my domestic flight tickets in advance).

Of course, this technique of mine is not foolproof. There were instances that I had to pay extra because I rode the wrong train. If you want to save yourself of the hassle of calculating fares or buying separate passes, then maybe the JR pass or the reloadable card is for you J

Another technique that I thought of (if you will be spending more than 7 days in Japan like what I did) is buying a 7 day JR pass and buying other passes once the pass expires. There are just so many passes to choose from!

Questions? Reactions? Feel free to leave a comment!
You may also follow my adventures on instagram: @sereneezra

The Greatest Dream: Ren in Batanes

I dedicate this post to my late mother who has dreamed of going to Batanes. She passed away last February 2011 and unfortunately, she has never seen the province. All that changed on December 26, 2015. We have crossed out Batanes now, Mama! This one’s for you! J

Batanes has been my dream destination for as long as I can remember. The wonderful pictures I see on books and blogs never fail to amaze me. Most of all, the idea that there are few tourists (as compared to other sites in the Philippines) that have been to the province makes the islands more mysterious. A mystery that’s waiting to be discovered!

My and my late mother’s greatest dream was turned into a reality when I got tickets to Batanes thanks to my friend Ate Reina (Thank you Ate!). I couldn’t contain my excitement when I boarded the plane on December 26, 2015! (Yes, important dates like this will never be forgotten).

GETTING THERE

SkyJet and Philippine Airlines offer flights going to Batanes. One must take note that there are only morning flights going to Basco (the capital of Batanes). So plan your itineraries accordingly!

Every traveler’s biggest hurdle in traveling to Batanes is the plane ticket. I won’t lie, it is indeed expensive, sometimes even more expensive than international destinations. But don’t fret! Just keep a watchful eye on seat sales and you can score round trip tickets for as low as 800 PHP*!

For my solo trip to Batanes, I flew via Philippine Airlines.

Basco Lighthouse

GOING AROUND

There are several options for a traveler to tour Batanes: hire a tricycle, rent a motorbike or go on a tour.

Hiring tricycles have rates depending on the sites you want to go to. You may negotiate the price with the tricycle driver. From the information I have gathered from fellow travelers, a North Batan tour (Batan being the island where Basco is located) may cost 1500 PHP**.

Renting motorbikes, on the other hand, have varying rates. Again, from the information I have gathered from fellow travelers I met during my stay, it can be for a fixed price where you can choose whether gas is included or not. This would range from 1500-2000 PHP per day**.

Since I was alone and I wanted to meet more people plus I do not know how to ride a motorbike, I chose the hassle-free option: I joined a tour. This was the best option for me because the tours are handled by locals. Not only do you help on the local tourism but you are also toured by people who know the places well.

With Sir Ryan of BISUMI Tours (left) and Kuya Ronnie, our triycle driver (right) 

I chose BISUMI Tours because of good feedback from bloggers and friends. It’s a relatively young tour agency which is less than a year old and is handled by Mr. Ryan Cardona. I was lucky enough to meet him when he became my tour guide on my third day in Batanes!

The tour package I availed included land and boat transfers, hosted lunch, tour guide and tour fees. For inquiries on tour packages, you may reach BISUMI Tours through the following numbers:

0919 279 5963

0915 803 4582

FYI Time! The main mode of transportation around Basco is tricycle. There are no public utility jeepneys. However, getting a tricycle is a bit difficult. When you go out on the streets, you would rarely see a tricycle driving around town.

So how do you go around town during your free time? Apart from walking, you can contact the tricycle association (TODA) via call or text. GrabTrike: Batanes edition.

TODA – 0929 703 8404

There’s a fixed price for the fare depending on the distance from the city proper. If you would just ride a tricycle within the city, it would cost 30 PHP.

ACCOMMODATION

There are several lodges or inns found in Basco. But another option you have are homestays. I chose the latter because it is cheaper and it gave me more opportunities to interact with locals: my host family.

For my trip, I stayed in Berlen Lodge. A fan room for one costs 350 PHP per night. There are also aircon rooms available but for a windy December night, a fan room would be fine.

You may contact Berlen Lodge thru Nanay Ellen at this number 0920 478 4003.

THE GREATEST DREAM TOUR

On with the tour! Batanes has three inhabited islands: Batan (where the capital Basco is located), Sabtang and Itbayat (the northernmost island). During my stay, I got to tour North and South Batan and Sabtang.

Itbayat can also be included in your itinerary but you have to allot a long stay in Batanes since unpredictable sea conditions can sometimes make a traveler stranded on the island. Or sometimes, there would be no trips to Itbayat at all.

North Batan Tour

On the afternoon of my first day in Batanes, I toured the North part of Batan island. I also met a fellow traveler Mai who joined me in the tour.

Having lunch in Vunong Dinette with Mai

Vunong

I had my first meal in Batanes in Vunong Dinette. Vunong is the way Ivatans pack their meals by wrapping food in leaves.

At Mt. Carmel Chapel

At Fundacion Pacita

I also got to see Fundacion Pacita, which is a luxurious accommodation in Batanes. A night in this place could cost from 9000 PHP to as high as around 15 000 PHP! I’m fine with taking pictures outside.

The profit earned from Fundacion Pacita actually goes to a foundation that funds the education of young Ivatans. So when you spend a luxurious stay in Fundacion, your money’s going to a good cause J

Kung-Fu and Meditation at Valugan Boulder Beach :))

At Vayang Rolling Hills

The highlight of my North Batan tour is the Vayang Rolling Hills. I was in complete awe to see the hills and the wonderful view of the ocean and the sunset. It was frustrating that I couldn’t capture the beauty of the place with my camera phone. Indeed, pictures couldn’t even justify how beautiful Batanes is! To see is to believe!

More Vayang Rolling Hills photos

South Batan Tour

I spend the whole day of my second day in Batanes touring the southern part of Batan island. I joined a group of four people that day so yay for new friends!

With my tourmates on my South Batan tour

Heidi feels

At San Carlos Borromeo Church

Inside the San Carlos Borromeo Church is a blank book archive. A tourist can write whatever they want in those blank books and their memoirs will forever be stored in that archive in Batanes. Of course, I didn’t miss the opportunity to write!

The Blank Book Archive

Find me on book number 93 :) 

One of the oldest stone houses in the town of Ivana: The House of Dakay

With zero crime rate, Batanes is famous for the Ivatan’s trait of being kind and most of all, honest. I got to see the famous Honesty Coffee Shop where you can buy souvenirs and some pastries. You wouldn’t see any cashier or staff manning the place. You have to be honest and pay the amount of the souvenirs you got by dropping the bills in a dropbox.

This is where you pay. Pay the exact amount!

Honesty Coffee Shop

I got to see the Motchong Viewpoint and the Alapad Hill. For the Filipino movie savvy, this is where the famous scene of “i-Dawn Zulueta mo ako” actually took place.

Alapad Rock Formation

Dawn Zueleta hits. No one to Dawn Zulueta with :(

And of course, I ended my second day with the breathtaking view of Marlboro Country Hills!

 Titas of Marlboro Country

Sabtang Island

I was in complete shock to find out I’ll be on a solo tour in Sabtang with the one and only owner of BISUMI tours Mr. Ryan Cardona! I felt like a VIP haha!

Boarding the boat going to Sabtang. See the rainbow on the horizon

I woke up extra early and left Berlen’s at 6AM to catch the boat going to Sabtang. When we got to the island, it was drizzling and windy. The sky showed no signs of clearing up. But even though the weather was a bit unfavorable, we still went on with the tour. Even with gray skies, Batanes was still OH.SO.WONDERFUL.

 

Chamantad-Tinyan 

Get your hobbit feels on and be transported to Mordor with a glimpse of Chamantad-Tinyan point. Even though the wind was blowing REALLY hard (it was literally strong enough to push me while I was walking), I felt like I was in a Lord of the Rings scene just seeing the view.

Wearing the Vakul

One highlight of my Sabtang trip is when I got to rent and wear a Vakul. This is the headgear used by Ivatans to protect themselves from the strong wind, rain and sun.

I also got to be see how the Ivatans make these said headgears.

Vakul Weaving

Free day

After three days of touring, I had my fourth and final day in Batanes as a free day to go around. I found out that my host family, Nanay Ellen and her husband, owned a farm and they supply vegetables and root crops to markets in Basco. And so after much convincing, Nanay Ellen let me join her in harvesting some of their crops. I got to learn how to harvest sweet potato (locally called Wakay) and some cabbages (repolyo).

Harvesting Wakay (see the flying wakay on the right LOL)

Nanay Ellen insisted she takes pictures of me harvesting! What a fun experience it was.

Harvesting cabbages

I also got to go swimming on a beach called Chanarian, which is a few minutes from the city proper. I had the whole beach to myself!

Self-timer mode on

For dinner, I enjoyed home cooked adobo with my new found traveler friends Grace and Kuya Rommel and the staff of Marfel’s Lodge. Found myself lodge hopping haha!

Sadly, I had to leave this paradise to head back to Manila. However, I promised everyone including all my tour guides and my host family that I will surely come back to Batanes. Hopefully next time, I could bring my family, friends or who knows, maybe even a special someone J.

EXPENSES

Above is my breakdown of expenses during my 4-days, 4-nights stay in Batanes. Take note that my expenses DOES NOT include my airfare (which costs 9000 PHP, expensive I know L).

Just my two cents, you can lower the costs of food if you choose to cook your own meals during your stay. Most homestays and lodges let tourists cook their own meals for an additional fee (for using the stove and gas, of course).

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Of course, my greatest dream tour will not be possible without all the people who helped me on achieving my trip to Batanes!

Reina Salazar

Revee Rapallo

Janella Salamania

BISUMI tours and Mr. Ryan Cardona

And to all the people I have met during my stay in Batanes and made my trip even more memorable. A BIG, BIG THANK YOU! J <3

My host family: Nanay Ellen and her husband

Mai, Grace, Kuya Rommel, Kuya Benny, Ate Theresa, Ate Lyssan and all the people I met during my tours.

The tour guides of BISUMI

The staff of Marfel’s Lodge

And of course to my dad and my family for being so supportive of my travels J

*info based on blogs I have read that availed SkyJet’s piso fair

**info I have gathered from fellow travelers that availed of the tricycle/ motorbike rental.