Do you have plans for the next spring in Japan? Do you like travelling by train? Staying in Japan for a few months want to explore without going bankrupt? We have just the solution for you! It’s made from paper, it’s very small, green and its name is Seishun 18 Kippu!
How the Seishun 18 Kippu works
Alternatives to save time
Planning your routes
The Seishun 18 Kippu (青春18きっぷ) is a discount ticket issued by the Japan Railway Group (JR). Therefore, it’s valid for all the JR network in Japan. With this ticket, you are allowed to travel on local and rapid trains for the modest sum of ¥2,370 per day.
The ticket has a validity for 5 days and they don’t have to be consecutive with a final price of ¥11,850. One person can enjoy the Seishun 18 Kippu for five days or it can be split for use by up to five people.
It is undoubtedly a cheaper option than the Japan Rail Pass unavailable for expats living in Japan and a good alternative.
But this will take a life!
Well, it is true that traveling with local trains requires multiple changes. It is not as quick and convenient compared to the express trains or Shinkansen. However, let’s take a look at the next example. Let’s say we want to go to Kyoto from Tokyo and we are ready to depart at 7:00.
Departure at 07:42 from Tokyo → Atami → Shimizu → Hamamatsu → Toyohashi → Ogaki → Maibara → Arrival to Kyoto at 16:12.
This whole trip would normally cost more than ¥8,000 or ¥13,000 if you were to take the Shinkansen.
Okay, that sounds cool, but then I will lose the day stuck on a train!
Well, guess what! Some overnight trains are also covered by the Seishun 18 Kippu. For instance, you can reserve a seat in the Moonlight Nagara (ムーンライトながら).
It is a train that departs Tokyo to as far as Fukuoka by the end of the day. It also stops in famous cities like Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe! For example, if you take the Moonlight Nagara at 11 PM from Tokyo, you will arrive in Kyoto by 9 AM!
Alright, you convinced me! How can I plan my routes with the Seishun 18 Kippu?
Very easy! You can use a planning website like Hyperdia, where you can calculate your routes accurately. To find the routes allowed for the Seishun 18 Kippu click in “More options” and uncheck all checkboxes except “Local Train” and “Japan Railway (JR)“.
For more information about other trains and lines included in the Seishun 18 Kippu, you can consult the pamphlet given to you when buying the ticket.
電車が発車します！(All on board!)