TIP #2 JAPAN RAIL PASS: economical, convenient way of traveling throughout Japan.

• Tip #2. A Japan Rail Pass cannot be purchased in Japan.  Only available before your departure. 

Click HERE for valuable information

• Excellent for travel to multiple and distant Japanese destinations [Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima, Asuka, Nagano, etc.].  Click HERE to purchase https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/jr-pass  

• Japan's iconic bullet trains are included on JR Passes 
• A Japan rail pass has a hidden advantage in purchasing a that makes it a greater value for first time travelers. The pass is presented to the JR attendant at each entry point which is big advantage for travelers not expert at navigating through large, busy, complicated train stations. (*See an example below.) Ask and the attendant tells you which track to go to and sets you off in the right direction. If you buy a ticket from machine, having that ticket in hand doesn’t tell you which way to go to get to the train.
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Later when you get off the train, go to the attendant at the next JR sign and that person will tell you which way to go to get to the next train or to where ever it is you’re going. It didn't take long to realize that with a JR Pass in hand, I got lost less often. 

In Japan, getting lost became for me a heart warming part of the journey. Its people are quite generous with their time and in a short time I grew more comfortable asking for assistance. Don’t be surprised if someone stops where they’re going to walk you to where you need to go even if it takes them way out of their way. Once, an 80 year old man got off his train with me to point me in the right direction. I went on my way with the feeling … “This is the way life ought to be.”

*Shinjuku Station, Japan. With an average of 3.5 million passing through its doors every day, Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, is the world's busiest train station in terms of passenger throughput.