Help me buy Japanese train tickets

December 4, 2006 12:29 PM

My brother is spending a year in Japan, and I'd like to buy him some train tickets so that he can go somewhere he wouldn't otherwise go while he's over there. The ticket options seem pretty complicated, though, and I can't figure out what to buy and how to buy it.

He's there on a work visa, so I don't think I can just get him a Japan Rail Pass (link). Ideally I'd like to get a ticket with no date attached, so he can use it anytime between Tokyo (where he is) and whatever destination I end up choosing. Something like an excursion ticket sounds about right, but they all seem to have conditions that make them less than ideal (you have to use them over a Saturday-Sunday weekend, for example, and his days off are Tuesday and Wednesday).

So, what's the best way to buy a round-trip ticket on Japan Rail that doesn't have dates attached? Is this even possible? I'd be purchasing the tickets from the US.

posted by rachelv to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

Since "Japan Rail" is not a single company, but rather seven separate ones, you'd have to buy a ticket within a particular company's area of operation. (For example, JR East covers the eastern half of Honshu island from Tokyo to Hokkaido.)

However, I don't believe you'll be able to purchase tickets from outside the country. JR East's international ticket reservation page no longer accepts reservations or ticket purchases.

There are other options that he can explore once he reaches Japan. The Shuyu Kippu listed there seems like what you're looking for -- but he'll have to purchase it himself at a JR Midori no Madoguchi service window in Tokyo.
posted by armage at 1:18 PM on December 4, 2006

The best way is to buy it yourself in person! Go visit your brother and plan an excursion together!
posted by typewriter at 1:27 PM on December 4, 2006

Send cash. Cash is always a good gift. Send me cash if you want!
posted by thilmony at 1:54 PM on December 4, 2006

Ideally I'd like to get a ticket with no date attached

My JR express train tickets are good for 2 months from the time you buy (from JR Kyushu).

Also if you know the destination, you can often get promotional deals (usually between 2 bigger cities) on express or bullet trains if you buy directly from JR at the departure station and usually by purchasing 2, 4, or more tickets together (2 tickets = roundtrip, although sometimes you're not supposed to use them for 2 people simultaneously).
posted by p3t3 at 3:08 PM on December 4, 2006