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2022 Domestic Travel Subsidy Program: Discounts for Residents in Japan!

Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, offering discounts of up to 11,000 yen per person, launched on October 11, 2022. This article gives an overview of the travel discount program, details on participating travel agencies and reservation sites, and prefectural websites! 　

Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan

What Is Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program?

Himeji Castle. Photo by Pixta The Domestic Travel Subsidy Program , aiming to stimulate Japan's tourism industry, launched in October 2022. Eligible travelers will be entitled to discounts up to a maximum of 11,000 yen each.

Due to the sudden flood of reservations, there is concern among those unable to make their bookings. However, a national budget of 560 billion yen has been allocated for this campaign. So, travelers can expect to benefit from the generous subsidies offered by this program.

This article will introduce Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program with an outline and important things to keep in mind. MATCHA readers will learn details about participating travel agencies and reservation sites. There's also a list featuring each prefecture and its respective website!

Outline of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

What are the dates of this program.

The discount campaign runs from October 11 until December 20, 2022. Starting dates can differ slightly depending on the prefecture.

How Much Are the Travel Discounts?

Travelers will receive a 40% discount. The discount is capped at 8,000 yen per person per night for tours that include transportation and accommodation. The discount is capped at 5,000 yen per person per night for accommodations only.

Discount coupons can also be used in certain regions for restaurants and souvenirs. Additionally, there are 3,000 yen discounts for weekday accommodations and 1,000 yen discounts for accommodations on national holidays. These are available directly at the accommodation facility.

Important Points of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

The Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Pixta

Here are some key things to keep in mind with this subsidy program.

Limited to Japanese Citizens and International Residents

The program's main criteria for eligibility is that applicants live in Japan. This applies to Japanese citizens and international residents. A driver's license, My Number card, or another form of identification is required to show proof of Japanese residency.

Unfortunately, the discount campaign is not available to international visitors but only to international residents of Japan.

Vaccine Passport (3 Shots) or a Negative PCR Test Required

Travelers who want to receive discounts on this campaign will need to present a vaccination certificate showing they've had three shots. Those who haven't received three vaccinations must provide a negative PCR test.

To receive an accommodation discount, please remember that all group members must present their vaccine passport (3 shots), not just the group representative.

How the Word "Holiday" Is Defined

The monetary amount of discount coupons differs depending on whether it's a weekday or a national holiday. Fundamentally, a "holiday" refers to a one-night, two-day stay on Saturdays and Sundays. In other words, a one-night, two-day stay on Friday-Saturday or Sunday-Monday will be considered a weekday accommodation.

Program Details Differ Depending on the Prefecture

Each prefecture in Japan is included in the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, making it different from the Go To Travel Campaign launched in 2020.

This is why the details of the subsidy program differ in each prefecture. Some prefectures even offer original travel discounts―in addition to the 11,000 yen maximum subsidy offered by the national campaign.

Which Accommodation Facilities Offer Discounts?

Keep in mind that not all accommodation facilities and tours are part of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program.

Please note that at the end of this article, there's a list of websites for each prefecture's subsidy campaign. This article also features information on tours.

We Recommend Making Reservations ASAP!

Presently, accommodation facilities have received a flood of reservations, prompting travel agencies and tour companies to shut down their website reservation sites temporarily.

However, the subsidy program is backed by a 560 billion yen budget. Although many places have stopped taking reservations, there's a good possibility that they will resume bookings in the near future. So, please keep checking back with them.

Discounts in Addition to the Travel Subsidy Program

Tokushima Prefecture's Iya Valley Gorge. Photo by Pixta

As previously mentioned, each prefecture's details concerning the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program will differ. Next, we'll introduce some of the prefectures offering original discounts in addition to the national subsidy program.

Tadaima Tokyo Plus (Japanese) is the website for accessing the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program in Tokyo. This can be used in conjunction with Motto TOKYO (Japanese), a discount service for travels in the greater Tokyo area for locals.

Motto TOKYO offers a 5,000 yen discount on one night's accommodation. With the national program, travelers can enjoy a maximum discount of up to 16,000 yen!

The start date for Motto TOKYO was October 20, 2022.

Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture's Shinshu Wari SPECIAL (Japanese) offers a 1,000 yen discount (500 yen coupon x 2) on transportation for a one-night stay per person. This will help keep transportation costs down when visiting spots within the prefecture.

Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture's Ima Nara Campaign 2022 (Japanese) offers discount coupons for souvenir shopping and other items at participating shops in the prefecture. 1,000 yen coupons are issued for national holidays, while 2,000 yen coupons are available for prefectural citizens.

Kochi Prefecture

In Kochi Prefecture, the Kochi Kanko Recovery Campaign (Japanese)―Kochi's original discount campaign―can be used with the Kochi Kanko Tokuwari Campaign (Japanese), the national program.

The Kochi Kanko Recovery Campaign offers travelers a 5,000 yen cashback on money spent on highway fees and public transportation.

Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture's Minnade! Tokushima Travel Wari (Japanese) is aimed at travel packages within the prefecture that include accommodation and travel fees. It plans on giving each person a maximum of 5,000 yen cashback in addition to the national campaign's benefits.

Which Travel Sites Deal With the Travel Subsidy Program?

With the Travel Subsidy Program, discounts can be received when making a reservation directly with the accommodation facility. Travelers can also make a booking via a hotel reservation site.

Below, we've listed the reservation sites that handle the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program.

Currently, some sites are temporarily not accepting bookings due to the flood of reservations. There might be additional important points to consider, so please consult the official websites for more details.

Rakuten Travel

Join a Tour for a Worry-Free Experience

Some people might feel that it's troublesome to check the terms and conditions of the subsidy program in different prefectures.

We recommend booking a tour through a travel agency at times like this! Below, we've listed tour companies that handle the subsidy program, so by all means, please take a look.

Yahoo! Travel

Kinki Nippon Tourist

Nippon Travel Agency

Official Websites for Participating Prefectures and Cities

The prefectures and their official websites for accessing the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program are listed below. Please use this as a reference when departing on your next trip.

Note: All of the websites are in Japanese. Some websites have links to English travel content but not to the subsidy program itself.

Use These Discounts to Enjoy Travels in Japan!

Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto. Photo by Pixta With the domestic COVID-19 situation gradually improving, many people in Japan are getting the travel bug.

In addition to the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, several prefectures are offering their own unique travel discount services.

Please use these campaigns to save on expenses and fully enjoy your travels in Japan!

Main image: Tokushima Prefecture's Iya Valley Gorge. Photo by Pixta

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Japan go-to travel campaign | Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

by Venese | Jun 1, 2022 | Japan Travel | 0 comments

Have you heard of the Japan go-to travel campaign? Are you wondering how to use the latest Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program and want some inspiration for your next domestic travel?

Here is everything you need to know about Japan Domestic Subsidy Program and Japan Go-To Travel Campaign!

Table of Contents

Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy campaign overview

The Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program is a “nationwide tourism demand stimulation measure” that offers discounts on travel prices and grants regional vouchers.

Unlike GoTo Travel, which was a national collective initiative, the Japan Domestic Travel Subsity is organised on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis.

Therefore, the start date can also be after 11 October, starting with those prefectures that are ready.

The end date is also set for the end of December (most prefectures have set to end on 20 December), but it is up to each prefecture to decide whether or not to extend the date.

Please note that some of the contents may differ from prefecture to prefecture.

Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy campaign discounts

The discount is 40% off the price of a trip (maximum per person per night: 8,000 yen for overnight travel with transport, 5,000 yen for others).

Along with this, you will receive a regional voucher worth 3,000yen for weekday use and 1,000yen for holiday use. These regional vouchers can be used at restaurants and other local businesses in the travel destination.

For day trips, you can get 40% off with maximum 5,000 yen support per person, along with regional voucher for 3,000yen for weekdays and 1,000yen for weekends.

The discount is valid for up to seven consecutive nights per trip, with no limit on the number of times the campaign can be used.

Duration of Go-to Travel Campaign

The programme will be implemented from 11th October to 20th December 2022 (starting 20 October for Tokyo). After the new year, the decision on whether or not it will be continued will be based on the infection situation and demand trends.

Holiday vs Weekday

“Holiday” applies to overnight trips where both the day of the overnight stay and the following day are Saturday, Sunday or public holiday. Holidays for day trips are Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Other days are treated as ‘weekdays’.

What do I need to bring for Go-to Travel Campaign?

In order to qualify for the discount, make sure to bring your identification documents such as a driver’s licence. You also need to present proof of three previous vaccinations (an image or a photocopy is acceptable) or a negative result of a PCR test or similar test is required.

How do I make a reservation for Go-to Travel Campaign?

To use the campaign and make a reservation, apply for a trip at a discount price through one of the following travel booking websites participating in the campaign, such as Rakuten Travel, a travel agency, or an accommodation facility.

Upon presentation of identification documents and proof of vaccination at the time of accommodation, the customer will receive a regional voucher.

Here are the websites where you can make reservations. Please note that this is subject to change. Please refer to the following websites for the most up-to-date information.

• Jalan: https://www.jalan.net/ryoko-shien
• Rakuten Travel: https://travel.rakuten.co.jp/special/zenkokuryokoshien/
• Yahoo: https://travel.yahoo.co.jp/feature/zenkoku-ryoko-shien/
• Ikkyu: https://www.ikyu.com/special/01/zenkoku-ryokoshien/
• JTB: https://www.jtb.co.jp/kokunai/ryokoshien/webcoupon/
• Rurupu: https://www.rurubu.travel/theme/gototravel/ryokoshien/
• NTA: https://www.nta.co.jp/kokunai/special/ouen/ryokoshien/
• JAL PAK: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/ja/domtour/areatourism-cp/
• HIS: https://www.his-j.com/kokunai/campaign/alljapan_plan/

Old vs New Go-to Travel Campaign 

In the past, for Go-To Travel, half of the trip price was subsidised up to JPY 20,000 per person per night (35% travel discount + 15% common regional voucher), and the high discount limit made it popular with expensive accommodation. 

It was also pointed out that tourist attractions were crowded on weekends and consecutive holidays. There were talks that the increased human traffic may have contributed to the spread of infection.

Because of these issues, even before taking office, Prime Minister Kishida had launched Go-To 2.0, an evolved approach to infectious disease control, and decided to utilise the vaccine and testing package. The new system was based on the premise of safety and security, with a difference in discount rates between holidays and weekdays to disperse travel demand.

The discount rate and maximum discount amount have also been reduced to avoid concentration on luxury accommodation, and discounts are more generous when using transport operators, to support the recovery of tourism demand from transport operators and rural areas.

5 Most popular holiday destinations in 2022

So now the question is, where should you go with the Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy? 

You might want to make use of this discount to visit places that you haven’t had a chance to check out yet or discover places that you have never heard of. Maybe some places might have been a little out of your budget and now with the discount, you want to make use of this opportunity. 

To help you figure out where to go, here are the 5 most popular holiday spots in 2021 to give you some inspiration for your domestic travel! The statics you can find here are taken from Rakuten Travel.

The first place was Nara prefecture travel became popular with + 235.6% compared to the previous year. In particular, the “Yoshino / Totsukawa / Tenkawa / Gojo area”, which is rich in nature and allows you to enjoy outdoor leisure activities that avoid dense mountains and rivers, increased by + 536.8% (about 6.4 times).

In addition, as a sacred place for the popular manga “Kimetsu no Yaiba”, “Katsuraki Nii Honoikazuchi Shrine <Fuefuki Shrine>” in Katsuragi City is a new tourist spot.

Nara Prefecture is the ancient centre of Japan and was the ancient capital of Heijokyo during the Nara period. Therefore, there are many buildings and Buddhist statues designated as national treasures and world cultural heritage, and there are various attractions.

The deer in Nara Park is also known nationwide. Some of the most spectacular spots are the Tanize Suspension Bridge and the Mitarai Valley, which are one of the longest in Japan.

Tokushima 

Tokushima Prefecture is in second place with a year-on-year increase of 151.3%. By age group, the number of people in their 20s to 30s has increased to + 194.7% (about 2.9 times), and the demand for travel within the prefecture among young people is increasing.

Tokushima Prefecture is full of individuality, with more than a quarter of the 88 sacred sites “Shikoku 88 places” scattered throughout Shikoku, such as “Naruto Whirlpools” and “Awaodori Kaikan”. The highlights are complete.

If you climb the mountaintop from the 5th floor of the Awaodori Kaikan on the “Mt. If you want to experience a mysterious sight, we also recommend the “Abashi / Unkai Observatory”, which is more likely to appear in the early morning of March-April and October-December.

From the observatory, you can overlook Oboke and the Yoshino River, which are known for their beauty in the valley, when there is no sea of ​​clouds.

Akita Prefecture is in third place with a year-on-year increase of 105.5%. By accommodation composition, “Children” travel increased the most at + 411.2% (about 5.1 times), and the number of nights for families increased.

Akita Prefecture has many important intangible folk cultural properties such as the Oga Peninsula’s quirky “Namahage” and the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku, the Kanto Festival.

Events that colour the four seasons are also famous, such as the “Kakukan Sakura Festival” in the spring, the “Omagari Fireworks (National Fireworks Festival)” in the summer, and the “Yokote Kamakura” in the winter.

At Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, the legend of Princess Tatsuko remains, and there is Gozanoishi Shrine, which is also known as a power spot, and is dotted with activities and sightseeing spots. In addition, Akita’s famous “Oyu Stone Circles” and “Isedōtai Site”, which are included in the “Hokkaido / Northeastern Jomon Archaeological Sites” are expected to be registered as World Cultural Heritage in July. Isedotai Seki) ”is also attracting attention.

Gunma Prefecture is in fourth place with a year-on-year increase of 98.2%. There are scenic spots such as “Oze”, “Fukiwari Waterfall” and “Tone River”, and it is an area where you can enjoy many high-quality hot springs such as “Kusatsu”, “Ikaho”, “Minakami” and “Shiman” as one of Japan’s leading hot spring kingdoms.

There are historical and railway fans’ must-see tourist spots such as the world heritage “Tomioka Thread Mill”, the “Megane Bridge” which is the site of the Abt system railway, and the “Watarase Valley Railway” where the trolley train runs, and it is one of the best power spots in the Kanto region.

There are many attractions such as the famous “Haruna Shrine”. In October 2020, leisure spots that make full use of the latest video technology, such as the experience-based edutainment facility “ENNICHI by 1 → 10 AQERU Maebashi,” were born.

Okinawa 

The fifth place is Okinawa Prefecture (+ 95.3% compared to the previous year) where you can enjoy a tropical vacation with many spectacular beaches. Many hotels have plenty of sea activities and a variety of pools. In recent years, large resort hotels, villas, and condominium inns have opened one after another. Some luxury inns have private beaches and private pools.

The “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” is famous nationwide, including the Ryukyu Kingdom-related ruins such as the world heritage sites “Shuri Castle” and “Nakagusuku Castle Ruins”. “Mihama Town Resort American Village” is dotted with wall art and fashionable cafes that you will want to upload to SNS, so you can enjoy it in a different way. In addition, remote islands such as Miyakojima and Ishigakijima are not to be missed and are tourist attractions.

Japan go-to travel campaign 2020

The Japanese government has proposed a number of steps under the name of a nationwide ‘Go To’ campaign aimed at increasing travel within Japan and supporting local businesses in reaction to COVID-19’s unprecedented impact on tourism. 

The Japan Go-To Travel Campaign began on July 22nd, 2020, and offers Japanese citizens and international residents discounts and subsidies of up to 50% on travel within Japan. Discounts are given in the form of subsidised lodging and ‘common coupons,’ which can be used at participating retailers, restaurants, and other locations.

Japan Go-To Travel Campaign is a travel campaign that aims to promote and encourage travel and tourism in Japan. Japan Go-To Travel is a government campaign that aims to increase the number of tourists visiting Japan by increasing awareness of the country through social media, such as Twitter and Instagram.

Japan’s Go-To Travel campaign was started in 2018 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Japan with the aim of increasing tourist visits to Japan. The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida announced in March 2022 that the government is planning to relaunch the “Go-To Travel” campaign “when the opportune moment comes.”

According to Kishida, the government is looking into the COVID-19 infection situation and meeting with specialists to determine when the campaign should resume. This page will be updated as soon as an announcement is made. Until then, we’ll go over the last COVID-19 campaign to see what’s in store for the months ahead.

From July 22nd, 2020, the government will cover up to half of the cost of accommodation and transportation for 1-day trips up to JPY10,000 per person and 2. overnight trips up to JPY20,000 per person. Trips of up to seven days in length had been covered. The amount you are entitled to on an overnight trip is based on the cost of your lodging, with a maximum claim of JPY20,000 per person. This is what that support looks like:

70% will be provided through reduced accommodation; 30% will be made available through the usage of ‘common vouchers.’

News on Japan Go-To Travel Campaign 2020

As of this, the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign will not proceed until the level of Corona is safe enough to travel with minimal spread. The tourism minister Tetsuo Saito stated, “We’re not at a point where we can announce a specific date for resuming the campaign, we’re in a situation where we should assume that the spread of (the coronavirus) will proceed rapidly.”

However, some travel companies and booking sites are considering resuming the Japan Japan Go-To Travel Campaign, and are planning to offer discounts for currently booked and newly booked vacations after the decision are made.

When it is agreed to restart the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign, for example, JTB and HIS will contact the target passengers individually via email, and if they agree to the participation criteria, the discount will be applied as is. Similarly, Rakuten Travel, Ikyu.com, and others have stated that the discount will be applied later without the need to rebook the trip.

How does the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign work?

Travellers can apply through participating travel agents, online reservation sites, and lodging companies. Up to 30% of the travel fee will be decreased, and a “regional common coupon” (3,000 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on holidays) will be issued that may be used at registered member stores of travel destinations, as well as the entire tourist destination.

For Go To travel, the “Regional Common Coupon” will provide 15% off the ticket price. Paper coupons and electronic coupons are the two types of coupons available. Each voucher is issued in 1,000 yen increments and cannot be changed. The method of distribution is determined by the operator who booked the trip.

What kinds of trips are eligible for the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign?

All sorts of trips from long weekends to day trips.

What does the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign cover?

The Go-To-Travel Campaign covers all forms of trips including accommodation, transportation, food and goods and services which include excursions.

How to use Japan Go-To Travel Campaign

The official Japan Go-To Travel information states that the campaign is available for all residents of Japan, both Japanese citizens and foreign residents with valid visas.

Overnight stays at registered lodgings, trip arrangements made through registered travel agencies are all eligible for discounts, and the vast majority of hotels and travel agents across the country are registered.

The official website of the Japan Go-To Travel campaign has a list of associated businesses. The campaign is active in all of Japan’s regions. Depending on the development of the virus, some places may be temporarily excluded from participating in the campaign. Only if they are part of a trip package are they eligible for the discount.

The discount, for example, cannot be used on standard purchases of flights or rental cars; however, it can be used on flights or rental cars that are part of a vacation package booked through an authorised travel agent.

How to apply for the Go-To Travel Campaign

In order to apply for the campaign, you have to reserve your desired trip through a campaign-registered hotel using the hotel, a travel agent, or a reservation website. On the other hand, you can purchase a vacation package from a registered travel agent.

You pay 65 percent of the total cost of the lodging or package at the time of booking, with the remaining 15 percent in coupons supplied by the travel agent or hotel. 

On the campaign’s official website, a list of registered hotels and travel brokers may be seen in Japanese. Many hotel reservation companies, such as Booking.com and Agoda, are also participating in the Japan Go-To Travel campaign.

The discount is not only good for lodging, but also for overnight transportation such as a cruise ship, an overnight ferry, or a sleeper train, for which you might receive a discount. The campaign will pay for your transportation, meals, and activities if you choose to go on a day trip.

How to use Go To Travel Coupons

During the day(s) of your journey, coupons can be used to pay for goods and services at registered stores and restaurants, as well as transportation and other travel services in the prefecture visited and nearby prefectures. Please note that they are non-refundable. The campaign’s official website includes a list of registered businesses.

Coupons are issued in either paper or electronic form, depending on the issuing agent (to be used with a mobile device). Coupons are provided in 1000 yen increments, with the amount adjusted up or down to the closest 1000 yen (500 and more is rounded up; less than 500 is rounded down).

What do you think about the Japan go-to travel campaign? Hope you find this guide helpful to help you figure out exactly what is Japan go-to travel campaign, how to use it and some inspiration on where to go!

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Japan Reinstates Its Domestic Travel Discount Program, Here's Who Qualifies

Japan’s domestic travel discount program was suspended at the end of 2022 through the New Year holiday season, but it is back! The Japan Tourism Agency reinstated the program last week on a smaller scale.

The return of the discount program gives hope to boost Japan’s hospitality industry and economy, which suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was originally launched for residents on October 11, 2022. Travel to Tokyo was excluded until October 20, 2022.

The Japanese government expects the program to last until the end of March 2023. Each prefecture was allocated a certain amount of funds by the central government. The program will end in stages as funds run out. Each prefecture will use its judgment on when to terminate the program.

In December, the discount was up to ¥11,000, about $84. It has now been scaled down to a maximum of ¥7,000 per night per person, which is about $54. This includes shopping coupons that can be redeemed at restaurants and local vendors.

During a news conference last week, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said, “I hope (the discount program) will stimulate nationwide travel demand and have as many people as possible visit.”

Related: Diary Of A Black Traveler: How Troy Found Peace In Japan

Who qualifies for discounts?

Residents and foreign nationals of Japan are eligible for the travel discount program. Foreign tourists are not eligible for the discount program.  

Eligible travelers will need to have either received three COVID-19 vaccine shots or submit a negative PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of checking into a hotel. Japan’s health ministry website lists approved vaccines for those who received vaccines outside of the country.  

Proof of vaccination or a negative test result is required at check-in. If you forget to bring proof, you must pay the full price and are not eligible for the discount. Other acceptable forms of proof are the government’s vaccine passport smartphone app and vaccine vouchers used during vaccination. You will also need to show your ID (driver’s license, passport, or residence card) when checking in.  

If you’re traveling with a group of people and one person forgets to bring proof of vaccination or a negative test result, the entire group may be denied the discounted rate.  

An exception to the rule is children 11 and under — they will not have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result as long as they have an ID and are traveling with an adult eligible for the discounted rate.

What are the discounts like?

Travelers will receive 20% off of up to ¥5,000 (about $39) per person per night for accommodations and transportation. A discount of ¥3,000 (about $24) per person per night will be applied to those who just booked a hotel.  

“Reviving tourism demand is very important to revitalize the economy. We want people to travel in Japan while taking basic COVID-19 precautions,” says Japan’s tourism minister Tetsuo Saito during a news conference last week.  

Additionally, ¥2,000 (about $16) worth of vouchers will be given to travelers who travel on weekdays. If you’re traveling on the weekend, you can expect ¥1,000 (about $8) in vouchers. These vouchers can be used for shopping and at restaurants. The vouchers will even be given upon check-in at the hotel or through the travel agency you book with.  

How do I book?

To receive discounts when booking, you can plan through travel agencies such as Rakuten Travel , Yahoo Travel , Jalan Travel , JTB , and Rurubu Travel .

Related: Japanese Theme Parks Reopen To Tourists With New Rules, Including No Screaming Or Talking On Rides  

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GUIDE Travel in Japan with Ease: Discount Passes for Visitors by JNTO on 26 June 2018

Japan is famous for its efficient transportation, so it’s no surprise that it is in the top ten for the best public transportation system in the world. Although it’s very reliable, it can be overwhelming because of the many ticket options available. All discount tickets are strictly for non-Japanese passport holders only, so always have your passport with you for verification purposes.

For ease of travel on all trains and buses, consider getting an IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) from any train station or bus depots – it’s a pre-loaded card (with an amount of cash of your choosing) that allows you to tap in and out of stations quickly at any city in Japan, and can also be used for purchases in places like convenience stores.

It can get very hectic if you’re travelling to Japan during peak season, which usually falls on Golden Week (April/May), Year End, and Obon (August) when many Japanese make use of these holidays to travel.

From Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport)

Welcome! Tokyo Subway Ticket

If your plans only involve travelling within the Tokyo area from Haneda Airport, this ticket includes a one-way or round-trip travel between Haneda Airport International Terminal and Sengakuji station, including unlimited rides on all Tokyo subway lines for up to three days.

A passport must be presented when purchasing the ticket from the Keikyu Tourist Information Center on the second floor of Haneda Airport International. The prices are as follows:

• Keikyu Line One-way

24 hours – 1,200 yen (Adult), 600 yen (Child)

48 hours – 1,600 yen (Adult), 800 yen (Child)

72 hours – 1,900 yen (Adult), 950 yen (Child)

• Keikyu Line Round-trip

24 hours – 1,500 yen (Adult), 750 yen (Child)

48 hours – 1,900 yen (Adult), 950 yen (Child)

72 hours – 2,200 yen (Adult), 1,100 yen (Child)

Refer to this  Tokyo Subway Map  to help plan your Tokyo itinerary. To get an idea of famous places you can travel to in Tokyo, visit Keikyu’s  website .

From Narita International Airport (Narita Airport)

N’EX Tokyo Round-Trip Ticket

The fastest way to travel between Narita Airport and Tokyo, this round-trip ticket lets you save at least 33%. The Narita Express (N’EX) train operates from Narita Airport directly to major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ofuna) every 30 minutes.

Available year-round, you can only purchase the ticket in Japan from any JR ticket office at Narita Airport. Valid for 14 days upon initial use, adult tickets (12 years old and older) cost only 4,000 yen while child tickets (aged 6 to 11) cost 2,000 yen. Each ticket is limited to one person, but you can buy multiple tickets as long as the validity doesn’t overlap.

Seat reservations are not necessary, however, you have to give up your seat if it was reserved by someone else. To feel at ease, you can reserve a seat upon purchase.

For more information, visit  JR East .

Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket

If you’re arriving at Narita Airport and travelling within the Tokyo area for a few days, this ticket lets you travel on the fast and convenient Keisei Skyliner from Narita to Tokyo, including unlimited rides on all of Tokyo’s subway lines.

Choose between a one-way or round-trip ticket with up to 3 days’ validity. You can purchase the ticket voucher  online  or at  H.I.S. Travel Agency , or  Changi Travel Agency  in Singapore up to 20 days in advance. Upon arrival at Narita Airport, exchange the voucher for your ticket at the Skyliner Ticket Counter or Keisei Ticket Counter. The voucher is valid for six months from the date of sale. The prices are as follows:

• Skyliner One-way

24 hours – 2,800 yen (Adult) 1,400 yen (Child)

48 hours – 3,200 yen (Adult) 1,600 yen (Child)

72 hours – 3,500 yen (Adult) 1,750 yen (Child)

• Skyliner Round-trip

24 hours – 4,700 yen (Adult) 2,350 yen (Child)

48 hours – 5,100 yen (Adult) 2,550 yen (Child)

72 hours – 5,400 yen (Adult) 2,700 yen (Child)

A one-way ticket is valid for travel on the Skyliner from Narita to Tokyo, or vice versa. Visit Keisei’s  website  for more.

Welcome to Tokyo Airport Limousine Bus Multi Voucher and Return Voucher

Don’t want to deal with the train system? For fuss-free travel from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo and vice versa, just hop on an Airport Limousine bus. The buses – equipped with free Wi-Fi, charging ports, and recliner seats – stop at more than 70 destinations within the Tokyo area, including several major train stations and numerous hotels. It includes a hotel pick-up service, and you can check-in up to two luggages per person.

Tickets can be purchased at the Narita Airport Limousine Bus Ticket Counter (with cash or major credit cards) or from selected Japan travel agencies in Singapore ( H.I.S ,  JTB , and  Changi ). Tickets are valid for 14 days from the date of purchase or  exchange .

• Airport Limousine Single Voucher Round-trip

Adult: 4,700 yen (normal fare 6,200 yen), Child: 2,250 yen

• Airport Limousine Multi-Voucher Round-trip (2 round-trip tickets)

Adult: 8,000 yen (normal fare 12,400 yen)

The multi-voucher gives you the options of two roundtrip tickets, one-way tickets for four, or four rides for a single customer.

For bus routes, pick-up points, and other information, visit this  website .

JR TOKYO Wide Pass

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass (formerly the JR Kanto Area Pass) is a discounted rail pass for three days of unlimited rides within Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region, including shinkansen and limited express trains, for only 10,000 yen for adults (12 and older) and 5,000 yen for kids (6-11 years old).

The pass covers the whole of Tokyo, including both Narita and Haneda airports, and the surrounding seven prefectures. It’s ideal for a weekend trip to famous spots such as Nikko’s World Heritage Sites, Izu, Yokohama, Kamakura, GALA Yuzawa’s ski resort, and even Mt. Fuji.

The Tokyo Wide pass is not valid on Tokaido Shinkansen and JR buses.

You can reserve a seat prior your travel at any JR ticket office or online at  JR East Train Reservation website . This  brochure  details the different train lines you can use. There are special promotions with this ticket, so visit this  website  for more.

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Everything You Need to Know About Go To Travel Campaign Coupons

Go To Travel Campaign ―The opportunity you can travel at a half price started in July, 2020 for overnight trips and day trips. (Read How to Apply for the Go To Travel Campaign for more details)

Travel coupons are distributed which have a value of 15% of the total travel cost. You can use these coupons at the prefecture of your travel destination or adjacent prefectures, but you might be wondering how it works and what you can do with them. So here we explain everything you need to know about the Go To Travel Campaign coupons!

What is the coupons?

Where can you receive them, where can you use them, paper coupon, electric coupon, what you can’t do with the coupons, let’s “go to travel” with us, decide your travel destinations.

As we explained in this article , you can save up 50% of your travel cost with the Go To Travel Campaign with the combination of the reimbursement valued 35% of total travel cost and 15% by distributing coupons. (Up to ¥20,000 per day per person for overnight trips) You can use these coupons at the souvenir shops, restaurants, touristic facilities, activities, transportation etc. in your travel destination (only at the prefecture you travel to or neighboring prefecture of your destination). The coupons are valid only during your travel dates. They issue the coupon by ¥1,000 and you can get them with paper coupon and electric coupon which you can use with your smartphone.

There are 2 types of coupons, paper ticket and electric ticket, and which coupon you will get is up to where you booked your trip.

• If you book at the store; you will get the paper coupons when you payed at the store.
• If you book through website; (1) you can get the paper coupon when you check in to the accommodation, or (2) you can get the electric coupon on the first day of your trip. It will be available after 3pm if it’s a overnight trip, after 12pm if it’s a day trip.
• If you book directly from the accommodation; you will get the paper coupons when you check in to the accommodation.

How to use the coupons

There will be a blue flyer or sticker with “Go To トラベル” logo shown at the front of the shops, restaurants, facilities etc. to know if you can use the coupons. And you can check which type of coupon you can use (紙クーポン means paper coupon and 電子クーポン means electric coupon) and which prefecture they are located on the flyer. You can use the coupons only at the destination (prefecture) and neighboring prefecture. For example, if you travel to Fukushima, you can use the coupons in Fukushima + Miyagi, Yamagata, Niigata, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma prefectures.

You can check the list of the facilities with the excel sheet but the easier way for you would be checking the available facilities on the map from the website below.

You can either search with 現在地 which means the current location or 都道府県(prefectures). Put check marks on what kind of facilities you want to search in the area.

観光文化関連 (red box) includes tourist facilities such as museum, theme park, zoo and hot spring etc. 屋内体験施設(blue box) includes sport game, theater, movie theater, manga cafe etc. 屋外体験施設(green box) includes sport gym, fitness etc.

If you want to directly look at the map and see where you can use the coupons at the destination, check the map below.

The valid dates and prefectures you can use are written on the front, and issued by 1,000 yen. You cannot get the change from the coupon, but you can also pay the rest with cash. (E.g. when you buy your souvenir gift for 1,500 yen, you can use 1,000 yen coupon and pay 500 yen with cash. When you get a snack for 900 yen using 1000 yen coupon, there is no change. )

There are ¥1,000, ¥2,000 and ¥5,000 coupons. There will be the website to get the coupon (you don’t need to download the app but can access with the browsers), and login with travel agency’s ID, booking number and your destination. These information will come with an email on the first day of your trip. (It will be available after 3pm if it’s a overnight trip, after 12pm if it’s a day trip.) And you can choose the coupon amount (¥1,000, ¥2,000 and ¥5,000) to issue the coupon, and when you want to use it, scan QR code at the register and show your screen to a staff and payment will be confirmed! Please note that there will be no change when you use electric coupon either.

To learn more about the coupons, here is the best way to use Go To Travel Coupons at the popular destinations in Japan!

• You can’t exchange the coupons with cash
• You will not get refund when you want to return the item which bought with coupon
• You can’t receive your change
• You can’t exchange your coupons with other destination’s coupons
• If the total travel cost is under ¥3,334, you will not get the coupons

These coupons are aimed to contribute to the local economy so it has to be consumed in the destination, for example, you can’t pay tax or utility bills with the coupons, and you can’t buy prepaid card or gift cards.

You may wonder if you can use the coupons at the supermarket or convenience store, and the answer is technically yes, but it is up to the local branch whether they decided to participate to the campaign or not. For example, if the local convenience store at your destination has the sticker/flyer on the front, you can use it. But please remember, it’s not applied to every convenience store in Japan. If you are unsure, you can always ask staff too. Let’s use the coupons on something you can only buy/do at your destination!

*Please note that if you cancel the trip after you received the coupons, or if you downsized the number of the travelers and changed the package price, it’s necessary to return the coupons to the travel agency/accommodation where you booked your travel.

We have Go To Travel Packages to the popular destinations and we will give you electric coupons. Of course, you can use your coupons for our local guided tours too! We can also customize a package just for you. Contact us if you have any questions about Go To Travel Campaign or want to travel cheap with us. Let us know your travel date, destination and preference etc. so that we can help you make the best trip in Japan with the campaign.

Hokkaido | Tohoku | Kanto | Chubu | Kansai | Chugoku | Shikoku | Kyushu | Okinawa

Follow us on  Instagram  or  Facebook  for more travel inspiration. Or tag us to get featured! 

Happy travelling!

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » Tourist facilities benefits and discounts with the JR Pass

Tourist facilities benefits and discounts with the JR Pass

January 15, 2024

The JR Pass is not just a ticket to seamless travel across Japan’s extensive rail network. It’s also a passport to a range of benefits and deals at tourist attractions across Japan , including discounts for children .

From historical sites in Hokkaido to cultural landmarks in Eastern Japan, your JR Pass can unlock numerous special discounts and perks.

Aside from perks at tourist facilities, you can also use your JR Pass to get deals on other aspects of travel , such as car rental and hotel discounts at regions across the country.

In this guide, we’ll explore the various discounts and benefits available at tourist facilities across different regions of Japan that are included with the JR Pass .

Hokkaido Region

Eastern japan region, central japan, shikoku region, kyushu region, related posts, related tours & activities.

Discount Air Tickets

While regular airfares by conventional airlines remain relatively high on domestic routes , the competition by discount airlines and a wide array of discount offers have made domestic air travel in Japan very economical and competitive in recent years. In fact, there are so many discount plans, that only very few travelers are ever paying regular fares.

Special fares for foreign visitors

JAL, ANA, Air Do and Solaseed offer special fares for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan. In past years there used to exist many good deals; but during the coronavirus pandemic many of them were discontinued, while the remaining ones are often not better than other discount fares available to the general public:

Low-cost airlines

Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan are the leading genuine low-cost carriers in Japan, offering just the bare minimum of services and fares that fluctuate with demand and can be very low:

Other cheaper airlines

There are a number of other airlines, which offer services and fare structures similar to JAL and ANA, but with prices that are typically at least 20 percent lower:

Advance purchase discounts

An effective way to get low rates on domestic flights in Japan is to purchase as early in advance as possible. Particularly large discounts are offered when booked at least a month in advance. Many airlines also offer discounts on bookings made seven, three or one day ahead of the travel date.

The biggest discounts are offered on popular routes on which competition is high. Most discounts are available for just a limited number of seats on each flight and may sell out quickly. They are often tied to higher handling fees for ticket modification and cancellation. Some of the discounts are reduced or unavailable during peak travel seasons. Online bookings are possible on each airline's website.

Avoiding peak travel periods

Many of the discount fares are less attractive or unavailable during peak travel periods such as the New Year holidays (late December to early January), the spring school holidays (second half of March and early April), Golden Week (late April to early May) and the summer holidays (mid July through August, especially Obon in mid August). Furthermore, fares on many routes are somewhat higher from Friday to Sunday than during the rest of the week.

Round-trip discounts

Domestic flights in Japan are priced and sold in one-way sectors rather than round-trips. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer small discounts on round trips. However, because only one type of discount can be applied per flight and other discounts are usually better priced, round-trip discounts are rarely the most attractive choice.

Early morning and late night flights

Some early morning and late night flights are typically around 10-20 percent cheaper.

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Japan explorer pass, ana discover japan fare, skymark airlines, peach aviation, jetstar japan, spring japan, solaseed air.

A Guide to the Best Discount Travel and Rail Passes to Japan on a Budget

With Japan’s famously efficient public transportation systems and its down-to-the-minute punctuality, it’s no wonder why it’s the number one way for many visitors to travel throughout Japan. While the Japan Rail Pass allows foreign visitors to travel across the whole of the Japanese peninsula, a variety of special tourist discount passes are geared towards travellers who desire a richer and deeper sampling a particular region or city.

These special discount passes focus on single cities to a handful of close-knit prefectures and offer unlimited use of select transportation modes within a particular area. From local trains, express trains, monorails, streetcars, cable cars, buses, and boats, these passes eliminate the need to buy multiple fares throughout the day and come in a variety of different validity periods. Some passes also collaborate with local businesses, shops, and popular tourist sites within a region the pass covers, and can be used for discounts at participating locations . Here’s a quick overview of the passes and who they’re good for:

While there are several different types of special discount passes out there for tourists, here are some of the more popular options: 

The Greater Tokyo Pass Coverage

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The Greater Tokyo Pass is a good option if you’re planning to visit both Tokyo and iconic tourist spots in nearby prefectures of Kanagawa (神奈川県) , Saitama (埼玉県) , and Chiba (千葉県). The pass utilizes a network of private railways and bus lines and offers unlimited travel for 3 consecutive days at a fixed price of 7,200 yen for adults, and 3,600 yen for children (11 and under).

The pass covers most of the major tourist spots in Tokyo , like the giant red lantern at Sensō-ji (浅草寺) in Asakusa, the temple mountain scenery of Mt. Takao (高尾山, Takao-san ); and outwards to the Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏, Kamakura Daibutsu ) in Kanagawa Prefecture, or the ornately carved shrine of Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県)*. ( Tochigi Prefecture is not one of the three prefectures included in the pass, though the lines covered under the Greater Tokyo Pass do extend into the fourth prefecture. )

If you’re planning on keeping your travels within the confines of Tokyo, it would be advisable to get a rechargeable IC card such as PASMO or Suica instead, as travels within the city would likely not reach the Greater Tokyo Pass’s average daily cost of 2,400 yen (for an adult).

The 13 private railways covered by the Greater Tokyo Pass include the Tokyo Metro Lines, the Toei Subway Lines, Odakyu Line, Tobu Line, Keikyū Line, Keiō Line, Seibu Line, Sotetsu Line, Keisei Line, Tōkyū Line, Yokohama Municipal Subways, Minato-Mirai Line and Yurikamome Line. A map of the railway and bus lines can be found on the Greater Tokyo Pass website .

JR lines are not covered under this pass . If you’re planning on catching one of the limited express trains, you’ll be required to pay an additional ticket surcharge for seat reservations.

Passes can be purchased at many of the tourist information centres and offices located within major train stations throughout Tokyo, at ticket vending machines, and Haneda and Narita Airport terminals. Be ready to show your passport, as you’ll need proof that you’re an international traveller on a tourist visa to get the pass. Many of the staff at these counters are English-speaking, but you can also conveniently purchase your pass online via Rakuten Travel Experiences . You’ll be issued a confirmation QR code which you can present at one of the designated counters to exchange for a pass.

The Mobal SIM Card is the only SIM card with a Japanese phone number — perfect if you need to stay in touch on short visits or for long-term visitors living, working, or studying in Japan. Mobal pocket wifi is also great if you’re traveling with family or a group!

The Greater Tokyo Pass is a paper pass that works similarly to the Japan Rail Pass; enter and exit through the manned station gates so that staff can check your pass’s validity. It does not work on automatic train ticket machines.

In addition to the Greater Tokyo Pass, there are several other discount transportation passes available to help you get around the Tokyo area on a budget.

• JR Tokyo Wide Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Tokyo 1-Day Ticket (1-Day Pass)
• Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket (1, 2, or 3-Day Pass)

JR Kansai Area Pass and JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass

The JR Kansai Area Pass focuses on the Kansai region, including the big cities of Osaka (大阪) , Kyoto (京都) , Nara (奈良) , and Kobe (神戸). Running solely on the Japan Rail and bus systems, it allows unlimited travel on the local and rapid JR trains and buses within a portion of the Kansai region. All transportation except for the “Haruka” Kansai Airport Express train, limited express trains, and the Shinkansen bullet trains are covered under the JR Kansai Area Pass. The JR Kansai Area Pass has 4 different day passes, starting from 2,300 yen for 1 day; 4,600 yen for 2 days; 5,600 yen for 3 days; and 6,600 yen for 4 days. There is a 50% discount for children between the ages of 6 – 11, and children 5 and under are free.

The Kansai WIDE Area Pass covers the same area that the JR Kansai Area Pass does, but includes rides on the limited express trains and Shinkansen bullet trains in the unreserved seating section, and extends its coverage further into the Kansai region. Unlike the regular Area Pass, the Kansai WIDE Pass is only available as a 5 consecutive day pass and costs 9,200 yen per adult, and 4,600 for children.

Both passes also come with two additional one-day vouchers that allow users unlimited use of the Kyoto Subway and Keihan Kyoto Sightseeing Pass for one day. Vouchers must be exchanged for a ticket during the validity of your pass at a designated JR office. 

The regular Area Pass covers the main cities of  Osaka , Kyoto , Nara , and Kobe , and expands into areas of Himeji (姫路), Wakayama (和歌山), Shiga (滋賀), Tsuruga (敦賀), and Iga-Ueno (伊賀上野). The castle town of Hikone (彦根)  borders Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), Japan’s largest lake, and is a pleasant day trip from Kyoto. If you’re into UNESCO World Heritage sites , the towering ivory castle of Himeji Castle (姫路城) will surely not disappoint, especially during the cherry blossom season, and is an easy one-hour trip from Osaka or Kyoto. 

If you’re looking for a bit more coverage, the JR Kansai WIDE Pass covers everything a regular Kansai Area Pass does, while also allowing you to reach places like Okayama (岡山) and its top-rated Korakuen Japanese Garden (後楽園), the artsy island of Naoshima  (直島), the willow-lined canals of Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) , and the 100-year-old pilgrimage trails of the Kumano region (熊野). The Kansai WIDE Pass allows travellers to ride the limited express trains and Shinkansen in the unreserved seating section. If you want to reserve a seat, you’ll be required to pay an additional surcharge on top of the base fee.

To take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of the pass, it is best to combine your inner-city travels with day trips outside of the major cities. With the exception of Osaka, many of the larger city networks utilize private railways and buses rather than the JR Rail lines, so a rechargeable IC card such as ICOCA or Suica, or an individual city day pass would be more cost-effective if you want to focus your exploration within the depths of the big cities.

Visit a JR-WEST Ticket Office ( みどりの窓口 , midori-no-madoguchi ) in Japan to purchase a pass in person. The cost is slightly higher than if purchased online, and require that you fill out an application and bring your passport as proof of your short-term visa status before you can be issued a pass. 

Purchasing you passes online will help you save money compared to buying them in person and can be done completely in English. Order the JR Kansai Area Pass or the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass from Voyagin and you should receive it within 3-5 working days. You’ll be issued a voucher sent to your home address (or your hotel in Japan, whichever you prefer), which you’ll exchange at one of the designated counters when you arrive in Japan. For a visual how-to guide, the West JR website has some how-to videos to help you exchange your voucher.

There are a couple of additional types of discount transportation passes available for the Kansai area issued by private companies.

• Get your Kintetsu Rail Pass (1, 2 or 5-Day Pass)
• Get your Kansai Thru Pass (2 or 3-Day Pass)

Kansai Thru Pass

The Kansai Thru Pass offers unlimited travel on non-JR trains, subways and buses, and a good option if you’re planning on staying close to Kyoto and Osaka, while also travelling into Kobe, Nara , Asuka , Koyasan , Himeji and Wakayama. The Kansai Thru Pass has 2 day passes, starting at 4,300 yen for 2 days; 5,300 yen for 3 days; and a 50% discount for children between the ages of 6 – 12. The passes can be used on non-consecutive days during its period of validity, and come in a ticket form that can be inserted into an automatic ticket gate.  

Cities like Kyoto and Osaka run on non-JR railways, so the Kansai Thru Pass is a better option if you want to spend more within the cities. That being said, the pass proves its economy when inner-city travel is combined with day trips to places like Himeji, Shin-Kobe, and Wakayama that are also covered by the pass.

The Kansai Through Pass includes unlimited access to a long list of private railways, buses, and cable cars , as well as most unlimited express trains excluding for the Nankai Railway and Kintetsu Railways (which require an additional seating fee). The pass can also be used for discounts at many participating businesses and tourist spots , such as open-air museums, onsens , kimono rentals, and many shops and restaurants.

For convenience and a slight discount, the Kansai Thru Pass can be purchased online via Rakuten Travel Experiences in English. To purchase your pass in person, visit a tourist information centre at Namba Station (難波駅) , Osaka Station (大阪駅) , Hankyu Umeda Station (阪急梅田駅), or Kansai International Airport (関西国際空港) or the bus information centre in front of the Kyoto station (京都駅). Electronic stores like Bic Camera (ビックカメラ) also carry the pass. The Surutto website has a full list of where to purchase your pass if you’re in the Kansai area. They require that you fill out an application and bring your passport as proof of your short-term visa status before you can be issued a pass. 

• Get your JR Kansai Area Pass (1, 2, 3 or 4-Day Pass)
• Get your JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5-Day Pass)

Hakone Freepass

The Hakone Freepass offers unlimited access to Odakyu operated buses, trains, cable cars, ropeways, and sightseeing cruises within one of Japan’s prime hot spring locations of Hakone (箱根). The 2-day and 3-day consecutive passes are one of a few that are also available to residents of Japan, and include discounts to various tourist attractions, onsen hot springs, museums, restaurants, and historical sites . Here’s a brief itinerary for a day or weekend along the Odakyu line to Hakone .

Odawara Station (小田原駅) acts as the entry station to all of Hakone’s transportation systems that are covered under the pass. Options for a round-trip fare from any station along the Odakyu line to Odawara station can be included in your pass fare. Fees will vary depending on the departure station, and there are no on-and-off privileges during the round-trip. If you’re looking for a one-way ticket, ask at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Counters for a specific rate. 

The Hakone Freepass gives unlimited access to 8 different types of transportation in the area, including the Hakone Tozan train, bus, and cable car; the Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing cruise, Odakyu Hakone Highway bus, Tokai Bus Orange Shuttle, and the Kanko Shisetsu-Meguri sightseeing bus. Limited trains are not included, and rides on the Odakyu limited express “ Romancecar ” require an additional surcharge for seat reservations. 

The Hakone Freepass can be purchased at major Odakyu railway stations and ticket counters, at select Hakone Tozan Train stations , such as the Hakone-Yumoto Station (箱根湯本駅), as well as the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Counters located within Odawara station and west exit of Shinjuku Station (新宿駅). The Hakone Freepass from Tokyo can also be purchased online via the Rakuten Travel Experiences , which gets you a voucher delivered to your home address. To exchange your voucher, visit the Odakyu Shinjuku counter or the Odakyu Tourist Information Center at Odawara Station to receive your pass.

*Until just recently, travellers were able to purchase passes through station ticketing vending machines, however, based on Odakyu website in June 2020 , this option is no longer available (until further notice). 

• Get your Hakone-Kamakura Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Get your Fuji Hakone Pass (3-Day Pass)

Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass

The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass is another pass option run by Odakyu Railways, and offers the cheapest option for visitors in Tokyo to see the ocean town of Enoshima (江の島) and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura  (鎌倉大仏)  in one day. Available to both residents and foreign travellers, the pass also includes discounts for various tourist attractions, including aquariums, caves, shrines, art museums, and local restaurants. For more sights along the Odakyu line, we put together a brief itinerary for a day to Enoshima here .

Fujisawa Station (藤沢駅) acts as the entry station connecting the Enoden Line to Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅) and the Odakyu line to Enoshima. Options for a round-trip fare from any station along the Odakyu line to Fujisawa station can be included in your pass fare. Fees will vary depending on the departure station, and there are no on-and-off privileges during the round-trip. If you’re looking for a one-way ticket, ask at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Counters for a specific rate. 

The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass gives unlimited access to the Odakyu Line running between Fujisawa Station and Katase-Enoshima Station (片瀬江ノ島駅) and the Enoden Line. Limited trains are not included under the pass, and rides on the Odakyu limited express “ Romancecar ” require an additional surcharge for seat reservations. 

You can purchase your pass at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station , and is also available at automatic ticket machines in major Odakyu Railway stations. The Odakyu website has step-by-step guide on how to purchase your pass at designated counters and automatic ticket machines.

• Get your Enoshima 1-Day Passport (1-Day Pass)

Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass

The Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass offers unlimited travel on all Hiroshima Electric Railway Hiroden streetcars that run throughout the city, many local and highways buses , and two ferries to Miyajima island (宮島). There are 3-day and 4-day passes, and three coverage areas depending on how much ground you want to cover.

The Small Area Pass covers Hiroshima City and Miyajima at 1,500 yen for a 2-day pass and 4,500 yen for a 4-day pass; the Middle Area Pass covers Western and Northern Hiroshima Prefecture and the Iwakuni area at 2,500 yen for a 3-day pass; and the Wide Area Pass covers all of Hiroshima Prefecture and Iwakuni area at 3,500 yen for a 3-day pass and 6,500 yen for a 4-day pass.

The pass also comes with a free “Fun Pass Hiroshima” coupon and guidebook of participating businesses and tourist spots in Hiroshima and Iwakuni and can be used for discounts on museums, castles, ropeways , restaurants, and other sightseeing facilities.

The 4-day option also includes a round-trip ride on the Airport Limousine Bus for travellers coming to and from the Hiroshima Airport (広島空港). If you’re only planning a one-way ride to or from the airport, purchasing a separate one-way ticket at the Hiroshima Airport for 1,370 yen for adults and 690 yen for children will end up being a more cost-effective choice, unless you plan to pack your fourth day in Hiroshima with other travel before heading to the airport.

The Small Area Pass is a convenient option if you plan on staying within the city of Hiroshima, and includes the unlimited use of the Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcars, 6 local bus routes, and the ferries to Miyajima Island. See the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima jinja ) on Miyajima island (宮島), the everlasting memorial of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念資料館, Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Shiryokan ) and Park (広島平和記念公園, Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Kōen ), the remnants of the A-Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム), and the  Hiroshima Castle (広島城). If you get the 4-day pass, you’ll also have access to Kure City (呉市), best known for its shipbuilding tradition, naval history, and the Kure Navy Curry.

The Middle Area Pass covers Western and Northern Hiroshima Prefecture and the Iwakuni area of Yamaguchi prefecture (山口県), as well as 10 local bus routes and 9 highway buses. With this pass, you can visit the famous five-arched wooden  Kintaikyo Bridge (錦帯橋) in Iwakuni and the entertaining Miyoshi Mononoke Museum , the first museum dedicated to Japan’s supernatural mythical beings .

The Wide Area Pass encompasses the entire prefecture of Hiroshima and the Iwakuni area in Yamaguchi. Onomichi (尾道) is a beautiful seaside town near the YouTube-famous Okunoshima “Rabbit” Island .

All three options include rides on the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen ferry and JR-West Miyajima ferry to Miyajima island. JR trains are not included in any of the three pass options.

You can purchase your pass at the Hiroshima Airport (広島空港), the Tourist Information Center at Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima Bus Center, the Hiroshima Miyajima-guchi Tourist Information Center (宮島口観光案内所), and Omotenashi Hostel in Miyajima. Bring your passport as proof of your short-term visa status before you are issued a pass. Once your pass has been validated, show the stamped dates on the pass to vehicle staff before boarding.

You can also purchase your pass online on Willer Express , KLOOK , or other online travel agencies, and receive a voucher that you can exchange at designated counters for your pass.

• 1-Day Trip Card (1-Day Streetcar and Ferry Pass)
• 1-Day Trip Card (1-Day Streetcar)
• Many of the regional passes (like the JR Kansai pass or the Greater Tokyo Pass) are only worthwhile if you take advantage of the trips outside the major cities, as these locations tend to be farther and more expensive to get to. Consider a city day pass or rechargeable IC card such as ICOCA or Suica if you plan on using only a small portion of what a regional pass covers.
• Most of the discount passes are activated by the day, not hour , and run until the end of train hours on the last day of your pass’s validity period. Activate the pass earlier in the day to take full advantage of the full validity period.
• Limited express trains can often run on the same lines covered by your pass, and unless they are specifically included in your pass, you’ll likely be paying out of pocket for the additional surcharge for a seat reservation.
• Many of these discount passes are available to short-term visitors only and require a valid passport with proof of your visitor status to receive a pass. However, there are discount passes available for residents of Japan that don’t require a passport.

Other Special Japan Discount Passes for Tourists

The Japan Rail Pass offers other regional passes which include:

• JR Hokkaido Pass
• JR Central P ass
• JR East Pass
• JR West Pass
• JR Kansai Pass
• JR Kyushu Pass
• JR Shikoku Pass

From Odakyu Railway , including the Hakone Free Pass and Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass Pass) there are: 

• Enoshima 1-Day Passport (1-Day Pass)
• Tanzawa-Oyama Freepass (2-Day Pass)
• Hakone-Kamakura Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Fuji Hakone Pass (3-Day Pass)
• Fukuoka Tourist City Pass (Kyushu)
• Kumamoto One Day Pass (Wakuwaku Pass) (Kyushu)
• Nagasaki City Tram Day Pass (Kyushu)
• Sendai Area Pass (Honshu)
• Sapporo Dosanko Pass (Hokkaido)
• Matsuyama Pass (Shikoku)

These are just a few of the many discount passes available to visitors to Japan. Make it a part of your travel-savvy toolkit, and explore the Japan you’ve always been dreaming about. Happy travels!

Mika Cunningham

Mika is a writer for Voyapon.com. In 2018, she made her way from her hometown in Canada to Japan. Since then, she's been exploring the tradition, art and culture of everyday life and most likely sitting in an onsen right now.

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Best travel deals and hotel discounts in Tokyo and Japan

Whether you’re looking for a staycation in Tokyo or travel offers across Japan, these deals will get you more for less

Like many countries right now, Japan has mostly closed its borders  to foreign visitors. While that's bad news for overseas tourists, it's certainly got those of us living in Japan looking to spend our free time exploring the lush nature and peaceful shrines and temples in our own towns and neighbouring cities .

Although the  Go to Travel  campaign won't come back anytime soon , there are still quite a few  domestic travel deals and discounts  residents can take advantage of to explore Japan without any tourists.

To help you out, we've rounded up some of the best travel deals in Tokyo and Japan – just remember to social distance, wear a mask and stay safe. Be sure to check back often, because we'll be updating this list when new promotions are announced.

Also see: Domestic travel guidelines  and guide to social distancing in Japan  

Deals in Tokyo

Unlimited metro rides and discounts to 99 Tokyo attractions

• Things to do

Tokyo Metro is now offering the Metro and Grutto pass , which includes two 24-hour unlimited metro passes, plus a booklet of coupons for discounted – and sometimes free – admission to around 99 museums, galleries and attractions within Tokyo.

Deals across Japan

Foreign residents can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass to travel around Kanto

• Transport & Travel

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass gives you unlimited rides on shinkansen and limited-express trains for three days in the Kanto region, which includes Nikko, Mt Fuji and Izu.

JR Hokkaido is offering a one-week unlimited rail pass until January 2022

JR Hokkaido will also be offering a discounted seven-day transport pass for a limited time.  The Hokkaido and Higashi Nihon Pass (¥11,330, children ¥5,660) allows you an unlimited number of rides on any local JR Hokkaido line, local JR East line (except for shinkansen , but including Bus Rapid Transit), Aoimori Tetsudo line, Iwate Ginga Tetsudo line and Hokutetsu line trains for seven whole days. Do note that the pass doesn’t include travel on the Hokkaido Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate Hokuto stations – for that trip, you’ll need to purchase a separate limited express ticket.

JR East now offers half-price shinkansen tickets until September 2021

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced that it's offering 50 percent discount on selected shinkansen and limited express train tickets. The promotion is currently running until September 30 2021, with the generous discount available on selected JR East shinkansen and limited express lines. Do note that this half-price deal only applies to tickets purchased through the official JR East website between 20 days and one month prior to your departure date.

JR East passes will be available to foreign residents starting April 2021

One of the most enjoyable ways to see the country, Japan’s train and shinkansen passes offer significant savings as well. However, they are mostly available only to foreign travellers who enter Japan under a tourist visa, much to the envy of foreign residents living in the country.

Good news, though, as this is about to change. Starting April 1, JR East will make its two of its most popular passes – Tohoku area pass and the Nagano, Niigata area pass – available to anyone with a foreign passport regardless of visa type.

The JR East weekend pass lets you travel to Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka and more for just ¥8,800

Looking to make use of all the domestic travel deals?  JR East has you covered with the extremely good value unlimited Weekend Pass. For ¥8,800 (¥2,600 for children), you get unlimited rides on JR East lines on a consecutive Saturday and Sunday.

The JR East trains covered include local lines and even shinkansen. However, there's a surcharge for the latter. Do note that the Tokaido shinkansen, which connects Tokyo to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka, is unfortunately excluded from the promotion. Nevertheless, there's still lots to discover as you can use this pass to travel to Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka and more.

Get up to 85 percent off hotel rooms in Japan with this booking website

There are currently plenty of staycation plans and hotel deals around, making weekend getaways that much more attractive and affordable. However, a new service called The Worke is giving out bigger discounts if you’re looking for something more long term. The virtual concierge offers long-term accommodation plans ranging from six days to a whole year, which you can use as a workcation stay, an extended holiday or an Airbnb-style second home.   

The hotels found on the website are scattered across Japan, ranging from  Tokyo to Kyoto and Hokkaido to Aomori. Unlike cramped budget hotels with little to see and do, many of the featured accommodations are on the luxurious side with five star listings like the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, among others...

Go to Travel campaign: up to 50 percent discount on domestic trips

The campaign gives up to 50 percent in discounts to domestic travellers: 35 percent on travel expenses and starting September 1, an additional 15 percent in vouchers to be used at the destination.

Starting October 1, travel to and from Tokyo will be included  in the campaign. 

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APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Japan Tour Deals & Discounts 2024/2025

Up to 50% off trips throughout Japan. Discover over 80 Japan adventures with discounts, saving you up to €6,552.

80 Japan Special Offers

• In-depth Cultural

9D Splendid Japan with Nagoya (private 3 star hotel rooms)

Amazing tour. Kayoko was awesome and we got to see so much of Japan. Only wish there was a change on the 10 person minimum for the optional tours. We had a smaller group so getting 10 people for things sometimes was tough.

Stunning Japan with Shirakawa-go (private 3 star hotel rooms)

Lovely tour with an great tour guide.

Highlights of Japan

I love the accommodations that was selected for us. I didn't realize how much walking we were going to be doing and wish we were more informed on that. I felt communication would have been better. In reality, i did not even know if we were going to find somebody from the tour group at the first hotel cause of lack of communication. If i had to rate communication from TourRadar as a company... it would be BAD. Our tour guide was well versed in taking us from point A to point B but i was hoping that our tour guide was more talkative and knowledgeable in the places he took us to such as history of the town, cultures, etc.

• €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Japan Explorer

This was such a wonderful tour! Our tour guide, Max took excellent care of us and had all the logistics planned out to perfection for each day so we had no worries. He was full of knowledge about the places we went to, helped everyone out with arrangements for "side quests" and add-ons, even helped out with booking travel on JR Rail for those of us traveling on after our tour ended. Travel Talk and Max helped make a dream come true for my bucket list trip to Japan! Thank you both!

Japan Festivals

Josh took the time to understand everything we wanted to experience. We benefited from his extensive knowledge and had the time of our lives. We highly recommend Knutson Travels.

• Christmas & New Year

Japan One Life Adventures - 10 Days

Best way of exploring japan in only 10 days. Haley did a very good job leading our group and making sure everything went smoothly. Expect a lot of late nights, early mornings and a lot of walking around. Met really amazing people!!

• Train & Rail

Epic Japan: Speed Trains & Street Food

Tour was great in many respects - some of the accommodation, for example, was excellent, and the use of the bullet trains was a fab experience. As others have said, there was perhaps too much free time - at times, I felt unprepared. Having said this, our great guide, Akiko, would often help us work out what to do/where to visit.

Japan Express

Guide was excellent however took us only to the free places and the tour guidance lasted till 1300 usually and thus you are on your own to scramble to make plans for the rest of the day and figure out how to get there etc. Seems like I paid a lot of money for the minimal touring I received from Intrepid.

Japan One Life Adventures - 14 Days

Lots of walking and early starts but extremely worth it! We visited lots of beautiful places and Johnny, our guide, helped arrange lots of unique and special experiences for us to get the most of the trip! Felt like we got a real cross section of Japan, from the hustle and bustle of the big cities to the calm and beauty of the smaller towns and villages. All accomodation was clean, tidy and felt very safe! Very much recommend for anyone thinking about it! :D

Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples

An awesome experience with a great group of people and a lovely guide. It was nice to have all the locations and transport organised but still have the freedom to do what you wished in each place.

• Festival & Events

7 Days Customized Best Japan Tour, Private & Daily Departure

The experience was amazing. They worked with me for a personal experience and made things so simple. Educated and experienced tour guides, and definitely something I would recommend to others for a small, guided tours.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

10 Days Private Tailor-Made Japan Trip, Daily Departure

The tour was great! We liked the tour guides, though one was delayed because of a train accident. Their English was generally good, and one took us "off tour" to show us some of the hidden gems in her community; we liked that especially.

Cycle Japan

The ride through Noto Peninsula

Premium Highlights of Japan

12-Day Highlights of Japan (Join Group, 10-20 Pax)

Reviews of japan tours.

Tours between Osaka and Tokyo were good. There were no organized tours of Osaka and Tokyo so I did them on my own. Hotels were good though I wish the Tokyo Hotel was closer to the City center. The brochure showed Toyota City is included but we were there on a Monday when they are usually closed. The bus was comfortable but miss not having Wi-fi and charging outlets. The Hiroshima and Kyoto were good tours but both were optional tours that we paid extra for.

It was a very nice trip, with little, insignificant hiccup with accommodation in Osaka, which was resolved quite quickly. Yoyo, our guide, was funny and very patient with all of us. Definitely will recommend the tour to first time visitors to Japan.

Our 8 day trip was amazing - the destinations were perfect (especially Takayama - where it snowed). The accom was great & the other people in the tour were really friendly - turned out to be a great combination. Above all, our tour guide Yoshi was sensational - great English, great knowledge & always got us everywhere on time. Highly recommend this tour (as long as Yoshi is your guide)

Japan to Continue Nationwide Travel Discount Program in 2023

Rashaad Jorden , Skift

November 25th, 2022 at 1:00 PM EST

The Japanese government announced on Friday i t’s planning to resume its domestic travel discount program in the new year .

Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito said the government will decide when exactly to relaunch the program, which was initially expected to conclude on December 28 , after monitoring Covid cases in the country. Participants in the program, a campaign the government hopes will resurrect a tourism industry battered by the pandemic, are required to have received at least three Covid vaccine doses or test negative for the virus. The Japanese government relaunched the travel discount program in October after pausing it during the heart of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, discounts offered in the program will be reduced next year, with the discount rate to drop to 20 percent from the current 40 percent. The maximum discount amount available for travelers in tour packages, including public transportation services, will also decrease from $58 (8,000 yen) to $36 (5,000 yen).

Tags: coronavirus recovery , discounts , japan , tourism , travel recovery

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• Entertainment

Reservation sites jammed as Japan kickstarts travel discount program

October 11, 2022 (Mainichi Japan)

Japanese version

TOKYO -- The Japanese government's "National Travel Discount" program aimed at sparking domestic tourism demand started on the morning of Oct. 11, attracting hordes of traffic at travel reservation websites and making some of them difficult to view.

From around 9 a.m., customers had difficulty accessing Yahoo! Travel's website as it began accepting reservations for package tours including air tickets and accommodation. Similar situations hit Rakuten Travel and Jalan's websites, with some people finding it hard to advance to search or reservation pages.

Under the National Travel Discount program, the government will subsidize 40% of travel expenses until late December.

(Japanese original by Mihoko Kato, Business News Department)

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Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’

Japan is gearing up to attract affluent tourists to lesser-known destinations, offering opportunities for an authentic experience of culture, craftsmanship and nature as a record number of foreign travelers come to the country.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) aims to increase the number of "luxury tourists" — defined as those who spend more than ¥1 million per person during their stay.

In 2019, this demographic comprised just 1% of overall visitors but they contributed to 14% of total spending .

“From the perspective of increasing consumption in rural regions, we want to strategically attract visitors by refining the content we offer and building networks through which we can promote businesses,” said JNTO director Rieko Nakayama.

Added Ryo Ito, a JNTO official in charge of the promotion of luxury tourism, “These luxury tourists tend to have high levels of curiosity and are interested in authentic experiences that are unique to specific areas, which goes hand in hand with (our goal of) promoting rural tourism."

“However, there are still some issues that need to be addressed in attracting visitors to these rural areas.”

While there is a lot of hidden potential in rural areas, they need support in order to make them marketable and accessible to tourists, as well as profitable for locals, particularly since businesses in these regions tend to be short on staff.

JNTO has identified four areas in which support is needed:

• marketability: content unique to the area needs to be refined in ways that would help it attract high-end tourists.
• accommodation: luxury hotels need to be built where there is a shortage.
• human resources: tour guides and hospitality workers need to be hired ahead of the arrival of tourists.
• connections: networks need to be established with overseas companies to get information about local attractions out to prospective tourists.

Even though many rural areas want to attract more high-end tourists, most of them don’t have sufficient means or the right infrastructure to do so.

Being aware of the problems that such rural areas face, the government began efforts to tackle these issues by first designating 11 model tourism destinations across the nation last year, including the Hokuriku region and the southern islands of Okinawa and Amami.

In February, JNTO invited 32 foreign travel companies that cater to affluent tourists to meet with 40 domestic luxury hotels and destination management companies to showcase what Japan's towns and villages can offer.

Feedback from the foreign travel companies who were taken on a familiarization trip to some of the areas within the 11 destinations — from Kanazawa and Fukui prefectures to the Setouchi inland sea area — showed keen interest.

The most popular activities were ones that included interaction with resident professionals such as traditional craftsmen in the Hokuriku area, demonstrating that local connections may just be the key selling point for Japan's luxury tourism push.

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