How to Travel Japan by Train Without Whole JR Pass, Best Alternatives

You can travel Japan by train WITHOUT a JR Pass by purchasing single-journey Shinkansen bullet train tickets, opting for a regional JR Pass, or paying for local transportation with an IC card. You may even do all three! Now that the price of the Whole Japan Rail Pass has drastically increased, it's not likely to save you money. But there are plenty of alternatives in 2024. Here are the best ones! Links below ⬇️ 🏝 Subscribe for travel tips and inspiration! Turn on the bell for notifications.    / kenshoquest   FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO 🎬 💖 We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase through our affiliate links! Buy Shinkansen bullet train tickets on Klook: https://geni.us/shinkansen 🌟 Residents of USA can save with KENSHOQUESTKLOOK Smart EX: https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php JR Fare Calculator (to see whether the JR Pass is worth it): https://kenshoquest.com/recommends/jr... Hokuriku Arch Pass: https://geni.us/hokurikuarchpass More info: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pas... Tokyo Wide Pass: https://geni.us/tokyowidepass More info: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pas... Kansai Wide Area Pass: https://geni.us/kansaiwideareapass More info: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti... Sanyo-San’in Rail Pass: https://geni.us/sanyosaninpass More info: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti... Hokkaido Rail Pass: https://geni.us/hokkaidopass More info (scroll down): https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/e... Hakone Free Pass: https://geni.us/hakonefreepass More info: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/... JR COMPANIES JR Hokkaido: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/i... JR East: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/ JR Central: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/ JR West: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ JR Shikoku: https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/global/en/ JR Kyushu: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Travel Japan by train without JR Pass 00:12 Why was the JR Pass so great? 01:16 Options to explore without JR Pass 01:33 Why we love trains in Japan 02:19 Single journey Shinkansen tickets 04:34 Regional JR Passes 05:42 Hokuriku Arch Pass 07:27 Tokyo Wide Pass 08:11 Kansai Wide Area Pass 08:44 Sanyo-San'in Area Pass 09:14 Hokkaido Rail Pass 09:51 Passes for children 6-11 years old 10:07 Downsides of regional passes 10:41 Combinations 11:30 Non-JR sightseeing passes 11:54 How to pay for local transportation 14:01 Subscribe for more Japan travel tips! #japantravelguide #bullettrains #traveljapan #kenshoquest WATCH NEXT 🎞 Best Regional JR Passes for 2025:    • Best Regional Japan Rail Passes - Don’t Ge...   Beginner's Guide to Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Trains:    • Beginner's Guide to Shinkansen Bullet Trains   How to Get to Kyoto from Tokyo without JR Pass:    • How to Get to Kyoto & Osaka from Tokyo wit...   Guide to Hokuriku Arch Pass:    • Guide to JR Hokuriku Arch Pass: Japan's Ne...   Dos & Don'ts of Train Travel in Japan:    • Dos & Don'ts of Train Travel in Japan, Avo...   💖 We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase through our affiliate links! 🇯🇵 JAPAN TRIP ESSENTIALS Data eSIM: https://few.cellulardata.ubigi.com/?P... Pocket WiFi: https://www.sakuramobile.jp/joji808-top VPN: https://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer... Travel health insurance: https://safetywing.com/ambassador/ref... Ship luggage to Tokyo hotel or airport: https://geni.us/shipluggagetokyo 🍄 JAPAN ATTRACTIONS USJ Super Nintendo World tickets: https://geni.us/usjapan Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea tickets: https://geni.us/tokyodisney TeamLab Planets Tokyo: https://geni.us/teamlabplanets Hello Kitty Sanrio Puroland Tickets: https://geni.us/sanriopuroland ✈️ TRAVEL HACKS Lightest weight carry-on suitcase 1.8kg: https://julyus.pxf.io/daEqkW Best charger/universal adapter combo (save 10% with KENSHOQUEST): https://www.voltacharger.com/KENSHOQUEST Ultimate credit card for earning miles: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6f... Unbound Merino wool travel clothing (save 10% with coupon KENSHOQUEST): https://shrsl.com/4bqmf Best travel first aid kit (save 10% with coupon KENSHOQUEST10): https://www.keepgoingfirstaid.com/ken... Powder shampoo that lathers with water! https://amzn.to/3SGGyrz Solid travel toiletries: https://prz.io/N0yvO0gTv Travel gear in our Amazon shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kenshoquest 🌺 Follow on Instagram:   / kenshoquest