Get Me Out of Here: A Guide to Getting Out of Gunma
Train
The Rinkai Free Ticket is perfect for a short weekend jaunt in the big city. Two day return ticket from Gunma to Tokyo, including all transport within the Tokyo Metropolitan area. You must use the ticket for two consecutive days (i.e. you can’t go down Friday night and return on Sunday). The fare works out to be about 10 yen more than a standard return fare, but it includes all your travel within Tokyo for those days, so if you plan on station hopping, this is a great deal.
Purchase the ticket at any JR station machine under “Discount Tickets”. Three tickets will print. One is your ticket from start point to Tokyo. The machine will keep this ticket when you arrive. Use the second ticket around Tokyo and for your trip home. The third ticket is a receipt with information. You wont need it.
The fares are as follows:
- Takasaki & Maebashi – 3790
- Isesaki – 4430
- Shibukawa – 4430
- Numata – 5050
- Minakami – 5890
- Nakanojo – 5890
The Seishun 18 seasonal pass is the cheapest way for groups or individuals looking to travel Japan for a few days and don’t mind taking the slow route. The fare is only available three times a year, so take advantage of it if you can.
- Spring (March 1 to April 10)
- on sale February 20 to March 31
- Summer (July 20 to September 10)
- on sale July 1 to August 31
- Winter (December 10 to January 10)
- on sale December 1 to December 31
For 11,500 you get 5 days of unlimited travel on any regular non-express JR train anywhere in Japan (Note: all Shinkansen, limited express, super express, express or sleeper trains are not valid with this ticket) It works out to about 2,300 per day.
The pass can be used by one person for any 5 days within the designated period (usually a two week block) or can be split amongst up to 5 people for one-day use.
Tickets can be purchased from any JR ticket window. When you want to use a ticket, go to the manned booth at the JR ticket gate and have them stamp the ticket. That ticket is then valid until midnight of that day. The ticket has space for 5 stamps, after which it is invalid.
Even if you are planning a trip to Tokyo during this period, consider buying this ticket for unlimited travel on JR trains. It may work out cheaper than your standard fare. Otherwise, check your time table on Hyperdia by un-checking all the boxes that will get you anywhere fast, and get ready for a long… long… train ride!
The 1-day Holiday Pass gets you unlimited travel anywhere within the greater Tokyo area for 2,300 yen, valid on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. All local JR trains are valid with this pass, but Shinkansen and limited express trains are not. (also valid on the Rinkai and Tokyo Monorail lines). The ticket is valid during Golden Week, New Years (Dec. 29 – Jan 3), and Summer holidays (July 20 – Aug 31). The holiday pass can be purchased at any JR station within the designated area. Trips to Yokohama and Kamakura are included, so it is a great way to check out those places for cheap (if you are already in Tokyo).
The Japan Guide website has more information on the various rail passes throughout the country.
Plane
No. 1 Travel offer discount travel website great for travel outside of Japan. The cheapest rates are usually displayed on the front page, and clicking on them will bring up a calendar with the available dates for ridiculously cheap travel. The flights are usually fixed with little flexibility and absolutely no cancellations. Click on a flight to send an inquiry and someone will respond right away. Inquire in advance as the cheapest rates go quickly. Last minute deals and packages are available.
IACE Travel are another discount travel website that works similarly to No.1 travel. I can often get cheaper flights through this website than from No.1, but usually they are fairly comparable. The inquiry process works the same.
Japan Airlines have several discount tickets are available for domestic JAL flights:
- Sakitoku Advanced Purchase Fare: book flights up to 28 days before the flight date for a discounted fare.
- Super Sakitoku Advanced Purchase Fare: book flights up to 45 days before the flight date for an even bigger discounted fare. These rates go quickly, so book early.
Bus
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