Most of the travel world knows by now that the Japan Rail Pass is rising in price by 69% from October 1. Previously costing just a little more than round-trip tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto, the pass benefited most travelers visiting to Japan.
At the new price of 50,000 yen ($A525) for the standard offering, those purchasing the rail pass will need to make a more expansive effort to use it to gain their money’s worth.
While many are mourning the change in pricing structure, the hike need not be the death of affordable travel in Japan. Even at 50,000 yen, it is still a very good deal. Moreover, the current macro economic situation means that the yen is weak compared to other currencies. As a result, Japan remains largely as economical as it has been prior to the price change.
One point that those buying the Japan Rail Pass will have to keep in mind the need to ride more bullet trains than before to make it a sound deal. For example, the standard Tokyo → Kyoto → Hiroshima route is actually cheaper without the pass if travellers don’t include side trips. To make the pass worthwhile, travellers after October 1 will need to hop on and off the Shinkansen a lot more.
Fortunately, Setouchi is a region blessed with many and varied destinations widely dispersed across western Japan. To reach many of these efficiently, travellers will need to ride a series of bullet trains, which could be cost-prohibitive without the Japan Rail Pass. Even at 50,000 yen, the pass would still be a steal for travelling like this.
Since so many people already plan visit Hiroshima, we’ve prepared the following set of recommendations in the Setouchi region for individuals seeking something extra. We are calling our suggestions ‘spots en route to Hiroshima City’, or alternatively ‘beyond Hiroshima City’. With the help of the Japan Rail Pass, travellers can reap full value by adding one or two of these destinations to their Hiroshima visit.
En Route to Hiroshima City
Kobe Thanks to its famous brand of beef, there are few people these days who haven’t heard of Kobe. That said, there is much more to this port city than most people realise. From the lovely hot spring town of Arima Onsen to the historic Kitano district, there are many more facets of Kobe than just the delicious wagyu. Be sure to experience the epic night views from the Rokko Mountains!
Himeji ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ to the grandest of Japan’s 12 surviving original castles, as well as Shoshazan, Himeji makes an excellent pit stop along the way to Hiroshima. The historic castle is just a 15-minute walk away from the Shinkansen station and is easy to tack on. Shoshazan, on the other hand, requires a bus ride, but the breathtaking autumn leaves and ancient temple buildings are certainly worth it. Shoshazan is also where parts of ‘The Last Samurai’ were shot.
Kurashiki For people coming from the east, the historic districts of Kurashiki are also a great option. The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is found equidistant between two Shinkansen stops and can easily be added on as a morning outing if you’re coming from Kyoto or Osaka. You can also make an entire day out of the detour and add on Okayama Castle and the enchanting Okayama Korakuen Garden!
Fukuyama Aapproaching the capital city, Fukuyama will be one of the first major spots encountered in Hiroshima Prefecture. Alight here to
