A bit about Japan Rail Passes

Today, as have the last few days, was a pretty full day, although not so much to do with Koi I'm afraid.

First up was a meeting with Tsuyoshi san (Torazo) about his brand new website which you'll soon be able to access, watch this space for more information.

Thereafter it was off to Niigata City for me for 2 reasons, firstly to get my Japan Rail Pass to visit the Wakagoi Show - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/735 - and secondly to extend my visa to stay in Japan.

First step of my journey was to get to Nagaoka, the start of the day's frustrations.  I walked from Torazo through the Uragara Tunnel to wait at the bus stop.  I'd just missed a bus and the next would be a full hour before it came.  When in Ojiya it seems that virtually every bus you see is heading towards Nagaoka Station.  With that in mind I figured that maybe other buses would come across the Miyoken Weir Bridge before joining Route 17, as such I decided to walk there, thankfully the snow of recent days has largely abated and it was bright and sunny, if a little chilly.

On arrival at the bus stop I was dismayed to find I still had a 50 minute wait for the same bus I could have caught at my original bus stop.

When I eventually reached Nagaoka Station there was to be another 40 minute wait before the next local train came along.  The reason for getting a local train, which run far less frequently, and take 5 times as long to reach Niigata was simply that that it costs 1/3rd of the price! When originally setting out I figured I had plenty of time on my hands, now I was concerned I wouldn't be cutting it tight to reach the immigration department at Niigata Airport before it closed at 4pm.

For those that have never used a rail pass I'll explain a little about them.  Basically what you do in your own country is purchase an 'exchange order' for the type of pass you want.  They are available for different lengths of time and for different regions.  You can find full details at - http://www.japanrailpass.net/.  Even if just travelling from Narita Airport to Niigata they can offer decent savings over buying tickets.

The image below is my 'exchange order', kindly brought out to me by Steve Gibbins of KoiTours.com - http://www.koitours.com.  I understand that Steve will be an official agent for Rail Passes shortly. 

The 'exchange order' doesn't let you travel, it has to be exchanged at designated stations for the actual rail pass.  Unfortunately Nagaoka is not one of them, hence I had to travel to Niigata, again frustrating to have a piece of paper in my hand that effectively entitled me to travel, but didn't.

Having endured the 72 minute slow train to Niigata I was able to swap my exchange order for my rail pass, thereafter entitling me to one weeks travel all over Japan for £210.  The cost of a single trip to the Wakagoi Show works out the same price.

Anyway, this is what you end up with, a simple folded piece of card which you can either just present to the ticket inspector for 'non reserved' seats or, alternatively, you can take to the ticket office and use to obtain 'reserved' seats for the period of it's validity.

I eventually made immigration at 3.05pm and got that business sorted as well.

The journey home?  Oh I simply hopped on the Shinkansen which zipped back to Nagaoka in 16 minutes, sadly I had another 40 minute wait for another local train to Ojiya!

Anyway, all set now for an 8 1/2 hour and 1500km journey to the Wakagoi  Show - can't wait, will be there late Thursday evening.