And so my research begins in preparation to keep cost low for my first Japan trip. Since we're planning to go from Tokyo to Osaka on the first day we arrive, then to do day trips Kyoto & Nara from Osaka. And finally back from Tokyo from Osaka, all with 7 days, we decided to get the 7 days Ordinary Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) as it'll cost us 28,300 YEN each.
I was lucky to chance upon Creative Tours (Singapore) Pte Ltd last night and I only called them this morning. By far, they offer the cheapest JR Pass even though the price is fixed at 28,300 YEN. This means that their exchange rate is more attractive and also, the staff I spoke to extended a 5% discount if I could pay in cash. The staff's name is Eliza and she was able to offer me this discount even with purchase of 2 tickets only.
Today's exchange rate is 100 YEN to 1.56 SGD. With the discount, we only paid $431 each. Yipee!! The next cheapest found was $448 elsewhere.
YEN may drop further with the Japanese government's intervention to bring the Japanese currency down against the USD but we're happy enough with this price after waiting for it to drop for a month.
Not only that, I am so happy with Eliza! With so many unpleasant customer service encounters in Singapore, I want to share that Eliza from Creative Tours is really professional.
She asked me to email her my details so that she can prepare the JR Pass tickets in advance. That was 10 plus in the morning. At around 11 plus, I called to tell her that I may have to postpone the collection as something urgent cropped up. She then asked if I can issue a cheque instead but I couldn't 'coz I don't have personal cheques.
I kept apologizing 'coz she mentioned the passes were already issued. In the end, we had to cancel it. The sweet bf then told me that he'll drive me there to pick them up. And so we did. When we reached, Eliza had to reissue a new ticket for me as I gave her a wrong name with typo.
The whole time, Eliza was pleasant about it and she even gave me some maps and advice on what to do with my JR Pass. If you want the Japan JR Route Map, just drop me a comment here with your email address. I'll send it to you within a day or 2.
Here's some tips from her and some useful websites:
Here's some tips from her and some useful websites:
- To exchange the JR Pass ticket for the JR Pass at Narita airport basement for the Narita Express Train tickets to get to Tokyo city.
- The JR Pass is valid for 7 days upon activation.
- For city travel (eg. within Tokyo), just show the JR Pass will do.
- For inter-city travel (eg. from Tokyo to Osaka), we'll need to get an additional ticket stating the date and time of travel. We can get these tickets beforehand or on the day itself.
- Within Tokyo, most major shopping places, even Disneyland are within reach of JR station except for Ginza and this famous shrine at Asakusa station.
- With this 7 days JR Pass, we can travel on all JR Group of bullet trains and not on NOZUMI, the fastest train.
- Go this this site to check for rail schedule.
Creative Tours (Singapore) Pte Ltd contact is:
16 Raffles Quay
#01-01 Hong Leong Building
Singapore 048581
Tel: 6222 8475
Ask for Eliza coz she's nice! And someone is driving you there like me, the driver can wait at "Telegraph Road" in between Hong Leong Building and AIA Building.
