The hustle and bustle of the Golden Week holiday period has arrived in Tokyo, with travelers crowding Tokyo Station on May 3 to embark on trips to their hometowns or other destinations. However, the latter half of Golden Week has not been without its challenges. According to Central Japan Railway Co., some trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line that departed Tokyo Station between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. were carrying 40 percent more passengers than capacity. This overcrowding has caused significant inconvenience for travelers, who have had to endure long lines and delays in their journeys.   Despite these challenges, many travelers remain committed to their holiday plans. Saki Endo, a 32-year-old company employee, was standing in line for unreserved seats on a bullet train around 1 p.m. to return to her hometown in Shiga Prefecture. She noted that she had stayed at home for a while in the morning, after discovering through Twitter just how congested Tokyo Station was during the ear...

On April 14th, 2023, the JR Group, which operates the Japan Railways network, announced that it will substantially increase the cost of the Japan Rail Pass. This increase is set to take effect in October 2023, with an exact date yet to be announced. The new pricing structure will see the regular pass increase from JPY 29,650 to JPY 50,000, an increase of 69%. The 14-day pass will rise from JPY 47,250 to JPY 80,000 (69% increase), and the 21-day pass will increase from JPY 60,450 to JPY 100,000 (65% increase). Similarly, the Green Car passes will also experience similar increases in price. Despite these price hikes, the Japan Rail Pass will still not cover Nozomi and Mizuho trains, which are the fastest services on the Shinkansen network. To use these services, pass holders will need to purchase additional tickets, the details of which will be announced at a later point in time. However, the pass will offer new discounts at selected sightseeing spots and attractions. Undoubtedly, thes...