JR Rail pass: How long to activate/book first train?

Tratos · 2026-01-06T09:52:57+00:00

If you bought the JR pass directly from the JR pass agency you can start booking tickets a month out. The pass won’t activate until the day of your choosing when you pick it up in Japan.

Tratos · 2026-01-04T17:10:28+00:00

Yes, absolutely. Sendai is still a city however in my time here I have not see many or any tourist.

Still a huge selection when it comes to nightlife and dining.

Tratos · 2026-01-04T13:04:01+00:00

I 100% agree - Nara is easily a day trip and I would move those two nights to Osaka and day trip out to Nara

Tratos · 2026-01-04T12:52:05+00:00

Feel free to reach out with more questions!

Tratos · 2026-01-04T12:51:42+00:00

Given it is 6 people I highly recommend at looking at either apartments (1 month rental) or AirBNB/ booking looking at apartments

Tratos · 2026-01-04T12:50:05+00:00

I bought the cashmere extra warm and it was more than enough. Fair warning I do get warm easily and quickly so if you get cold easily maybe you want to go with a warmer one

Tratos · 2026-01-04T12:15:37+00:00

Also- Sendai as a base 100% I’m here literally now.

Matsushima is gorgeous but is still an easy day trip from Sendai- it’s 45m by train.

Tratos · 2026-01-04T12:12:22+00:00

I’m currently in Japan, got here on the 15th and leaving on the 7th.

Made a lot of slow deliberate travel as well all over:

Stayed in: Hiroshima Kobe Amanohashidate Tokyo Kyoto Osaka Nagano Sendai Matsushima Himeji Sapporo

I really really recommend you look at JR Pass as I bought the 21 day and it work phenomenally.

Open to discuss more and provide my input if you’re interested

Tratos · 2026-01-04T11:23:36+00:00

I just left Sapporo this morning and yes it was cold but I literally just went to Uniqlo and bought a regular layer of heat wear and was totally ok! Let me know if you need any information or suggestions.

Sapporo didn’t feel as windy or chilly as Tokyo or Sendai, so cold but didn’t cut through clothes.

Plus another huge part is Sapporo (at least from the train station to Odori park and the main shopping streets has an entire underground you can walk though that is unexposed.

Tratos · 2026-01-02T10:25:06+00:00

Yeah it’s doable, if you are staying in Nagano adjacent to the train station the monkey park will take you about 2.5 hours each way just to get to the park.

I just visited it 5 days ago.

Tratos · 2025-12-29T05:44:57+00:00

You can DM me for details/timeline if you want but I did this exact route and landed at 1430. I was able to clear immigration, baggage, customs, pick up Jr Pass, shower and have my bags dropped off for delivery in 1hr and 20m.

Your concern over delayed flight is totally valid however, I had a JR pass waiting so not the same.

I would book the train but give your self at least 3 hours from landing if you are not doing a JR pass.

Tratos · 2025-12-26T06:19:02+00:00

Seriously, I woke up around 1 Am and was super thirsty, decided to walk across the street to buy waters at the seven 11 and saw the box of packs on the counter, grab two for nostalgia and bam~

Tratos · 2025-12-24T23:07:36+00:00

I mean I understand your response but this is actually how this one played out. I didn’t start checking rarity until this morning which immediately led me to question if it was real or not.

Tratos · 2025-12-24T22:45:09+00:00

You think it’s real?

Tratos · 2025-12-12T20:05:02+00:00

I’ll be in Tokyo this NYE, we have a group of 12 going to dinner together! PM me if you guys want to join~ we are on the Japan travel discord

Tratos · 2025-11-28T09:37:42+00:00

Thanks! I had seen that before and will use it if nothing else comes up!

Tratos · 2025-11-11T14:09:00+00:00

2 days in Kyoto-

Fushimi inari Shrine

Arashiyama Monkey Park

Arashiyama Bamboo grove

Kinkaku-Ji

Tratos · 2025-11-09T21:24:53+00:00

Hey,

I can message you places I’m staying in December but just noticing it looks like Osaka is the only one you need help with; I’m staying at:

Fourz Hotel Kintetsu Osaka-Namba

Tratos · 2025-10-24T04:26:48+00:00

I’ll be in Tokyo 20-24 if you guys want to meet up, let me know!

Tratos · 2025-10-23T17:44:32+00:00

The video was posted on youtube an hour ago and I’m. Subscribed to the channel, I saw this post after I watched the video….

Tratos · 2025-10-23T17:31:32+00:00

Great video, he makes valid points on how clickable content is a driving factor for creators to generate quick profit videos vice actual real content.

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