Gay American

Archive for March, 2011

Due to Japan’s unique geographical urban makeup, the best way to enjoy a trip there is to purchase one of the many Explore Japan by Rail tours. Japan has invested no small amount of resources into providing its citizens (and tourists) with a top-flight railway system, making it foolhardy to consider any other transportation option. Travel companies have seen fit to take advantage of this fact, as they offer many tour packages that include the Japan Rail Pass.

Tokyo In All Its Splendor

It is not uncommon for tour packages to include the hotel taxes and service fees, airline fuel surcharges and a few nights in a hotel. Some companies will even go so far as to include pickup from the airport in a limousine! Some of the must-see sites in Tokyo include the Japanese Capitol Building, the Imperial Palace East Garden and the Meiji Shrine (Japan’s most renowned Shinto shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of the Emperor and his wife).

Branching Out

After several days in Tokyo, with the option of taking a bullet train to the Mount Fuji area of Hakone, travelers can use the Japan Rail Pass to visit other nearby cities, such as Kyoto (and its many famous selections of traditional Japanese cuisine), Osaka (with its dynamic shopping centers) and Hiroshima, which has undergone nothing short of an absolute rebirth since its pivotal role in the tragic ending of World War II.

As for the Japan Rail Pass, you are only eligible to turn in an Exchange Order for a JR Pass if you have entered the country on “temporary visitor” status. Those in Japan under any other status – “entertainer”, for instance, or “trainee” – may not receive a JR Pass. It’s just something that people should keep in mind to insure that their trip to Japan, a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, goes as smoothly as possible.