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Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan?

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Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan?
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Japan is a very popular destination, especially for a first trip that will take you a little out of your comfort zone. The arrival of direct flights between Montreal and Tokyo has only facilitated access(see milesopedia’s report on this flight).

A trip to Japan will be expensive, especially in terms of transportation. On the other hand, there are ways to save money by taking everything apart.

National and regional passes in Japan

Japan Rail Pass

Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass (JRP)?

This question arises very often. The answer is very simple: yes and no, depending on your ability to make it profitable, because it’s quite expensive!

Since October 2023, Japan Rail Pass prices have increased significantly:

DurationOld Standard Price (¥)New Standard Price (¥)Old Green Pass price (¥)New Green Pass price (¥)Increase
7 days29 65050 00039 60070 00069% – 77%
14 days47 25080 00064 120110 00069% – 72%
21 days60 450100 00083 390140 00065% – 68%
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Jrpass Icon

If you are planning to visit Japan in the near future, you can still take advantage of the current rates by purchasing your JR Passes before the price increase:

  • JR Passes can be activated up to 3 months after the issue date.
  • When you activate your pass in Japan, you can choose a start date up to 30 days in advance. This means you could potentially travel to Japan with the pass until the end of January, depending on when you order.
  • When ordering, keep in mind the 3-month activation window, as well as the date on which you will exchange your voucher for the pass in Japan.

If you plan to activate the pass in Japan on December 20 (so it will be valid for the next 30 days), you should buy it on or after September 21.

Advantages of the Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass has many advantages:

  • valid throughout the country
  • valid on Narita Express routes between Narita airport and Tokyo
  • valid on Haruka Express or Kansai Airport Rapid routes between Kansai airport and Osaka
  • flexibility (no need for tickets with reserved seats in unreserved carriages)
  • possibility to book tickets with unlimited free seats
  • ease of use (simply show it to the ticket inspector at the ticket office and on the train)
  • very profitable over long distances
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Shibuya Crossing

I advise you to draw up a rough itinerary and then calculate the cost of your trip. For example, the cost-effectiveness of the JRP is maximized with this fairly popular route:

DayDestinationDurationCost
1Tokyo-Osaka174 min.¥ 13,870
2Osaka––
3Osaka-Kyoto13 min.¥ 1,440
4Kyoto––
5Kyoto-Hiroshima (et Himeji Castle)56 min. /59 min.¥ 4,840/¥ 7,910
6Hiroshima et Miyajima (Ferry)10 min.¥360 round trip
7Hiroshima-Narita363 min.¥ 20,970 with 2 transfers
¥49,390

If you buy the JRP at a cost of ¥50,000, you get a value of at least ¥49,390. So you’re even.

These prices are for unreserved seats which can be purchased as cheaper à la carte tickets. If you take reserved seats and use the JRP to travel to Osaka and Kyoto as well, you save more money.

On the other hand, in the case of a multi-city itinerary with a flight arriving in Tokyo and departing from Osaka, it’s best to take an à la carte long-distance ticket and combine it with local passes to save money.

I recommend you do the same exercise regardless of the length of your trip, and determine whether long-distance journeys can be condensed into 7, 14 or 21 days.

A two-week trip to Japan may require only a 7-day pass instead of 14 days, depending on the routes you have planned.

An online calculator is available here.

Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Calculateur Japan Rail Pass

Disadvantages of the Japan Rail Pass

Although it makes organizing a trip to Japan much easier, it is not without its drawbacks:

  • must be used for consecutive days only
  • must be purchased BEFORE arriving in Japan
  • only valid on JR train and bus lines
  • not valid on the faster Nozomi trains
  • not cost-effective for local use
  • it’s very easy to buy JR or non-JR à la carte tickets at stations

Some destinations are not served by a JR line, or rather, you can get there much more quickly and cheaply by metro.

The JR Regional Pass

Finalement, pour visiter certaines régions, il faut aussi considérer les JR Regional Pass. Je me rends habituellement sur ce site pour voir précisément quelle est la zone couverte par chaque passe.

En voici quelques-unes:

JR Regional PassZoneDuréeCoût
JR Kansai PassOsaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Nara, Kansai Airport1 – 4 jours¥2,300 – ¥6,600
JR Hokkaido PassHokkaido, Sapporo3 – 4 jours (flexible)¥17,400 – ¥23,480
JR West Sanyo San’in PassOsaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kansai Airport,Wakayama, Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki,
Takamatsu, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Tottori, Matsue, Hakata (Fukuoka)		7 jours¥19,400
JR Central Takayama Hokuriku PassHokuriku, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Kanazawa5 jours¥14,260
JR East-South Hokkaido PassSapporo, Sendai, Miyagi, Yamanashi, Nagano, Niigata, Kanto6 jours (flexible)¥26,900
JR Kyushu PassKyushu3 ou 5 jours¥15,280 – ¥18,330
JR Shikoku PassShikoku3 – 7 jours¥9,000 – ¥13,000

The best sites to calculate the cost of your trips

Here are the three websites I use to calculate the price of my trips to Japan:

Google Maps will display all available routes, along with the cost, the platform number, the car to take to get out faster and the exit to take to get to your destination! Convenient to get around when the station is huge.

Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo google maps 9073
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo google maps 9074
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo google maps 9075

Websites to purchase a JRP or regional passes

Several sites let you buy a JRP. The one we recommend is JRPass.com.

Don’t forget to pay with a credit card with no foreign transaction fees! This saves you 2.5% on the transaction.

La dépense étant catégorisée comme voyage, j’ai même pu utiliser des points-voyages pour couvrir les frais !

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card

ScotiabankScene+
Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
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on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Day passes in Japanese cities

A trip to Osaka or Tokyo? I hope you won’t go to Japan just to spend a few days in Tokyo! However, it’s an excellent strategy to combine these daily passes with JRP.

For example, for a 10-day trip:

  • pay for transportation from the airport to Tokyo à la carte (¥1050; see below for details)
  • 3 days in Tokyo (3 days Pass ¥1,500)
  • 7 days touring the rest of Japan (JRP ¥50,000)

In this situation, the total cost of transport is ¥52.550, instead of buying the 14-day JRP of ¥80.00 to cover the whole trip. A saving of ¥27,450 or $255 CAD!

There’s a whole range of them, but I’m going to talk about the most useful passes.

Tokyo Area

Tokyo Metro Pass

Most of Tokyo ‘s tourist attractions are served by the subway, so I recommend the Tokyo Metro Pass, which includes the Tokyo Metro and Toei lines.

It is valid for a number of hours, not days. The expiry date and time will be printed on the back of the ticket after the first use:

  • ¥800 (24h)
  • ¥1,200 (48h)
  • ¥1,500 (72h)

Example of use for sightseeing to monetize a 48-hour Tokyo Metro pass (value ¥1,200):

Day 1Metro LineAttractionsCost of a one-way ticket
Asakusa to Higashi GinzaAsakusa LineKabuki Theater, Ginza window shopping¥220.00
Higashi Ginza to Tsukijishijo(walking)Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukijishijo to RyogokuOedo LineEdo Tokyo Museum, Sumo Museum¥220.00
Ryogoku to KasugaOedo LineTokyo Dome City¥220.00
Kasuga to TochomaeOedo LineMetropolitan Government Building Observatory¥220.00
Tochomae to Shinjuki(walking)Shopping, Kabuki-cho
Shinjuku to RoppongiOedo LineRoppongi Hills, Bars & Clubs, Mori Museum¥220.00
Roppongi to AsakusaOedo & Asakusa Line¥280.00
  Subtotal¥1,380.00
Day 2Metro LineAttractionsCost of a one-way ticket
Asakusa to ShibuyaGinza lineShibuya crossing, Shopping¥250.00
Shibuya to Meiji-jingumaeFukutoshin LineHarajuku, Takeshita street, Omotesando, Meiji Shrine¥170.00
Omotesando to AkabanebashiHanzomon & Oedo LineTokyo Tower¥280.00
Onarimon to AkihabaraMita & Hibiya LineAkihabara¥280.00
Akihabara to UenoHibiya LineUeno zoo¥170.00
Ueno to AsakusaOedo Line¥170.00
Subtotal¥1,320.00
Total¥2,700.00

Tokyo Free Kippu One-day Pass

The Tokyo Free Kippu One-day Pass is valid on all Tokyo Metro lines and JR lines within Tokyo‘s 23 districts.

Cost: ¥1,600

Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)

The Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass) is valid on all JR lines within Tokyo‘s 23 districts.

Cost: ¥760

Yurikamome One-day Pass

The Yurikamome One-day Pass is valid only on the Yurikamome line.

Odaiba is only accessible by this line, and since it’s a private company, one-way tickets can be expensive (¥400) when booked à la carte.

Cost: ¥820

Tokyu Line Minatomirai Ticket

The Tokyu Line Minatomirai Ticket is valid on Minatomirai trains as well as several stations between Tokyo and Yokohama.

Cost: ¥630 – ¥1100 (price depends on departure and arrival stations)

Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Kaisen Don

Odakyu Railway Hakone Freepass

The Odakyu Railway Hakone Freepass lets you visit the Hakone area from Tokyo.

Cost: ¥5,700 (2 days), ¥6,100 (3 days)

Mt Fuji Pass

The Mt Fuji Pass lets you visit the area of Mt Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes from Tokyo.

Cost: ¥5,500 (1 day), ¥8,000 (2 days), ¥10,000 (3 days)

Nikko Pass

The Nikko Pass allows you to visit the Nikko region from Tokyo; there are two variants, depending on the extent of the region you wish to visit.

There is a supplement to pay separately from the pass to use the limited express trains, which make fewer stops between Tokyo and Nikko.

Cost:

  • World Heritage Area Pass ¥2000 (2 days),
  • All Area Pass ¥4,500 (4 days),
  • Limited express free ~¥1,200 one-way.
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Osaka and Kyoto Area

Kansai Thru Pass

The Kansai Thru Pass is valid for the entire region and allows you to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Wakayama, Koyasan, Himeji for 2 or 3 days which can be non-consecutive.

Also valid on the KIX and ITM airport connections.

Cost:

  • ¥4,400 (2 days)
  • ¥5,500 (3 days)
Kyoto: Ultimate 3-Day Travel Guide - Geisha in Kyoto

Hankyu Tourist Pass

The Hankyu Tourist Pass is valid on all Hankyu Railways lines, allowing you to visit Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto for 1 or 2 days, which may be non-consecutive.

Cost:

  • ¥700 (1 day)
  • ¥1,200 (2 days)

Kyoto Subway & Bus Pass

The Kyoto Subway & Bus Pass: you need to take a bus to get to the majority of the tourist sites.

Cost:

  • ¥900 (1 day),
  • ¥1,700 (2 days)
  • or ¥600 for bus pass only

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Card

ScotiabankScene+
Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Payment cards (IC Cards)

In Japan, there are a number of cards that make it easy to pay for your short trips (one-off journeys).

Having lived in Tokyo, you’ll understand that I didn’t visit 3-4 tourist sites in the same day! I used an IC Card daily as a local, but I was always calculating whether I should buy a day pass or just go à la carte.

For example, if the only activity was to go picnicking under the sakura trees and spend the day with friends at Shinjuku Gyoen Park, I’d get out my IC Card to go there.

Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Picnic in Shinjuku Gyoen
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Suica Cards Tourist and Local Version

What you need to know about the IC Card :

  • It can be reloaded, in cash, at any station.
  • It is available on Apple Pay as well as Google Pay and reloadable by credit card. Remember to use your Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card to avoid currency conversion fees!
  • Swipe your card or phone over the reader as you enter and exit a station (or bus).
  • Since prices for one-way trips are based on the distance travelled, the exact amount will be deducted from your card.
  • This saves you from having to look up the price to pay for a ticket; sometimes, on a board just in Japanese!
  • There are sometimes discounts on certain routes and companies when you pay with one of these cards.
  • It can be used in vending machines, convenience stores, most restaurant chains, some retail outlets, etc.
  • One per person is required.
  • Expiration of physical card: 10 years (so you can keep it for your next visit to Japan!)
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo suica card 8229
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo suica card 8230
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo suica card 8958
Japan: How to save on transportation in Japan? - Tokyo suica card 9070
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Transportation to/from Japanese airports

Narita (NRT) to Tokyo

The Narita Express is the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport (NRT). However, there are ways to save on this trip if you’re prepared to make transfers.

Time to Tokyo

(main stations)

CostFrequency
NEX (Narita Express)60 – 75 min.

¥3,070 or ¥4,070 return

(if the return is within 14 days)

30-60 min.
Keisei Sky Liner

45 min.

then a transfer to Nippori

¥2,20020-40 min.
Keisei Limited Express

75 min.

then a transfer to Nippori

¥1,05020 min.
Keisei Narita Sky Access60 min.¥1,20020 -40 min.
JR Sobu Line90 min.¥1,34060 min.

Limousine Bus

goes to several hotels as well

100 min.¥2,800 or ¥4,500 return15-20 min.
Airport Bus TYO-NRT90 min.¥1,050 by day or ¥2,100 by nightfairly frequent

Haneda (HND) to Tokyo

Although there are direct flights between Montreal and Tokyo Narita, Haneda International Airport (served from Toronto) is much closer to the city.

Time to Tokyo

(main stations)

CostFrequency
Tokyo Monorail30 min.¥660fairly frequent
Keykyu Railways35 min.¥470fairly frequent
Limousine bus40-55 min.¥1,00030 -60 min.

Haneda (HND) to Narita (NRT)

Do you have an unavoidable airport transfer to make?

DurationCostFrequency
Keikyu Airport Line90 min.¥176 040 min.
Limousine bus65-90 min.¥320015-20 min.

Kansai (KIX) to Osaka

Do you have an unavoidable airport transfer to make?

DurationCostFrequency

JR Haruka

goes to Kyoto

50-75 min.

¥2,380 – ¥3,000

(covered by JRP)

30 min.
JR Airport Rapid70 min.

¥1,210

(covered by JRP)

20-30 min.
Nankai Express90 min.¥93 015 min.
Nankai Rapid35 min.¥145 030 min.

Limousine bus

to several hotels in Osaka or Kyoto

45-100 min.¥1,100 – ¥2 600fairly frequent

Itami (ITM) to Osaka

Do you have an unavoidable airport transfer to make?

DurationCostFrequency
Bus25 min.¥500 – ¥640fairly frequent
Osaka Monorail + Hankyu Line20-25 min.¥420fairly frequent

How to choose your transport to/from the airport?

How do you choose THE best way (efficiency, cost, comfort, etc.) to get from the airport to the city?

This will depend on your final destination and the number of transfers you are prepared to make. The final cost of the journey also depends on the location of your hotel.

In short, if you’re willing to take out the calculator, the savings can be considerable. Japan has put a multitude of deals at our disposal, so it’s up to us to take advantage of them!

ありがとう！ Arigatou!

Bottom Line

Please know that all prices for this article are approximate. I’ve tried to find the most accurate prices possible, but they are subject to change. However, the order of magnitude of the prices is correct.

Other tips and tricks about transportation in Japan :

  • long journeys on board Shinkansen trains can be paid by credit card.
  • it’s impolite to talk on the phone in train and subway cars.
  • pay attention to cars that are solely reserved for women during peak hours (indicated on the platform floor and on the doors)
  • there’s always someone who speaks English at major train stations and tourist attractions

If you want to follow my adventures on Instagram, my account is @wanderingaline!

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Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

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Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

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