Bullet train tickets in Japan pass getting more expensive

Passengers queueing to board a JR Central shinkansen bullet train at the Tokyo Station. — Bloomberg

Tourists in Japan will pay more for rail passes after the JR train network raised prices for the first time in four decades, by an average of 70%. But even with the big increase, demand is likely to stay strong thanks to a cheaper yen and flow of inbound visitors.

From the start of this month, a rail pass offering 14 days of unlimited travel across Japan costs ¥80,000 (RM2,526), up from ¥47,250 (RM1,500). There are also options for one- and three-week passes, as well as first class. The price hikes vary from about 65% to 77%.