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For longer-distance travel, the Japan Rail Pass once offered great value, but recent price hikes have made it less economical unless you plan to travel extensively between cities. If your itinerary involves just a few trips, traditional train tickets may be more cost-effective.
For example, a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train takes about 2.5 hours but can be expensive. Consider alternative options like overnight buses, which cost roughly 20% of the train fare but take longer. For the adventurous, renting a car and doing a road trip can be a cost-effective way to explore lesser-visited areas, especially if traveling in a group of four or more.