Seishun 18 Kippu (Japan Rail Pass - cheapo version!)
Update Oct 25th, 2024
Major rule changes coming up for the 2024 Winter Season!
Change 1) No more multiple travelers sharing one ticket
Change 2) Ticket needs to be used on consecutive days (A start date has to be designated at the time of purchase)
Change 3) In addition to a 5 day version, there will be a 3 day version available for 10,000 JPY. Both versions can now be used at automated ticket gates.
Previously it was possible to use the ticket on non-consecutive days and a start date did not need to be specified.
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The Seishun 18 Kippu (Rough translation: Youthful 18 Ticket) is a seasonal ticket that allows five days of unlimited travel on any JR train.
The price is very reasonable at 12,050 JPY.
Great deal, right? The major restriction is that only local and rapid services can be used. The ticket is not valid for any Limited Express trains, let alone a ride on the Shinkansen. Not only do you have to pay the express fare, you also have to pay the basic fare as well. You are not permitted to simply purchase a limited express ticket and then attempt to use the 18 Kippu for the basic component fare.
Valid dates:
This is a seasonal product, sold during the school holidays as the ticket was originally marketed towards the younger generation.
Spring season: March 1st-April 10th (Purchase by Mar 31st)
Summer season: July 20th - September 10th (Purchase by Aug 31st)
Winter season: December 10th - January 10th (Purchase by Dec 31st)
Rules of the ticket:
Despite the name, there is no age limit. Non-residents are welcome to purchase the ticket though I have rarely witnessed a foreign tourist using this ticket. It can be purchased at the ticket office or from the ticket machines that can sell reserved seat tickets (These are usually set up in the bigger stations).
The 18 Kippu previously was larger than standard sized tickets so it would not fit in the automated gates. Users had to always go through the staffed aisle and show the ticket to the staff. Starting from the Winter (December) 2024 version, the ticket will change to a regular size and work in automated gates.
Which trains will work with the 18 Kippu?
It is OK for rides in local (各駅、普通), rapid (快速) or special rapid (特別快速、新快速）
It's NOT valid for limited express (特急) or Shinkansen or any non-JR operated line regardless of the train type.
Some rapid trains in the Tokyo area have a double-decker car classified as a Green Car (first class). As long as you pay the supplement for the Green Car, the Seishun 18 ticket will cover the base fare.
However sitting in the Green Car of the Marine Liner (Okayama-Takamatsu) is not allowed despite this train also being a rapid. The difference seems to be whether the green car seats have a seat assignment or not.
Rules for tourist trains
The ticket would work if the train is classified as "Rapid" and the train set is not made up entirely of green car seats where a seat assignment is compulsory.
Some OK examples:
Resort Shirakami (JR East Gono Line)
Kairi (JR East Uetsu Line)
SL Banetsu Monogatari (JR East Banetsu West Line, exception is the Green Car reserved area that is attached to each train)
High Rail 1375 (JR East Koumi Line)
Boso Bicycle Base (JR East, to various locations in Chiba)
Not OK examples:
La Malle de Bois (JR West) It is a rapid train but all cars are designated as assignment compulsory Green Car.
Seto Ohashi Anpanman Torokko (JR Shikoku) The exact same reason as above.
Iyonada Monogatari (JR Shikoku) Originally categorized as a local train, it was later upgraded to a Limited Express status.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE?
On the Shinkansen, Tokyo-Osaka costs around 15,000 JPY and Tokyo-Hiroshima is 20,000 JPY.
It is possible to travel from Tokyo to Osaka using just the 18 kippu in about 9-10 hours, with 7 transfers (possibly more depending on the connection). Even Tokyo to Hiroshima is possible in a day, though it requires 16 hours and at least 10 transfers, if not more.
All this for a flat rate of 10,000 JPY (3 days) or 12,050 JPY (5 days)!
If you are someone who enjoys making some random side trips along the way, or you just enjoy the idea of unlimited travel without being tied to a certain itinerary, maybe you can have some fun using the ticket in addition to just saving money.
However travelers on a budget should keep in mind that overnight buses that run between most major cities, or taking a low-cost carrier flight (Jetstar Japan, Peach or Spring Japan) could be cheaper.
Along the main route on the Pacific side between Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka-Hiroshima, there is usually a train every 30 minutes or more, though there are certain bottle-neck areas such as between the Gifu-Shiga border or Hyogo-Okayama border where you have to wait longer.
In some rural areas such as Hokkaido, the use of the 18 Kippu is just not practical because virtually all intercity services are now under the category of Limited Express, thus the ticket would not be valid.
The same can be said with the Kanazawa-Toyama on the Sea of Japan side where large sections were cut off from the JR network after the Hokuriku Shinkansen extended to this area. The 18 Kippu only works on the JR trains and not on any of the other privately-run companies.
When visiting areas outside of the "Golden Route" where there are fewer trains and less JR-operated lines that accept this ticket, be sure to do plenty of research beforehand to ensure your plan is feasible.
Remember that with the rule change announced for the Winter (Dec) 2024 version, you must use the ticket on consecutive dates. You will have to do 3 or 5 straight days of long distance travel to get any value out of this ticket.