Guide to Seishun 18 Kippu (2/4): Local Train Masochism
This part two of a four part series on the Japanese train pass, Seishun 18 Kippu (青春18きっぷ).
- Part one introduces what the Seishun 18 Kippu is and how to use it.
- Part two features some of my thoughts and musings on why people use it.
- Part three shows you how to travel across Japan with the Seishun 18 Kippu.
- Part four shows you how to use the Seishun 18 Kippu to go on day trips from a base city.
If you read the monologue in part one, that’s a glimpse into the two sides of my monkey brain.
I’m a cheapo.
I love saving money, and will go to punishing lengths to save.
I’m also a big baby.
I want to save the big bucks, but I also want to whine and complain while doing it.
I have to wake up at 5am? To take a 9 hours long train ride? And transfer trains 11 times? I DON’T WANNA!
So, why do I sacrifice my sanity and use the Seishun 18 Kippu every time it’s available?
Well, I’m a local train masochist.
Local train masochism is a way of life born from my cheapo bushido and insatiable appetite for travel.
It’s pain for pleasure. Time for money.
I want to go everywhere in Japan, but I’m subject to my teacher’s salary.
What teachers do have; however, are long ass vacations. A reprieve from the mountains of corrections and incessant chorus of chirping students.
I always look forward to spring, summer and winter to embark on my perverted Eat, Pray, Love adventures in Japan.
The longest one way local train ride that I’ve done was from Tokyo – Kyoto and it took over 8 hours and involved 7 transfers.
My boyfriend is an even more perverse local train masochist. Last year, he went from Tokyo to Aomori and it took 1071 minutes. That’s over 17 hours and it involved 11 transfers. The total one way cost for that ride was 10,800 yen. So, he saved 8430 (10,800 – 2370) yen!
Seishun 18 Kippu season is nigh, my friends.
It’s time to bare you soul, test your humanity and humility – is your time worth more than your money? Do you have what it takes to be a local train masochist?
The Doctrine of a Local Train Masochist
1. Ride a train for more than 6 hours in one day.
2. Transfer trains at least 6 times in one journey.
3. Master the art of sprinting up and down stairs from one platform to the other.
4. Become proficient in entertaining one’s self while on mind-numbingly long train rides.
5. Hone one’s ability to seek out empty train seats with laser-efficiency to beat all non-local train masochists.
6. Most importantly: put money above self-preservation. Time is not worth more than money saved.
All jokes aside, the Seishun 18 Kippu is what you make of it. Your travels can be as intense or chill as you want it to be.
It does require a degree of patience on the travel and planning side, but in exchange for your patience, you can save money and enjoy a sweet slow adventure.
You can visit places that are outside of the Japanese Golden Circle Tour (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima).
You can DIY an itinerary that completely suits your tastes and interests.
You don’t need to become a straight up local train masochist, but consider joining the club!
You’ve stuck around this long – if you’re finished with my musings and want the cold-hard travel tips click on to read part 3! I’ll show you how to design a cross Japan trip using Seishun 18 Kippu.