Off The Beaten Path: New Unlimited Railway Passes Lets You Tour Japan’s ‘Lesser Known’ Attractions

Frequent travelers to Japan, open a flask of sake and rejoice. You no longer have to be confined to major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto out of convenience. TOBU Railways, the largest private railway provider in Kanto, has just partnered with Keisei Electric Railways (major train network plying both Narita and Haneda Airport to downtown Tokyo) to release the Skyliner Value Ticket and Nikko Kinugawa Discount Pass specially for foreigners. In other words, this is another great excuse for Japan lovers to make another trip, only this time you get to access all of Japan’s hidden gems at amazing convenience and minimal cost.

The Skyliner Value Ticket and Nikko Kinugawa Discount Pass are part of TOBU’s initiatives to shine a light on Japan’s not so mainstream beauties. Such places, known only to the locals, rarely form international tourists’ itineraries because of scarce information and inaccessibility.

TOBU is taking the opportunity to spread many secrets of travel to Japan, to Singaporeans. The following categories of transportation, stay, experience and attractions, and sights are provided by TOBU to let Singaporeans know more about

Here are some alternative travel options in Japan –from hotel stays to sightseeing spots—that Singaporeans can consider when armed with these two railway passes.

Attractions

Travelers from all around the world often come to Japan for its famed cherry blossom season. Many species of plantations, including cherry trees, azaleas and wisteria, come into full bloom when spring arrives and it is quite the sight to behold. At areas along the TOBU Railway, you get a chance to visit six destinations that will make you appreciate ‘hanami’ (flower viewing) in a different light.

Be sure to have your cameras at the ready; among the six cherry blossom destinations is the Ashikaga Flower Park where the Avatar-like trees walk you into a dream, the Tobu Treasure Garden where Moss Phloxes blanket the landscape in a sea of pink, and the Tsurugajo Castle Park where cherry blossoms reflect majestically against the moat’s water during nightfall.

Take this special express to enjoy better convenience and comfort en route to cherry blossom haven!

Accommodation

If you plan to witness stunning nature scape in Nikko City (Tochigi Prefecture), you can put up at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton and do just that. Unlike other Ritz-Carlton properties in urban environments, this latest development is set against the picturesque mountains of Nikko for a literal breath of fresh air.

With a total of 94 rooms, each guest room comes with a panoramic view of Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai. The bathing facility uses hot spring water drawn directly from the famous Nikko Yumoto Onsen Hot Spring. Guests will also be promised a fine, soothing experience in the hotel’s restaurants, spa and hot springs.

Ritz-Carlton at Nikko City will be ready in the summer of 2020.

Time travel experience

For the first time since July 1966, the ‘Taiju’ (steam train) will be restored into operation since the Showa period. You’ll be able to ride this authentic steam train and experience what it’s like to take a trip down to the bygone era. But where you are actually traveling to on the ‘Taiju’ is the Kinugawa-Onsen Station, from the Shimo-Imaichi Station. The one-way trip takes approximately 35 minutes.

The steam train service will officially launch on 10 August 2017.

Where to get the railway passes

You can purchase the Skyliner Value Ticket and Nikko Kinugawa Discount Pass at the Skyliner & Keisei Information Center located at both Narita Airport Terminal 2 and inside Narita Airport Station.

Refer to the following table for more details.

Find out more over at https://www.facebook.com/tobugroup.en.