Japan Rail have launched a special promotion in rail passes on the JR East services as part of their Visit Niigata campaign, a 3 day flexible pass for only 10,000 yen !

We have always recommended purchasing a 4 day flexible pass when visiting Niigata as it is cheaper than simply buying a return ticket, and now visitors to Niigata this Autumn can get a 3 day pass for half the price !

From September through December of 2009, the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is offering foreign visitors a very economical discount Regional Rail Pass called the "JR East Pass Special." This pass, limited to travel from September through the end of December, is now on sale at the price of ¥10,000 (child: ¥5,000), valid for any three days within a one-month period.

Please see notes on this limited offer below:

1. Travel period: Sep 1 through Dec 31, 2009
2. Exchange period: Sep 1 through Dec 1, 2009
3. Purchase period outside Japan: Aug 1 through Nov 20, 2009
4. Purchase period inside Japan: Sep 1 through Dec 1, 2009
5. The pass is valid for any 3 days within a one-month period after the exchange order is presented in Japan. "One-month" is defined as "until one day before the same calendar day of the following month". For example, if you received your PASS on November 20th, it will be valid until December 19th.
6. The JR EAST FLEXIBLE 3-DAY SPECIAL PASS may be used on any JR East Railway lines, including Shinkansen and other limited express (except private compartments or berths), express (some exceptions i.e. sleeper cars), and local trains (except the Liner and the Home Line). When using the JR EAST PASS SPECIAL on the trains and cars shown above in parentheses, designated extra charges will be required in addition to the limited express or ordinary express charge. In this case, the JR EAST PASS SPECIAL is valid only for the basic fare. When riding on the Hokutosei and other sleeper cars that use the Tohoku Line, you must pay basic fares for the IGR Iwate Ginga Railway (between Morioka and Metoki) and Aoimori Railway (between Metoki and Hachinohe) in addition to limited express charge and sleeper-car chargeFrom 1st September until 1st December 2009