JRP Carbon-free Project

kilometers

Average travel distance by train for one visitor in Japan

KG CO2

Average carbon emissions per visitor

kg/trees

Average CO² a tree
absorbs per year *

Making train travel in Japan more sustainable

As an organization that promotes travel and transportation, Japan Experience understands the importance of off-setting the carbon footprint they introduce. We are committed to creating a more sustainable travel industry.

Through the JRP Carbon-free Project, Japan Experience and the travelers we serve can contribute to the efforts against CO2 emissions and climate change. JRP Carbon-free project will allow those who are traveling via Japan Experience to make a monetary contribution added to the purchase of a Japan Rail Pass voucher.

* It’s an estimation based on the cubic metre of wood absorbs just under a ton of CO2.

How can you help?

JRP Carbon-free serves as an add-on to a National Japan Rail Pass voucher.

Travelers can support this project by adding their contribution to their order. It costs only 5€ per JR Pass.

The cost of planting and maintaining one Quercus Pin Oak Tree on this plot of land costs approximately 20,000 yen (151 USD). Funds gathered from this source will be calculated, and for every 20,000 yen, one tree will be planted. The amount received via these contributions will stack up quickly, especially for larger groups or families who will be traveling with Japan Rail Passes, so travelers can rest-assured that their contributions will be fruitful almost immediately.

Buy your JR Pass and support the JRP Carbon-free Project

Tourism for tomorrow

In accordance with Japan’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in collaboration with Nippon Travel Agency and Japan Rail Group, we are excited to participate in the “Carbon Off-Set Plan,” via the JRP Carbon-free, a campaign centered around people, environment, and culture.

For people,

we aim to promote a fruitful and healthy life without discrimination or injustices.

For the environment,

we aim to promote the protection of natural ecosystems and scenery.

For culture,

we aim to promote a society that values and understands individual cultures.

How are we making a difference?

A contribution via JRP Carbon-free Project will go towards the cultivation of trees in Nagano, a prefecture in the heart of Honshu Island notable for its beautiful scenery and bountiful agriculture.

The trees purchased and planted via the funds received from Japan Experience travelers will be planted in a specific plot of land within an area known as Tsuboniwa in Tateshiana City. Prior, this space has had no arboreal plant life, but the recent efforts here have transformed it into a prominent and living forest that serves to naturally combat CO2 emissions in the future.

The tree of choice here is that of Quercus Pin Oak Trees (known as konara in Japanese). These trees are excellent for the environment as they grow at a fast rate (approximately two feet per year) and will often reach maturity after five years. In addition they have a long life span and sustain wildlife well throughout this period, often becoming home to a variety of animals and insects.

Our ongoing projects

With this initial campaign for sustainable tree-planting in Nagano, Japan Experience looks forward to instituting further projects to maximize the off-setting of carbon emissions that serve as an unfortunate side-effect to the beauties of travel and culture.

At the moment, other plans to contribute to protecting Japan’s environment are in the works. Please take a look at what the future holds for the JRP carbon-free project:

Seaweed Planting to combat "blue carbon"

Blue Carbon refers to carbon gasses absorbed by the ocean and ocean life.

To fight this, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Tourism has launched a mission to grow seaweed and coral in sections of Japan's surrounding oceans to replenish lost numbers and build a better ecosystem in the island nation's treasured waters.

Coral Planting in Okinawa

Additional efforts in regards to protecting Japan’s oceans will be done in the waters around beautiful Okinawa, a tropical destination nestled just south of the Japanese mainland.

The beautiful oceans around the island are home to an array of flourishing fish, many of which call the coral reefs their home.

Through collaborative efforts between Japan Experience and local NGOs, we look to replenish and protect one of the most prolific and unique ecosystems within Japan.

Bee-Keeping

The importance of bee colonies and the cultivation of their honey is an essential aspect of the world’s ecological systems.

The cultivation of pollen by honeybees promotes fruitful pollination and adequate spread of foliage that contributes to combating greenhouse gasses.