Actually, the UK's system of train fares drives me crazy.

In Japan, the fare is what it is unless you have a pass or special deal. You can find small discounts here and there, but on the whole, the train fare is the same whether you buy your ticket far ahead of time or five minutes before the train leaves.

My last trip to the UK was for a conference that was scheduled to start with a reception and program on a Friday evening. Originally, I was going to arrive at LHR on Wednesday morning and spend two days in London before heading off to the city where the conference took place. According to what I saw on the British Rail website, the advance purchase fare was £9, and it was still available on Tuesday morning as I waited to see if my passport would arrive in time.(I was caught up in the Great American Passport Renewal Fiasco of 2007.)

Unfortunately, I had to reschedule my flight for Thursday night, arriving on Friday morning. That meant buying a same-day walk-up ticket...for £45.

My previous trips had been on BritRail passes, so I hadn't been exposed to the reality of this airline-like fare structure.