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Where JR Pass can be used?

Luana
Luana
over 8 years ago
13 responses

Hello, in order to purchase the JR Pass (14 days) I need to check few more details;
1. I will be staying 5 nights in Tokyo, based in Shinjuku. Can you confirm that I can take Narita Express directly to Shinjuku from Narita T,1 using JR Pass?
2. In Tokyo besides Yamamote can I also take Sobu and Chou Lines with JR Pass?
3. From Tokyo to Nikko on which trains can I use JR Pass? They told me that it is not possible to take every train. Where there is written JR .... train I guess the JR Pass is ok for that train.
4. After 5 nights in Kyoto I will heading to Koyasan: from Kyoto to Koyasan it seems that the itinerary is not covered in full by the JR Pass. And on the way back I would go from Koyasan to Tokyo. Can you tell me which are the trains where I have to pay the ticket extra to JR Pass?
5. Since I will be staying 5 nights in Tokyo (doing 2 daily excursions to Nikko and Kamakura), 5 nights Kyoto (doing a daily excursion to Nara), 2 nights in Koyasan and 1 night in Tokyo do you recommend 14 days JR Pass as the return from Koyasan to Tokyo are over 600 km?
Thank you very much.
Luana

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Hi Luana,

1.) Yes, the Narita Express between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinjuku etc. is included.

2.) Yes!

3.) You can use the Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Utsunomiya and the JR Nikko line from there to Nikko.

4.) Basically you'll have to travel on the Nankai Express from Shin-Imamiya in Osaka to Koya-san and back. The JR Pass covers the trains up to Shin-Imamiya. From there local trains run trough Osaka and to Kyoto. You can use the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Tokyo. A ticket to Koya can be purchased at Shin-Imamiya station.

5.) Looking at ticket prices, you are just below the price of a 14 day JR Pass. So it may be better to just buy normal tickets during travel.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Luana
Luana
13 posts
over 8 years ago

Thank you Daniel,
so although I will be doing daily excursions (from Tokyo to Nikko, from Tokyo to Kamakura), going from Tokyo to Kyoto (plus an excursion to Nara), going from Kyoto to Koyasan and finally from Koyasan to Tokyo, plus Narita Express back and forth, you think is not worth the 14 day JR Pass?

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

Yes, basically that is correct. The most expansive route is Tokyo - Kyoto/Osaka and back. All other travel is relatively local and does not have to cost a lot. The 14 day JR Pass is best used when traveling between longer distances using the Shinkansen. For instance a visit to Hiroshima would make the JR Pass pay off.

Luana
Luana
13 posts
over 8 years ago

Daniel, thank you very much, you have been very helpful.
Now I wonder how I will get the single tickets....I don't speak Japanese, do you think I will get easily understood at ticket counters? By the way if I travel from Tokyo Station, can I buy tickets from another train station and even some days in advance? I will not attempt doing tickets by the electronical machines, do queues at counters move fast (silly question since it will depend by the hours....)? The train issue scares me hell of a lot.... :)

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Don't worry about rail travel, the Japanese system is the best in the world, by miles!

Buying tickets is easy, most JR Staff at least have a bit of of English understanding. Even if you stay: to Tokyo (or any other station name) please. They'll understand.

As for ticket counters, sometimes it can take a while and sometimes you are served right away. It completely depends who is in front of you.

Luana
Luana
13 posts
over 8 years ago

Thank you Daniel! Sorry to bother you again but I haven't understood whether I can buy tickets in advance from a station different from the station of departure.

Luana
Luana
13 posts
over 8 years ago

Sorry to bother you again Daniel. Do you know whether I can buy single tickets in advance from a station different from the station of departure? Thank you. Luana

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Hi Luana,

Tickets van be purchased at any JR Station, no problem!

Luana
Luana
13 posts
over 8 years ago

Thank you Daniel! Very helpful! :)


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