Order Your JRPass
Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Need help with train trips

hawhinella
hawhinella
about 11 years ago
22 responses

We are thinking of buying a 14 day jr pass to cover our trip to japan from the 7th to 21st august. We have been using Hyperdia.com to check possible trips but we are not sure if all the trains, buses, subways shown are covered by the jr pass. We are looking at the following trips:
1. Shinjuku jr --> Matsumoto.
2. Matsumoto --> Takayama . We think our best bet is the direct bus which we figured is not covered by jr pass.
3. Takayama --> Mount Koya. This is the longest trip we are dedicating a day for traveling but we need help with this as we are not sure what is included with jr pass or not.
4. Mount Koya --> Kyoto.
5. Kyoto--> Hiroshima --> Miyajima Island (overnight stay) and back to Kyoto.
6. Kyoto --> Tokyo.
7. Would it be possible to travel straight from Hiroshima to Tokyo instead of Kyoto --> Tokyo?

Thank you for your help. It is greatly appreciated. We live in Malta which is just 25 km across at its widest point!!!

avatar
mari
1950 posts
about 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

Here are some thoughts for you:

Matsumoto to Takayama

You are correct that the Nohi bus from Matsumoto to Takayama will not be covered by the JR Pass, so this will not be included.

Takayama to Koya san

From Takayama to Mt Koya, the JR Pass will get you a lot of the way there. For the final non-JR piece, you have 2 options I think:

  1. Travel from Takayama to JR Nanba station in Osaka. From there transfer to the nearby Nankai Nanba station and catch the non-JR Nankai line upto Koyasan. (this is the shortest route, but uses the JR Pass until JR Osaka Nanba)
  2. Travel from Takayama to Hashimoto in Wakayama which is significantly closer to Koyasan. From Hashimoto board the Nankai lines up to Koyasan. (this is the longest route, but uses the JR Pass until Hashimoto)

In your situation I think I'd opt for the Osaka Nanba option as it is the simplest route overall, but you may prefer taking the train to Hashimoto on JR as this will be the cheapest option.

Hiroshima to Tokyo

For this leg you must change Bullet trains at Kyoto as there is no through service unless you use the Nozomi trains which are not covered by the JR Pass at this time.

I hope this helps!


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17329 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes