Family Trip Jan/Feb 2024

Hi Sunday,

Regarding the price rise, this has not been confirmed yet - so do keep an eye out on the website in the coming months as it may change :) That said, I have been working with the assumption plans go ahead as published and the price increase will be effective with orders starting in October. I guess the downside is that Japan is excellent at creating "passes" for everything, so you may up spending a good amount of time researching if it fits your plans.

For Hakone/Fuji/Yokohama - these are all good options and passes to save on transport. Especially, a Hakone Free Pass can be a money saver when doing the full Hakone Circle.

For Travel to Nagano - Takayama - Kyoto, as I see it, the best option here would be to just buy tickets out of ticket. You can however, save by using a highway bus to Nagano/Takayama instead of the train.

For Kyoto and Hiroshima, you'd be fine buying a SANYO-SAN’IN area pass, unless you plan to go into Kyushu? This also includes travel to Tottori. For local transport there, you could consider a car.

Hope this helps :)
Daniel

Thank you Daniel.

Do you think these are better options?

For Nagano, Takayama, Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa
-Hida Alps Wide Area 4-Day Travel Pass + Shinhotaka Ropeway Round-trip -JR-WEST All Area Pass

For Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Tottori and Osaka
- JR-WEST ALL Area Pass instead of SANYO-SAN'IN Area Pass

Thank you.

Hi Sunday,

I'm not entirely sure if these passes will be good for you - the best thing to do is write out your expected travel needs. I.e. Takayama - Shirakawago, Hida - Gero etc, then compare the cost of a pass vs normal tickets. Usually, passes will give you value if you follow their intended use. For example with the Hida Alps Wide Area 4-Day Travel Pass - you'll get good savings if you go out and explore, but may not be the best value if you just do the ropeway. Note that here at JRPass.com, I can only give you full details on the tickets we sell.

I believe the Sanyo-Sanin pass would be a better value proposition for your travels. Though the JR-WEST ALL Area Pass may be better if you can include travel from Kanazawa - Kyoto with it.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Yes, I am planning to use the JR West All Area pass from Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Tottori and Osaka.
I will do what you have suggested about comparing individual tickets against the pass especially for Nagano, Takayama, Shirakawago trip. I will watch out for update regarding JR pass increase as well. Thank you so much for your help I really appreciate it.

Have a lovely day.