Itinerary possible using just the JR Rail pass?

Hi there!

Yes the JR Pass covers all routes and it looks like one great trip!

Let me know if you have other questions - I am here to help! :)
-Daniel

Thank you so much, Daniel! I wish I had more time as there is so much to see and do there. I thought Beppu would be a nice stop over on the way back to break up the long trip back. I tried to map it out as best as I could with the estimated timetables. The website is a little hard to read for where the stations are, etc.

I was considering buying the 7 day pass but it looks like I might need to purchase one or two more segments in addition to that.

You could also consider a 14 day JR Pass, you would still be making great savings with the amount of travel which you plan to do. The trip Nagasaki - Buppu is quite a ride (but well worth making).

I will definitely buy the 14 day pass. That looks like a much better option. Is there a big difference between the green and ordinary seats? I read that you have to make reservations for the green prior to boarding or you can always ride in the ordingary ones with no reservation. Are they a lot more comfortable?

Is it a big trek to Beppu? I am very tahnkful that you mentioned it above! I am unsure of all the stops/transfers to get there. Ideally I'd like to Eight Hells there.

Hi Again,

The difference between green and ordinary seats is that green seats offer about 50% more space and have more luxurious seats. The real reason to consider traveling by Green car is that a lot less people travel by green car. This is great to avoid some of the traveling crowd and makes for a much more relaxed traveling experience. With the JR Green pass you can also make use of normal reserved or non reserved seats. Personally I love green class but I think that ordinary class will suffice for most people.

The trip to Beppu does take 5 hours but it is not hard to make. First take the limited express train from Nagasaki - Hakata (Fukuoka). At Hakata take the Shinkansen for a short trip to Kokura from where you can take the Sonic limited express to Beppu. I have made the trip several times myself and enjoy making the train trip by itself.

Thank you so, so much for the help! I will buy the upgraded ticket. That will be nice for such a long journey up and down Japan. Beppu sounds great for a stopover in between Nagasaki and Tokyo! I wanted to get there somehow and that may work out the best. Thanks again very much!