Japan travel March 2016

Hi there,

Which station to get Shinkansen to Kyoto? Take the Narita express from Narita Airport to Tokyo station, from there use the Hikari Shinkansen to Kyoto. The full route takes about 5 hours. Note that the Nozomi is not included but the Hikari only takes 19 minutes longer.

Question about using JR pass on March 23 to March 29 want to use a 7 day pass, but should I use from Narita to Tokyo on Mar 23, and will it still be active on March 29 to return to Tokyo?
Yes, the JR Pass is counted in full days and the first day is counted as a full day, no matter what time you start using it. So if you activate it on the 23rd, the last day will be the 29th.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thank you, I have researched further, and have decided to take an airport limo to Imperial Hotel on March 23, activate my JR Pass on Thursday March 24 for our Kyoto leg, and then have it available for our trip to the JR Railway and Bonsai Museums on Wed March 30. Your answer was very helpful!

When going to JR Railway Museum in Saitama, will I be able to take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Omiya Station from Tokyo or Ueno Station? and also use this route on the way back to Tokyo or Ueno?

Is the Yamanote line also covered for unlimited travel on JR rail pass?

Thank you for your help, Daniel-san.

Hi again,

The Yamanote line and Joetsu Shinkansen are both covered by the JR Pass. You can get on the Joetsu Shinkansen either from Tokyo or Ueno station. Both are fine!

Let me know if you have any questions,
Daniel

Thank you so much! I think I now have this all figured out, you were so helpful in deciding. :)