1.Tokyo-Osaka-Hiroshima in June, 2.Tokoy-Fukushima-Sapporo in June

Hi David,

1.) Yes, you can travel these routes with one limitation, you can't use train services by the name of Nozomi/Mizuho. All others, like the Hikari and Sakura trains, are included.

2.) I would recommend getting reservations, even if you do so on the same day of travel. It makes everything just more relaxed.

3.) No, reservations have to be made in person at any JR station.

4.) For travel times, I recommend learning to plan with Hyperdia this way you can find any route/timetable and more. It's a great tool for planning with the JR Pass. We also have a useful interactive map with all JR lines included.

5.) Yes, although where available, you can use local JR buses but not buses run by other companies.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for the useful formation. I have bought the JR Pass and will visit Japan in the beginning of June and I few general questions,

1. Are all stations in the JR Network provided with luggage storage facility or just limited to major cities and towns, and what is the luggage size limit of the lockers,

2. Apart from Tokyo, which regions of the country are best for visit/touring by rails this time of the years,

3. The JR is run by two network companies, East and West, does it mean there are no through Shinkansen trains in Tokyo. Say, to travel from Atami to Nilgata two reservations/tickets to and from Tokyo are required, and

4. Are there any information of the types and description of the bullet or express trains which run on the Shinkanen routes?

Regards

David

Hi David,

1.) I have yet to find a station in Japan without coin-lockers, these are everywhere. You'll have a better chance finding them all taken than that there are none :)

2.) Personally, I would go to the northern part of Japan. As the weather is milder, think of Hokkaido and Tohoku. At the same time, it is fine going to Kyoto and Osaka.

3.) Tokyo is sort of the central hub in Japan where different Shinkansen lines connect, such as the Tokaido, Tohoku, and Hokuriku Shinkansen. You would indeed make a transfer if you traveled from Atami to Niigata at Tokyo station.

4.) I'm not completely sure about this question. The JR Pass would include all these lines.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I am now planning the itinerary and JR 7 Day Pass travel plans for my upcoming trip in June.

I have a few specific queries regarding duration validity of the day JR pass,

1. is the commencement of the Pass counted from 00.00 hour on the first day or from the departure time of first travel?

2. Says, first use of train on Narita Express/JR rail is on 5th June at 10:00am departure. Would the Pass be valid for train journey departure: (A) at or before 10am on 12th June, or (B) must be before 00:00hour(12am), 12th June?

3. In the example in 2 above, would the JR Pass be valid for overnight Route: Himeji - Tokyo, Ltd Exp Sunrise Seto departure at 23:35 hour on 11th June.

Thanks

David

Hi David,

1.) The pass is counted in days and the first day is counted as a full day, no matter what time you start using it.

2.) The pass would be valid if June the 5th is your first day of the JR Pass or any other day of the validity period.

3.) Regarding overnight trains, you can finish the train ride if you boarded the train before midnight. Getting on at 23:35 at the last day, would mean you could ride until Tokyo. Note that the Sunrise train does require a reservation beforehand.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thank you for the very useful clarification.

1. We have planned an overnight trip from Tokyo to Ube and the route consists a combination of Shinkansen, Sunrise and Shinkansen trains. In this case, is a reservation must also be made beforehand to confirm the seats on the Sunrise section of the journey,

2. Has the Sunrise train had first class carriages, and

3. Which is the best mode of public transportation (JR train,/Narita Express/coach/bus) travel to Narita Airport from central Tokyo for flight departure 8:30 am?

Thanks

David

Hi David,

1.) The Sunrise does indeed need a reservation beforehand.

2.) No, there are no compartments as 1st class. There are however different kind of berths, which have different pricing.

3.) I'd pick a night bus, as no other transportation may be running this early.

Kind regards,
Daniel