Google maps versus Hyperida timetables

Hi there!

I haven't used Google maps before to look up time tables. This because it is hard to excludes trains not included with the JR Pass. My suggestion would be to use Hyperdia (we have a blog post about it HERE) and use maps from travel between your accommodation and the station. This way you get the best of both worlds :)

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Errr, so why does the Japan Travel Planner on the JR Pass website (under further resources) use Goggle Maps?

The map resource uses the Google data base for routes and train lines covered, this however is different from train schedules such as departure times. As far as I know Google does not differentiate between covered by the JR Pass (such as the Hakari) and trains not covered. That's why I wrote my earlier advance.

Actually, yesterday I spent time sorting out the mystery myself. It's because I'm travelling from Hiroshima to Toyko and points in-between, so google maps is showing the fastest routes with least transfers…. and yes, that means it's the shinkansens that I exclude when searching Hyperdia, because I have a JR pass.

When I allow Hyperdia to search on the other shinkansens, then we get a match. Using both is very helpful though.