Bobzy

Hi there,

There's unfortunately no easy route. You can either take the Shinkansen to Mishima station and take the bus from there or alternatively use rail travel via Otsuki station. Both routes take about 6 hours. Though rail is cheaper if you have a JR Pass.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Yes I do have a rail pass...can you be more specific as to how...routes..stations and times?

Hi again!

Certainly. Here is an example itinerary. You can adjust the time/date at the bottom of the page. Note that the Fujikyu line (1,140yen) is not covered by the JR Pass.

Sorry Dan...can I have that in reverse? From Kawaguchico to Kyoto?

Hi again!

Here it is Kawaguchiko - Kyoto.

here we go again....they seem to be very tedious, with all the transfers! Could I just come back to Tokyo on the bus...and get the train straight to Kyoto? Seems a lot simpler to me...will my jr pass cover the Tokyo to Kyoto train?

Yes you could also do that - though it will take a bit longer - the JR Pass does cover the entire route to Tokyo but the bus is to Kawaguchiko is not included.

Thanks Dan...think I'll take the bus...I've a fair sized bag. Am on holidays for 5 weeks and the thought of lugging my bags up and down those awful station stairs is daunting..just means I'll more time to read!

I'm back again Daniel-San ...I haven't yet insisted my JR pass. I'm going to use it on Sunday for the first time...I need to validate it...can I do it at Tokyo station? And also I want to book the Shinkansen to Kyoto...does my pass cover it? And can I book online? Thanks again.

Hi again!

You can do so at Tokyo Station, no problem. There may be a bit of a queue though, so come well in advance.

As for the bullet train to Kyoto, yes it is covered by the JR Pass and you can reserve seats at the train station. Trains are rarely fully booked, so that works fine. It is unfortunately not possible to do so online.

Good morning Daniel...sorry to bother you again, but far easier for me to ask you than google..your far more accurate ! Three questions for...I need to go to Hiroshima on Friday...is there a direct train from Kyoto? With my rail pass? From there I'm heading Nagano...also will I be able to use my pass and travel direct from Hiroshima to Nagano? And lastly I'm heading back to Tokyo from Nagano..same question...direct..to Tokyo? And do I need to prebook any of these seats? Or can just get tickets at the relevant train stations. Your help so far has been fabulous!

Hi again!

To get from Hiroshima - Kyoto using the JR Pass. Take the Sakura Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka and transfer there to the Hikari Shinkansen to Kyoto.

To get from Kyoto - Nagano using the JR Pass. Take the Hikari Shinkansen to Nagoya station and from there a limited express train to Nagano.

To get from Nagano - Tokyo using the JR Pass. Take a Shinkansen directly from Nagano to Tokyo station.

You can book these routes in advance, however it is also possible to just show up on the station and get tickets reserved. I've listed the route above in such a way that they are easy to read. All these routes are covered by the JR Pass.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Ok..now I'm confused...I do that often...I'm leaving Kyoto..to go to Hiroshima....your saying I go Osaka? Then Hiroshima? Then I leave Hiroshima...to go to Nagano? Nagano to Tokyo I get!

Sorry I misread your route:

Going from Kyoto - Hiroshima: Take the Hikari Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka and the Sakura Shinkansen from there to Hiroshima. Here is the route. Sometimes there are also direct Hikari Trans from Kyoto to Hiroshima.

Here is Hiroshima - Nagano.

Is this better?

Hi there Daniel San...my final question for you...so far I've used the jr pass wonderfully well..made all my connections and it's been really great! I leave on Friday the 18/9 flying out of narita., I'll be staying in Ikebukuro...my flight is 9.30 am, so I need to be there by 7am..or earlier..suggestions..solutions?