JAPAN FORUM

[nicole]

Hello,
I would really appreciate some advice on rail passes and travel times around Japan.
We are arriving on the 29th November and our itinerary will be:
- tokyo - 5 days
- kyoto - 2 days
- osaka - 2 days
- hiroshima - 1 day
- shiga kogen - 5 days
- tokyo - 4 days (including Mt Fuji day trip)

What we really want to know is can we use the JR rail pass to get around Tokyo, or is it only really useful for the longer distance trips (ie to Kyoto/Hiroshima)?

Also, can you please let me know and approximate travel times for our planned trip, and what the best way to get to shiga kogen from hiroshima would be?

Thanks very much
Nicole

[Craig Fryer]

The Japan Rail Pass is really only useful for the longer trips. You can use it on the JR lines within Tokyo, but much of the time you will want to travel on another line. In your case it would only be worth getting a 7 day pass to cover Tokyo through to Shiga Kogen.

You would take the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Osaka. Then follow the method on the Shiga Kogen page. Some Shinkansen may go from Hiroshima to Nagoya without the need to change.

This site can help you with the details for your travel times: http://www.hyperdia.com
Note: on the rail pass you cannot use the Nozomi, so you have to de-select it in the advanced search section.
_________________
Craig Fryer

Editor - Japanese Lifestyle www.japaneselifestyle.com.au

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