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Using JR pass on Nozomi and Hikari Shinkansen

ameetk
ameetk
6 days ago
2 answers

I am planning to purchase the JR pass for upcoming travel to Japan and was wondering what is the best pass to purchase based on following travel itinerary.

  1. Apr 12 : Narita to Tokyo
  2. Apr 12 : Tokyo to Osaka
  3. Apr 14 : Osaka to Hiroshima
  4. Apr 14 : Hiroshima to Osaka
  5. Apr 14 : Osaka to Kyoto
  6. Apr 17 : Kyoto to Nara and back
  7. Apr 18 : Kyoto to Tokyo
  8. Apr 19 : Tokyo to Nikko
  9. Apr 19 : Nikko to Tokyo

We also have plans to take day trips from Tokyo to Yokohama and Fuji Five lakes but will purchase separate tickets for these travels.

Since we are traveling with family of 4 with kids age 15 and 10 do you think it is a wiser option to purchase the Green pass since we will be traveling during the Golden week period. Also can we board the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet trains by paying a supplement fee at the ticket office for our journey between Osaka to Tokyo and Kyoto to Tokyo.

Kindly advise.

Thanks !

avatar
Daniel-san
18964 posts
3 days ago
Expert

Hello there,

My recommendation would be to use a 7-day JR Pass and use it from April 12 to April 18. This will cover all your long distance travel and help you make good savings using the pass. The pass will also cover travel between all the cities you plan to travel too and can be used often within local cities as well, for example in Hiroshima, you can use the tourist bus and ferry to Miyajima.

You can indeed use the Nozomi for an extra fee of around 4980 yen, but I would just use the Hikari. It is the completely same train but makes a few more stops along the way.

Kind regards,
Daniel

ameetk
ameetk
2 posts
3 days ago

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and providing all the details. I have ordered the 7-day JR Green Pass and hopefully I should receive it by April 10. I believe I will need to exchange it using voucher at the designated JR travel centers before my first day of travel. Do I need to make reservations on Green Pass too for travel between Tokyo-Osaka , Osaka-Hiroshima and Kyoto-Tokyo on either the Hikari or Nozomi Shinkansen trains prior to my travel dates as mentioned above.

For my travel around Tokyo vicinity I was looking into purchasing the JR Tokyo Wide pass offered by JR EAST. Since it is only valid for 3-consecutive days of travel, can I purchase 2 passes for travel that is spread across 5 to 6 days within Tokyo and surrounding areas - Nikko, Yokohama and Mt Fuji. I believe I can purchase this pass upon my arrival in Japan or do I need to pre-order and reserve it before leaving for Japan.

Thanks,
Ameet


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