Train pass(es) Tokyo & Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima/Nara

Hi there,

The JR Pass covers local JR lines in the cities you visit but not transport run by other companies, this includes the metro. However, it is not local transport where the JR Pass is best used but intercity travel. Travel on the Shinkansen is what costs the most by far. Think is your travel to Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima/Nara and the Japan Rail Pass covers travel between all these places.

For your other travels, I recommend getting a travel card like Suica.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thanks Daniel. We have a few more questions and aren't quite sure about the answers:

1) We'll be in Tokyo for 8 days, and then in Kyoto for 7 days. As per above we plan to take day trips to Osaka, Hiroshima and Nara. If we don't venture outside of Tokyo for the 8 days, do you think we better off getting a card like Suica for travel on the subway system, or should we get a 14 day JR Pass rather than a 7 day JR Pass so we can take advantage of the JR Yamanote line around Tokyo?
2) Can you use the Suica/Passmo travel cards on the JR Yamanote line?
3) Are the the Suica/Passmo travel cards accepted in the Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima area?
4) How do you add credit to the travel cards; by using cash or cards in major train stations? I assume there's also a way to find out the remaining balance? What if a trip cost 200 yen, but I only have 150 yen left on the card - what happens when I swipe "out" at the station I get off, will I get in trouble/can I top up money on the spot?
4) With the JR Pass we should be able to use fast trains between Kyoto & Osaka, and Kyoto & Hiroshima, correct?
5) Are we correct in saying that for the green class seats, we need to go to the station the day before to reserve them? Can it be done online, and if not, do train staff speak English?
Thanks in advance!

Hi again :)

1.) A JR Pass is usually not the best option if you only use it for local travel around Tokyo. A 7 day JR Pass may be better but only if you can indeed cover travel to Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima with it.

2.) Yes

3.) Yes

4.) You can do so at any ticket machine, there are also top up machines at the station gates, in case you did not have enough credit to complete your trip.

5.) Yes.

6.) You do need to make seat reservations when traveling Green Class, because all Green seats are reserved seats. Reservations can be made up to 5 minutes before arrival, given that free seats are available. JR Staff generally have a basic understanding of English and booking tickets won't be a problem.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hello Daniel, thanks for your responses, you are indeed a JRPass Expert!

One last question:
You wrote: "A 7 day JR Pass may be better but only if you can indeed cover travel to Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima with it."
This confuses me, because it thought the JR Pass covers exactly that: travel between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Hiroshima. Am I just misunderstanding your answer? Do you mean if we can do it all within the 7 days?

Thanks