Originally Posted by
TravelinSperry
Thank you. However, when I go to the JR West website
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/ to look at timetables and put in Okayama to Kyoto (and click no transfer), it shows direct trains from Okayama to Kyoto (e.g., Nozomi 14,
Nozomi 90, & Nozomi 128, etc.) Are you saying those trains are ineligible with the Sanyo-San'in Area Pass and JR-WEST All Area Pass? So I'd have to book only to Shin-Osaka and then transfer?
Also, if I decide to book this example direct (no pass) am I able to make a reservation/booking online via this website
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/? Or does one need a pass to reserve? Also - I assume I can book this train at the Station in person, correct? I'm currently in Hakata, so I can book here, right?
Here is what I'm trying to do:
Hakata to Okayama (13,770 Yen)
Okayama to Kyoto --> While in Kyoto (Kyoto to Himeji)
Kyoto to Tokyo
I guess I'm just trying to find out if any pass will help me save money. Upthread it seemed obvious that the Kyoto to Tokyo pass I should book direct. So just trying to ascertain if a pass helps me when doing the 1st 2/3 trains. It looks like it would - but - I'd have to be willing to transfer in Shin-Osaka 2x coming and going. But I do see direct shinkansen trains that don't require transfer... that's why I'm wondering.
For your one direction itinerary, no it won’t save you a lot of money and to save any money at all you would need to have your pass start at Hiroshima.
Hakata to Hiroshima (about ¥5,000). Get out, have pass commence at that point (am not familiar with that pass and not sure if this is achieved by putting it through a turnstile or having it stamped)
Pass begins:
Hiroshima to Okayama
Okayama to Shin-Osaka
Shin-Osaka to Kyoto (not bullet train)
Rather than get out at Hiroshima and, later in your trip, swap/transfer trains at Shin-Osaka, you might find it rather easier to just get direct tickets.
The pass would allow you to begin the shinkansen journey to Tokyo at Maibara and save another ¥1,300 or so.
Am assuming you’d rather just get the shinkansen from Kyoto and forego the hassle.
These passes tend to make it worthwhile to linger in and explore their related areas, it’s priced at the same cost as a West to East journey and that seems extremely fair to me. If it makes you consider getting value out of the pass by adding in a few more stops and side trips to your itinerary its fulfilling its purpose.
My impression is that this just isn’t worthwhile for you.