Originally Posted by fenger
Thanks for all the great information above!
Reading about all the different types of JR passes and various train passes really has gotten me more confused than ever, so I've got a few questions for my upcoming first ever trip to Japan hopefully some of you can answer.
Here's my itinerary and related question:
6/24 ORD > KIX, and staying@Westin Osaka for three nights.
I understand there's a train network and as a foreigner, I may be eligible for the discounted JR Passes, which should take me from KIX to Osaka Station, from which point on I can use RTWSTARALLIANCE's advise in getting to the Westin. I am confused on however, what ticket is my best option here and do I need to purchase them before I arrive in Japan? (The note "*A JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be purchased inside Japan." from
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/ got me worried).
Also, I will be going to the American consulate in Osaka from Westin on Monday 6/26, looking at the map, it's about a 30+ minute walk, does that sound like a good plan or a train ride is a better choice?
6/27 Westin > Fukuoka (for the experience, Bullet Train-Shinkansen is my plan for this leg)
Any suggestions in looking up bullet train schedule, pricing and logistics from Westin? Would a packaged ticket (those 7/14 days passes I've read about) be a better choice with both this leg and earlier KIX to Osaka station leg in mind?
7/6-7/8 Short round-trip between Fukuoka and Hiroshima
No preference on this leg on what train line I'd be taking, but again, would a packaged ticket be a better choice knowing this leg along with the earlier legs between KIX and Osaka, and then Osaka to Fukuoka?
Since I don't see any SPG properties in Hiroshima area off spg.com, any suggestions for a resonable priced hotel ($120-$200 range) or am I missing something completely?
My final leg would be on 7/9, leaving Fukuoka for ORD via FUK.
My initial feeling is that a 14 day JR Rail pass is my best bet, but I've heard that these passes are region specific, and jumping between Osaka, Fukuoka, then Hiroshima may not be eligible for the pass? Sorry about the rudimentary questions I'm asking, I'm just starting my FT research on this topic for this upcomign trip.
The passes are only region specific if you get one that is region based. Since your travel involves Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Osaka you'll need the full pass which for 14 days cost 45,100 Yen. You used to be able to look up the prices for specific routes online, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe someone local can get the cost of your itinerary to see if it's cheaper to buy individual tickets or the JR Pass. By having a JR Pass you can also go on the other JR lines besides just the Shinkansen.
From the JR Site in regards to what the JR Pass is good for:
Railways: All JR Group Railways-Shinkansen"bullet trains" (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on "NOZOMI" trains), limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains. (With some exceptions).
Buses: Local lines of JR bus companies (JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus) and some of JR highway bus services*. (Not valid for the JR Airport Bus service between Central Japan Airport and Nagoya Station.)
* Sapporo-Otaru; Morioka-Hirosaki; Tokyo-Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka,Tsukuba Center; Nagoya-Kyoto, Osaka; Osaka-Tsuyama, Kasai Flower Center
Ferry: Only the JR Miyajima ferry is covered. The JR Hakata-Pusan (Korea) ferry is not covered.
Important notes:
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on "NOZOMI" trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.(The pass holders must take “HIKARI” or “KODAMA” trains.)If you use a "NOZOMI," you must pay the basic fare and the limited express charge, and for a Green Car the Green Car surcharge. Note also that passengers using JR trains on non-JR lines must pay additional fares and charges for sections traveled on such lines.