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Suggestion for Shikansen vs. JR Pass

Stuti
Stuti
9 months ago
1 answer

I learnt from your forum that JR Pass and Shinkansen are in fact two different types of tickets- Is this correct?

My itinerary is as follows:
30-Mar Reach Tokyo
31-Mar Tokyo
01-Apr Tokyo
02-Apr Travel to Kawaguchi
03-Apr Kawaguchi
04-Apr Travel to Kyoto
05-Apr Kyoto to Nara day trip
06-Apr Kyoto to Himeji day trip
07-Apr Kyoto
08-Apr Kyoto to Hiroshima to Miyajima via ferry
09-Apr Miyajima
10-Apr Miyajima to Hiroshima to Tokyo
11-Apr Tokyo
12-Apr Tokyo
13-Apr Tokyo

Can you please suggest which ticket would be the best option for us to buy budget-wise? Can JR Pass be used for city travels internally? Or do you suggest buying local subway pass to travel internally?

Is Shinkansen different from JR Rail?

What are the blue vs. green lines in JR rail?

In the season of cherry blossom would it be possible to get tickets over-the-counter or do you suggest we buy them in advance?

avatar
Daniel-san
18919 posts
9 months ago
Expert

Hi there,

The JR Pass is valid on all Shinkansen lines (but an extra fee can apply.) Also see our JR Pass Map with all lines included. Green lines are normal train lines, and blue lines are the high speed Shinkansen lines.

I'd reserve seats 1-2 days ahead of time during the cherry blossom and 3-5 days during Golden week. As for the JR Pass, I think a 7-day pass would be the best match when used from April 4th to April 10th.

Kind regards,
Daniel

bowen
bowen
2 posts
9 months ago

Hi.
Ii am asking a similar question
our Travel is as follows
27th March Haneda Airport - Tokyo
2nd April Tokyo - Hakone
4th April Hakone - Kyoto
7th April Kyoto -Mt Koyasan
9th April Mt Koya -Osaka
12th April Osaka -Hiroshima
15th April Hiroshima - Fukuoka

I am so confused which pass to buy or do we just book Shinkansen tickets ??
Could you please advise

Thanking You


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