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Convenience & Prior Reservations

AJO
AJO
8 days ago
1 answer

I'm planning a trip for late autumn this year and looking at our options.

So far it seems that the JR pass might not be quite worth it for our trip (Tokyo-Hiroshima-Kyoto (+ day trips to Osaka)-Nagoya-Odawara-Tokyo (+ day trips)). I have added up the cost of the main Shinkansen legs of ou trip and it comes to around EUR430 each next to a 14 day pass at about EUR550 each. However, I am aware that the JR pass does cover some other local travel...(airport train, some metro trips, ferries etc) which may make the difference negligible. So I have two questions?

Am I right in assuming that having the JR pass is just much easier that having to book lots of individual trips (although I realise we still need to reserve seats)? Klook seems to be the most simple app for Shinkansen tickets...how else would you recommend buying individual tickets - other then at the station?

Also, with regards to seat reservations, we fly into Tokyo Haneda, arriving early in the morning. Our plan was to travel that day to Hiroshima and work our way back to Tokyo over 2 weeks. from what I have read, I assume we cannot reserve any seats before we arrive and activate the JR pass. Can I assume that on a weekday in November, we will easily be able to reserve seats on arrival on a mid morning train - with a train every 15-30 mins I guess that would be possible?

Thanks for any thoughts.

avatar
mariko
113 posts
1 day ago
Expert

Hi there,

I'm happy to help!

The JR Pass is definitely a very convenient way to travel.
When using a JR Pass, seat reservations are necessary for bullet trains (Shinkansen). Local trains do not require reservations, and your JR Pass covers your travel on both. For individual tickets, we recommend going to JR stations directly.

Unfortunately, we are unable to check seat availability. However, you should be able to reserve a seat on the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station on the same day in November. Hiroshima is my hometown, I hope you have a wonderful time there!!

Orders can be placed here.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards,

Mariko


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