Travel from Tokyo to Osaka, back to Tokyo

Hi Veronica,

From looking at your itinerary, I can tell you that JR Pass would be perfect for your plans. It covers nearly everything including the Bullet train to and from Osaka. Only in Hakone would you have to use different transport methods, since local transport is arranged by different companies than JR.

Although you can't use the JR Pass inside the Hakone region, travel to Hakone is covered! You can use to Bullet train from Tokyo station to Odawara, which is the Shinkansen station for Hakone. You can also take a bullet train directly from here to Osaka, this way you don't have to return to Tokyo before traveling on.

For Hakone consider purchasing a Hakone Free Pass to supplement your JR Pass.

Usually I can give you a detailed breakdown of normal ticket prices, unfortunately Hyperdia.com, the tool we use for route information, is currently not working. Let me know if you would like have a list of normal ticket prices and I will post it as soon as Hyperida is working properly again.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thanks so much for the info! If possible, please let me know the breakdown for normal ticket please.

Secondly, do I need to buy the 7 day pass before I arrive japan? Like buy it online?

Also, is Narita-express covered by this 7 day pass or not?

Thanks so much,
Veronica

Hi Veronica,

Hyperdia is still havings issues, it's displaying all fares as 0 Yen. This would of course be nice if it was true, anyway I let them know and hope that it's resolved soon.

As for purchasing the JR Pass, it can only be bought outside of Japan. You can order one online here if you wish.

The JR Pass also includes the Narita Express, making for a good start of your trip!

Hope this helps too!
Daniel

PS: I'll post a detailed price list of tickets ASAP.

Hi Daniel,

Super thanks for all the details.

I click into the link you sent me, if I don't buy first class, I can still choose seat or not?

Thanks,
Veronica

Hi Veronica,

Seat reservation are included in both the Ordinary and Green Pass and free of charge :)

Making for very convenient and worry free travel.
-Daniel

Hi Daniel,

May I know what is the difference between regular and first class?

Thanks,
Veronica

Hi Daniel,

Another question, actually I am flying to Hokkaido from Tokyo on Feb 25, and then I will be heading up to Niseko, my friend told me there is shuttle bus from airport directly go to Niseko, I assume that is not operated by JR, correct?

But on Mar 1, I will be back to Sapporo from Niseko, and I will be traveling to Otara for same day trip, I went there before by train/subway, I can't recall is that operated by JR, if that is the case, should i purchase 14 days pass instead?

I will be staying in Niseko from Feb 25 to Mar 1

I will be staying in Sapporo from Mar 1 to Mar 6, for traveling around Sapporo, will it mainly be JR there?

Thanks,
Veronica

Hi Veronica,

We have a blog post with all the details on Green Class. From personal experience I would say go for Green Class if you wish to travel in quiet and comfort. Most people travel using Ordinary Class and you can avoid some of the traveling crowd by traveling Green.

The JR Pass can be put to good use in Hokkaido, trains to Otaru, Sapporo and Shin-Chitose Airport and Niseko are all covered (although the shuttle bus is not).

In general I would recommend using the JR Pass in Hokkaido for longer routes, such as a visit to Hakodate, Asahikawa, Lake Biwa and so on. Niseko is not that far away from Sapporo and I think it would be better to buy normal tickets for your itinerary in Hokkaido.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I am looking at the JR pass site, it shows that the 7 days pass we plan to buy cannot take the "Nozomi bullet train" from Tokyo to Osaka, is it correct?

My trip is changed now, we will not go to Hakone anymore, so we just go from Tokyo to Osaka directly, can we use the JR pass to take "Shinkansen Hikari" line?

Please advise. Thanks so much!

Cheers,
Veronica

Hi Veronica,

Yes you can use the Hikari Super Express between Tokyo and Osaka with the JR Pass. It's exactly the same train as the Nozomi but just makes a couple more stops on the way (such as Hakone). The difference in travel time is about 20 minutes.

Cheers!
Daniel