Hi Konichiwa
Wish to travel from Tokyo to visit Takayama, Shinhotaka ropeway & Ogimachi Shirakawa-go from 9 to 11 Nov.
I am not sure which way is better? more convenient?
Plan 1
9/11 Tokyo to Takayama (stay 1 nite with onsen), explore old merchant town
10/11 Shinhotaka ropeway. Travel to Ogimachi (stay 1 nite with onsen)
11/11 explore Ogimachi. Travel back to Tokyo
Or
Plan 2
9/11 Tokyo to Ogimachi (stay 1 nite with onsen)
10/11 Ogimachi to Takayama (stay 1 nite with onsen)
11/11 Shinhotaka ropeway. Travel back to Tokyo
We will leave Tokyo 12 Nov Narita afternoon flight.
Question:
1. Saw JR East West Pass - does it cover these area?
2. JR central pass - cover Toyama Takayama Shirakawa but does not cover from Tokyo - Toyoma - Tokyo?
3. Travel back to Tokyo, is it easier to travel from Toyama or via Tateyama - Nagoya - Tokyo?
4, Anything I miss out, please advise.
Thank you!
0
Comments
There is no "JR East West Pass". There are various regional passes as you can see on:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html
Only the full JR Pass covers going to Takayama and back. That round trip, plus using the Narita Express just once would make a 7 day JR Pass pay off for you.
Note however that there is no rail access to Shirakawago, Ogimachi, etc., nor to the Shinhotaka Ropeway.
For the ropeway though, there are some discount passes you can get.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5941.html?aFROM=5900_5940
For where to stay overnight, I suggest you consider a farmhouse in Shirakawago. It can be an unforgettable experience.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5952.html
It only takes a couple of hours to see Shirakawago.
The order of your travel really doesn't matter - just so long as you don't waste time backtracking. It would be easier to go from Takayama to Toyama and then to Tokyo - but only 2 or 3 times a day. Otherwise it would be faster (in total, about 4½ hours) to go by way of Nagoya.
You can see regular fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com
Under "More Options", be sure to uncheck the Nozomi box since you can't ride that train using the pass.
Hope that helps.
Shirakawa farmhouse stay is fully book so I have to change plan & plan to travel Alpine route if possible, I have just post another discussion. Thanks.