Hello - we have a fixed itinerary and are just wondering which parts of the following itinerary would not be covered by the national JR pass:
May 18 Tokyo to Nikko
May 19 Nikko to Nagoya
May 20 Nikko to Takayama (possibly also including a side-trip from Nagoya - Kiso Valley - Nagoya)
May 22 Takayma to Kamikochi
May 23 Kamikochi to Matsumoto
May 24 Matsumoto to Kanazawa via Alpine route
May 25 Kanazawa to Kyoto
May 31 Kyoto to Hiroshima
June 1 Hiroshima to Miyajama and back
June 2 Hiroshima to Naoshima via Okayana
June 3 Naoshima back to Okayana to Kinosaki
June 5 Kinosaki to Osaka
What are the approximate costs for surcharges/routes not covered by the national pass? (eg - ? buses from Takayama to Kamikochi to Matsumoto, Cost of the alpine route?)
Are there a combination of regional passes that would be better?
Thank you!
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Comments
The JR Pass covers most of the these areas except for these routes:
Kamikochi to Matsumoto these are private rail lines you can find more information on this journey here: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6040.html#/section_getThere
Also the ferry to Naoshima from Okayama would not be covered by the JR Pass so you will need to pay the 290 yen (one way for this).
The side trip to Kiso Valley, the JR Pass will cover your journey up to Shinano Omachi, where you will need to take the bus for 40 mins to Ogizawa which will cost 1,360 Yen. The bus is not covered by the JR Pass. Then for the Alpine Route you can purchase a single ticket from Ogizawa to Toyama for 9,490 one way or a return for 15,760 yen.
Hope that helps.
Best regards
Japan Experience