From Kobe to Hakone

jkolbina

Hello fellow travellers,
we are finalising our trip to Japan (May 3-18). I would be very happy if you could help me deciding if this itinerary is worth buying JR Pass for 7 days:
09-11.05 staying in Kyoto and exploring the nearby places: Nara, Arashiyama (monkey park).
12.05 from Kyoto to Kobe
13.05 from Kobe to Himeji and after that travelling to Hakone.
15.05 From Hakone to Tokyo, explore Tokyo.
17.05 transfer to Narita airport.

are there any JR trains which would help us to get from KObe to Hakone? I guess there is no train directly from Himeji to Hakone, that would be too good .

If not, what changes would you suggest? THe days on May 03-09 are booked for other activities.

thanks a lot!
Kate

Tenjin

Hi,
A 7 day JR Pass would not pay off for your one way trip. You can pay the regular rail fare for less.
Also, JR trains do not go all the way to Hakone. You can take the bullet train and get off at Mishima Station (however note that not all bullet trains stop at that station) and then you can get a Hakone Free Pass to save some money going the rest of the way.

jkolbina

Hi Tenjin,
thanks for your reply! I have checked trains from Kobe to Mishima, but I still cannot see even one direct train. From which station in Kobe should we leave? According to this page (http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/) there are several stations. could you please advise?

Tenjin

Hi,
Well first most people use Hyperdia - it's easier to work with.
http://www.hyperdia.com
You need to leave Kobe from Shin-Kobe Stn.
There is a direct train, although I don't see any non-stop one (nor would I want or expect one). You will need to transfer somewhere along the way but it is very easy.
The faster bullet trains stop at fewer stations, and Mishima is not a major station. So if you can take a faster train to as close as possible, then switch to a train that stops at Mishima, you will be in good shape.

Please be aware though that in Hakone currently Owakudani is partially closed. Please see this info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html
(please change the drop down menu to "From Osaka"
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html

For getting to the airport, the Narita Express is the most convenient but more expensive. If you want, there is a 1000 yen bus.
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/

jkolbina

Hello Tenjin, thanks a lot! Your link is awesome. Actually I found one direct train from Shin-Kobe to Mishima, (SHINKANSEN HIKARI 474) at 3:25pm. We will aim for this one. Thanks a lot for your help again!