Itineraries-Which one is not covered by JR PASS?

bingkat

Finally i got complete places that we want to visit this Autumn and please let us know which train is NOT COVERED by JR pass, get my schedule from Hyperdia
day 1- going to MATSUMOTO Castle (松本城) taking SHINKANSEN KAGAYAKI 501 & LTD. EXP ( wide view) SHINANO 4 then we are going to SHINANOMACHI by LTD. EXP SUPER AZUSA 18 & JR Chuo/Sobu Line Local Service for CHIBA / JR Chuo Line Rapid Service
day 2- travel to Kyoto by SHINKANSEN HIKARI 471
from Kyoto going to Hiroshima by JR Kyoto Line Rapid Service for ABOSHI & SHINKANSEN SAKURA 545 then visit MIYAJIMA in the afternoon will go to
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum but from here we don't know how to go!

will visit NARA by JR Nara Line Local, JR Nara Line Rapid Service for KYOTO
will visit HIMEJI CASTLE ( 姫路城 ) by SHINKANSEN HIKARI 491 then afterward will go to OSAKA by JR Kyoto Line Local for SHINSANDA back to Kyoto by JR Special Rapid Service for NAGAHAMA
Back to Tokyo going to UENO Park by Shinkansen yamabiko 123 or by JR Yamanote Line(Inner loop) for OSAKI

thanks.

Tenjin

The official list of what you can use the pass is on:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html

I didn't see anything you listed that presents a problem. Here's a tip for using Hyperdia - they don't broadcast it, but when you look up a route, if you see any train colored in purple then you know it is not a JR train and hence not covered by the pass.

As for JR, you can't use the Nozomi or Mizuho bullet trains, but all JR routes are fine.

Regarding within Hiroshima, if you have the Pass you can use the Hiroshima Loop Bus for free - a rare perk. You can also take the JR ferry boat to Miyajima which is covered too. Virtually everyone goes to see the Itsukushima Shrine with its 'floating torii' - and then sadly many just leave. The Daishoin Temple is in many ways far more beautiful and varied. It's a must-see place.

And if you have a little spare time, you can also see Iwakuni which is a bit past Miyajima. It's an often overlooked gem.

For Himeji, don't miss the Kokoen Garden next to the castle. It is beautiful.

bingkat

many thanks Tenjin, really appreciate all your response.

bingkat

by the way, is using a credit card not a problem in Japan? can you recommend a card we can use to buy a small thing like in 7 Eleven or convenience store?

Tenjin

For big stores, credit cards are probably OK. For smaller places, probably not. Cash is still king in Japan, and your ATM card is a good way to get it at a good rate.
http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html
http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/card2.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html
You can also see what Japanese money looks like at
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/japanfaq1c.html
Note that you can not use
1 or 5 yen coins in vending machines and phones.

bingkat

for this Itineraries-was it worth to buy GREEN JR PASS?

Tenjin

I've located a page that shows what both seats look like:
https://www.quora.com/Is-the-first-class-Japan-Rail-Pass-ticket-much-better-than-the-regular

As to being worth it - that's a value judgement that only you can decide. Personally, I don't have any lack of comfort or other issues using the ordinary seats.

bingkat

thanks Tenjin.