Japan - JR Pass/Bullet Train Questions

Its been many years since I was in Japan and using the JR pass.

- I think you need to obtain tickets even for the trains that are unreserved but others can confirm
- non of the trains will be old or beat up
- you won't have any issues with the non smoking carriages
- I used a number of different trains and didn't notice much difference between them

My husband and I spent three weeks in Japan in 2008. Using the train passes were very easy. At that time I believe we went through a turnstile and showed our passes. We also used the passes on the local subway.

I did not notice any smoking on the trains. No one talked on cell phones, either.

When a train was running a bit late an announcement was made to apologize for the delay. I don't recall a train being more than three minutes late.

Japan is a fascinating country. Each area has a food specialty. For example, Hammamatsu was known for unagi (eel).

Enjoy!

Here is a helpful link to explain about the JR Pass: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html

On there it says with the pass you do not need a ticket unless you reserve a seat on a train. With a pass you need to walk through a manned gate, not an automated one, and show your pass. On the website it tells which trains you cannot use.

We had no problem going to the places you listed with the pass.

Hello, sounds like a wonderful trip!

As others have said, for unreserved segments of travel you won't need anything but the Pass.

Between the train services you mention, the Kodama is conspicuous by its slowness. It stops at every station and sometimes waits a while for the faster services to pass. In many rides, I've never seen an old, beaten up train in Japan.

Most of each train, and most station platforms, are non-smoking, and I've seen no violations. Nowadays there are small "smoking rooms" which generally keep their doors closed.

From Kyoto to Hiroshima the natural suggestion is the ocean side, though the Shinkansen ("bullet train" line) runs somewhat inland and glimpses of water may be few.

Changing from the Hikari to the Narita Express -- consider changing at Shinagawa rather than at Tokyo Station. All Hikari trains stop at Shinagawa just before the Tokyo terminal; most Narita Express trains stop there as well. Shinagawa is a much easier place to transfer than Tokyo Station, which is sprawling and complicated. At Tokyo Station the Hikari platforms are several levels above ground and the Narita Express platforms several levels below ground; at Shinagawa they are almost on the same level. Check your schedule; not all Narita Expresses stop at Shinagawa. I'd feel comfortable with a 20-minute connection at Shinagawa and not at Tokyo Station.

Regards, --prs.