Japan Rail Pass

Note (Weather)

- Typhoon Hagibis from 4 to 20 October 2019 considered to be the most devastating typhoon resulted in massive flooding and destruction, e.g. Shinkansen submerged and hokuriku tracks only resumed on 25 October 2019 with reduced service
- Typhoon Jedi from 26 August to 9 September 2018, strongest tropical cyclone to hit Japan, caused closure of the Kansai airport, which reopened on 14 September 2018, 10 days after flooding

Afternote (Weather)

- To consider avoiding Japan in future November period

Note (Schedule)
- http://www.hyperdia.com
- information for train timing & cost

We enquired and bought the rail pass from Japan Rail Cafe:
- https://www.japanrailcafe.com.sg/
- Tanjong Pagar Centre, #01-20 (above Tanjong Pagar MRT)
- Consultants on hand to provide suggestions for your itinerary
- Rail pass can be purchased from “Rail Pass Counter”


We bought hokuriku arch pass for this trip but there are others covering different areas:

1) JR WEST

JRrail west pass 

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/

JR West Train Timetable
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/timetable/#timetable

Train status

lines:

https://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/e/service.aspx

2) JR EAST

JR rail east pass

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/

JR East Train Timetable
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/timetable/index.html

Train status
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/

3) JAPAN RAIL PASS

Japan rail pass (covers entire japan)

http://www.japanrailpass.net/sphone/en/about_jrp.html#bm_002

4) HOKURIKU

Hokuriku arch pass

http://hokuriku-arch-pass.com/en/

Hokuriku Timetable
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/timetable/index.html

Exchanged voucher for rail pass at this office in Osaka Statuon:

Exchange voucher for this pass in Japan and flash it as you go through station control aisle which is maned by station master:

Was told at exchange counter in Osaka Station that 2 reserved seats for train can be made each day:

COSTS

Osaka - Kyoto (45min) 570 yen

Kyoto - Kameoka (20min) ??

Kameoka - Saga Arashiyam (10min) ??

Saga Arashiyama - Kyoto (20min) ??

Kyoto - Osaka (45min) 570

Osaka - Kanazawa (2.5hrs)  7790 yen

Kanazawa - Toyama (20min shinkansen) 3190

Toyama - Karuizawa (1.5hr shinkansen) 9700

Karuizawa - Tokyo (1hr 15min shinkansen) 5820 yen

Tokyo - Narita (1hr 10min) 2970

Pass for 24,00 yen

Total utilisation of 31,410 yen + various JR trains in Tokyo