Fast and Efficient Shinkansen (bullet train)
Any foreign traveler to Japan must purchase a JR Pass if they're expecting to traverse a good portion of the country on a short amount of time. The JR Pass is good for use on the JR Group Railways, which include the shinkansen or “bullet trains”(except Nozomi) and local JR trains, as well as JR buses, and the JR ferry to Miyajima. Passes can be purchased for 7, 14, or 21-day travel, regular seats or Green seats (superior class seats). I purchased my 14-day pass for 45100 yen or $468 at JTB Travel inside the Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace in Torrance, CA. And I must say, it was the best decision I made and definitely took advantage of it. Below are a sampling of my trips and use of the JR Pass during my 13 days in Japan.Kyoto to Hiroshima = 192 miles one way, 2 hrs. exactlyKyoto to Tokyo = 296 miles one way, 2 hrs. and 45 minutesTokyo to Hachinohe = 368 miles one way, 3 hrs.The shinkansens...
