Expert: Robert - 1/29/2006

Question
Is there a bus or train between Osaka and Hiroshima that does not require a rail pass? We will be flying into Osaka and spend a few days there and would like to visit Hiroshima. We are aware of the rail passes but don't need to travel for 4 days or more. We are a couple in our 50's

Answer
Hi Richard,

Nobody is *required* to get a rail pass, but for those making a long rail round trip, it often makes sense and is more convenient. In your case the full JR Rail Pass is not worth it, but you could get a JR West Rail Pass and probably save some money. A 4 day adult pass that covers Osaka south to Hiroshima (and beyond) is 20,000 yen. That's about what it costs for a round trip bullet train ticket for the same route; so if you take any other trains besides the bullet train you can save some money. It takes about 2 hours by bullet train from Shinosaka Stn to Hiroshima Stn.

I don't know your exact itinerary, but you can run the numbers for yourself at a rail fare calculator like
http://ekimae.itp.ne.jp/tra-bin/jrtrageng.cgi
and compare it with the Rail Pass info at
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/

There are of course buses as well, such as Chugoku JR Bus or Nishinihon JR Buses, that cost about 5000 yen one way and 9000 yen round trip, but take about 5 hours each way for your route and it's much more cost-efficient to go by rail.
Also Osaka and maybe Hiroshima have a day subway/bus pass; for Osaka it is about 850 yen.

If you have not seen it yet, then by all means see Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture along the way, which is Japan's best surviving castle. Also you should definitely NOT miss Nara while there - go see the deer park and Great Buddha at Todaiji. Missing it is like missing the Taj Mahal in India.


Regarding money, Japan is still very much a cash based
society - credit cards are taken in larger stores and
hotels, but not much in small shops and restaurants.
But you can go to any Japanese post office and get yen
from a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners Club
credit card, or ATM card in the Plus or Cirrus networks
(look on the back of the card), or debit cards in the
Visa Electron or Maestro Networks.
Also see The Japan FAQ at http://www.thejapanfaq.com/
for lots of useful info and good links, as well as
The Japan National Tourist Org. Page at
http://www.jnto.go.jp plus Frommers Guide at
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/japan/
and a Japan Photo Gallery at
http://japaninfo.esmartweb.com/pics.html
Yahoo also has a good database of country and
regional guides to look through.

Hope all that helps--if you still have some
questions, please feel free to follow up.

Regards,

Robert