Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass covers Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. And it also covers the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hakata. It is the perfect option for the trip to Hiroshima from Hakata, Kyushu.
I would like to explain you about this pass in this post.
Coverage Area
This pass covers whole part of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures, such as Hiroshima, MIyajima, Onomichi, Hagi and Yamaguchi. And it includes Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Hakata and Mihara And also this pass includes the conventional lines to Tsuwano and Maduda in Shimane prefecture too. This pass is designed for the tourists who arrive in / depart from Fukuoka and travel to Hiroshima or other surrounding area.
If you travel to Osaka or Kyoto, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass is better choice because this pass does not cover Osaka and Kyoto. If you travel Kyushu and Hiroshima area, you may think about combining this deal and Kyushu Rail Pass.
Other part of Japan, such as Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, most part of Shikoku and Kyushu are not covered by this Pass. So if you intend to travel throughout Japan or travel to Tokyo, Hokkaido or Kyushu, Japan Rail Pass is maybe more suitable for you. Please see the the like below to get the details about Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass)
Japan Rail Pass user guide. How to use JR Pass to its maximum.
Valid trains, routes and class
All daytime trains in coverage area are covered except SL Yamaguchi. This deal does NOT include reserved seat fee. You have to take non reserved ordinary seat. Most of limited express and Shinkansen trains have non reserved seat. And Green seat is not covered fully either. If you want to take Green seat, this pass covers base fare only. You have to full of surcharge and Green seat fare.
Any overnight train does not run in this coverage area. So there is no option to stay overnight on board.
Miyajima ferry is also covered. You have no problem to access to very popular World Heritage Miyajima.
As of mid April 2017, this pass started to cover JR bus in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. In Hiroshima, there are some bus routes which are covered by this pass. Especially Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus “Meipuru-pu” is very very useful. You can get most of popular spots in Hiroshima by this bus. Please see the link below:
Hiroshima sightseeing bus Meipuru-pu
In Yamaguchi, there are routes which are covered by this pass. Yamaguchi to/from Akiyoshidai route is very useful to visit Akiyoshido limestone cave. Shin-Yamaguchi to/from Hagi route is useful to get Hagi.
When you use this deal, there are a few exceptions. You have to know that before you choose this deal. Please see the below to learn.
The Kyushu Shinkansen
Even though this pass covers the Sanyo Shinkansen in Kyushu area. But it covers between Hiroshima and Hakata only. You cannot take any Shinkansen trains from Hakata to west. In Kyushu, only Sanyo Shinkansen between Kokura and Hakata is allowed to take by this deal.
SL Yamaguchi
This popular seasonal train runs between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano. It is in coverage area, but this train does not have any non reserved seat. If you want to take this train, you have to pay a reserved seat fee. It is 530 yen for ordinary seat and 980 yen for Green seat.
Hotels in Hiroshima
Hotels in Hakata
Price, eligibility and how to purchase
This pass is available for temporary visitor only. If you are resident, you can’t purchase it.
JR West is the first company that has different price tag for same product. Please see the below:
Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass 5-day
Purchasing from the travel agent overseas (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West online (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West station (After arrival) | |
---|---|---|---|
Adult | 13,000 yen | 13,800 yen | 14,000 yen |
Child (6-11 years old) | 6,500 yen | 6,900 yen | 7,000 yen |
As you have seen, you can purchase this pass after you arrive in Japan. But you have to pay 1000 yen more.
If you want to purchase this at the lowest price, you can purchase it at authorized travel agents. You can find the dealers list and exchange location at the link below:
JR West Rail Pass Dealer’s list
You also can purchase this pass online through JR West official site. But the price is not much cheaper than the price which is sold at the station.
Valid period
It is valid for 5 days. One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.
You can purchase this pass only once per visit if you purchase online or inside Japan. If you purchase it at authorized agents outside Japan, you can purchase as many as you want.
Compare to single fares
Base fare and surcharge for the major segments are the following. Please compare the price of Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass and these fares. If you use this pass, these following fare, both base fare and surcharge, are covered.
*All surcharges in the following table are regular season’s non reserved seat rate.
Segment | Base fare | Surcharge |
---|---|---|
Hiroshima – Hakata | 5080 yen | 3340 yen |
Hiroshima – Miyajimaguchi | 410 yen | – |
Hiroshima – Miyajimaguchi | 410 yen | – |
Miyajimaguchi – Miyajima (Ferry) | 180 yen | – |
Hakata – Mihara / Onomichi | 5940 yen | 4040 yen |
Hakata – Tsuwano | 3670 yen | 3070 yen |
Hiroshima – Tsuwano | 3670 yen | 3070 yen |
Hiroshima – Iwakuni | 760 yen | – |
As you see, Hakata-Hiroshima one way fare and surcharge total amount is 8,420 yen. So if you have round trip on this segment, it is pay off easily.
Assessment
This pass is suitable for the tourist who want to go to Hiroshima or other area in Yamaguchi or Hiroshima prefectures from Hakata. Most of places in the coverage area can be accessed from Hakata as day trip. If you stay in Fukuoka (Hakata) for several nights, you may think about using this deal to explore outside Kyushu.
Comments
I will stay in Fukuoka and I plane to visit a few side-trips from Fukuoka & return on the same day with the JR Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Pass.
Appreciate you can advise if it is a right pass for my trip.
1. Onomichi/Tadanoumi
2. Shimonoseki-Karato Market – doees the pass cover the bus/ferry to Karato Market too?
3, Iwakuni-Kintai Bridge – does the pass cover the local train to Kawanishi stn via JR Gantoku line too?
4. Akiyoshido – does the pass cover the bus ride to Akiyoshido from Yamaguchi or Shin-Yamaguchi too?
Thank you
Hi Sue,
1. This is covered.
2. The ferry is not covered.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
You can use this pass anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you very much for the info.
Regards,
Sue
No worries, Sue san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
for the Shinkansen tickets, do we need to buy tickets or do we just need to show the pass at the manned entrance gates and take the non reserved seating trains?
Thank you very much.
Hi Richard san,
If you meant that you use Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass to take the Shinkansen, you can just show your pass at the manned gate and take a seat in non reserved car.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Does the Hiroshima Yamaguchi pass cover the bus to Sandankyo?
Hi Willy,
It’s not covered by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, thank you for this guide. I will be using this pass to take the Shinkansen from Hakata to Hiroshima.
For this line, is Hakata the original departure station? Since this pass is for non-reserved seats, I hope I can easily get the seats from Hakata station. We have 4 people travelling together.
Hi John,
It depends on the train. If you take Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama, Hakata is the original departure station. If you take Mizuho or Sakura, train comes from Kagoshima-Chuo or Kumamoto. The following link shows you the timetable. You can find which train depart from Hakata.
https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound_0316.pdf
I put the link for the timetable from Hiroshima to Hakata as well.
https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound_0316.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi. I will try to use Nozomi train then.
No worries, John.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Can this pass be used from hiroshima to fukuyama? And in the bus from hiroshima to hamada?
Hi Devy,
This pass does not cover both Fukuyama and bus from Hiroshima to Hamada. If you use Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi area pass, you can get Fukuyama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
But you cannot take a bus to Hamada. Any train passes do not cover the bus to Hamada.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,Takeshi
Does this pass can be used for Hakata-Minami Line?
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
James
Hi James,
It’s not covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san
We are traveling from Hiroshima, to Yamaguchi RO most Kyushu cities and back to Hiroshima then Tottori over 14 days in end December.
Would you recommend the 5 day Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass and 5 day All Kyushu JR Pass? Or do you have better options for us?
Thank you.
Warm regards
Dorothy Tay
Hi Dorothy san,
I think JR pass 14 days is better solution. As I see your trip plan, you cannot cover whole part of your trip by Hiroshima Yamaguchi area pass and Kyushu rail pass. After you visit Kyushu, you will go back to Hiroshima. You need to add regular fare or other pass. And also you need pass or fare for access to Tottori too. JR pass 14 days covers whole part. It may be cheaper.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am travelling from Hakata to Hiroshima. Spend 2 days from Hiroshima to visit Miyajima and Iwakuni. Then back from Hiroshima to Hakata. Is this the right pass ?
Hi WSM,
Yes. This is the right deal for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san
I am planning a 14-day trip to Hiroshima, Tottori, Yamaguchi, and the major attractions of Kyushu from 18 Dec to 1 Jan. My flight arrives and departs from Hiroshima. Which JR passes would you recommend? Thank you.
Hi Dorothy san,
I think JR pass is most suitable. Only JR pass covers all places and gives you 14 days duration.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Can I use this pass to travel from Hakata to Kurosaki station ?
Many thanks
Grace
Hi Grace,
Unfortunately not. This pass covers only Shinkansen in Kyushu.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
If I take shinkansen from hakata to kokura and transfer to local train to kurosaki, do I have to exit kokura station and buy ticket before boarding train to Kurosaki ?
Many thanks
Grace
Hi Grace,
That’s right. You cannot transfer from Shinkanesen to local train at Kokura because of this pass’s coverage. You need to purchase a ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com