The JR West Rail Pass - Sanyo Area is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on JR trains (including shinkansen) along the Sanyo Coast (between Osaka and Kyushu) for four or eight consecutive days.
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JR West Rail Pass Sanyo Area
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4 consecutive days
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20,000 yen
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8 consecutive days
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30,000 yen
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Reduced rates (50% off) apply to children aged 6-11.
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Below is a map of JR train lines, which can be used with the JR West Rail Pass Sanyo Area:
Validity
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1)
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Unlimited use of the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho) between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.
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2)
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Unlimited use of local trains on the Sanyo Main Line between Kobe and Shimonoseki.
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3)
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Unlimited use of urban JR trains in central Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara.
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4)
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Unlimited use of the JR Haruka limited express train between Kansai Airport and Kyoto.
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5)
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Unlimited use of the JR ferry to Miyajima.
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6)
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Seat reservations can be made for free for the Sanyo Shinkansen and Haruka limited express.
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7)
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The pass is valid on consecutive calendar days.
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8)
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Only foreign visitors to Japan (on a temporary visitor visa) can use the JR West Rail Pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.
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Points of Sale
The JR West Rail Pass can be purchased through travel agencies outside of Japan or at major JR railway stations and travel agencies in the Kansai region and along the Sanyo Shinkansen. Online reservations are also possible.
When purchasing the pass outside of Japan, you will receive an exchange order which has to be exchanged into an actual rail pass after your arrival in Japan and within three months of the purchase.
When purchasing the pass inside Japan, you are limited to the purchase of one pass per person, and have to show your passport and your return air ticket at the time of purchase. When making an online reservation, the actual purchase takes place at the railway station in Japan, a limit of one pass per person applies and your reservation print out, passport and return air ticket have to be presented.
Assessment
This pass is worth considering by travelers who plan to travel along the Sanyo Shinkansen. The 4-day pass costs about the same as a regular round trip shinkansen ticket between Osaka and Hiroshima.
Alternative Tickets
A much better offer than the JR West Sanyo Area Rail Pass is the JR Sanyo-Shikoku-Kyushu Rail Pass, which provides unlimited use of JR trains not only along the Sanyo Coast but also on Kyushu and Shikoku on five days for just a few thousand more yen.
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