Comparing non-Japan Rail Pass transportation options
Lake Kawaguchi/Mt. Fuji, Nagano, Matsumoto, Kofu, Mt. Minobu, and other destinations
Travellers without a Japan Rail Pass are required to pay regular train fares when travelling throughout Japan. The table below compares the cost of traveling by JR and by highway bus to some of Japan’s popular destinations. Japan has an extensive network of highway buses, providing a convenient and comfortable means of transportation. We hope the following comparison will serve as a useful reference for your travels in Japan. All of the examples below depart from Tokyo.
| Popular tourist destinations | JR | Highway bus |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Kawaguchi •Fuji-Q Highland •The Chureito Pagoda) |
Limited Express Fuji Excursion Shinjuku ⇒ Kawaguchiko Approx. 2h / ¥4,130 All stops service Shinjuku ⇒ Otsuki ⇒ Kawaguchiko Approx. 3h / ¥2,510 |
Shinjuku ⇒ Kawaguchiko Approx. 1h 45min / ¥2,200 More information/tickets Shibuya ⇒ Kawaguchiko Approx. 2h 30min / ¥2,100 More information/tickets |
| Matsumoto •Matsumoto Castle •Kamikochi (Entrance of Japan Alps) |
Limited Express Azusa Shinjuku ⇒ Matsumoto Approx. 2h 40min / ¥6,620 |
Shinjuku ⇒ Matsumoto Approx. 3h 20min / ¥3,800 More information/tickets |
| Nagano •Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park •Zenkoji Temple •Togakushi |
Shinkansen Tokyo ⇒ Nagano Approx. 1h 50min / ¥8,340 |
Shinjuku ⇒ Nagano: Approx. 3h 40min Ikebukuro ⇒ Nagano : Approx. 3h 30min ¥4,200 - ¥5,100 More information/tickets |
| Takayama •Old townscape •Shirakawa-go |
Hokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo ⇒ Toyama ⇒ Takayama Approx. 4h 10min / ¥16,120 Tokaido Shinkansen Tokyo ⇒ Nagoya ⇒ Takayama Approx. 4h 30min / ¥15,190 |
Shinjuku ⇒ Takayama Approx. 5h 30min / ¥6,500 - ¥7,000 More information/tickets |
| Karuizawa •Kusatsu Onsen |
Tokyo ⇒ Karuizawa Hokuriku Shinkansen Approx. 1h 20min / ¥5,820 |
Shibuya ⇒ Karuizawa Approx. 3h 15min / 3,500 More information/tickets |
| JR | Highway bus | |
| Travel Time | Approx. 1h 40min | Approx. 2h 10min |
| Fare | ¥3,890 | ¥2,500 |
| JR | Highway bus | |
| Travel Time | 1. Approx. 3 hours 2. Approx. 3h 30min |
Approx. 3h 20min |
| Fare | 1. ¥6,180 Limited Express Azusa or Kaiji + Limited Express Fujikawa + local bus Shinjuku ⇒ Kofu ⇒ Minobu ⇒ Mt. Minobu 2. ¥8,560 Shinkansen + Limited Express Fujikawa + local bus Tokyo ⇒ Shizuoka ⇒ Minobu ⇒ Mt. Minobu |
¥3,600 |
| JR | Highway bus | |
| Travel Time | Approx. 3 hours |
Approx. 10 hours (*Overnight bus only) |
| Fare | ¥16,570 Shinkansen Nozomi *Ordinary reserved seat |
From ¥8,400 to ¥11,500 |
| Services (per day) |
Around 28 direct round trips Around 26 round trips via Shin-Osaka |
1 round trip |
| Note | For travelers wishing to travel quickly | Travelers can make effective use of their time |
| JR | Highway bus | |
| Travel Time | Approx. 3 hours |
Approx. 8 hours (*Overnight bus only) |
| Fare | ¥15,700 Shinkansen Nozomi *Ordinary reserved seat |
From ¥7,800 to ¥10,900 |
| Services (per day) |
Around 28 direct round trips Around 26 round trips via Shin-Osaka |
1 round trip |
| Note | For travelers wishing to travel quickly | Travelers can make effective use of their time |
| JR | Highway bus | |
| Travel Time | Approx. 1h 30min | Approx. 4h 30min |
| Fare | ¥10,940 Shinkansen Nozomi *Ordinary reserved seat |
One-way ¥5,500 Round trip ¥9,800 |
| Services (per day) |
1往復／日 |
| JR | Highway bus | |
| Travel Time | Approx. 2h 30min Two transfers Himeji ⇒ Osaka ⇒ Shin-Imamiya ⇒ Kansai International Airport |
Approx. 2h 30min Direct bus |
| Fare | ¥2,660 | One-way ¥3,700 Round trip ¥5,900 |
We think you can have a more fulfilling travel experience by using the recommended routes in the table above. By jumping aboard a bus departing from Tokyo, you will likely have the opportunity to discover some wonderful spots that are still relatively unknown. Travelling by bus also has its own charms and is worth trying at least once. Why not take this opportunity to discover something new and exciting?