Hi,
I have a question regarding JR Kanto Area pass and the train that I can ride. I will be using the pass on December 26, 2015 onward so I think it will be change to Tokyo Wide area pass.
My plan is to use this pass to go to Shima onsen and Kusatsu Onsen. This pass is valid on the JR East train but I am not sure of the train that it covers and I just want to make sure that I will be on the valid train. Please kindly advice.
Here is my rough plan :
Day 1 : Tokyo to Shima onsen.
Option 1 : Take the Kusatsu Limited Express train from Ueno to Nakanojo Station. (I think I will take this one but just in case it fail.)
Option 2 : take Shinkansen from Ueno to Takasaki. From what I checked from Hypedia there are many Shinkasen train such as Asama, Hakutaka, Max toki that depart from Ueno to Takasaki. Is this pass valid to go on these Shinkasen? and JR Agatsuma line is it cover too.
From Nakanojo station I have to get bus from there to Shima Onsen. I found this bus schedule from the website. I think this is the one I am not very good in Japanese
(bs)
http://kan-etsu.net/files/lib/1/146/20150302135515412.pdf(be). The bus 3B at 11:10 is operating on Saturday, Sunday, and holiday is that correct. I will be going to Shima Onsen on Saturday so I think I can get on this one.
I will be staying at the Shima Grand hotel does anyone know if it is it far from the bus station?
Day 2 : Shima Onsen to Kusatsu Onsen.
So aside from the buses i will be traveling between Nakanojo Station and Naganohara Kusatsuguchi station by train which will be either JR Agatsuma line or the Kusatsu Limited Express, I think both are covered by the pass is that correct?
Day 3 : Kusatsu Onsen to Karuizawa (and returning to Tokyo in the evening)
Here I will be taking either the JR Agatsuma line or Limited Kusatsu to Takasaki and then transfer by Shinkasen Asama to Karuizawa. And from Karuizawa to Tokyo by Asama Shinkansen
Also I will be going to kawaguchiko later in my trip during new year eve. I will be using the bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko. Since it is year end I am not sure how early I have to book the bus. I found this website for reserving the bus
(bs)
http://highway-buses.jp/fuji/(be). I think this is the one, should I book in advance or I can just get the ticket when I arrives in Japan.
Lastly, about purchasing the Tokyo Wide pass itself, I will be arriving Narita Airport terminal 1 early in the morning around 6:30 am, according to their website there are Travel service center and the ticket office, which have different opening and closing time. Can I get it from either place? I am not sure if the ticket office is for booking seat only or not. And at both place will I be able to book my seat for train I want to get on, or it is not necessary to book for the seat.
So sorry for the long post. If anyone could advice and recommend I will be very thankful.
Thank you
