With buses I think it's quite simple: if it's a fixed fare, pay when you get on. If the fare depends on the distance, you pay when you get off. Only problem is finding out beforehand if it's a fixed fare or not 😅
@@japanunravelled okay, guess I just haven't encountered those yet 😅. Closest would be some bus in Fukuoka which was fixed fare in the central area (and no need to get a number ticket when you get on), but beyond that area they switch to the regular system. Even after so many travels to Japan buses still can be quite challenging. Luckily more and more buses accept Suica now, but far from all do. And for finding routes and rtimetables using Google Maps and/or Navitime does help, but even those sometimes are at odds with each other...
Yes - it would really help if things were a bit more standardised but then we wouldn't have more interesting trips. The finding bus times is a sore point because yes Google Maps doesn't have many of the services still! Honestly I often hunt down the bus company website to read their pdf timetables. It's a pain but I don't trust google maps or navitime completely!
Thanks for answering my question. When I posed it, Suicas and Welcome Suicas were unavailable, and I wasn't sure about ICOCAs. Really appreciate the update
Keep in mind Willer buses don't have toilets. Also, I've been to Japan four times now and I always re-visit things I loved, namely a specific ryokan in Hirayu Onsen, Tokiwa in Yamagata and Kumamoto. I might have to change that now as it was possible to do all that with the JR Pass every trip. You should never feel bad re-visiting places you've been!
Thanks for the deets on Amanohashidate...definitely helpful , will be going from Kinosaki Onsen and staying a night :) I also always revisit my favourite places plus explore new areas, but this time I'll be avoiding the super popular sites in Kyoto and instead exploring the temples and areas on the outskirts...well I can't avoid not shopping in Teramachi and wandering around the riverside at night though :)
Nice plan! I think you'll have to drive through Gifu City whichever route you take, but I'd suggest renting either in Otsu or maybe Hikone. The scenery is great alongside Lake Biwa. Gifu city will still have traffic but way more manageable than in Nagoya. Enjoy!
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With buses I think it's quite simple: if it's a fixed fare, pay when you get on. If the fare depends on the distance, you pay when you get off.
Only problem is finding out beforehand if it's a fixed fare or not 😅
Except there are fixed fare places where it's pay to get off
@@japanunravelled okay, guess I just haven't encountered those yet 😅. Closest would be some bus in Fukuoka which was fixed fare in the central area (and no need to get a number ticket when you get on), but beyond that area they switch to the regular system.
Even after so many travels to Japan buses still can be quite challenging. Luckily more and more buses accept Suica now, but far from all do. And for finding routes and rtimetables using Google Maps and/or Navitime does help, but even those sometimes are at odds with each other...
Yes - it would really help if things were a bit more standardised but then we wouldn't have more interesting trips. The finding bus times is a sore point because yes Google Maps doesn't have many of the services still! Honestly I often hunt down the bus company website to read their pdf timetables. It's a pain but I don't trust google maps or navitime completely!
Thanks for answering my question. When I posed it, Suicas and Welcome Suicas were unavailable, and I wasn't sure about ICOCAs.
Really appreciate the update
Glad I could help!
Keep in mind Willer buses don't have toilets. Also, I've been to Japan four times now and I always re-visit things I loved, namely a specific ryokan in Hirayu Onsen, Tokiwa in Yamagata and Kumamoto. I might have to change that now as it was possible to do all that with the JR Pass every trip. You should never feel bad re-visiting places you've been!
Oh yeah, going back to specific hotels or ryokan is well worth it! Find a good one and support them!
Thank you for your time to help us have a nice japan trip .😊
Have fun!
Thanks for the deets on Amanohashidate...definitely helpful , will be going from Kinosaki Onsen and staying a night :) I also always revisit my favourite places plus explore new areas, but this time I'll be avoiding the super popular sites in Kyoto and instead exploring the temples and areas on the outskirts...well I can't avoid not shopping in Teramachi and wandering around the riverside at night though :)
Totally - the riverside at night is hard to beat.
Have you been to Kamikochi? I really recommend it.
Yes, worth a trip yes.
We are keen to drive from Kyoto to takayama- where would you suggest we start the drive from?
Nice plan! I think you'll have to drive through Gifu City whichever route you take, but I'd suggest renting either in Otsu or maybe Hikone. The scenery is great alongside Lake Biwa. Gifu city will still have traffic but way more manageable than in Nagoya. Enjoy!
@@japanunravelled thank you ☺️