WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE JAPAN RAIL PASS?
All trains operated by the Japan Railways Group are included with only a few exceptions. The extensive Shinkansen “bullet train” network is fully covered with the exception of the Nozomi-type train (see below). All JR Limited Express and Express trains to cities such as Kanazawa are also covered. In addition, thousands of local trains both in cities and rural areas are included. You may see references in older materials to “ferries”. Before the construction of the Seikan Tunnel to Hokkaido and the Seto Bridge to Shikoku, these islands were linked by JR Ferries, but these have been replaced by train links. Only the small Miyajima ferry near Hiroshima is presently included. NO NOZOMI? At present, the Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nozomi class Shinkansen Bullet Trains on the Tokaido/Sanyo lines connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata ( Fukuoka) and other cities. There are however many Hikari and Kodama Shinkansen trains on the same lines so you can travel freely with a
