JR Central said that Kodama Borough And Rinkai Pass (こだま都区内・りんかいフリーきっぷ) will be released in July.

This discount ticket includes round trip by Shinkansen from Odawara or Atami to Tokyo and unlimited ride of JR trains within Tokyo borough area, whole of Rinkai line, and a part of Tokyo Monorail line. It is good for 2 days. The pass with effect from July 16 will be started to sell on July 01 at major JR stations and travel vendors around the departure point.

Kodama Tokyo Pass (こだま東京フリーきっぷ) ends for travel starting on July 15.

Departure Points and Prices (for an adult)

• Odawara: 4,660 JPY
• Atami: 5,500JPY

JR Central said that the discount tickets including round trip by Shinkansen and unlimited ride around Kyoto or Nara will be more usable since this July. Kyoto Easygoing Pass (京の遊々きっぷ) and Nara and Yamatoji Easygoing Pass (奈良・大和路遊々きっぷ) will be available. Both will be on sale from July 01, 2009 for travel starting after July 16.

Kyoto Easygoing Pass (京の遊々きっぷ)

Kyoto Easygoing Pass includes round trip by Shinkansen to Kyoto and a bill of Kyoto One-Day Pass (京都観光一日乗車券). Traveling from Tokyo or Yokohama area, this pass requires starting from Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama station until July 15. After July 16, starting from stations in Tokyo borough or Yokohama city will be allowed. It means that travels between the local station and such Shinkansen stations will be included in the pass. And this pass will be purchasable at major JR stations and travel vendors in metropolitan area in addition to stations of JR Central and JR Tokai Tours. Discount privileges of regular tourist coach in Kyoto are also added.

The pass with effect from July 16 will be started to sell on July 01.

Major Departure Points and Prices (for an adult)

• Tokyo (within Tokyo borough): 27,100 JPY
• Shin-Yokohama (within Yokohama city): 25,800 JPY
• Shizuoka: 20,000 JPY
• Nagoya (within Nagoya city): 11,800 JPY

Nara and Yamatoji Easygoing Pass (奈良・大和路遊々きっぷ)

Nara and Yamatoji Easygoing Pass includes round trip by Shinkansen to Kyoto and unlimited ride of JR trains, Kintetsu trains, and Nara Kotsu buses within the designated section. The section is expanded that of Nara Easygoing Pass (奈良の遊々きっぷ) available for sale now to Yoshino and Murou area. Traveling from Tokyo or Yokohama area, this pass requires starting from Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama station until July 15. After July 16, starting from stations in Tokyo borough or Yokohama city will be allowed. It means that travels between the local station and such Shinkansen stations will be included in the pass. And this pass will be purchasable at major JR stations and travel vendors in metropolitan area in addition to stations of JR Central and JR Tokai Tours. Discount privileges of regular tourist coach in Nara are also added.

The pass with effect from July 16 will be started to sell on July 01. Nara and Yamatoji Free Pass (奈良・大和路フリーきっぷ) and Nara and Yamatoji Family Pass (奈良・大和路ファミリーきっぷ) end for travel starting on July 15.

Major Departure Points and Prices (for an adult)

• Tokyo (within Tokyo borough): 27,500 JPY
• Shin-Yokohama (within Yokohama city): 26,200 JPY
• Shizuoka: 20,400 JPY
• Nagoya (within Nagoya city): 11,900 JPY

JR West is providing Round Trip Ticket for Reservation Seats on Kodama Trains (こだま指定席往復きっぷ) for travel until June 30, 2009. And they released that they will extend its travel dates for 4 months.

This ticket provides saving round trip by Kodama and Hikari trains within certain sections on Sanyo Shinkansen. The adult fare, saving up to 44.5% off the usual, depends on the leg. The figure does not depends on the traveling date, even if it is in summer vacation, Bon period, or special five-day weekend in September. Because the fare for a child is flat of 3,000 JPY, this pass seems to be nice for family holidays. Especially good for overnight jaunt because the ticket is valid for 2 days.

Name of the ticket

Kodama Shiteiseki Oufuku Kippu (こだま指定席往復きっぷ meaning Round Trip Ticket for Reservation Seats on Kodama Trains) (for using on June 30 or later)

Travel dates

departing on June 30, 2009 through October 31

Period of selling

after June 22 and 21 - 1 days before the departure date

Maximum period of travel

2 days

Prices (e.g.)

• 6,880 JPY for round trip between Shin-Osaka and Okayama (41% off)
• 11,920 JPY for round trip between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima (40% off)

Available sectors

• from Shin-Osaka or Shin-Kobe to a station between Himeji and Hiroshima
• from Nishi-Akashi to a station between Aioi and Hiroshima
• from Himeji to a station between Okayama and Hiroshima
• from Aioi to a station between Shin-Kurashiki and Hiroshima
• from Okayama to a station between Shin-Onomichi and Shin-Yamaguchi
• from Shin-Kurashiki or Fukuyama to a station between Higashi-Hiroshima and Shin-Yamaguchi
• from Shin-Onomichi or Mihara to a station between Hiroshima and Hakata
• from Higashi-Hiroshima to a station between Shin-Iwakuni and Hakata
• from Hiroshima to a station between Tokuyama and Hakata
• from Shin-Iwakuni to a station between Shin-Yamaguchi and Hakata
• from Tokuyama or Shin-Yamaguchi to a station between Shin-Shimonoseki and Hakata

vice versa

Purchasable at

• a major station or travel vendor around the departure area in JR West district
• Hakata and Kokura stations or a travel vendor around them in JR Kyushu district

Remarks

• This ticket is for at least 2 persons traveling along.
• The adult fare depends on traveling sector and the fare for a children is single-price of 3,000 JPY/p.
• This ticket allows round trip by 2nd class reserved seats by Kodama and specific Hikari trains within the sectors.
• The trains and seats of both-way must be assigned at the time of purchase. Changes are not permitted.
• This ticket availability is limited.
• Special discount of rent-a-car at station (駅レンタカー), 2,000 JPY for 24 hrs for a class S car, is available for a group of 2 or more adults.

JR West is providing Nishi-nihon Pass (西日本パス meaning West Japan Pass) for travel until June 29, 2009. And they released that they will extend its travel dates for a month.

The pass allows unlimited travel for 2 or 3 days around Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and northern part of Kyushu on JR lines. Moreover riding sectors of the ticket for after July 03 is a little larger than that of for until June.

In July, many summery events and festivals like Gion Festival (祇園祭 in Kyoto), Hakata Gion Yamakasa (博多祇園山笠), and some fireworks festival will be taken. Enjoy the early summer days in West of Japan with Nishi-nihon Pass.

Please note that this ticket is not good for out of JR lines like Chizu Express line (智頭急行), Kitakinki Tango Railway (北近畿タンゴ鉄道), and Tosa Kuroshio Railway (土佐くろしお鉄道) even though express trains go directly from JR lines to those railway company lines.

Name of the ticket

Nishi-nihon Pass (西日本パス meaning West Japan Pass) (for using on July 03 or later)

Travel dates

2 or 3 consecutive days of Fri., Sat., Sun., and Mon., during July 03, 2009 through August 03.

Period of selling

after June 23 and a month - 7 days before the departure date

Maximum period of travel

2 or 3 days

Prices

• 12,000 JPY for 2 days on 2nd class reservation cars
• 16,000 JPY for 3 days on 2nd class reservation cars
• 16,000 JPY for 2 days on Green-cars
• 20,000 JPY for 3 days on Green-cars

Available sectors

• Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata
• Whole conventional line of JR West and JR Shikoku and northern part of JR Kyushu above Kyudai line between Kurume and Oita
• JR Miyajima Ferry between Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima

Purchasable at

• a major station or travel vendor around the departure area in JR West district
• Hakata and Kokura stations or a travel vendor around them in JR Kyushu district

Remarks

• This ticket is for at least 2 persons traveling along.
• This ticket is NOT valid on Tokaido Shinkansen.
• This ticket allows unlimited travel by 2nd class non-reservation cars within the sectors.
• A ticket for 2 days on 2nd class resv. cars allows 4 times or for 3 days 6 times of reserving seats in 2nd class cars.
• A ticket for 2 days on Green-cars allows 4 times or for 3 days 6 times of reserving seats in Green-cars.
• Special discount of rent-a-car at station (駅レンタカー), 2,000 JPY for 24 hrs for a class S car, is available.
• Only for members of Zipangu Club or Club DISCOVER WEST and their companion, the tickets are good for 2 or 3 consecutive days, including Mon. through Thu.

Verbal and data communications on mobile phones in tunnels will be available between Shin-Osaka and Himeji from March, 2010. The networks which will be connectable are of NTT DoCoMo, KDDI (au), Softbank Mobile, and EMOBILE.

Antenna installation for tunnels were completed between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka by March, 2003 and the installation reaching Himeji will be the first one from Shin-Osaka and to the west. Japan Mobile Communications Infrastructure Association said they are going to continue installing within Sanyo Shinkansen line.

Meanwhile, the providing zone of the internet access by wireless LAN service in series N700 cabins will have been restricted within Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, because its communication method and equipments are different from the antennas for the mobile communication.

JR Central, JR West, and Willcom announced that optimized mobile website of Express Reservation Service (エクスプレス予約) for Willcom's PHS terminals will be released in this year.

Willcom users are required to access the site of Express Reservation Service through full browser now and the special site will ensure easy access to the service. They will confirm the exact dates of the release later.

And they said it is undecided over whether to enable their FeliCa (おサイフケータイ) terminals accessing to EX-IC Service at this moment.

According to the schedule released recently, 6 Nozomi trains will be changed from series 700 cars to comfortable and energy-saving N700 by the end of September. And so 14 of Hikari and Kodama trains will also be changed from series 300 cars to 700.

All regular operated Nozomi trains will be shifted to series N700 cars by March, 2012 and 21 set (16 of JR Central and 5 of West) of N700 trains are thrown in the operation on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen within fiscal 2009.

Westbound Nozomi Trains newly using Series N700 cars

• Nozomi 211, changed from Series 700 cars to N700 on August 07 (Tokyo 08:23 → Shin-Osaka11:16)
• Nozomi 235, changed from Series 700 cars to N700 on July 01 (Tokyo 15:00 → Shin-Osaka 17:36)
• Nozomi 247, changed from Series 700 cars to N700 on August 07 (Tokyo 17:47 → Shin-Osaka20:23)

Westbound Hikari and Kodama Trains newly using Series 700 cars

• Hikari 507, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Tokyo 09:33 → Shin-Osaka12:30)
• Hikari 467, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Tokyo 10:03 → Okayama 14:17)
• Hikari 515, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 02 (Tokyo 13:33 → Shin-Osaka16:30)
• Hikari 517, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 03 (Tokyo 14:33 → Shin-Osaka17:30)
• Kodama 671, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Tokyo 16:26 → Nagoya 19:16)
• Kodama 687, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 02 (Tokyo 20:26 → Nagoya 23:11)
• Kodama 807, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Tokyo 20:56 → Mishima 21:51)

Eastbound Nozomi Trains newly using Series N700 cars

• Nozomi 212, changed from Series 700 cars to N700 on August 07 (Shin-Osaka07:47 → Tokyo 10:23)
• Nozomi 228, changed from Series 700 cars to N700 on July 01 (Shin-Osaka12:07 → Tokyo 14:43)
• Nozomi 254, changed from Series 700 cars to N700 on August 07 (Shin-Osaka18:07 → Tokyo 20:43)

Eastbound Hikari and Kodama Trains newly using Series 700 cars

• Kodama 630, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 02 (Nagoya 06:46 → Tokyo 09:26)
• Kodama 810, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Mishima 08:49 → Tokyo 09:47)
• Kodama 648, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 03 (Nagoya 11:28 → Tokyo 14:17)
• Hikari 518, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Shin-Osaka13:13 → Tokyo 16:10)
• Hikari 526, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 02 (Shin-Osaka17:13 → Tokyo 20:10)
• Hikari 482, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 01 (Okayama 16:28 → Tokyo 20:40)
• Hikari 528, changed from Series 300 cars to 700 on August 03 (Shin-Osaka18:13 → Tokyo 21:10)

JR West said that they will accept advanced application for tickets during the bon period from August 07 to 18 in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima area.

Kyoto-Osaka-kobe Area

• Travel Dates: August 07, 2009 through August 18, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: June 28, 2009 through July 04, 2009
• Handling at:
  • special number of 06-6401-2455 (9:00 - 15:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in major stations within the area
  • telephone receptionists of some station (10:00 - 18:00)
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090529_jizen.pdf

Okayama Area

• Travel Dates: August 07, 2009 through August 18, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: June 06, 2009 through July 17, 2009
• Handling at:
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in major 32 stations within district boundary of Okayama Branch of JR West
  • telephone receptionists of the above 32 stations (10:00 - 16:00)
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090601_jizen_okayama.pdf

Hiroshima Area

• Travel Dates: August 07, 2009 through August 18, 2009
• Period of Acceptance: June 06, 2009 through July 04, 2009
• Handling at:
  • special counter in Hiroshima Station
  • special number of 082-261-1985 (10:00 - 18:00)
  • JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) in major 76 stations within district boundary of Hiroshima Branch of JR West
  • FAX machine in some station
• For Details: http://www.westjr.co.jp/news/newslist/article/pdf/20090529_jizen_hiroshima.pdf

JR Central and West announced that EX-IC Early Booking Discount (EX-IC早特) will be launched on August 29, 2009, with the expansion of EX-IC Service to Sanyo Shinkansen. This discount ticketing program is the subsequence of Express Early Booking Discount (エクスプレス早特) and will be valid within wider range than before.

With the launch of EX-IC Early Booking Discount, today's Express Early Booking Discount will end at 23:30 on August 28, 2009 (valid to travel on September 28).

Brief Overview of EX-IC Early Booking Discount

• available for trips with a train (not available for travels with changing trains)
• purchasable by 23:30 on 3 days prior to the travel dates
• assigned limited number of seats for the discount on each train
• good for second class reservation seats or green cars in Nozomi or Hikari trains within the legs straddle both Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen
• exceptionally good only for Nozomi trains departing by 6:59 in the morning within the legs between Tokyo, Shinagawa, or Shin-Yokohama and Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, or Shin-Kobe (and good for all day Hikari trains within these legs)
• discounts for green cars in Kodama trains are available within the legs more than 100 km of Tokaido Shinkansen except between Tokyo and Atami
• also good for second class reservation seats or green cars in Kodama trains within the legs between Shin-Osaka or Shin-Kobe and Kokura or Hakata