Hi, I have some question about 'Three-Star Alps Unlimited Shinjuku Ride Pass' http://www.keioin...

Sorry, perhaps i can add some information of my itinerary to get clearer information:
Day 1: Shinjuku - Matsumoto (overnight at Matsumoto)
Day 2: Matsumoto - Takayama (overnight at Takayama)
Day 3: Takayama - Shirakawago - Takayama - Shinjuku (overnight at Shinjuku)
Can i use the S-1 pass for this schedule? Thank you very much.

Hi Japan Trip Search,

Thank you for the explanation. I'm still a bit confuse regarding the reservation concern, kindly help me more a little bit for several question below:
1. In this link: https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/inbound/inbEventPlanList?eventCd=9009&lineId=180, there is an option of Special Packaged Ticket of Three-Star Alps Unlimited Ride Shinjuku Pass(Type-S1/Shinjuku round trip to Takayama, Matsumoto which is the route will be Shinjuku - Takayama and Matsumoto - Shinjuku.
while in this link: https://highway-buses.jp/images/ticket/3star-shinjuku-matsumoto.pdf for type S1 the route will be Shinjuku - Matsumoto and Takayama - Shinjuku.
My question: is the route of Shinjuku - Matsumoto and Takayama - Shinjuku still available in Jul'18? Or is it already changed to Shinjuku - Takayama and Matsumoto - Shinjuku.

2. I also notice that in the link: https://highway-buses.jp/images/ticket/3star-shinjuku-matsumoto.pdf it says: Reservation for every highway bus seat should be made when purchasing at the ticket windows of sales location given right-hand. The bus seats are not reserved when you make the purchase at a travel agencies or on the internet. Reservation must be made separately at the sales location given right-hand, or by phone after the purchase. (similar with Hiro's explanation below)
but in the other hand, in the link: https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/inbound/inbEventPlanList?eventCd=9009&lineId=180 it seems like I should make the reservation online beforehand for the packaged ticket to secure the seat.

Kindly confirm for my mis-perception and really appreciate for the explanation. Thank you very much.

Regards,
Yuli

Hi there,

If you would like to purchase the 'Three-Star Alps Unlimited Shinjuku Ride Pass', please go to the Central Honshu Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku to purchase the special package ticket without booking tickets online.
All the tickets are included in the package, so you do not need to purchase a ticket from Shinjuku to Matsumoto or Takayama back to Shinjuku online. Please just go to the information plaza and purchase the special ticket on spot.
You should be able to secure the seat you want without reservation.

<Direction to Central Honshu Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku >
http://www.keioinfoplaza.jp/en_infoarea

I hope this is clear to you.

Have a nice day!

Japan Trip Search

Hi, continuing your question, i'm also wondering, when we make a reservation through the website for Shinjuku to Matsumoto and returned from Takayama to Shinjuku (before we arrived in Tokyo), we are also charged with the bus pass price of JPY 10,190 (JPY 3,500 for Shinjuku to Matsumoto and JPY 6,690 for Takayama to Shinjuku). Is the price will be deducted when we but Three-Star Alps Unlimited Shinjuku Ride Pass S1 at Shinjuku Station? Therefore the fare we pay at Shinjuku St will be JPY 9,710 (JPY 19,900 -/- JPY 10,190)? Thank you in advance for the explanation. Regards.

Hi there,

For traveling from Shinjuku to Shirakawago via Matsumoto and Takayama, using the 'Three-Star Alps Unlimited Shinjuku Ride Pass' is the best way to go.

Let me answer to your questions one by one.

1. The difference between type S1 and S2 is whether or not you can go from Shinjuku to Takayama directly instead of changing a bus at Matsumoto to go to Takayama. I would recommend that you buy type S1 because you can go straight to Takayama from Shinjuku without switching to a local bus which runs only 6 times a day. Also, you can purchase type S1 at the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal where the bus departs. On the other hand, for type S2, you have to walk down to the different ticket office. It should be easier for you to get everything at one place.

2. You need to book your ticket from Shinjuku to Takayama and from Matsumoto to Shinjuku online in advance from the following link.
http://highway-buses.jp/takayama/
When you purchase the ticket at the ticket counter, please mention that you want to buy 'Three-Star Alps Unlimited Shinjuku Ride Pass Type S1' .
You will receive tickets from Shinjuku to Takayama and from Matsumoto to Shinjuku and a voucher for the unlimited free-pass. When you arrive at Takayama bus terminal, please show your voucher and pick up your free-pass there.
You do not need to make a reservation for the local bus between Takayama and Shirakawago and between Takayama and Matsumoto.

I hope this is clear enough for you.

Enjoy your trip in Japan and let us know how you liked it when you come back.

Japan Trip Search