Which buses and ferries can I take using the Japan Rail Pass?

Did you know that besides trains, the Japan Rail Pass also gives you unlimited access to some buses and a ferry?

Your Japan Rail Pass gives you access to the JR local bus lines (JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Tohoku Bus, JR Kanto Bus, JR Tokai Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR West Bus, JR Chugoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus). Pass validity for particular routes is subject to change.

Please note that the Japan Rail Pass is NOT valid for travel on Express Bus routes operated by JR bus companies.

Here is a list of the most useful JR Bus lines for travelers in Japan :

Samani-Erimo Misaki (Cape Erimo)
Aomori station - Aomori airport
Hachinohe/Aomori- Towada Lake
Morioka-Ryusendo
Tateyama-Awa Shirahama
Naganohara Kusatsuguchi-Kusatsu Onsen-Shirane Kazan
Yokokawa-Karuizawa
Kyoto-Ryoanji-Takao-Shuzan

The Japan Rail Pass is also valid for the JR Miyajima Ferry (Please note that the JR Hakata-Busan ferry to Korea is NOT included).