Some of you are wondering if you should use JR pass or not for one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka via Hakone and Kyoto. Actually JR pass does not meet this trip. The price of 7-day JR pass is 29100 yen. One way base fare from Tokyo to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka plus Shinkansen surcharge is around 14000 yen. As long as you have one way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka, JR pass is way more expensive than single fare. Even if you use JR pass when you stay in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it is not realistic to spend another 15000 yen. Base fare in these cities is 200 to 500 yen.
In this post, I show you the sample itinerary and some deals in these cities.
*When you follow this sample itinerary, please check the updated timetable. You can find more information about timetable at the link below:
Guide to plan your trip. How to find Japan Railway’s timetables
Day 1 Narita or Haneda airport to downtown Tokyo
Suggested deals for Narita passengers
There are many deals available. Please refer the following link about Narita deals:
Suggested deals for Haneda passengers
Please refer the following links:
Day 2 Tokyo
Enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo.
You can find the detailed information of train system in downtown Tokyo in the link below. You also can find the information about the deals:
In Tokyo, the single fare is very reasonable because of a short trip. The regular fare may be cheaper if you visit one or two places. You may use IC card, such Suica or Pasmo instead:
Day 3 Tokyo to Hakone
Suggested itinerary
08:53 Shinjuku
Odakyu railway’s limited express “Romancecar” Hakone 9
10:35 Hakone-Yumoto
Leave your baggage at hotel or locker at the station. Enjoy sightseeing Hakone all day.
Odakyu Railway is most convenient to get Hakone and cheaper than JR trains. You can purchase base fare ticket and Hakone Free Pass Odawara departure at Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku station.
Suggested deals
Base fare ticket (Shinjuku – Odawara) and Hakone Free Pass (Odawara departure 2 days)
You may find more information about Hakone Free Pass and Odakyu Railway in the link below:
Hakone Free Pass official site
Shinjuku departure Hakone Free Pass (5140 yen) is not required for this itinerary. Because it includes round trip to/from Shijuku. But you do not come back to Shinjuku and leave Hakone then go to Kyoto next day. Of course single fare for Shinjuku-Odawara is cheaper than the difference between Shinjuku departure Hakone Free Pass and Odawara departure Hakone Free Pass.
Once you get Hakone, use Hakone Free Pass as much as you can. You can get most of places in Hakone by this pass.
I recommend you to stay in Hakone for at least one night. But if you want to visit Hakone as “luggage free” day trip from Tokyo, Hakone Free Pass Shinjuku departure is the best deal.
I have the post which explains about the access to Hakone and the trip plan in Hakone in the link below:
Day 4 Hakone to Kyoto
Suggested itinerary
09:40 Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone Tozan Railway
09:54 Odawara
10:08 Odawara
Hikari 507
12:13 Kyoto
Odawara station is the nearest JR station to Hakone. You can catch the the Tokaido Shinkansen to get Kyoto. Please find the details about Odawara station at the following:
There are some Shinkansen train, “Hikari” stop at Odawara and takes you to Kyoto without any transfer. I picked 10:08 departure, Hikari 507. Please see the timetable at the link below and find the train what you want to take:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
You may find Hikari which stop at Odawara mostly every two hours. Please try to catch this kind of Hikari. This is the fastest and direct way to get Kyoto from Odawara.
There is no deals to cover the trip from Odawara to Kyoto. The base fare ticket and the Shinkansen seat fee ticket are required to take the Tokaido Shinkansen. You can purchase these tickets in advance if you want. The Shinkansen and limited express surcharge tickets can be purchased at most major JR stations that have reservation window, a.k.a. “Midori no Madoguchi”. The base fare ticket also can be purchased with surcharge ticket at same time. If you do so, you can just transfer from Hakone Tozan Railway train to the Shinkansen at Odawara.
If you follow my suggested itinerary, you have half day for sightseeing in Kyoto. I recommend you to visit south part of Kyoto, like Fushimi Inari. It’s just 5 minutes away from Kyoto station by Nara line local train. If you want, you can visit even Nara.
If you need some more information about Kyoto station, please refer the link below:
Day 5 Kyoto
You can enjoy in Kyoto for all day.
Please refer the links below to find the information of train system in Kyoto and deals in Kyoto.
Day 6 Kyoto to Osaka
Suggested itinerary
09:14 Kyoto
Special rapid
09:43 Osaka
I use JR train, Special Rapid which is the fastest way to get Osaka (Umeda). It is a sort of commute train. Only base fare is required to take this train.
There are many other trains running between Kyoto and Osaka. Please see the link below to find the train network in Kansai area:
After arriving in Osaka, you may add the deal as you need.
Day 7 Osaka to Kansai airport
There are some deals available. Please see the link below:
Summary and total costs
If you have one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka, as you read above, the key is how to combine some local deals and the regular fare ticket. In this itinerary, approximate total cost is 23,000 to 26,000 yen. It is cheaper than JR Pass 7-day. And JR Pass does not cover Hakone area, subway and city bus in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. You might feel the total cost is very close to JR Pass 7-day. But actual different is much bigger.
I show you 7 days itinerary but you can extend staying in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto or Osaka. And also I have another sample itinerary that includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka only. Please see the following post to find it.
I hope this post will help you to build your trip plan to Japan!
Comments
Dear Takeshi-san,
I would be in Japan for 8 days and my itinerary looks like this: –
Day 1 : Arrive at Narita Airport and go straight to Osaka (via Shinkansen?)
Day 2 to 4 : Staying in Osaka. Travelling out to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe (any pass to purchase?)
Day 5 : Leave Osaka and go to Tokyo (via Shinkansen?)
Day 6 to 7 : Staying in Tokyo
Day 8 : Departure at Haneda Airport
Should I get a 7 day JR Pass? If yes, can this be used for Tokyo to Haneda Airport on Day 8? Appreciate your kind advise.
Thank you!
Jen
Hi Jen san,
You can use JR pass 7 days for day 1 to 7. You have to add single fare ticket to get Haneda. It does not cover the trip on day 8.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
Thank you for the advice. Just to clarify..
a) I can use the 7-day JR pass on the Shinkansen from Narita to Osaka on Day 1, and then Osaka to Tokyo on Day 5;
b) Can the 7-day JR pass be used to travel from Osaka to Kyoto/Nara/Kobe? Or do I need to get another pass?
Thanks!
Hi Jen,
1. That’s right.
2. You can move among these cities. You also can take a local train in these cities but JR pass does not cover subway and city bus. You may need to add some fares or day pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
We’ll be visiting Japan in early December for a 8 days trip. Below is our planned itinerary n hope you could advise if we should get a JR pass or may you suggest other appropriate passes for traveling between and within cities that we’ll visiting.
Day 1
Arrive at Narita Airport at 7.30am n head to our hotel at Shinjuku. Intend to visit Takeshita Dori, Shibuya and Akihabara.
Day 2
Depart early morning to Hakone and stay 1 night at a Ryokan near Gora station
Day 3
Depart for Kyoto.
Intend to visit Nijio Castle n Pontocho Alley
Day 4
Visiting Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Forest, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and Gion area
Day 5
Day trip to Fushima Inari Taisha Temple n Nara
Day 6
Visiting Kinkaku-ji Temple n depart for Osaka.
Our Hotel in Osaka is near Kyobashi Station.
Visiting Dontobori n Namba
Day 7
Osaka Castle n Osaka Aquarium
Day 8
Universal Studio Japan before taking near midnight flight back home.
Your kind advise would very much be appreciated.
Thank you!
Rgds
Irene
Hi Irene san,
Your plan is almost same as my sample itinerary as you probably notice. That means JR pass does not work. Just follow the sample itinerary above. It shows you which deal you need to purchase.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takashi,
Should I made advance online booking for the Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto or will I be able to secure seats a day before departure?
Apparently i can’t follow your itinerary to purchase one base fare ticket from Odawara to Kansai airport which only allow up to 4 days stop over at Kyoto and Osaka. Kindly what would be the best deal or passes for me to travel from Odawara to Kansai Airport base on my itinerary of 4 days in Kyoto and 3 days in Osaka?
Your kind advise would very much be appreciated!
Rgds
Irene
Hi Irene,
It’s hard to guess the availability of Romancecar. Basically it’s not very hard to get a seat even a day before. But if I were you, I book it in advance.
For Odawara-Kyoto-Osaka-Kansai airport, just purchase a single fare ticket separately for Odawara to Kyoto and Kyoto to Osaka. In Kyoto and Osaka, you can use city deals.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Kyoto_area
There are some deals available for Osaka to Kansai airport. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for the information provided. I’ve planned to do as follows and correct me if you have better suggestions.
Day 1 – Tokyo
Purchase Skyiner one-way + Tori Sunway/ Tokyo Metro 1 day pass
Day 2 – Tokyo to Hakone
Advance booking for Romancecar + Hakone Freepass
Day 3 – Hakone to Kyoto
Get a single ticket for Odawara to Kyoto
Get a City Bus All Day Pass for getting to Nijo Castle n Pontocho Alley
Day 4 – Kyoto
Use Icoca card to travel to Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Forest, Kiyomizu-deraTemple n Gion area
Intend to get the Kansai Area 4 Days pass to cover:-
Day 5 – Day trip fr Kyoto to Nara
Day 6 – Kinkaku-Ji temple before departing Kyoto to Osaka
Day 7- Osaka castle, Osaka Aquarium
Day 8- Universal Studio Japan n lastly getting to Kansai International Airport
Pls advise if the Kansai Area 4 Days Pass appropriate or worthwhile in this itinerary.
Thank you!
Best Regards
Irene
Hi Irene,
I have several things to mention to you.
1. Single ticket to Kyoto from Odawara
You can purchase it in advance when you are in Tokyo. In downtown Tokyo, you can book and purchase at most of JR stations, such as Tokyo, Shinjuku. Of course you can purchase it at Odawara but you can minimize your transfer time at Odawara and makes your trip be easier.
2. For day 3 and 4
It’s okay to use bus pass and ICOCA. But if you use Kyoto sightseeing card 2 days, you can take subway in Kyoto as well.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
3. For the last 4 days
You can use Kansai area pass 4 days. But it does not cover any local transportation, such as subway and city bus. If you use Kansai thru pass, it does.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You can use 2 days pass for day 5 and 6. And I recommend you to use Osaka Kaiyu ticket for day 7 and one day Kansai area pass for day 8.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/subway/trip-to-osaka-kaiyukan-aquarium-by-osaka-kaiyu-ticket-2.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thanks for your advises! It’s definitely be very helpful!
Rgds
Irene
No worries, Irene.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
Thank you so much for all your detailed posts. They are very helpful.
I’ll spend 8 nights and 9 days doing a round trip Tokyo (arrive at Narita airport) – Hakone – Kyoto – Osaka – Tokyo (depart from Narita airport). So I think the 7 day JR Pass will be the best option for me.
Do you have a sample itinerary for the above round trip by using the JR Pass? Particularly which train to take from one city to another?
Thanks heaps
Best regards
Diana
Hi Diana,
Unfortunately I don’t have sample itinerary of round trip. But you can use same idea as this one way itinerary. On the way back to Tokyo, you can use Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo directly.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
And also those following link shows you about the coverage of JR pass in each cities.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Firstly can I just say a HUGE thank you to you for all the posts and replies you have done on this site; it has been an amazing resource as I try to plan my first trip to Japan with my boyfriend 🙂
I have read almost all your posts and tried my best to come up with the best travel plans for the itinerary we have but was wondering if we could please run it past you to check as well? >.<
My bf and I will be arriving at Narita Airport on December 3rd at 8:05am and are planning to take the Narita Express (1500Y) to Shinjuku which is where we are staying during our stay in Tokyo. I understand we can buy our tickets once we land?
During out stay in Tokyo for about a week our plan is to purchase Suica Cards as we will simply be wandering around to shop and sightsee (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku etc?). One of the main things we will be doing is visiting the Studio Ghibli museum.
Afterwards we plan to make our way to Hakone using Odakyu Railway to Hakone-Yumoto station on the Odawara line (romance car which is 2080Y?); do we have to book this online or can we buy it at the station? We will be staying at the Hakonenomori Okada Hotel for two nights and are thinking about also buying the Hakone Freepass so we can go to the Open Air Museum and then see the Hakone Shrine? Can we buy the freepass at the train station once we arrive?
From Hakone we plan to go to Kyoto and we are unsure of the best option to do this currently… could you please make a suggestion for this one way trip?
My biggest question is from here… Once in Kyoto we will be here for 3 nights (we are staying in Higashiyama-ku, is there a good pass we could use throughout our stay in Kyoto?) We are considering whether it would be worth getting a JR West Kansai Area 3 or 4 day pass from the journey to Kyoto to Osaka as once we are in Osaka we also plan to take day trips to Kobe and Nara (we will be staying a total of 5 nights in Osaka so could use the Kansai Area pass for Kyoto-Osaka, Osaka-Kobe and Osaka-Nara. And then I also found out about the Amazing Osaka Pass in one of your posts, we could use this 2-day pass for the days we are sightseeing in Osaka?
Sorry for the long post, I look forward to hearing your reply, suggestions and recommendations! Thank you so much!
Hi Jamie,
First of all, 1500 yen deal (Narita to Shinjuku) is no longer available. Please check the link below. Actually there are not many choices available for one way from Narita to Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Suica is okay but if you visit 3 or more places in one day in downtown Tokyo, subway pass is better choice. Please see the link below to find the train system in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
For trip to Hakone, I recommend you to visit Odakyu travel center in advance to purchase Hakone Free Pass (Odawara departure), base fare ticket from Shinjuku to Odawara and romancecar ticket and booking. You may be able to do it on departure day. But you may have to wait for the trains. If you secure your seat, your trip is easier.
And also you can purchase one way Shinkansen ticket from Odawara to Kyoto in advance. It’s same thing as Odakyu. You can purchase and book when you go to Kyoto. But you can book and purchase in advance. You can purchase it at any major JR stations. Actually in downtown Tokyo, you can purchase and book it at almost all JR stations.
For sightseeing in Kyoto, Kyoto sightseeing card is the best choice. And Kansai thru pass is the best choice for outside Kyoto, such as Osaka, Kobe and Nara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
I don’t think you need amazing pass because Kansai thru pass covers most of trains.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi sorry can I ask you to clarify something, in an earlier comment/post I read on this thread I saw that you replied to someone that
“You can get Shinjuku by Narita Express directly. Please see the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_u/05.html” and you then said that “Most of Narita Express have two destinations, Ofuna and Shinjuku/Ikebukuro. Technically two trains are coupled and run between Narita and Tokyo. At Tokyo station, these two trains are uncoupled. One goes to Ofuna and another goes to Shinjuku/Ikebukuro. All seat are reserved in Narita Express. When you purchase a ticket for Narita Express to Shinjuku, you will be assigned the seat in the train to Shinjuku. So just stay in the train at Tokyo and it takes you to Shinjuku directly.”
Does this mean this route would be available for me to take to Shinjuku from Narita? Can I pre-purchase this online or do I purchase a ticket at the airport once I land? and if so, where? >.<
If not could you please suggest a fast an cost-effective route for us as I am thoroughly confused on the options available to me from your link T-T
Thank you so much!
Hi Jamie,
Yes, you can get Shinjuku directly. Don’t think about it too much. All you have to do is booking and purchase a ticket for Narita Express to Shinjuku. The ticket indicate car# and seat#. Just ride on the train and sit down. You will be Shinjuku.
Basically you have to book and purchase after you arrive. Online is available for the passengers who can pick up the ticket day before. But it’s not hard to book for Narita Express.
This is the easiest way to get Shinjuku. And also you can take limousine bus to Shinjuku. This is also the easiest way. Your hotel may be closed to one of bus stops.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/shinjuku.html
There is no other ways to get Shinjuku directly. The fare for bus and Narita express are almost same.
If you want to save your cost, you have to change the bus and train at Tokyo station. There is a budget bus between Narita and Tokyo. It does not go to Shinjuku.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html#The_Access_Narita
You can add around 200 yen to take JR local train to Shinjuku. This is the cheapest way but inconvenient. You can choose direct and convenient or cheap and inconvenient.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you SO MUCH you are an absolute angel 🙂
No worries, Jamie.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m just wondering because we’re going to Japan for 6 days and 5 nights in April 2017. I planned an itinerary that will cover Tokyo (Day 1), Kyoto (Day 2), Osaka (Day 3), Hakone for Mt. Fuji (Day 4), Tokyo (Day 5), Flight back (Day 6).
Now, I thoroughly researched about the JR pass and if it’s worth it or not and I can’t decide. I have two options: Get the JR Pass + Kansai Pass since we’re going to Kyoto and Osaka and I know that JR Pass doesn’t cover other train lines. Or: take the overnight bus from and to Tokyo (Y12,500 for the unlimited) and then get the Kansai Pass as well.
What is your opinion on this?
Hi Marie,
I haven’t taken overnight bus for a long time. So I cannot compare overnight bus and trains.
By the way, JR pass does not cover Non JR trains, such as subway. But JR pass covers JR local trains and it covers many places. Please see the link below to find the coverage of JR pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
You may not add any other deals if you use JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi , i would like to get advice on is there other cheaper way that i can take trains other than shinkansen hikari from hakone to kyoto? Is there other local trains that i can take ?
Hi Katrina,
There are local trains. If you take local trains, you can save around 5000 yen. But you have to spend at least 5 hours more than Shinkansen. And also you have to change the trains at least 5 times. All trains are commute train and you have to stand up.
I don’t think this is a realistic choice. Shinkansen is better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI Takeshi
Where can i purchase the shinkansen ticket? at odawara station on the day itself i want to departure or i have to purchase it at least 1 day in advance.
I will be travelling from hakone to kyoto and osaka .
SO is there any pass that i can use for these 3 places?
thanks
Hi Katrina,
There is no deals to cover your trip, so single ticket is your choice.
You can purchase it at Odawara or other major JR stations. You can purchase a ticket even 10 minutes before departure time. Or you may purchase it at other JR stations in advance. It’s totally up to you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
My family will be travelling to Japan for the first time next month. I have made reference to your sample itinerary of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka classic route in 7 days. However, my stay at certain places are longer:
Day 1 – Arrive at Tokyo, Haneda Airport
Day 2 to 4 – In Tokyo with a day trip to Disneyland
Day 5 – Depart for Hakone and stay overnight
Day 6 – Depart from Hakone to Kyoto
Day 7 – Kyoto
Day 8 – Depart from Kyoto to Osaka
Day 9 & 10 – In Osaka with a day at Universal Studio, visit Nissin factory, Aquarium, Science Museum, etc)
Day 11 – Depart for Kansai Airport
I would like to ask whether should I get the JR pass?
When I travel from Hakone to Kyoto, should I buy the ticket from Odawara to Kyoto or ticket from Odawara to Kansai?
If is Odawara to Kansai, is the base ticket from Odawara to Kansai airport able to allow us to stop over for the days in Kyoto and Osaka?
Thank you.
Jean
Hi Jean,
First of all, JR pass is too expensive. As you think, you can purchase single ticket from Odawara to Osaka. You can make a stopover at Kyoto but it’s too long to purchase to Kansai. Your single ticket will be Odawara to Osaka.
There are many deals available for Osaka to Kansai. You may add one of those deals. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
Thank you for the reply.
One more question. Is my understanding correct that if I buy the base ticket from Odawara to Osaka, when I leave Kyoto, I just use the same ticket to take the train from Kyoto station to Osaka Station. There is no need to purchase another ticket from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station.
Thank you.
Regards
Jean
Hi Jean san,
Basically you can use one base fare ticket. The ticket is valid for 4 days. So you have to get Osaka in 4 days from Odawara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We have 8 members in the group and will stay in Japan from 12 Nov to 19 Nov. This is the first time we visit Japan and hope you could give us advice on the travel plan. Our schedule is as below:
Arrival Tokyo (12 Nov)
Tokyo —- Nikko —- Tokyo (13 Nov – 14 Nov)
Tokyo —- Hakone —- Shizuoka ( 15 Nov – 16 Nov)
Shizouka —- Kyoto —- Tokyo ( 16 Nov – 18 Nov)
Tokyo —- Departure ( 19 Nov)
We are rather confused with the transportation and accomodation. Hope you could help us.
Many thanks
Tri
Hi Tri,
You may use JR pass 7 days from 13 Nov to the end of your trip. It covers most part of your trip. Please see the coverage of JR pass in the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
You may find other deal for arrival day in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello! We will fly into Tokyo on 10 November, and fly out of Osaka on 20 November. We will spend most time in Tokyo and Kyoto, but are also considering 1 night in a more rural / non-city location like Hakone to do traditional ryokan stay with onsen and traditional dinner.
Do yon suggest we do this 1 night in Hakone? Or, are there other rural / non-city locations that are also very nice to see autumn tree color leaves changing color? Or, should we just do this 1 night in a more rural location closer to Kyoto?
Thank you for advice!
Matt
Hi Matt,
Hakone is a good place to stay. But I’m not sure that Hakone is “rural”. Hakone has many places to stay. If you want to feel “rural”, pick up the place to stay other than Hakone-Yumoto or Togendai. These places have many numbers of hotels. These places are too busy for your taste in my opinion.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Trust that you are well.
We are visiting Japan for 10 nights, landing at Narita airport and departing from Kansai Osaka airport.
We are spending 5 nights in Tokyo and 5 nights in Osaka. We will use both cities as a base to make day trips.
From Tokyo, we want to make one day trip to Hakone and Mt Fuji.
On day 6, we depart from Tokyo (Shinagawa) to Osaka with a 2 hour stopover in Nagoya.
In Osaka, we will make separate day trips to Kyoto and Kobe.
1. Can we purchase a single base fare rail ticket from Narita Airport to Kansai Osaka Airport, and make the following stops:
a. Tokyo Shinagawa ( 5 nights)
b. Nagoya (2 hours)
c. Osaka ( 5 nights)
d. Kansai Osaka airport.
We understand that we may have to pay separate booking fees for each segment of the trip.
2. We were thinking of purchasing the 3 day Tokyo wide pass that includes Mt Fuji. What pass would you advise for Tokyo and surrounds?
3. We were thinking of buying a Kansai pass for the 4 to 5 days in the region for our travels to Kobe and Kyoto. Please advise.
4. We considered buying the 7 day Japan Rail Pass, but don’t think that we will derive value for money from the Pass.
Please give us the best options.
Thanking you
Hi Rafieka,
1. Your route is too long to cover by one base fare ticket. You can use one of three days of Tokyo Wide Pass from Narita to Shinagawa by Narita Express. It’s fully covered. And you can visit Fuji on 2nd day or 3rd day. You will use a base fare ticket from Tokyo to Osaka with stopover in Nagoya only. In this case, you need to have one base fare ticket from Tokyo to Osaka and two Shinkansen seat fee ticket, Tokyo to Nagoya and Nagoya to Shin-Osaka.
2. You can use subway pass. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
3. Kansai thru pass is the best choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You also find the deal in Osaka and to KIX at the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
5. At this point, JR Pass does not work. But if you have one more big trip, it will work. You need to have the big trip in the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html
Trip to Nikko may be okay too.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
If you use JR pass, please try to use for the first 7 days from Narita. It will cover Narita to Shinagawa, some trips to outside Tokyo, such as Fuji or/and other places. When you arrive in Osaka, you still have 1.5 days left. You may visit some places in next day. But don’t use it for sightseeing in Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe. These places are too closed and cannot get the worth using JR pass. You should have a big trip, like going Hiroshima or Kanazawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com