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
Hi Takeshi,
My friend and I are from Singapore and we are travelling to Japan from 16 May to 24 May. We plan to travel down from Tokyo to Hakone and stay there for a night. After that we intend to travel down to Kyoto as well, but we are not really keen on staying in Kyoto for the night but prefer staying in Osaka instead for 3 days and travel to Kyoto and Nara for day trips. This is because we will be flying back to Tokyo from Kansai on the 22nd. Thus, I would like to know if there is any way we can take the route you recommended above but instead of getting off the Hikari in Kyoto, we continue on to Kansai Airport. After we settle down in Osaka, how would you recommend we get from Osaka to Nara and Kyoto, and in which order?
Your website has been very helpful to us and we eagerly await your reply! Thank you so much
Hi Eri,
You can use Kansai thru pass to get Kyoto and Nara from Osaka. Please refer the following links:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/kansai-thru-pass-sample-itineraries.html
The following link shows you how to build the itinerary to stay in Osaka. You may get some idea from this post too.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks to your previous replies to me. Have 2 more questions now.
1. Can I use JR West kansai Area pass if I want to go from:
Kyoto to Nara back to Kyoto then to KIX Kansai international airport on the same day? If not, What’s the choices for me?
2. What’s the fastest and easy transportation from Kyoto to KIX?
Thanks again,
Marla
Hi Marla,
1. Yes.
2. Haruka
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
You can take this train by Kansai area pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi,
So glad that i found this article as my trip is pretty much the same, i will visit Japan for 10 days with my husband as honeymoon in Mid April.
Please take a look at my itinerary of Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Osaka as follows:
Day1: arrive Narita, go from airport to downtown tokyo (I guess I need to take Skyliner e ticket 2200yen to Ueno because the narita express is now only offer round trip 4000yen?)
Day2 Tokyo
Day3 Tokyo – Hakone (take Romancecar from Shinjuku to Odawara + Hakone Free Pass total 5770yen)
Day4 Hakone – Kyoto
(09:40 Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone Tozan Railway
09:54 Odawara
10:08 Odawara
Hikari 507
12:13 Kyoto)
Need to buy:
Shinkansen reserved seat surcharge (Odawara-Kyoto)
Base fare ticket (Odwara-Kansai airport)
Total 13700yen
Day5 Kyoto – Osaka
09:14 Kyoto
Special rapid
09:43 Osaka
Do i need to pay any more fare for shinkansen? I notice you said we need to pay base fare to stop at Umeda… not clear about this one, how much for this one?
Day6 Osaka
Day7 Nara half day back to Osaka
Day8 Osaka – Kobe, stay 1 night at Kobe
Day9 Kobe – Osaka
Day10 Osaka – Kansai airport (use shinkansen, Kansai airport rapid)
I’m not sure about the trip to Nara and Kobe, please advice the best way to go there.
Many thanks in advance!!
Tina
Hi Tina,
I have several things to mention to you.
1. Skyliner
It’s a good choice. There is Skyliner and subway ticket deal available. You can use subway pass for day 2 if you want.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/value_ticket/subway.php
2. Base fare ticket from Odawra to Kansai
You cannot use it because it’s valid for 5 days. You will reach KIX on 6th day. So you can purchase Odawara to Osaka base fare ticket and make stopover at Kyoto. If you take Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka, you need to pay another surcharge ticket. But it’s very short ride. It’s not worth paying surcharge. You can take Special rapid by base fare only. That is enough.
3. Kansai thru pass.
You may consider to use this deal for Nara and Kobe.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
But this deal is too much for one way transfer between Osaka and Kobe. If you just move from Kobe to Osaka (or reverse) on day 8 or 9, single ticket is okay.
At last, there are lots of deals from Osaka to KIX.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi!
Much clearer now.
1. I will use subway pass for 2 day in Tokyo so that i can transport from Narita to downtown and go around Tokyo during my trip. Just one question: how is the 2 day counted? if i buy the subway pass in the morning of arrival, when it will be expired?
2. I think the Kansai thru pass is convenience beacause i will visit Kobe 1 night and then back to Osaka (round trip). Thanks so much for your advice.
(Next step: looking for hotel hahaha)
All the best!!!
Tina
Hi Tina,
Please refer the following link:
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#Tokyo_Subway_Ticket
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Great news! Thanks Takashi 🙂 Happy with your support!
No problem, Tina.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi!
I find your site very helpful and was hoping to ask for your assistance on our itinerary. My family and i have an upcoming trip to Japan (coming from the Philippines). The itinerary is very much similar to what you posted above, but with a longer duration (11days) and the addition of some cities. Both my sister and I have been to JP several years ago, but our parents are aunts will be coming to JP for the first time. Below is our itinerary:
April 13 / 8PM Arrival in Osaka
Take night bus to Tokyo
April 14 / 7am Arrival in Tokyo; Tour Tokyo
April 15 Tokyo
April 16 Hakone and Yokohama
Overnight in Hakone
April 17 Kyoto (Tour Northern Kyoto)
April 18 Nara
April 19 Eastern Kyoto
April 20 Arashiyama
Southern Kyoto
April 21 Osaka
– Universal Studios for the kids
– Osaka Castle & Park for the others
April 22 Daytrip to Hiroshima
April 23 Around Osaka or quick trip to Kobe for lunch?
Just have several questions that I hope you can help us with:
1. Is it better to get a JR Pass for our trip, at least for 7days? then single fare for the rest of the days? For our transfers in between cities, I am looking at getting the night buses or are there night/sleeper trains that we can look at? I am not sure if these are covered by the JR passes. during my trip back in 2008, we took a night bus from osaka to tokyo (terminating at shinjuku) and it was quite comfortable for an 8hr trip. will we need to buy tickets for them in advance or can they be easily purchased from train stations, bus terminals or convenience stores (if they do this?)
2. Hakone and Yokohama – can relatively be done in one day? we plan to stay overnight in Hakone.
3. Will it be too tight to do Kobe on our last day (April 23), if we are flying back to the Philippines at 8pm of the same day?
4. I read about luggage storage in train stations. Would just like to check if they usually get filled up? We may need to use them in our transfers in between cities early check-ins are not really that common in JP (ie osaka to tokyo, i estimate that we arrive in tokyo or shinjuku at around 8am)
Would definitely appreciate your inputs – thanks in advance and apologies for the lengthy comment.
Kate
Hi Kate,
1. You can use JR pass 7 days from Apr 16 to 22 because you will visit Hiroshima. Trip to Hiroshima is quite a big trip and it helps to get worth to use JR pass.
Sorry but I don’t have overnight bus info. But I’m afraid of flight delay. If it’s delay for even 1 hour, you may miss the bus to Tokyo. Is that okay for you? You will spend 1 hour to exit custom and immigration. And spend another one hour to get downtown Osaka. It may be very tight to catch the bus.
2. You can drop by Yokohama on the way to Hakone by JR Pass.
3. It’s feasible.
4. Sometimes lockers, especially large one, are full. Hotel can store your luggage even if you go there 8:00 am on check in day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for this, Takeshi! 🙂
I just have two follow up questions:
1. Will it be better that we stay overnight then in Osaka when we arrive or is there a sleeper train that we can take?
2. What did you mean by Hiroshima being a big trip? We were just planning a day trip, but are you suggesting that we stay there for the night as well? Read that there are a lot to see in the area.
Thank you again!
Hi Kate,
1. There is no overnight train options available. It’s same thing as overnight bus. Timing is an issue. If you can handle any risk, such as flight delay, you can go for overnight bus option. Otherwise staying in Osaka on arrival day is recommended.
2. I meant it’s different from trip to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe from Osaka. These cities can be accessed by local train. But you have to take Shinkansen to get Hiroshima. You can get Hiroshima as day trip. But if you don’t go, JR pass is too expensive because of Shinkansen surcharge.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you so much for all your help. We were able to sort out our itinerary already and have opted to purchase a JR pass. We are now however faced with another challenge. It said in the website of JR Pass, that tourists with Multiple entry visas (even on temporary visitor status) are not eligible for a JR Pass. We would just like to ask if by any chance you would know if there is truth to this? Because if this is true, then we will not be able to buy a JR pass. Hope you can let me know pls.
Thanks again,
Kate
Hi Kate,
Actually I’m not familiar with “Multiple Entry Visa”. In my understanding, as long as you enter Japan as temporary visitor who has stamp on the passport, you can purchase it. But Visa condition is very complicated and my experience is not enough to talk about it. I recommend you to ask your travel agent to make sure this issue.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, just wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages between PASMO card vs unlimited day pass in Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka and Kyoto?
Hi Kim,
Pasmo does not give you any discount. It gives you exactly same value as cash.
And also Pasmo cannot be used for long distance trip, like Hakone to Kyoto.
If you make a few trips a day, Pasmo is not a bad idea. Otherwise it’s not the choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Could you please advise on the best way to get around (which trains and where to get tickets) for the following itinerary? Do we need to book Shinkansen in advance? Are there some tickets that we can only get outside of Japan or can we purchase all passes within Japan? Thank you!
Sun – arrive Narita and go to Tokyo (shuttle?)
Mon – Tokyo sightseeing (Tsukiji, Asakusa, Imperial Gardens)–subway?
Tue – morning train to Hakone (what is quickest way?)
Wed – morning train to Kyoto (what is quickest way?)
Thurs – late afternoon train to Tokyo (Shinkansen)
Fri – Tokyo sightseeing and afternoon flight from Narita
Hi Gpak,
JR Pass 7 days is recommended. You can purchase it outside Japan only.
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
All following trains are covered by JR pass. Don’t use other transportation.
Narita Express (Narita-Tokyo)
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html
Shinkansen (Tokyo-Odawara, Odawara-Kyoto, Kyoto-Tokyo)
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Other JR trains are covered too but subway and local transportation in Hakone are not covered. Please find more info at the links 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
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.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
Even though these are not covered, JR pass is still the best deal and there is no better one for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I found your page very informative and close to the itinerary we have booked below. We are a UK family but travelling from Malaysia
Wednesday, 30 March, 2016 KL to Tokyo (HND)
Thursday, 31 March, 2016 Tokyo
Friday, 1 April, 2016 Tokyo
Saturday, 2 April, 2016 Tokyo
Sunday, 3 April, 2016 Check out, Tokyo; Travel to Hakone
Monday, 4 April, 2016 Check out Hakone: Travel to Kyota
Tuesday, 5 April, 2016 Kyota
Wednesday, 6 April, 2016 Check out Kyoto; Travel to Nara
Thursday, 7 April, 2016 Nara
Friday, 8 April, 2016 Check Out Nara; Travel to Osaka
Saturday, 9 April, 2016 Osaka
Sunday, 10 April, 2016 Osaka / Travel to Kl from KIX
We are 6 pax travelling (4 children) and I had the following questions:
1. Could you please recommend train routes for the itinerary – I guess it will be similar to the above. I’m more interested about getting places quicker than the cost but from your site I guess the Japan Rail Pass isn’t the recommended option
2. Do I need to book in advance? As a large group should I reserve seats? How do I do this?
Many thanks for your help
Robin
Hi Robin,
1. Basically your route is almost same as the sample itinerary above. The only difference is the segment of Kyoto-Nara-Osaka. You may take Kintetsu Railway for this segment. So you may use single fare ticket and Shinkansen surcharge between Odawara and Kyoto. Please see the Kyoto-Nara-Osaka route at the link below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/subway/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
JR Pass does not work. Single fare ticket is your choice for most part of your trip except local deals in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hakone Free Pass.
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
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
2. Reservation is recommended for Odawara to Kyoto by Shinkansen. If you want to take Odakyu Railway’s express train, “Romancecar” from Shinjuku to Hakone, reservation is required.
You may book for Shinkansen at “Midori no Maduguchi” that is reservation window in any major JR stations in advance. You don’t need to do it in Odawara on the day of travel. You can book when you are in Tokyo. Unfortunately online is not available.
You can book online for Odakyu railway Romancecar at the link below:
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am taking my mother to visit Japan for the first time. read your very detailed site, but since this is our first time in your country , would like you to check out what is the best way to travel for 7 days from Haneda,Toyko to KIX,Osaka. here’s my plan:
Day 1- arrive Haneda 1:30pm . Buy 3 days Tokyo subway ticket. Take Keikyu line to Tokyo, Staying near Shinjuku station.
Day2- Tokyo – use Tokyo Subway ticket.
Day 3- Tokyo – use Tokyo subway ticket.
Day 4 – to Hakone by Romancecar . Buy Hakone Free 2 days Pass, staying overnight in Sengokuhara. Is this place out of the way from transit?? Is staying near Hokone-Yumoto a better choice?
Day 5 – Hakone half day, Afternoon to Koyto, staying near Koyto station.
Day6 – Half day Nara . Which train is best to take??
Half day in Koyto.
Day 7 – Koyto . Considering to move to airport hotel at KIX. is this a good choice because departure flight next morning is at 9 am?
Day 8 – Departure Flight at 9:00 am from KIX
In general, I am not sure if I should buy a Rail Pass? can you advice if this itinerary is workable, and what kind of transportation I should use.
Since I am going with my mother, I want to make sure this plan works. Thank you so much in advance for your guidance.
Marla
Hi Marla,
As I explained in the sample itinerary above, local deals (such as Hakone free pass) and single ticket is the best choice for you.
In Hakone, Hakone Yumoto is more conveninet place to stay than Sengokugahara. You can get Hakone Yumoto by Odakyu romancecar directly. But you have to take a bus at lease 30 minutes to get Sengokugahara from Hakone-Yumoto. You will have luggages. Sengokugahara is very nice place but if you care about convenience, Hakone Yumoto is better choice.
Nara can be accessed by both Kintetsu and JR. Please see the link below.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
Single ticket is okay for this trip.
I agree with you to move KIX before departure day. 9:00 flight is too early to get KIX from Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks, for your quick reply. To buy one way ticket for my trip, do I get it in haneda airport?
You mentioned in a post that we can use one way ticket from Kyoto to KiX stopping in Osaka, will those train have space for luggage? If I get off in Osaka for few hours, where can I store luggage?
Marla
Hi Marla,
If you want to use one way ticket just from Kyoto to KIX with stopover at Osaka, use Kansai area pass one day. It’s cheaper than single fare. This deal includes airport limited express Haruka too.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
If you take special rapid train that is the fastest way to get Osaka from Kyoto, there is no luggage space. Only Haruka has luggage space. You may store your luggage in the coin locker in the station. Please see the link below to find more info about luggage.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Going from hakone to Kyoto,
In your sample itinerary you stated:
5060 yen Shinkansen reserved seat surcharge (Odawara-Kyoto)
8640 yen Base fare ticket (Odwara-Kansai airport)
1. Is reserved seat necessary? Do I reserve it online ahead of time, or at the station?
2. Is there a pass that covers from Hakone , Kyoto, Osaka and KIX airport?
Thanks again,
Marla
Hi Marla,
1. Reserved seat is not required. But if you travel with someone and want to sit side by side, reserved seat is recommended. You may not find the seats side by side in non reserved car. The different is around 500 yen only between reserved and non reserved. Even if you take non reserved seat, you still need to pay around 4500 yen. Online is not available. You can book it at the station only.
2. There is no passes available. That is why I explain about single ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
How about If I want to visit Osaka from Kyoto for the day, what is the fastest way to get there?
Thanks for your help!
Marla
Hi Marla,
Special Rapid is usually the fastest. But it depends on which area in Osaka and Kyoto you stay and you go. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeski,
I am going to visit Japan for the first time in July. Not sure if getting the JR pass is the best way to go, would you kindly take a look at my itinerary and give me some comments!
Day 1- arrive at Kansai Osaka airport around 4 pm go to Osaka Shan. stay one night in Osaka.
Day 2- Osaka Shan to Komagawa by train and transfer bus to shirakawa-go , spend few hours and go to hotel in Takayama that night.
Day 3- go back to Shirakawa-gu for more sightseeing, then train to Nagoya.
Day 4- Nagoya to Tokyo
Day 5&6 Tokyo
Day 7 Tokyo to Yokohama to board cruise ship.
Please advice with this itinerary, should we buy the JR pass?
Also, staying at Shirakawa-gu over night on day 2 is best, but rokan in that area is very expensive with no AC. I worry about the heat and mosquitoes in July, so rather bus to Takayama. Is that the best way?
Would appreciate your comment very much.
Regards,
Mary
Hi Mary,
Where are Osaka Shan and Komagawa? Do you mean Shin-Osaka and Kanazawa?
I will explain the plan assuming that these places are Shin-Osaka and Kanazawa.
JR Pass is too expensive. You may use Takayama Hokuriku Area pass from day 1 to 3 until you get Nagoya.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
Even though you need to add single fare for Nagoya-Tokyo, this is the best choice for you. It covers both train and bus until arrival at Nagoya.
In Tokyo, you may add subway pass.
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
Single fare is okay for access to Yokohama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I find your site very informative as my husband and I are going to Japan this coming June to celebrate our 2nd year wedding anniversary and my birthday. However, I’m still worried about our plans as this is my first time and still unsure with all the tickets and passes we need to purchase. As such, would you mind looking at our itinerary and give some input as well?
We will be arriving in Narita Airport on 25 June (7:45am) and leave on 5 July (9:30am). Here is our itinerary:
25 Jun/ Day 1: Tokyo (Meiji, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo Tower/ Metropolitan Bldg) Still looking for a hotel though. I found one around Ueno but still yet to confirm.
26 Jun/Day 2: Tokyo (Tsukiji, Imperial Garden, Asakusa)
27 Jun/ Day 3: Tokyo – Hakone (Take train to Odakyu?). Get Hakone Free Pass and stay overnight.
28 Jun/ Day 4: Hakone – Kyoto (Take train to Odakyu? Should we activate our JR Pass here?)
29 Jun/ Day 5: Kyoto
30 Jun/ Day 6: Nara and Hiroshima then back to Kyoto
1 Jul/ Day 7: Osaka and Kobe then back to Kyoto
2 Jul/ Day 8: Kyoto to Tokyo
3 Jul/ Day 9: Tokyo
4 Jul/ Day 10: Tokyo Disneyland
5 Jul/ Day 11: Narita Airport
We would appreciate if you can give us some input on what tickets/passes to purchase based on the schedule and should we add another city we can check out.
Appreciate your response to this post. Thank you so much!
Regards,
Kat
Hi Katrina,
First of all, you may use JR pass 7 days from day 3 to day 9. You can take Shinkansen (bullet train) to get Odawara and then purchase Hakone Free Pass there. You don’t need to take Odakyu railway. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
I have only one thing to mention to you about your plan.
On day 6, you intend to visit Hiroshima and Nara in one day. It’s very tight. You will spend one whole day to visit Hiroshima only.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
If you want to keep Nara in your plan, you may squeeze Nara on day 8 before heading back to Tokyo.
You will still have one more day of coverage of JR pass on day 9. You may use JR train in downtown Tokyo, but it does not cover subway. If you are interested in the place outside Tokyo, like Yokohama, Kamakura, you may use the pass to get these places.
Ueno is nice place to stay. You can get there by Keisei railway and they have access ticket + subway pass deal. It’s recommended.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/value_ticket/subway.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thank you for your inputs and recommendation.
Just want to ask if it’s better to get N’EX roundtrip ticket at Narita? Out flight back is on 5 Jul, 9:30am. Hence, we need to be in the airport around 7am. Is the train operating already at that time?
Regards,
Hi Katrina,
The first one arrives at 7:18.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_d/index.html
Otherwise take ordinary train. There are one rapid train that depart from Tokyo at 5:04 and arrive Narita at 6:30. This is only choice to get Narita before the first NEX.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks, Takeshi!
Btw, do you know the luggage service – TaQbin? It’s a service whereby they’ll bring your luggage to your next destination/hotel so you don’t need to travel with them when you go to another city and just go straight to your itinerary.
Regards,
Kat
Hi Katrina,
Some hotels have contract with TaQbin or other delivery companies. Please ask your hotel to make sure it.
If they can handle it, you can ship your luggage to next hotel. But it takes at least one night two days. So if you ship it when you check out, you cannot receive your luggage when you check in next hotel. You may need to pack small for 1 night.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com