Sample itinerary Tokyo to Osaka in just 7 days by Japan Rail Pass 7 days

7 to 9 days
Mt Fuji from Lake Shoji ©Akira Okada/©JNTO
Mt Fuji from Lake Shoji ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

Mt Fuji from Lake Shoji ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

I have received many inquiries about Tokyo – Osaka one way trip from many readers. But Japan Rail Pass 7 days is too much for Tokyo (even Narita) to Osaka (even Kansai) one way trip. Single fare is much cheaper than 7 days pass price. So in this itinerary, I include Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima and Miyajima and still include Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. This itinerary can be done in just 7 days from airport to airport. But if you want to travel a little more slowly and stay longer, you can add some local deals beside 7 days pass. I tell you at the end of this post about add on plan. Of course you can do this itinerary from Osaka to Tokyo.

Itinerary

This timetable is as of June, 2013. Please check the updated timetable before using this itinerary.

Narita Express is covered by both Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Narita Express is covered by Japan Rail Pass. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Day 1 / Narita airport to Tokyo

Take Narita Express from Narita airport to Tokyo. Narita Express can take you Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Yokohama and many more stations. Of course you can take local train or Rapid train. As long as you take JR train. Japan Rail Pass cover your trip.

If you arrive in Narita early morning, you will have a time to explore in Tokyo.

If you arrive in Haneda early morning, you will have a time as well. But you cannot exchange the pass in early morning in Haneda. The exchange counter open between 11:00 and 18:30. In this case, take Keihin Kyuko to Shinagawa. Exchange window open between 9:00 and 19:00 at Shinagawa. If you want to exchange your pass much earlier, go to Tokyo station. They open from 7:30 to 20:30.

Please refer the post, How to take Tokyo Monorail or Keihin Kyuko for late arrival and early departure at Hanedato get the details about access from Haneda.

Day 2 / Mt. Fuji day trip from/to Tokyo

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Shinjku
Hotels in Shinagawa
Hotels in Kyoto city

First of all, access to Shinjku to catch the train to Otsuki. Shinjuku can be accessed from most stations in downtown Tokyo by JR Yamamote line, Chuo line or subway line. JR trains can be covered by JR Pass, but subway is not.

07:30 Take Limited Express Azusa #3 at Shinjuku station
08:31 Arrive at Otsuki station
08:35 Take Fuji Kyuko local train at Otsuki station
*This train goes through Fuji Kyuko line from JR line. Train departs from JR’s platform. Please see the post, Otsuki station guide. How to transfer from JR train to Fuji Kyuko train. to get the details about transfer to Otsuki station
09:21 Arrive at Fujisan station

Train on Fuji Kyuko line is not covered by JR Pass. The fare 990 yen is extra.

After arriving at Fujisan station, take bus to Mt. Fuji 5th station.
09:40 Fujisan station
10:45 Mt. Fuji 5th station
Enjoy fresh air and walk at the high elevation (2300m) area.
13:30 Mt. Fuji 5th station
14:15 Kawaguchiko station
*5th station can be accessed between mid April and mid December. But it depends on the weather. I think May to October is the season to get there.

You can use round trip bus fare for Fujisan station – 5th station – Kwawaguchiko. Round trip fare is 2000 yen. After you get Kawaguchiko station, you can go Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka or wherever you want. You can get more info at Mt. Fuji and Fuji Goko Navi.

From Kawaguchiko station, train runs every 20 to 30 minutes. I just show you the last connection to Shinjuku.
20:19 Take Fuji Kyuko local train from Kawaguchiko station
21:19 Arrive at Otsuki station
21:40 Deparr from Otsuki station by Limited Express Super Azusa #36
22:36 Arrive at Shinjuku

After arriving Shinjku, take local train or subway to get your accommodation. In Tokyo, trains run until midnight.

Actually we have one more later connection from Kawaguchiko station to Shinjuku via Otsuki. But you have to take all local trains and have to transfer between Otsuki and Shijuku. It is not recommended for the travellers.

Day 3 / Tokyo – Kyoto

Enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo before going to Kyoto. From Tokyo to Kyoto, you can take Shinkansen. Japan Rail Pass allows you to take only Hikari or Kodama. Nozomi that is the fastest train is not covered by JR Pass. But even Hikari runs every 30 minutes. So you can go to Kyoto whenever you want. I just show you the last train to Kyoto.

20:03 Depart from Tokyo by Hikari #533
23:03 Arrive at Kyoto

Day 4 / Full day free at Kyoto

Kifune shrine is very popular to see fall color leaves. But you neded to take non JR train, Eizan Railway to get there. ©JTA/ ©JNTO

Kifune shrine is very popular to see fall color leaves. But you neded to take non JR train, Eizan Railway to get there. ©JTA/ ©JNTO

Enjoy sightseeing in world famous Kyoto. But Japan Rail Pass does not cover subway, bus and private trains in Kyoto. You may have to purchase city pass. Please see the post, Japan Rail Pass is the best way to explore Kyoto? How to use Japan Rail Pass in Kyoto to get the details.

Day 5 / Kyoto – Hiroshima/Miyajima – Osaka

07:20 Depart from Kyoto by Hikari #491
09:06 Arrive at Hiroshima

If you feel this train is too early, you can take Hikari $493 (08:02/10:01). But you will lose one hour in Hiroshima/Miyajima.

From Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, train runs every 10 minutes, 09:16, 09:26 and 09:36. I recommend you to store your luggage at Hiroshima station. You can take 09:16 train from 09:06 arrival. But if you want to store your luggage, 09:26 or 09:36 is more comfortable.

It takes 30 minutes to get Miyajimaguchi by local train. After arriving at Miyajiamaguchi, take passenger ferry to get Miyajima. This ferry service is operated by JR. So it is covered by JR Pass. About access to Miyajima, please see the post, How to access to Miyajima from Hiroshima by local train. No extra charge for Japan Rail Pass user to get the details.

It is up to you how many hours you spend in Miyajima. It takes another one hour total from Miyajima to Hiroshima via Miyajimaguchi. If you want to see many things in Hiroshima, try to finish sightseeing Miyajima as fast as you can.

When you go to Osaka, take Shikansen again. Sakura or Hikari is your choice. Trains run very frequent. I just want to tell you the last Shinkansen to get Osaka. Of course you can get an earlier Shinkansen if you want.

21:58 Depart from Hiroshima by Hikari $444
23:32 Arrive at Shin-Osaka

After arrival at Shin-Osaka, you can get Umeda (JR Osaka station) by JR trains and you can get Namba by subway Midousuji line. But subway trains is not covered by JR Pass.

Day 6 / Full day free at Osaka

You can enjoy downtown Osaka. Please see the post, “How to use and how much can we use Japan Rail Pass in downtown Osaka?” to get the details about using JR Pass in Osaka.

Day 7 / Osaka – KIX

Take Limited Express Haruka to get Kansai International Airport. You can ride Haruka at Kyoto, Shin-Osaka or Tennoji. You cannot catch this train at Osaka or Namba. You have to take local train to get these three station to catch Haruka.

If you want to travel a bit slower

As long as you use JR pass 7 days for Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Osaka, it works. The pass is cheaper than total single fares. So you can use Suica & N’ex for the first several days in Tokyo.

On the other hand, you can finish to use 7 days JR pass at arriving Osaka from Hiroshima. You can use subway pass for sightseeing and other deals to get Kansai Airport.

Comments

  1. jack ryan says:
    August 22, 2015 at 5:58 am

    Hello Takeshi San,

    Please send me suggestions for our plan trip. JR pass or not. Or recommend where to go first. We have 7day trip and our plan is to arrive at tokyo narita and we plan to exit at Osaka. Is it Ok if we go to Osaka on day 5? Our plan in Tokyo are Mt. Fuji, Disney and other attractions, 2nd we want to visit Kyoto too for a day or two and then before exiting, we want to spend a couple of days in Osaka.

    Thank you

  2. Bernini says:
    July 31, 2015 at 10:42 am

    Hello, Takeshi-san! I did some minor revisions in your sample itinerary and I came up with this plan.

    Day 1 – Narita Airport (1035 hrs) to Tokyo
    Day 2 – Mount Fuji daytrip from/to Tokyo
    Day 3 – Tokyo tour whole day
    * Overnight bus to Kyoto at night
    Day 3 – Kyoto whole day
    Day 5 – Kyoto – Hiroshima/ Miyajima – Osaka
    Day 6 – Osaka – Kobe
    Day 7 – Osaka – Nara – Kansai International Airport (2040hrs)

    I was wondering if the JR 7-day pass is still better for this plan. I was thinking of taking an overnight bus from Tokyo to Kyoto to save costs for the transportation and hotel accomodation. :))) Please give some comments on this one. Thanks in advance.

  3. Sheila says:
    July 20, 2015 at 4:04 am

    Hello Takeshi,

    We’re coming for autumn in November. Please advice if the below IT is doable for a 10-days trip.

    Day 1: Morning arrival in Kansai Airport + Halfday Osaka
    Day 2: USJ
    Day 3: Day trip Hiroshima/Miyajima > Kyoto
    Day 4/5: Full day Kyoto/Nara
    Day 6: Kyoto > Mt Fuji
    Day 7: Mt Fuji > Half day Tokyo
    Day 8 – Disney
    Day 9 – Tokyo sightseeing
    Day 10 – Morning Departure from Narita

    Is it advisable to get the JR pass with this itinerary? Actually, we’re originally planning to get a rail pass. But, after reading you’re classic route post, we’re having second thoughts dropping Hiroshima from the IT, so that we don’t have to buy JR pass and cut some expenses.

    Also, In terms of location, will it be better also to just stay in Kyoto for the Kansai area days rather than splitting it with a 2 night stay in Osaka?

    Thanks in advance for your feedback. 🙂

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 20, 2015 at 12:44 pm

      Hi Sheila,

      You can use JR pass 7 days but if you make some small changes, you will get more saving.
      I recommend you to visit Hiroshima/Miyajima on day 4 and start to use JR pass on this day. It will cover until the end of your trip. The reason why is access to Narita. There is no deals to Narita from Tokyo. If you can use JR pass on the last day, you can take Narita Express by JR Pass. There are lots of deals for the first day from KIX to Osaka or Kyoto. You may add one of these deals.
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html

      As you think, if you remove Hiroshima, you don’t need JR pass. In my opinion, it’s worth visiting even as day trip.

      I love to stay in many places. So if I were you, I stay in both Osaka and Kyoto. If you visit USJ from Kyoto, you will spend 2 hours for just access. This is another reason why I recommend you to stay in Osaka. But the choice if yours. If you want to stick around one place, that’s okay.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. Alexandra Wong says:
    July 13, 2015 at 2:17 am

    Hi Takeshi
    I would much appreciate advice on a 10-day trip I am planning in August as I am not too sure if the times make any sense:
    Day 1: Arrive Tokyo in afternoon and check in by evening in Tokyo
    Day 2 & 3: Spend in Tokyo
    Day 4: Day trip to Kamakura
    Day 5 & 6: Check out and take train to Osaka, spend in Osaka
    Day7: Check out and take train to Hiroshima
    Day 8, 9: Explore Hiroshima and Miyajima
    Day 10: Should we go directly from Hiroshima by train to Narita airport (flight leaves in the evening around 6 pm? Is there a bullet train going there directly?

    Does this sound reasonable or should we go to Hiroshima first and then back to Osaka and direct from Osaka back to Narita airport?
    Presume best that I buy the Japan Rail Pass for 7-days for this itinerary or is it cheaper to buy the train tickets on a local basis?

    Look forward to your feedback.

    Best regards,
    Alexandra

  5. Piano0o says:
    July 10, 2015 at 12:53 am

    Hihi Takeshi

    I am planning for a trip in Nov 2015 and would appreciate if you could help to take a look at my itinerary. I am traveling with my husband and an infant.

    Day 1 – Singapore – Tokyo (Narita)
    Day 2 – Tokyo (free n easy)
    Day 3 – Tokyo (free n easy)
    Day 4 – Tokyo – Kyoto
    Day 5 – Kyoto (free n easy)
    Day 6 – Kyoto – Osaka
    Day 7 – Osaka (free and easy)
    Day 8 – Osaka (kansai) – Singapore

    Please advice if I should get the 7 day pass or single fare? Thank you.

  6. monica says:
    July 8, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    Hello Takeshi,

    First of all thank you so much for all these information on the site!

    I am going with my husband and two couples December 3-9, tentatively.
    we are thinking to follow this itinerary. My question is: do you have any suggestion to where to stay?
    Do we stay two nights in tokyo, two nights in Kyoto and two nights in Osaka?
    however, I have family friends that told me since kyoto and osaka are so closed by, i should just stay in kyoto or osaka for 3- 4 nights.

    We will be getting to Narita at 5 PM on December 3.
    Our flight will be leaving at 6 pm from Narita. So I am thinking to take the JP Rail from Osaka to Narita early morning. I should have enough time right?

    Thank you so much for your advise.

  7. Rachel says:
    June 20, 2015 at 8:01 am

    Hi! how much on average is a one-way trip by shinkensan from tokyo to osaka will be?

  8. Lina says:
    May 23, 2015 at 1:27 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I read your post and I see that you have been helping other readers out as well.

    I’m going down to Japan with my parents and sister this July for 10 days. We will arrive at Tokyo (Haneda) at 4:30PM on 14/7 and we intend to head to Kyoto and Osaka before going back to Tokyo where we will be taking our flight back at 5PM on 24/7.

    I am not to sure if I should get a JR pass. If we do, I’m not too sure if we should get a 7 or 14 day pass. I have yet to settle the number of dates for Kyoto and Osaka as well cause I’m not sure which pass is better.

    Could you advise me on the pass and the possible things I can do in the 10 days?

  9. Marie says:
    April 19, 2015 at 3:18 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    We’ll be traveling from Sasebo and we plan to follow above Itinerary except that we’ll be spending additional days in Tokyo and Osaka.

    Day 1-3: Arrival at Tokyo from Sasebo, Tokyo Disney, Tokyo Metro/Garden/Temple
    Day 4: Mt. Fuji day trip from/to Tokyo
    Day 5: Tokyo – Kyoto
    Day 6: Kyoto, Nara
    Day 7: Kyoto – Hiroshima/Miyajima – Osaka
    Day 8-9: Osaka Univeral Studios, Osaka Castle, Osaka Metro/Garden/Temple
    Day 10: Back to Sasebo

    Kindly send your feedback on above itinerary.

    As for the transportation, will it be better to get the JR 7-days or 14-days pass? Will it be more economical to get a JR pass?

    Appreciate your valuable feedback and comments. Thanks in advance.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      April 19, 2015 at 6:40 am

      Hi Marie,

      If you do this itinerary by train only, 14 days JR pass is the best deal for you. But it takes at least 8 hour from Sasebo to Tokyo by train. If you are okay with it, you can use JR pass 14 days.

      I have only one thing to tell you about your itinerary. As you probably know, Hiroshima/Miyajima is located between Osaka and Sasebo. If you visit Hiroshima after Osaka on the way to Sasebo, your trip will be easier. If you can stay in Hiroshima for one night, that is perfect. But you still can drop by Hiroshima on last day of your trip on the way to Sasebo. The last train connection to Sasebo from Hiroshima departs around 20:00. So if you leave Osaka early in the morning, you will have 12 hours there.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Christine says:
    March 7, 2015 at 7:55 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’ll be travelling to Japan this coming May. Below is my itinerary:

    Day 1: Arrival at Kansai Airport
    Day 2 to Day 4: Osaka
    Day 5: Osaka -> Himeji -> Osaka
    Day 6: Osaka -> Nara
    Day 7: Nara -> Kyoto
    Day 8 to Day 9: Kyoto -> Mount Fuji
    Day 10: Kyoto -> Mount Fuji
    Day 11: Mount Fuji -> Tokyo
    Day 12 – Day 15: Tokyo -> Haneda Airport

    Kindly feedback me on the above itinerary. Any changes to be made?

    As for the transportation, should I get the JR pass? Is it much more economical? If so, would the 7 days be good enough as I will only activate it on Day 8 heading to Mount Fuji.

    Any advice on the trains to be taken while in osaka, kyoto, nara, himeji?

    Appreciate your valuable feedback and comments. Thanks in advance.

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