This itinerary includes four world heritage sites, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima. This also includes two popular sites, Takayama and Kanazawa.
Do not use Japan Rail Pass for the transfer to downtown Tokyo from Narita airport because most of tourists stay in Tokyo for the first several days. You will start to use your pass when you leave from Tokyo. There are lots of deals available for Narita to Tokyo.
The list of deals for Tokyo to/from Narita airport
Day 1 Tokyo ā Nagoya ā Takayama
07:33 Depart from Tokyo by Tokaido Shinakansen āHikari 503ā
09:17 Arrive at Nagoya
09:39 Depart from Nagoya by āWide View Hida 5ā
12:23 Arrive at Takayama
After arriving at Takayama, enjoy sightseeing in very traditional Japanese town.
(Overnight in Takayama)
Day 2 Takayama ā Shirakawa-go ā Kanazawa
08:50 Depart from Takayama for Shirakawa-go by Nohi Bus.
*This bus is not covered by Japan Rail Pass. The bus fare 2,470 yen. Reservation is not required.
09:40 Arrive at Shirakawa-go
Enjoy sightseeing UNESCO world heritage site Shirakawa-go.
12:20 Depart from Shirakawa-go for Kanazawa by Nohi Bus
*Reservation is required to take Shirakawago to Kanazawa bus. Donāt forget to make a reservation. This bus is not covered by Japan Rail Pass. The bus fare 1,850 yen.
13:35 Arrive in Kanazawa
After arrival in Kanazawa, enjoy exploring in Kanazawa city
(Overnight in Kanazawa)
Day 3 Kanazawa ā Osaka
You can depart for Osaka anytime. In this sample, I pick an early departure train because I try to maximize the time in Osaka.
Enjoy exploring downtown Kanazawa in the morning.
08:05 Depart from Kanazawa for Kyoto by Limited Express āThunderbird 26ā.
10:35 Arrive at Shin-Osaka
Enjoy sightseeing in Osaka after arrival.
(Overnight in Shin-Osaka)
Day 4 Shin-Osaka ā Hiroshima ā Miyajima-guchi ā Miyajima ā Hiroshima
08:04 Depart from Shin-Osaka for Hiroshima by Sanyo Shinkansen Sakura 547
*Donāt forget to reserve a seat for Sakura. It has some non reserved seat. But the reserved seat is much more spacious than non reserved seat. Please see the link below to learn more:
Kyushu Shinkansen N700 series for Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame image gallery
09:33 Arrive at Hiroshima
09:50 Depart from Hiroshima for Miyajima-guchi by local train
10:18 Arrive at Miyajima-guchi and transfer to the ferry to Miyajima. The ferry terminal to Miyajima is 5 minutes away from the station. Please refer the link below to learn more.
How to access to Miyajima from Hiroshima by local train. No extra charge for Japan Rail Pass user.
The ferry takes you to Miyajima in 10 minutes. This ferry is fully covered by JR Pass.
After arriving at Miyajima, enjoy sightseeing in Miyajima until dusk.
Take ferry and local train to go back to Hiroshima.
(Overnight in Hiroshima)
Day 5 Hiroshima ā Shin-Osaka ā Kyoto
JR pass covers sightseeing bus, āMeipuru-puā. You can visit most of places in Hiroshima by this bus.
Meipuru-pu official site ā Chugoku JR Bus
14:22 Depart from Hiroshima for Shin-Osaka by Sanyo Shinkansen Sakura 544
15:48 Arrive at Shin-Osaka and transfer to another Hikari for Kyoto
15:33 Depart from Shin-Osaka for Tokyo by Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama 670
16:07 Arrive at Kyoto
You can depart of Kyoto anytime you want. You can even skip a free time in Hiroshima if you want to have more time in Kyoto.
Day 6 Kyoto
You may explore Kyoto until taking the last Shinkansen to Tokyo.
20:53 Depart from Kyoto to Tokyo by Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 538
23:26 Arrive at Tokyo
*You may stay in Kyoto and move to Narita airport on day 7 if your flight departure time is late afternoon or evening.
Day 7 Tokyo ā Narita airport
Take Narita Express to Narita Airport.
Comments
One more thing I am interested in is the Tateyama Kurobe alpine route. The price is quite expensive though 9000 yen for transportation. But is it too tight schedule if I do this route for one day? (I have 5 years old son). Also, do they still open on November 10th?
How abiut Kurobe Gorge route?
They all look stunning.
Regards
Jessie
Hi Takeshi,
My name is Jessie. My husband, my 5 years old son and I will travel to Japan this November. I have spent so much time reading all your comment and advise here. Thank you so much for your information. I have itinerary here, can you please check and let me know which pass should I use? Thanks in advance
Day 1: Narita- Tokyo (stay at Shibuya)
Transportation:
1. Skylinner Narita + 3 days subway ticket
2. Direct roundtrip Narita-Shibuya (does it valid only 14 days as we will stay in Japan for 19 days?)
Day 2 ā Day 7: Tokyo and surround (Asakusa, skytree, Tsukiji market, Tokyo midtown, Rippongi hills, HArajuku, Ginza, Imperial East garden, Yokohama and Disneyland)
Day 8: Tokyo- Kyoto (start JR Pass 7 days today)
Stay at Gion-Shijo station
Day 9: Kyoto- Nara ā Kyoto
Day 10: Kyoto- Osaka (stay at Minami or near Dotomburi)
Day 11: Osaka- Hiroshima ā Miyajima ā Osaka
Day 12: Osaka- Himeji ā Kobe (maybe Kobe?) ā Osaka
Day 13: Osaka ā Takayama (stay at Takayama)
Day 14: Takayama ā Shinkagawa-go (half day tour) ā Tokyo (JR pass will expire midnight tonight if I am not wrong)
Stay at Shinjuku this time
Day 15: Tokyo (go around Shinjuku and Akihabara)
Day 16: Tokyo- Nikko- Tokyo
Buy Nikko all area pass?
Day 17: Tokyo- Hakone or Lake Kawaguchiko ā Tokyo
Buy Hakone free pass (2 days pass)
Day 18: Tokyo ā Narita
Buy Narita express ticket? Or can I use the direct round trip NRT-Shinjuku?
Optional: Buy JR Wide Pass ( for the last 3 days)
So which pass should I choose, please advise.
Regards
Jessie
Hi Jessie,
Your research is impressive. I donāt have many things to mention actually.
Your itinerary is good. It may be busy especially from day 8 to 14. But itās feasible.
Skyliner+subway deal is good choice. Actually Keisei railway official site does not mention 14 days period any more. Iām not 100% sure at this point. But you may use round trip deal for your stay.
You can use skyline deal but limousine bus + subway deal is considerable. The price is higher but you can get Shibuya by limousine bus directly.
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/information/visitor_tickets/subwaypass/
This one also does not mention 14 days restriction. It used to be shown.
Tokyo wide pass is recommended especially if you visit Lake Kawaguchi. The last 3 days are completely covered by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your tips. Do you reckon i should go with JR pass 14 days instead? Because I have a 5 years old son who doesnt mind hiking on rocky road but still takes times. Furthermore we want to travel Japan without rushing and more relaxing and enjoying the journey.
If I purchase 14 days JR pass then I can start using from day 4 in tokyo.
Day 1- day 7 Tokyo only
Day 8: tokyo- takayama (stay overnight at takayama)
Day 9: takayama- shinkagawa-go (2470 yen by bus)
Shinkagawa-go to Kanazawa (1850 yen by bus)
Stay overnight at Kanazawa.
Does my son need a ticket as well?
Day 10: kanazawa- Kyoto
Day 11: Kyoto- Nara -kyoto
Day 12: Kyoto
Day 13: Kyoto- Osaka
Day 14: Hiroshima & Miajama and back to Osaka
Day 15: Osaka
Day 16: Osaka- Tokyo
Day 17: Tokyo- nikko ā tokyo
Trip to Nikko covered by Jr Pass but how about the fee going around Nikko? I want to go to Kegon waterfall, Hangetsuyama and Ruyzu waterfall.
Day 18: fly back Aus
Thanks and best regards
Jessie
Hi Jessie,
Yes. You can use 14 days pass and it works too.
I recommend you to have a pass for your son too. 5 year old is basically free of charge if you share the seat with one of you. 5 years old is not a baby and he needs own seat. When I had a trip with my daughter a few years ago, she was 5 years old. I purchased child rate JR pass.
In Nikko, you cannot take any bus. You have to pay extra.
Tateyama Kurobe alpine route is not recommended in November. Itās still open but itās completely winter condition. Itās not surprised if itās closed due to severe weather in November.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I am debating which pass(es) to purchase. I will be in Japan for 16 days. Here is my plan so far:
Tokyo ā 2 days
Hakone ā 1 day
Kyoto and Uji ā 2 days
Osaka ā 1 day
Okayama & Kurashiki ā 1 day
Hiroshima & Miyajima ā 2 days
Back to Tokyo ā 3 days
Iāve gotten 12 days planned out but Iām not too sure what I can fill 4 days between Hiroshima and going back to Tokyo. What other cities would you recommend? And what pass do you recommend?
Thank you in advance!
Hi JC,
You may use 14 days JR pass for the first or the last 14 days of your trip.
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
You donāt need to include staying in Tokyo because you can use subway pass when you are 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
Takayama, Kanazawa and Shirakawago are recommended. Those places are not located on the way but itās worth visiting:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/takayama-kanazawa-and-shirakawago/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
You also include Kobe and Himeji. Those are located between Osaka and Okayama.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
My starting point & ending point will be from Yokohama as I will be staying around there for a month.
I have been to Kyoto & Osaka before so I was wondering whether if there are any optional places to stop by on the way to Miyajima? Also, preferably to skip Hiroshima too (no overnight).
Following your itinerary with just slight amendment to Nagoya :
Day 1 ā Shin Yokohama to Nagoya using Shinkansen Hikari.
Explore nagoya + overnight
Day 2 ā Nagoya to Takayama using Wide View Hida 5.
Day 3 ā Checkout & depart to Shirakawa-go via Nohi Bus.
Then from Shirakawa-go, depart to Kanazawa + overnight
Day 4 ā Kanazawa to ?
Day 5 ā Miyajimaguchi?
Day 6 ā ?
Day 7 ā Back to Shin Yokohama
Appreciate your kind advice & knowledge on this š
Hi May san,
I recommend Himeji and Kurashiki. Both are located on the way to Miyajima and easy to access.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3500.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5750.html
And also if you want to stay in some other places, I recommend you take the following routes:
Add Nagano
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6000.html
Yokohama-Tokyo-Nagano
Nagano-Kanazawa
Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama
Takayama-Nagoya
You also can add Kiso Valley and Matsumoto if you want to have something different.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6075.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6050.html
Shin Yokohama-Nagoya
Nagoya-Kiso Valley-Matsumoto
Matsumoto-Takayama (by Nohi bus)
Takayama-Shirakaawago-Kanazawa
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
My husband and I will be travelling to Japan next month, Feb 14 to 25.
Will be arriving from Haneda airport and departing from Narita airport on 25 Feb.
I had booked 5 nights hotel in Tokyo already.
But still not yet book our other days of stay in Japan.
After Tokyo, we plan to go to Kyoto, Nikko, Nara, Nagano (for skiing), Shirakawa-go, Hiroshima, Miyajima.
Can you recommend an itinerary for us covering these places?
Also which area is the best place we need stay to easily travel these places.
Greatly appreciate your kind reply.
Thank you so much.
Hi Elizabeth,
As I mention above comment section, I cannot make an itinerary personally.
But I suggest you to read the following links. It will help you to make your plan.
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/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi / JP Rail,
Iāll be traveling to Osaka from 6th ā 14th Feb 2016.
I have few places in mind that I wanna visit. But I have no idea on how to arrange my trip.
Osaka. Kyoto. Takayama. Shirakawa. Kanazawa. Kinosaki Onsen.
Any day pass that is suit for these places?
Really need your advise.
Many thanks,
Ean
Hi Ean,
I think you need to have two rail passes.
1. Kansai Wide Area Pass for Kinosaki, Osaka and Kyoto
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
2. Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for Takayama, Kanazawa and Shirakawago
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
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass covers Kyoto and Osaka but very limited. It covers also KIX-Osaka/Kyoto. So you may need to use this pass for either arrival or departure day from/to KIX.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi/JPRail,
Thanks much for your fast response. š
If Iām planning to only use Kansai Wide Area Pass for Kinosaki, Osaka and Kyoto.
How can I fully utilise the Pass in the 5 days? Besides Osaka, kyoto & kinosakiā¦ any other places tht I shouldnāt miss during February winter time?
Really need your recommendations.. thanks. š
Hi Ean,
You can visit Kobe, Himeji, Nara, Okayama, Kurashiki. And also you may spend one more day each in Osaka and Kyoto. Especially Kyoto has many places to visit.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
I will travel 14 days, will use JR pass in 29 june 2016 ā 12 July 2016.
I will be landing in Fukuoka, dan will be take off from Tokyo.
I donāt want to move to much from city to another city, because I will be travelling my my mom which 68years old.
My bucket list is alpine route and shirakawago and miyajima.
but I will visit: nagasaki, hiroshima + miyajima, osaka, kyoto, nara, nagoya alpine route, shirakawago, mt Fuji and tokyo and nearby which can go on the sameday.
do you think I have enough time for that, maybe you have another suggestion.
thank you
Josephine
I will visit USJ but will skip Disneyland and disneysea.
Hi Josephine san,
Yes, you can. The time is enough to cover these places.
You may do some day trips. You can visit Kyoto and Nara from Osaka. And you will visit USJ, so you can stay in Osaka for 4 to 5 nights. Itās much easier to visit these places without luggage.
Shirakawago can be accessed from Takayama or Kanazawa. So you may add one of these cities. Both are very lovely and highly recommended.
Fuji can be visited as day trip from Tokyo if you want.
If you stay in many cities, you can feel many different atmosphere. But if you make many day trips and stay in one place, your trip is easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
we ara planing a short retreat from Nagoya in February 2016.
Our itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Nagoya ā Takayama
Day 2: Takayama
Day 3:Takayama ā Shirakawago ā Kanazawa
Day 4: Kanazawa ā Nagoya
Day 5: Nagoya
Plse advise teh better option if JR pass is available for the whole journey.
Thank you
Hi John,
I recommend you to use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-San,
Thank you, I guess this itinerary will maximise benefit of JR pass.
May I ask for your help to review the following itinerary for my coming family trip (22-30 Nov 2015):
Day 1 : Arrival at Haneda Airport at 10.30pm
Day 2 : Tokyo ā Hakone ā Tokyo
Day 3 : Tokyo ā Nagoya ā Takayama
Day 4 : Takayame ā Shirakawago ā Kanazawa
Day 5 : Kanazawa ā Kyoto
Day 6 : Kyoto
Day 7 : Kyoto ā Nara ā Osaka
Day 8 : Osaka ā Hiroshima ā Miyajima ā Osaka
Day 9 : Osaka ā Tokyo (Depart from Haneda Airport at 11pm)
Is it possible to add in Himeji in Day 7 or 8?
As luggage might cause us problem, would u recommend going back to overnight in Kyoto on Day 7?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Hi YJun1212 san,
You can use JR pass from day 3 to the end. Hakone Free Pass is the best choice for day 2.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
I understand you have luggage issue if you go to Osaka from Kyoto via Nara. However if you donāt reach Osaka, you have same issue on day 8. I think Osaka is better choice to stay on day 8.
Himeji is not impossible to squeeze on day 8, but itās very tight. And time management is very difficult. If you go to Himeji, you have to drop by HImeji first, Otherwiese you cannot visit HImeji in daytime. But in this case, you will reach Hiroshima in late afternoon. Please see the day trip itinerary at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
If you really want to visit Himeji, day 9 is better if you are okay with no time in Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi-San
Thank you for your advise I have added some destinations in between hope the 14 days pass work for the below:-
Day 1 & 2 :- Tokyo
Day 3:- Tokyo to Hiroshima
Day 4:- Hiroshima to Miyajima
Day 5:- Miyajima to Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto to Arashiyama
Day 7: Kyoto to Nara
Day 8: Kyoto to Kanazawa (stopover, is there coin locker to put luggage?) before staying overnight in Takayama
Day 9:- Takayama to Shirawago
Day 10:- Takayama to Kamikochi
Day 11:- Takayama to Uozu
Day 12:- Uozu to Kurobe Gorge
Day 13:- Uozu to Tokyo
Day 14:- Tokyo to Nikko
Day 15:- Tokyo ( can we still use the JR pass to Ueno )
Day 16:- Tokyo to Narita
thank you
Hi Kareline,
14 days pass will work. You can start to use it on day 3 and it will cover until end of your trip at Narita. This is the best way to use it. You may use some deal for day 1 and 2.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Any major JR stations have coin lockers. Of course Kanazawa does. But if you intend to use large size locker, usually itās very limited and sometimes very hard to find empty one.
I think you can stay in Kanazawa on day 8 and drop by Shirakawago from Kanazawa to Takayama. There are lockers and luggage storage service in Shirakawago. As you probably know, Shirakawago is located between Kanazawa and Takayama. Even if you just drop by Kanazawa on day 8, Kanazawa-Takayama via Shirakawago bus is the best way.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail