I have received many inquiries about the deal for one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo with stopover at Kyoto. Unfortunately there is no deal to cover whole part of trip. But you can combine some local deals and single ticket.
In this post, I show you the basic 7 days itinerary and the deals that suit this itinerary. But you can extend the duration as many as you want. I also show you how to change or add days in this itinerary too.
Day 1 – Kansai airport to Osaka
There are many deals to get Osaka from Kansai airport. You can use one of those deals. But you have to find the location to stay before choosing deal. If you stay near subway station, Kanku Chikatoku Ticket or Rapi:t Tokuwari Ticket is recommended. If you stay near JR station, ICOCA and Haruka is recommended. Please find more information about the deals from Kansai airport to Osaka at the link below:
How to choose the deals for access to/from Kansai Airport
And also I show many photos in Kansai airport at the link below. You will find the location of stations, bus stops and other facilities.
If you arrive at Kansai airport in early morning and intend to explore in Osaka after arrival, Yokoso Osaka Ticket is recommended. This deal includes airport access to Namba by Nankai Railway and unlimited trip of Osaka subway. You may find the information about this deal at the link above too.
ICOCA and Haruka includes 1500 yen preload e-money in ICOCA beside airport access ticket. You may use this e-money to ride subway. ICOCA can be used for any trains in major cities, not only Osaka but also Kyoto and even Tokyo. If you stay near JR station and make some trips by subway in Osaka, you can use ICOCA.
If you arrive in late night, like after 22:00, you cannot purchase any deals because the windows are closed at 23:00. Train runs until 23:30. But you might not take even the last train to Osaka if custom and immigration are busy. There are some midnight bus service to Osaka. But the destination is very limited. Please find more information about late arrival in Kansai airport at the link below:
How to access to Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe from late arrival flight at Kansai Airport-KIX
Day 2 – Sightseeing in Osaka
The basic choice is Enjoy Eco Card that is one day subway unlimited ride pass. You may get most of places in downtown Osaka by this pass.
Enjoy Eco Card (Osaka subway official site)
If you want to visit many attractions, Osaka Amazing Pass gives you the great savings. It includes 28 attraction’s admission and unlimited subway ride. Please see the following link to get the details about this pass:
But if you use ICOCA and Haruka, you may use ICOCA e-money to take subway, JR trains and other trains. Especially if you want to visit the places outside downtown Osaka, such as Minoo, Momofuku Ramen Museum, subway pass does not cover these places. You need to pay single fare or using ICOCA.
If you want to extend to stay in Osaka
You may add another Eco Card or Amazing Pass. But you may visit other places, such as Kobe, Nara. In case of this, you may add another Kansai area deal, like Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass.
The following link shows you the itinerary of stay in Osaka only. But you may get some idea about choosing deal for trip to outside Osaka.
Day 3 – Transfer to Kyoto from Osaka
Three railways, JR, Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway run between Osaka and Kyoto. You have to find the location to stay in both Kyoto and Osaka. And then you may find which train is the best for your transfer from Osaka to Kyoto. You may find the route map at the link below:
If you use ICOCA and Haruka, you may have some fund left in your ICOCA. You can use it for this transfer.
Using long distance base fare ticket to Tokyo
If your ICOCA is empty and need to purchase a single ticket to Kyoto, you may use one base fare ticket to Tokyo with stopover at Kyoto. Please see the link below to find the rule and condition of JR base fare ticket.
Squeeze Nara or Kobe on the way to Kyoto from Osaka
If you just make a trip from JR Osaka to JR Kyoto, it takes 30 minutes. If you take other railway, you spend a little more minutes. But it never be more than one hour. You may enjoy some more in Osaka or Kyoto. But you may visit other places, such as Nara or Kobe. Nara is easier to squeeze because both Kyoto and Osaka are very accessible to Nara. You may find the access to Nara from Osaka and Kyoto at the link below:
Kintetsu Rail Pass one day is recommended for trip to Nara.
Kintetsu Rail Pass (Kintetsu Railway official site)
You may visit Kobe too. But Kobe is located at other side if you move from Osaka to Kyoto. Please find more information about trip to Kobe at the following link:
Hankyu Tourist Pass covers Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. This is most affordable one day pass that covers these three cities.
Hankyu Tourist Pass (Hankyu Railway official site)
If you are okay with very tight schedule and want to visit as many as you want, you can do Kobe and Nara in one day. In this case, Kintetsu Rail Pass that I mentioned above and Hanshin Tourist Pass are recommended. Hanshin Tourist Pass covers Umeda, Namba and Kobe. Hanshin Railway connects with Kintetsu Railway at Osaka-Namba station. Many of both Hanshin and Kintetsu trains run each other. Some trains go directly from Kobe-Sannomiya to Nara. This is the easiest route to get Nara from Kobe. If you have these two passes, you can take this direct train.
Day 4 – Sightseeing in Kyoto
When you visit temples and shrines in Kyoto, you have to take city bus and/or subway. Kyoto city sightseeing card or all day bus pass is your choice. You may find more information at the link below:
Day 5 – Kyoto to Tokyo
There is no deals to cover this segment. Single fare and Shinkansen supplement charge is your choice.
If you have already started using the long distance base fare ticket at Osaka, you do not need to purchase a ticket at Kyoto.
If you use ICOCA on day 3 or purchase non JR lines single fare ticket to get Kyoto, you need to purchase single ticket for Tokyo. But if you purchase single base fare ticket and Shinkansen supplement ticket with reserved seat, you can purchase it in advance. You can purchase it even when you arrive in Kansai airport if you want. But if you want to take non reserved seat car, you cannot purchase it in advance. You have to purchase it on the spot.
You may use Platt Kodama for Tokyo to Kyoto instead. You can add single fare ticket for Kyoto to Osaka and other deal for Osaka to Kansai. This way is better if single fare ticket is too complicated for you. Please see the link below to find the detailed information about Platt Kodama:
I recommend you to use reserved seat car. Because many of non reserved seat are occupied when train leave at Shin-Osaka. Especially if you travel with someone, it is hard to find the seats side by side very often. The difference between non reserved seat and reserved seat is only 500 yen. I think it is worth paying extra 500 yen to secure your seat.
Day 6 – Sightseeing in Tokyo
Tokyo Metro/Subway deal is most popular. JR Tokunai Pass is also available. Subway covers most of spots in Tokyo but subway lines are so many and very hard to find the fastest route. JR train network is very simple. But you cannot get many places in Tokyo by JR trains, such as Asakusa, Tsukiji. Please see the links below to find more information of these deals:
Single fare is actually the best choice for access to outside Tokyo
Many popular attractions are located outside downtown Tokyo. For example, Tokyo Disney Resort, Ghibli Museum, Sanrio Puroland and many more places are located outside coverage area of both subway pass and Tokunai pass. Single fare is okay for access to these places. And also Yokohama is not in Tokyo and not covered by these Tokyo deals either. Single fare is okay for Yokohama too.
How to extend to stay in Tokyo
If you stay in Tokyo more, you may simply add subway pass, Tokunai Pass or single fare as you need. But if you want to travel to other places in Kanto area, like Nikko, Fuji, Hakone, you may have to get other passes. Please find more information at the links below:
If you travel both Fuji/Hakone and Nikko, Tokyo Wide Pass is a good choice.
Day 7 – Tokyo to Narita Airport or Haneda Airport
Haneda airport is very close to downtown Tokyo. You can take Keihin Kyuko railway from Shinagawa or Monorail from Hamamatsucho. Both stations are connected by JR Yamanote line with Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and many other stations in Tokyo. Single fare is okay for access to Haneda. You may find some more information about access to Haneda at the following link:
Narita airport is one hour away from downtown Tokyo. There are many ways to get Narita from downtown Tokyo, like Narita Express, Skyliner, Limousine bus and budget access bus. But the deal is very limited. They welcome incoming traveller but not outgoing travellers. Please find more information about access to Narita at the link below:
I have many more sample itineraries. Please check the category, Sample Itinerary.
I hope this post helped you to build your trip plan.
Comments
Hello, Takeshi
I’ve made this plan as seen below. 10 days in Japan
Day 1: Arrive KIX (1730 hours arrival time on 6/2)
Day 2-3: Osaka
Day 4: Hiroshima/Miyajima Day trip (possibly Himeji or Kobe on the way back?) Night returning to Osaka
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Hakone (Night in Tokyo)
Day 8-10: Tokyo (city Area) (Departing Tokyo 1000 hours 6/12)
I have a Japan Rail Pass to cover the long trips (OsakaHiroshima and Kyoto->Tokyo).
How can I maximize savings, especially around the Kansai Area? Osaka Amazing Pass on Days 2-3? Kansai Thru Pass to get to Kyoto? What about using subways in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto?
Thanks for your detailed analysis for everything!
Hi Kevin,
You may use JR local trains in Osaka and Kyoto, and also from Osaka to Kyoto. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/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-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-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
I don’t think you need to add Osaka amazing pass and Kansai thru pass. You may add extra fare when you need to take subway in Osaka. In Kyoto, just add all day bus pass. I think that is enough.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
You can add Tokyo subway ticket after day 8.
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
And also you may need to add Hakone free pass if you intend to visit all part of Hakone.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
JR Pass does not cover any transportation in Hakone. You can just get Odawara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for the prompt reply!
It sounds like I could use ICOCA/Haruka from KIX and use the ICOCA in Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo as necessary. Or, since my hotel in Osaka is near Shinsaibashi Station, I could use Nankai Rail to Namba Station and then take Local Subways…your thoughts?
I’ll take a look at the links you suggested and work around them. Thank you once again!
Hi Kavin,
You may use Nankai-subway deal on arrival day.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
You may use ICOCA but Kamsai one pass is another choice. It’s same type of card as ICOCA but Kansai one pass offers discount.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
You can use Kamsai ome pass in Tokyo, like ICOCA.
And also you can start using JR Pass on day 4 and you may use other pass, like Osaka Amazing pass on day 2 and 3.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi.
This will be my 2nd time in Japan. I had a short vacation last yeart with my friends. This coming November, I will visit Japan with my family. My daughter will be celebrating her 18th birthday at it will be our birthday gift for her. Can you suggest an itinerary for 9 days? We will be arriving at Narita by November 25 then depart from Osaka by December 3, 2017. We are planning to purchase JR pass also. This will be our 1st time to go to Osaka. By the way we plan to stay one night at Mt. Fuji, Can you also give us suggestions. Thank you very much
Hi fettucini75,
Sorry but as I mentioned above the comment section, I do not make an itinerary individually. If I accept it, many of readers will ask me and it’s too much for me.
Please make it by yourself. If you can show me it and need some advice, I can give it to you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Is this itinerary possible?
June 1:
Arrival in nagoya at 5:30am
From nagoya, travel by train to osaka
Sight-seeing in osaka until the evening
June 2:
Whole day universal studios tour
June 3:
Travel from osaka to kyoto
In the evening, travel to kyoto to tokyo
June 4:
Sight-seeing in tokyo
June 5:
travel from tokyo back to nagoya for our evening flight back to our country
Do you think this itinerary is plausible? Or we’d rather focus on one area rather than go from osaka to tokyo? We’d be very thankful for your thoughts regarding our query. God bless you!
Hi Sunshine,
It’s feasible. It’s busy but you can see most of popular spots in each cities. You also can use JR pass 7 days.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Planning to Japan this Sept, kindly advise the best transport passes to suit my itinerary as below :
Day 1 – Arrive Kansai Airport at 9:15pm – stay at Kansai Airport Hotel
Day 2 – Kansai Airport to Osaka Namba – Osaka Castle & Museum – Dotonbori – Umeda Sky Building – Hep Five Ferris Wheel – Osaka Namba
Day 3 Namba – Shitennoji Temple – Tsutenkaku Tower – Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel – Namba
Day 4 Namba – Kyoto Station – Fushimi Inari Shrine – Kiyomizudera temple – Yasaka Jinja shrine – Gion & Pntocho area – Stay at Kyoto Station area
Day 5 Kyoto Station – Arasiyama & Sagano – Kikakuji – Nijo Castle – Nishiki Market
Day 6 Kyoto – Tokyo Shinjuku – Asakusa Sensoji Temple– Tokyo Skytree – Tokyo Tower – Roppongi Hills – Stay at Shinjuku
Day 7 Tokyo Shinjuku – Mt. Fuji – Tokyo Shinjuku
Day 8 Tokyo Shinjuku – Yasukuni Shrine – Imperial Palace – Tokyo Station – Nihombashi – Tsukiji Market – Ginza – Daiba Park – Tokyo Shinjuku
Day 9 Tokyo Shinjuku – Shibuya – Meiji Jingu Shrine – Shinjuku – Haneda Airport
Thank you in advance.
Kent Chan
Hi Kent,
Basically you may follow the sample. But I recommend you some specific deals for your trip.
Yokoso Osaka ticket is recommended for day 2.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
But you should swap Dotonbori and attractions on day 2 and 3. All attractions should be visited on day 3 because you can use Osaka amazing pass on day 3
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
For the trip to Fuji, please see 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
You may use same deal in the sample itinerary for the rest of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much for your advice, will check it out.
Regards,
Kent Chan
No worries, Kent.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I’m travelling with my family that include my 70 yrs old mother n 2 young kids ( below 6) end of September 2017 to OSAKA for 9days8nights. I hv the option to arrive at KIX n depart from tokyo.
I found your itinerary of osaka kyoto and tokyo interesting, but can you comment that it will be too hectic if I travel with my family or shd I just spend more time at osaka kyoto or even nara n depart from osaka instead?
It would be awesome if you can give me some transportation and accomodation tips too.
Regards,
Min
Hi Min san,
You have 9 days and two days longer than my sample. I think you can make it easily. 9 days is enough to see Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I have finalise my trip as below, appreciate your advise on which transport pass/ mode of transport that we need to buy.
FYI, our group include 2 adults, 1 senior (70yrs old) and 2 kids (6 yrs old and 3 yrs old) – is there a special fare for senior and kids on the transport?
Day 1 – arrive at Kansai Airport 9.15pm, stay near to NANKAI LINE KAIZUKA Station.
Day 2 – From KAIZUKA Station to Kyoto Station
Day 3 – Kyoto, stay near Keihan railway “Sanjo station”/ Tozai subway line “Sanjo Keihan” station, plan to visit the famous bamboo forest and a few temples.
Day 4 – Kyoto back to OSAKA, stay near OSAKA NAMBA Station
Day 5 – Universal Studio Japan
Day 6 – Kaiyukan, Dotonbori
Day 7 – Day trip to Nara
Day 8 – OSAKA Castle and free and easy around OSAKA city
Day 9 – Depart from Namba Station to KIX
I did not plan for a tight schedule in view of elderly and yound kids, appreciate your comments and tips on the plan or any other suggestions that you may have.
Thanks a lot!
Min
Hi Min san,
Single ticket for day 1 and 5
You can use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 2, 4 and 7.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Kyoto sightseeinv card for day 3
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
One of the deal in the link below for day 6 and 8
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Single ticket or Kanku Webtoku Rapi:t ticket for day 9
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 for your suggestions and tips, appreciate it very much. Really save much of our time to research, you are like a great saviour!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks again and Cheers,
Min
No worries, Min.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
“Use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 2, 4 and 7”
The pass can be used for non-continuous days?
For all tickets, do we buy after arrive at Japan or can buy online including Senior and Junior ticket? Thanks a lot!
Hi Min san,
Yes. You can use Kansai thru pass in unconsecutive days.
You need to purchase online if you want to use Kanku Webtoku. Other passes can be purchased in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks again for the great info!
Regards,
Min
No worries, Min san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi San
First of all, really appreciate you help to travellers and perfect suggestions.
As i have already gone through few posts, i understand to travel and sight see within Osaka, Nara n Kyoto, i don’t need JR pass, i can take the day deals. Kindly advice on following tentative plan. Im travelling with my parents in Apr to Japan.
2-5th Apr land in Osaka, day deals visit Nara
5- 6 Apr Kyoto (that’s the only day i found a decent place to stay in kyoto)
After this planning to do self drive, pick car from kyoto, drive to amanohashidate and then come and stay near Nabana no sato. Stay in that area 6-7th Apr. Explore Nagoya too.
8-10th gifu perfecture. I know Takayama there. Maybe you can suggest other good places to visit there.
10-11 drive and stay around Mt Fuji, Hakone
11-12 near tokyo disneyland. Drop the car on 11th morning, closest drop point.
13th my parents flt back from Narita.
I know i could be paying a bit extra for dropping the car in different city. But the JR pass has also become expensive now and for 3 of us i guess would be and as hiring a car.
Please advice.
Thank you so much
Itty
Hi Itty san,
First of all, I cannot give you any advice for drive. Because I’m Japanese but I live in Canada now. I haven’t driven in Japan for more than 10 years. I don’t have enough knowledge.
I think you know which deal you will use in Osaka, Nara and reaching Kyoto. But I just put the link for these days.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.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
I think you can use Kansai thru pass 2 days for trip to Nara and to Kyoto and sightseeing there.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
In Gifu, you can visit Shirakawago, Gujo-Hachiman, Okuhida, Hida-Furukawa.
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1220.html
But in mountain area, snow still will be expected in early April. Please drive carefully.
For the trip to Narita, please see 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
Thank you so much for such prompt reply. I will go through the links.
Thank you
No worries, Itty san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, how are you? We are travelling from Philippines to Osaka on Oct 29 and back on Nov 4, arrive at Kansai airport at 7pm, can you give me a good itinerary on what to visit in osaka-kyoto-nara? and what train pass is best to purchase in getting around the 3 cities i’ve mentioned. Thank you so much and hope to hear from you soon.
God bless!
Hi Carina,
Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Please advise if JR Pass is better or not.
Day 1 – Arrival in Narita; Travel from airport to Tokyo
Day 2 & 3- Explore Tokyo area
Day 4 – Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 5 – Kyoto to Osaka
Day 6 – Osaka to Tokyo
Day 7 – Tokyo area
Day 8 – Tokyo to Narita airport
Thank you and hoping to hear from you soon. 🙂
Hi Anei,
JR pass 7 days is recommended for the last 7 days. You may find the deal for arrival day, day 1 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
Hi Takeshi-san
I am planning a trip to japan for 8d7n. Planning to set up “base camp” in osaka namba area hotel for 5 nights and then move to tokyo shinjuku for 2 nights. Really need your advice as the train system in japan is so confusing.
Day 1 – arrive haneda and transfer to itami airport. Take airport limousine bus to nankai namba 640yen. Walk through namba walk to hotel near nippombashi. (Do you think OCAT stop or nankai namba exit 7 stop is better to get off at? These are the two stops the bus will stop at)
Explore dotonburi/shinsaibashi area.
Maybe subway to umeda, osaka castle etc.
Day 2 – explore osaka more
Day 3 – day trip to kyoto and back to namba hotel overnight
Day 4 – day trip to nara and kobe then back to namba hotel
Day 5 – undecided. Perhaps explore more areas in osaka or day trip to somewhere again. Or let day 4 be only nara and day 5 kobe. Back to namba at night.
Day 6 – travel namba to shinjuku with luggage. According to hyperdia i will need to transfer several times and take shinkansen nozomi. Hotel location is nearer to shinjuku sanchome station exit c6. Not sure what is the best way to get there from namba. Please advise.
Explore tokyo. Stay in shinjuku sanchome.
Day 7 – explore tokyo/day trip somewhere (undecided)
Day 8 – last minute shopping in tokyo. Transfer to narita airport for 6pm flight. What is the best way to do this from shinjuku/shinjuku-sanchome?
Will I need a jr pass for the above itinerary? I was thinking of getting a yokoso osaka for the first two days in osaka and then kansai thru pass for day 3-5 (2 day or 3 day pass depending on itinerary). Then the shinkansen ticket for namba to shinjuku. Maybe the icoca for miscellaneous subway travelling. Oh maybe a tokyo 3 day metro pass as well for 1500 yen i think.
Let me know your opinion thank you!
Hi Fleur san,
JR pass is not your choice. If you have round trip between Osaka and Tokyo, it works. But as you think, single fare is better because you have one way trip.
Yokoso Osaka includes airport access from Kansai to Namba. This does not suit your plan. You can just add some deals for Osaka. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Nankai Namba is much closer to Nippombashi.
Kansai thru pass is the best choice for day 3 and 4. I don’t think you need to have 3 days as long as you stay in downtown Osaka.
When you go to Shinjuku, your route is the following:
Namba (Subway Midousuji line) Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) Shinagawa (JR Yamanote line) Shinjuku
You can use one base fare ticket to Shinjuku from Shin-Osaka. And you need to add Shinkansen seat fee ticket for Shin-Osaka to Shinagawa. You can purchase it in advance if you like at most of JR stations in Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Tokyo subway ticket is the best choice for Tokyo.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thanks for your detailed reply! I have read the guide to using JR single ticket. Does it mean that with this single ticket (5xxkm so 4 days validity) I can stopover nagoya or odawara? But I will need to purchase additional seat fee for each leg of shinkansen correct?
So an example is shin-osaka to shinkuju base fare
+seat fee 5500 shin-osaka to odawara
+seat fee 5500 odawara to shinagawa
This is such a great method for stopovers! Thanks for sharing. Next time I should plan my trip without “base camp” and do such stopovers. But the travel with luggage part will be tiring. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Fleur san,
Seat fee is around 5000 yen for Shin-Osaka to Odawara.
But you want to make a stopover at Odawara. Now it’s totally different choice for you. You need only base fare ticket for Shin-Osaka to Odawara. I think you will go to Hakone, right? You can take Odakyu railway from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku directly. You don’t need to change trains at Odawara and Shinagawa if you take Odakyu railway’s limited express train “Romancecar”.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/
This is faster and much more convenient.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Do you think I need to buy JR-Pass? Kindly advise.
Day 1 28-Mar-17 Narita – Ueno
Ueno – Hostel
Ueno – Asakusa
Asakusa – Ueno
Day 2 29-Mar-17 Ueno Arashiyama
Arashiyama Nijojo-mae
Nijojo-mae Kitano Tenmangu Mae
Kitano Tenmangu Mae Kinkauji
Kinkauji Kitaoji Station
Kitaoji Station Kibune-guchi Station
Kibune-guchi Station Kifune Shrine
Kibune-guchi Station Nijojo-mae
Nijojo-mae Gion Shijo
Gion Shijo Nijojo-mae
Day 3 30-Mar-17 Nijojo-mae Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station Ginkakuji
Ginkakuji Nanzen-ji Temple
Nanzen-ji Temple Shoren-in Temple
Shoren-in Temple Chion-in Temple
Chion-in Temple Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park Kiyomizudera
Kiyomizudera Kiyomizu-gojo station
Keihan Kiyomizu-gojo station Fushiminari Station
Fushiminari Station Ibaraki Station
Ibaraki Station Hitachi Park
Hitachi Park Ibaraki Station
Ibaraki Station Osaka
Osaka Namba Station
Day 4 31-Mar Namba Station Sumiyoshi Taisha
Sumiyoshi Taisha Tennoji
Tennoji Osakajokoen Station
Osakajokoen Station Osakako
Osakako Shinjuku
Shinjuku Shibuya
Day 5 1-Apr Shinjuku Tsukiji Station
Tsukiji Station Ginza Station
Ginza Station Asakusa Station
Asakusa Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree Station (Narihirabashi Station) Ueno Station
Ueno Station Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station Daiba Station
Daiba Station Harajuku Station
Harajuku Station Shinjuku Station
Day 6 2-Apr Shinjuku Station Kawaguchiko Station
Kawaguchiko Station Gotemba Station
Gotemba Station Shinjuku Station
Day 7 3-Apr Shinjuku Station Shibuya Station
Shibuya Station Narita Airport
Narita Jakarta
Hi Anita,
Yes. JR pass is recommended. But you still need to add city deals because JR pass does not cover Non JR trains, subway and city bus. You need to take these for sightseeing in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. Please see the links to get the info for the coverage of JR 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
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 again Takeshi,
As I already got 7days JRPASS
For city deals, is it better to use SUICA or PASMO or any other deals?
How about KYOTO and OSAKA city deals too?
Need your kind advise.
Hi Anita,
It depends on your trip. If you intend to take bus or train a few times a day, Suica, Pasmo or other IC card may be better. Please see the links below to find more info about local deals:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi! How are you? I’m Mursyid from Malaysia.
I’m planning to visit Japan on Dec 17. Tentatively I plan to travel from Sapporo – Tokyo – Osaka. I plan to start my journey from Sapporo (3 days) then travel to Tokyo (4 days) then move on to Osaka (Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Kobe -3 days).
1. Is it suitable for me to buy 7 days JR Pass (Tokyo-Osaka)?
2. How can I travel from Sapporo to Tokyo using JR Pass instead of flight (Vanilla Air/Jet Air or ferry?
Still finding the best transportation method from Sapporo to Tokyo to Osaka.
Really need your advise.
Tqvm and have a nice day.
Hi Mursyid,
First of all, you asked me to reply by email. But I do not communicate with readers by email directly. I only reply on this site. So I deleted your email address from your inquiry. Please understand.
1. You can JR pass for even Tokyo to Osaka. But you have to include trip to Hiroshima in this 7 days period. This is required to get the worth of 7 days pass.
2. You can take trains from Sapporo to Tokyo. But it’s very very long trip. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
If you take train from Sapporo to Tokyo, you can use even 14 days pass. 14 days pass is still cheaper than regular fares.
But if you can include Sapporo to Tokyo, Tokyo to Osaka and return trip to Hiroshima from Osaka, in 7 days period, 7 days pass gives you super great deal.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San, if i use Kansai Hiroshima Pass. Can i access to Saga Arashiyama Station? From my finding. Is it favourable to find a accomodation near Shin Osaka Station when using Kansai Hiroshima Pass? Tqvm Takeshi San.
Hi Mursyid san,
Yes, you can. It’s in the coverage area of this pass.
Shin-Osaka is recommended to stay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com