I made the sample itinerary of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo in 7 days a month ago. Now I would like to show you the reverse itinerary that start from Tokyo and end at Osaka in 7 days. There is no deal to cover whole part of trip unfortunately. 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 – Narita airport or Haneda airport to Tokyo
Tokyo has two airports, Haneda and Narita.
Haneda airport is much closer to downtown Tokyo. You can take Keihin Kyuko railway to Shinagawa or Monorail to Hamamatsucho. Both stations are connected by JR Yamanote line with Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and many other stations in Tokyo. And also many of Keihin Kyuko railway’s trains go through Toei Subway Asakusa line. You can get Shinbashi, Higashi-Ginza, Asakusa and Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree) directly without changing the trains. You may find more information about the access from Haneda to downtown Tokyo at the following link:
Narita airport is one hour away from Tokyo station. There are many ways to from Narita to downtown Tokyo, like Narita Express, Skyliner, Limousine bus and budget access bus. Please find more information about access from Narita at the link below:
Day 2 – 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.
How to access to the places surrounding 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. There is no deals available to access these areas. The regular fare ticket is okay to access to these places. You may use IC card, such as Suica, Pasmo instead of using a single fare ticket.
And also Yokohama and Kamakura are not in Tokyo and not covered by these Tokyo deals either. Please find the link below to get more information:
How to extend to stay in Tokyo
If you stay in Tokyo more, you may simply add subway fare, Tokunai Pass or single fare as you need. But if you want to travel to other places in Kanto area, like Nikko, Fuji, Hakone, there are some deals available. Please find more information at the links below:
If you travel both Fuji/Hakone and Nikko, Tokyo Wide Pass is a good choice.
Tokyo Wide Pass covers Izu, Yuzawa (Gala Yuzawa), Kusatsu Onsen and many more places too.
Day 3 – Transfer from Tokyo to Kyoto
There is no deals to cover this segment. Single ticket is your choice. If you take the Shinkansen (bullet train), base fare ticket and Shinkansen surcharge ticket are required. You can purchase these tickets in advance. You can purchase the Shinkansen seat ticket and a base fare ticket at any JR stations that have reservation window, a.k.a. “Midori no Madoguchi”.
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:
Please find the timetable of the Shinkansen in the link below:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
If you leave Tokyo in early morning, you can spend half day for sightseeing in Kyoto. I recommend you to visit southern Kyoto, like Fushimi Inari. It’s just 5 minutes away from Kyoto station by Nara line local train and single fare is only 140 yen one way. If you want, you can visit even Nara:
If you need some more information about Kyoto station, please refer the link below:
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 – Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka
The best and the fastest way to get Osaka JR line Special Rapid train.
If you stay near JR station in both Kyoto and Osaka, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, this is the perfect choice. However there are two more ways between Kyoto and Osaka. Those are Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway. Hankyu Railway connects Kawaramachi (Gion area), Shijo-Karasuma, Shijo-Omiya, Arashiyama in Kyoto and Umeda in Osaka. Keihan Railway connects Sanjo, Gion-Shijo, Kiyomizu-Gojo in Kyoto and Kyobashi, Kitahama and Yodoyabashi in Osaka. Please find the train network in Osaka and Kyoto area in the link below:
Squeeze Nara or/and Kobe on the way to Osaka from Kyoto
If you just make a trip from JR Osaka to JR Kyoto, it takes 30 minutes by Special Rapid train. You can spend some more in Kyoto or get Osaka early and enjoy there. 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 visit Kobe too. But Kobe is located at other side if you move from Kyoto to Osaka. Please find more information about trip to Kobe at the following link:
Day 6 – Sightseeing in Osaka
There are several deals available in Osaka. Please find more information in the link below:
If you want to extend to stay in Osaka
You may add other deal or a regular ticket as you need. But you may visit other places, such as Kobe, Nara. In case of this, you may add another Kansai area deal, such as 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 inside/outside Osaka.
Day 7 – Osaka to Kansai Airport
There are several deals available to get Kansai airport. Please find the information in the link below:
That is all to explain about this sample itinerary.
In this post, I have explained Tokyo to Osaka in 7 days. If you have a plan to travel the reverse itinerary, Osaka to Tokyo in 7 days, please see the link below:
I also have many more sample itineraries. Please check the category, Sample Itinerary.
Enjoy your trip!
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
Im going to Japan for 8 days 7nights this 11April-18 April 2016.. I’ll be arriving and returning by Narita airport .. Im planning to cover Tokyo,Kyoto and Osaka.. Looking forward to your kind advice..
Hi Shah,
You can use 7 days JR pass.
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
I think you will stay in Tokyo for the first night, the last night, both or several nights before/after going to Kyoto and Osaka. As long as 7 days pass covers Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto-Tokyo, you can use 7 days pass for either first or last 7 days. I think the last 7 days is better because there are lots of deals available for incoming travelers.
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.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi.
Sharing with you our planned itinerary, hoping for your advice on which type of ticket to purchase. Please feel free to comment also if we have a good plan:
Our round trip ticket requires us to arrive on Jun 9, 2016 and depart on June 17, 2016 at Osaka Kansai. So this is our planned itinerary – –
Jun 9 Arrive Osaka Kansai then proceed to Tokyo
Jun 10 We will be staying at Shibuya area
Jun 11 Day trip to Hakone
Jun 12 back to Osaka (we will be staying at Namba area)
Jun 13 day trip to Kyoto
Jun 14 Universal Studios
Jun 15 move around Osaka and visit must-see spots
Jun 16 shopping at Rinku Outlet
Jun 17 fly back via Osaka Kansai
You might wonder why do we have to go from Tokyo to Osaka then back to Kyoto for a day trip. This is so we can leave our luggages behind and move around Kyoto freely.
Please feel free to suggest if you think of a better plan. Thank you very much.
Hi Anne,
JR Pass 7 days is your choice for Jun 9 to 15.
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 may need to add the following deals beside JR pass because JR pass does not cover these.
Hakone Free Pass (You can get Odawara by JR pass but you need this to get Hakone)
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Kyoto city deal (JR Pass does not cover subway and bus)
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Single ticket is okay to get Rinku town and some deals are available to get 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
Hi Takeshi!
It will be my first time to travel to Japan this March and I’m planning to buy a JR Pass. But after reading your post I am wondering if it will be cost-effective for my trip. My itinerary is as follows
March 27 and 28 – Tokyo, Harajuku, Shinjuku
March 29 – Nikko, Sumida River
March 30 – Asakusa
March 31 – Kyoto (Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, Higashi District
April 1 – Day tour in Nara
April 2 – Hakone
April 3 to 6 – Osaka (Umeda, Universal studios, Den Den town) and Tokyo
Thanks in advance!
Hi Mark,
Kyoto, Osaka and Nara are closed each other but you put Hakone on April 2? I just want to know why you squeeze Hakone between Nara and Osaka. Hakone is closed to Tokyo. You can squeeze Hakone between Kyoto/Osaka and Tokyo. You can get Hakone from Tokyo as day trip if you want.
Anyway you can use 7 days JR pass for Kyoto, Nara, Hakone and Osaka. If you can include Nikko in this 7 days, it’s much better.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
If we intend to only visit Tokyo for 3 days and 2 nights. Would you recommend to get the 7 day JR rail pass or is it better to just get the Limousine and 2 day Metro pass? Would that be enough to see most of the attractions in Tokyo?
Thank you,
Cory
Hi Cory,
If you stay in Tokyo only, Limousine and metro pass is okay. JR pass is too expensive to explore Tokyo only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
Please advise which pass should i use based on my planned itinerary.
Day 1 : Osaka Airport to Ramen museum + Dontonbori
Day 2 : Universal Studio Japan
Day 3 : Shinsaibaishi
Day 4 : Amerikamura + Umeda
Day 5 : 1 day tour to Nara and return back to Osaka
Day 6 : Travel to Kyoto for sightseeing and stay for a night.
-> Will Kintetsu Rail Pass be a better choice?
Day 7 : Kyoto to Hakone for sightseeing and stay for a night.
Day 8 to Day 14: Tokyo (Planning to use Tokyo Subway 3-Day Ticket)
Hi Jacqueline san,
Yokoso Osaka ticket is recommended for arrival day.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
Single fare should be okay for day 2 to 4 because you will not make many trips by subway. If you take subway more than 4 times a day, subway pass may be better.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
Kansai thru pass 2 days for day 5 and 6 may be better than other deal or single fare.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
It may not give you a huge savings but it make your trip be easier.
After day 7, single fare is your choice. There is no deals to cover.
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
But you can use Hakone Free Pass from Odawara and subway deal in Tokyo.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takesi San,
We will be reaching Narita on 26th April (evening)and leave from Kansai on 4th May.
Currently our plan is to stay to few days in Tokyo,2-3days in Kyoto, 1 day in Nara, 1 day in Osaka and then leave on 4th from Kik.
However after reading your post regarding using a longer journey ticket to KIX from Tokyo is valid for 5 days so i have move around the schedule. Can you please help me with the following.
26th April – Arrival in Narita
27th April – Tokyo day visit
28th April – Maybe use JR east pass to Fuji
29th April – Maybe usb JR east pass to some other place
30th April – Tokyo to Kyoto
1st May – Kyoto
2nd May – Nara (would like to visit Ken National Park)
3rd May – Osaka
4th May – Leave from Kansai.
Please advise if its better to use 5 day single journey ticket or use JR pass for the above.
Could you please reply on the above and also suggest some plans for Tokyo from 27-29th April.
Many Thanks.
Hi Hemant san,
I think you mean JR East Pass is Tokyo wide pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-wide-pass-is-newer-version-of-kanto-area-pass-nikko-fuji-gala-yuzawa-and-odaiba-are-covered-by-this-pass.html
You should use this pass after you arrive in Narita. Because it covers the trip by Narita Express from Narita to downtown Tokyo. It’s much better than using this pass in Tokyo only. In this case, you can go to Fuji and other places on 27th and 28th. And then you can visit in downtown Tokyo on 29th by 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
Nikko, Karuizawa or Hitachi Seaside park is recommended. These places are located in coverage area.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6030.html
http://en.hitachikaihin.jp/
You may use one single trip ticket if you stay in each places at Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. However if you stay in Namba or other locations near subway stations in Osaka, other deals are available. JR is not only way to get KIX from Osaka. You may use one single ticket for 4 days to Osaka. And you may buy other deals to get 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
Hi Takeshi,
We plan to arrive Haneda on 03/23/2016 and leave on 03/31/16
from Osaka airport. Our itinerary is following below.
3/23 : arrive Haneda
3/24 : Visit Shinjuku and Tokyo
3/25 : Shijuku and Tokyo locals
3/26 : Shijuku and Tokyo
3/27- : arrive Osaka
3/28 : a day trip to Kyoto and back to Osaka
3/29 : visit Osaka locals
3/30 : visit Osaka locals
3/31 : will depart from Osaka airport
Total night days, Plan to buy a 7 days JR pass and other local
train passes. Please give any suggestion what local train passes and 7 days JR pass, is it the best way for the plan to move around the cities? do i need to buy JR pass ahead of time?
Thanks,
DJtran
Thanks,
Hi DJtran,
Don’t purchase JR pass. As you see the itinerary above, there is only one big transfer from Tokyo to Osaka only. JR pass is not worth using and use single fare ticket from Tokyo to Osaka. That is much cheaper.
I suggest local deal for each cities but you may purchase other single ticket to get Kyoto and using Kyoto city deal there.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi /JPrail.com,
Would like your advise on the followig itinerary and whether we should take JR pass to take or single tickets?
24 Mar : Arrive Narita to Tokyo (Shinjuku area maybe)
25-28 Mar : Stay and sightsee Tokyo
29 Mar : Travel to Kyoto
30 Mar – 1 Apr : Sightsee Kyoto. Will do Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari
2 Apr : Travel to Osaka
2-3 Apr : Sightseeing Osaka. Maybe include Universal Studio
4 April : Osaka to KAnsai Airport.
Thank you.
Hi Norhayati,
Single ticket is cheaper. It’s same as sample itinerary above.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
If I am thinking about going from Tokyo to Osaka and staying there the remainder of my trip how do i go about purchasing a single ticket as you mention above?
Hi Jamie,
Please refer the link below:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Great to have your expertise in answer many of our questions.
Would like to seek your opinion on my itinerary:
Travelling from 24 March to 2 April
Narita->Kyoto->Osaka->Tokyo->Narita
Day 1: Narita Airport to Kyoto
(Purchase JR Pass to use on Narita express, then transit at Shinagawa Station. Take Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station)
Day 2 & 3: Around Kyoto
(Purchase Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass Card for subway and bus rides)
Day 4: Travel to Osaka for day trip
(Use JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line to Osaka Station. Purchase single trip ticket to travel around Osaka)
Day 5: Travel to from Kyoto station to Toyko_Ebisu Station
(Can I use the JR Pass? Which one should I take?)
Day 6-8: Travel around Toyko (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno)
(Purchase Tokyo Subway 3-Day Ticket or Suica?)
Day 9: Shibuya Station to Narita Airport
(Should I take the one way ticket?)
Look forward to your kind advice.
Thanks
From:
Kelvin
Hi Kelvin,
JR pass is the perfect choice for your trip.
In Kyoto, if you intend to visit Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, JR pass covers those places.
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
If you visit both, use one of two days for these places and you can save extra cost. You may need only one day pass in Kyoto.
In Osaka, JR Pass can take you many places. As you think, you may add single fare as you need.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
You can get Ebisu by Shinkansen and Yamanote line. You can transfer at Shinagawa. Ebisu is a few stations away from Shinagawa.
JR pass covers many places in Tokyo, like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza (Yurakucho), Akihabara, Ueno. You will have two days of JR pass in Tokyo. Try to visit these places where JR Pass can take in these two days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Only single ticket is the way to get Narita airport.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Here’s our planned itinerary :
12/3 – Arrival 6am at Narita Airport and proceed to Osaka
13/3 – Osaka
14/3 – Proceed to Kyoto
15/3 – Kyoto
16/3 – Proceed to Tokyo
17/3 – Tokyo
18/3 – Departure 6pm from Narita Airport
Would like to know if it’s worth getting a 7-day JR Pass and if so, should we start to use it Day 1 on NEX?
Please advice. Thank you.
Hi Qiang,
You can use JR pass 7 days right after arriving Narita for taking Narita Express.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi / JPRail.com,
I will be stay at Namba from 19 Dec to 29 Dec. Please advise which pass to choose based on the below itinerary? Thanks for your reply in advance.
19 Dec : Osaka Intl Airport (ITAMI) to Namba
20 Dec : Sightseeing at Namba
21 Dec : Universal Studio Japan
22 Dec : Travel to Kyoto (day trip) Sightseeing at Kyoto
23 Dec : Travel to Nara (day trip) Sightseeing at Nara
24 Dec : Travel to Kobe (day trip) Sightseeing at Kobe
25 Dec : Travel to Wakayama (day trip) Sightseeing at Wakayama
26 Dec : Maybe travel to Koyasan Or Tsuruga (day trip)
27 Dec : Sightseeing at Osaksa
28 Dec : Sightseeing at Osaksa
29 Dec : Back to Osaka Intl Airport (ITAMI)
Thanks for your advise.
Ben
Hi Ben,
Please see the link below to find more info about choosing the deals:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
But in this itinerary, it shows you about access to/from Kansai. You will arrive in Itami. There is no deals available between Itami and Namba. Only limousine bus gives you a direct access.
http://www.okkbus.co.jp/en/index2.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com