How to make the itinerary of Tokyo – Osaka one way trip

Dotonbori(道頓堀) is most popular spot in downtown Osaka.7 to 9 days
Dotonbori(道頓堀) is most popular spot in downtown Osaka.
2017.05.18
The view of Tokyo Skytree from near Asakusa. It is new icon of Tokyo. (C) Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO

I have shown some simple itineraries which include Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Basic itinerary of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo in 7 days

Basic itinerary of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in 7 days

But many travelers want to stay in Tokyo and Osaka only and make day trips to surrounding area, like Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Yokohama.

If you intend to do this type of simple itinerary which include Tokyo and Osaka, you will combine several local deals and regular ticket.

In this post, I will explain about choosing the deals and tickets for this Tokyo-Osaka one way trip. I will mention two ways, Tokyo in/Osaka out and Osaka in/Tokyo out.

Narita airport to Tokyo or Haneda airport to Tokyo

There are many deals available for both airport arriving passengers. Many deals includes airport access fare and subway unlimited ride pass. But most of deals are available for only arriving passengers only. Please see the links below:

Haneda airport access guide. Haneda Airport to Tokyo discount ticket and deal guide.
Haneda airport is one of major airports in Tokyo. You can get the information about the access and the deal for Haneda arrival and departure in this post.
jprail.com
2010.12.25
Narita airport access guide. Narita airport to Tokyo deal guide
This post explains you how to choose the way to Tokyo and surrounding places from Tokyo. And also you can find the available deal for the route which you take.
jprail.com
2014.06.25

If you can choose Tokyo in / Osaka out or Osaka in / Tokyo out, I recommend you to arrive in Tokyo and depart from Tokyo. If you arrive in Osaka and depart from Tokyo, only single fare may be available.

Sightseeing in Tokyo

Tokyo subway covers most part of Tokyo. You can access to most of places in Tokyo by subway.

If you choose Narita or Haneda airport access + subway pass combo deal, you can use subway pass when you are in Tokyo. Otherwise you can add Tokyo Subway Ticket or JR local deal, “Tokyo Tokunai Pass”. But both pass covers downtown Tokyo which is basically inside Tokyo 23 wards. Some places in Tokyo is not in this area, such as Ghibli Museum, Showa Kinen Park. Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea is not in this area either. Actually this place is not in Tokyo by Chiba. Please see the link below to learn more about train network in Tokyo:

Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by the train.
There are so many train lines and subway lines in downtown Tokyo. It is hard to find the route and the coverage of many deals. This guide shows you the train system, how to find the route and how to choose the deals.
jprail.com
2016.01.24

If you intend to have a day trip to Yokohama and/or Kamakura from Tokyo, please see the link below:

Yokohama and Kamakura access guide. Find the right deal and route from your place to stay.
Yokohama and Kamakura are very popular places to visit from Tokyo as day trip. Of course you can visit these places from other places, like Osaka and Kyoto. I will show you how to get these places and choose the deals.
jprail.com
2016.04.03

If you have a plan to visit Hakone or/and Lake Kawaguchi in Mt. Fuji area, you can find more information in the link below:

Hakone access guide and the sample itineraries
This post explains you the access to Hakone and various sample itineraries. You can find the best way by the rail pass which you will use in your travel.
jprail.com
2018.01.24
Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji access guide and the sample itineraries
This post explains you the access to Lake Kawaguchi / Mt. Fuji rea and various sample itineraries. You can find the best way by the rail pass which you will use in your travel.
jprail.com
2018.02.19
Fuji-Hakone access guide. How to combine Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone in one trip.
Mt. Fuji is one of the biggest names in Japan. This post shows you the access to Mt. Fuji, such as Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi area. You can find the way to visit both places at same time in this post.
jprail.com
2015.01.10

Tokyo to Osaka

Platt Kodama is most affordable deal if you want to take Shinkansen (bullet train). However this deal covers only Kodama that is the slowest train on Shinkansen. If you want to take the fastest train single ticket is your choice. Please see the link below about Platt Kodama and comparison between Platt Kodama and single ticket.

Platt Kodama, one way deal among Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka by the Shinkansen
This post explains you about Platt Kodama which is a sort of the Shinkansen deal. It offers one way trip between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka by the Shinkansen Kodama.
jprail.com
2016.11.05

Sightseeing in Osaka

Dotonbori is very popular place to eat and shop near Namba. ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

There are many deals available. Please see the link below to find more information about the deals and train network in Osaka:

How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Osaka
There are lots of deals available in Osaka. This post will show you most of deals in Osaka and you can find which deals you should choose.
jprail.com
2016.11.13
Osaka train route guide. How much can we use JR Pass in Osaka? How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots in Osaka?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

Sightseeing to outside Osaka (Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama and/or Koyasan

There are many deals available too. Please see the link below to find the detailed information about the deals:

How to choose discount railway ticket and pass for the trip in Kansai area
This post shows you the list of the pass which cover Kansai area. If you are looking for the deal in Kansai area, you can get some idea in this post.
jprail.com
2011.11.27

Osaka to Kansai airport

You can choose one of the deals or tickets in the link below:

Kansai airport terminal, station, and access guide. Find the best way and best deal for Kansai airport to Osaka.
This post shows you everything you need to know when you arrive in Kansai airport. You can find the ticket window, the station and how to find the best deal to get Osaka, Kyoto and other places.
jprail.com
2011.05.23

Most of deals are available for both airport to downtown Osaka and downtown Osaka to airport.

If you do from Osaka to Tokyo

As I mentioned above, the deal for Kansai airport to/from Osaka is available for both ways. But most of deals for airport to downtown Tokyo are available for incoming passengers only. You may not be able to use the deal for Tokyo to Narita airport or Haneda airport.

Arrival at Tokyo and departure from Osaka is easier to find the deal.

If you have a round trip between Tokyo and Osaka

If your arrival airport and departure airports are same, such as Narita – Tokyo – Osaka – Narita, Kansai – Tokyo – Osaka – Kansai, you will have a round trip between Tokyo and Osaka. In this case, JR pass 7-day is the best deal. Please see the link below to find the detailed information:

Where and How to buy JR Pass: JR Pass user guide, how to use Japan Rail Pass to its maximum.
This posts give you all information about JR pass. You can find much more information than the official Japan Rail Pass site.
jprail.com
2020.07.08

You do not include whole part of your trip in 7 days. You can use 7-day pass to covers the period of Tokyo-Osaka round trip. The round trip fare for Tokyo to/from Osaka by the Shinkansen is almost same as 7-day pass. You can take a local train in Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto. 7-day pass works for this type of trip.

Comments

  1. Huda says:
    October 15, 2018 at 2:31 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    We are planning for a trip to Tokyo – Osaka with 2 kids age 4 and 7.
    And we need your assistance in suggesting which JR pass & the metro/subway pass to get for Tokyo/Osaka should we get.

    12 Jan – Arrive Narita AM – Sightseeing – Asakusa (Hotel)
    13 Jan – Asakusa – Sight Seeing – Asakusa
    14 Jan – Asakusa – Gala Yuzawa – Asakusa
    15 Jan – Asakusa – Disney Sea – Asakusa
    16 Jan – Asakusa – Shin Osaka – Sight Seeing – Imamiyaebisu (Hotel)
    17 Jan – Imamiyaebisu – Universal City – Imamiyaebisu
    18 Jan – Imamiyaebisu – Kyoto/Nara – Imamiyaebisu
    19 Jan – Imaniyaebisu – Sight Seeing – Imamiyaebisu
    20 Jan – Imamiyaebisu – Kansai Airport

    Thank you in advance.

  2. Chen says:
    April 9, 2018 at 3:16 am

    Hi Takeshi
    I want to plan for 12 days trip in Japan.

    It can be from tokyo or osaka (pls advise which better)

    places that i want to visit.

    – tokyo
    – kamakura
    – enoshima
    – hakone
    – osaka
    – kobe
    – mt. Rokko
    – kyoto
    – nara

    Will buy 7 days JR pass for the trip.

    Can you help to guide especially how to move between osaka > tokyo-fuji-kobe/osaka/kyoto ?

    Thanks

  3. Faisal says:
    February 26, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    Konichiwa,Takeshi san!
    I going to japan from 8th march-13rd march.i will staying at osaka from 8th-10th,I need your advise about kansai pass and kansai thru pass,which one is more better and worthy for me to travelling around osaka,kyoto and nara..and for tokyo which pass will would be better to going around tokyo…looking forward your answer..

  4. JL says:
    February 13, 2018 at 2:00 am

    Dear Mr Takeshi,

    I’ll be going to Shirakawago on 2nd Mar 2018 from Tokyo. I have booked a seat with Japan Bus Online.

    From Kanazawa Station to Shirakawago @ 9.40am & Shirakawago to Kanazawa Station @ 3.20pm

    My question is,
    I’ll be using my JRPass and taking the:-

    06:22 UENO
    [ Departure track No.19 ]
    SHINKANSEN KAGAYAKI 501
    08:46 KANAZAWA
    [ Arrival track No.14 ]

    Understand that, the JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)

    Is that right for my journey timing and using the 7days JRPass?

    When coming back to Tokyo, I woud like to take the
    19:18 KANAZAWA
    [ Departure track No.11 ]
    SHINKANSEN KAGAYAKI 516
    21:50 UENO
    [ Arrival track No.22 ]

    Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you for your prompt attention.

    Best Regards
    Jeanne

  5. JL says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Hi Mr Takeshi

    Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I’ll do a day trip from Tokyo to Kanazawa and Shirakawago then.

    Cheers!
    JL

  6. Cindy says:
    January 23, 2018 at 1:17 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I need your advise on my itenary below. Is it very rush? Can you also advise what are the passes I can use? Can I use the JR pass for the entire trip?

    I will be at Japan from 5th Apr to 13 Apr (9 days)

    Day 1 to 3
    Touch down at Tokyo about 930am. Go to Osaka directly.
    Planning to go to Kyoto for day trip

    Day 4
    Go to tokyo from Osaka

    Day 5
    At Tokyo

    Day 6 – 8
    Stay at Hakone/Kawaguchiko
    Which pass do I need to travel between this 2 places?

    Day 9
    Disneyland
    Midnight flight back

    Lastly, in your opinion, should I switch my Disneyland trip before my hakone/kawaguchiko trip?

    Thank you!

  7. JL says:
    January 19, 2018 at 8:46 am

    Hello, Mr Takeshi

    I’ll be arriving and departing in Osaka, a 10 days trip.
    3 nights – Kyoto
    4 nights – Tokyo
    2 nights – Osaka

    (Each day, we’ll leave the hotel at 7am or take 7am transportation.)

    I’ll be purchasing the ICOCA & HARUKA and a 7days JR Pass. Starts of using will be on day 3 to day 9.
    Is my plan workable? Any comment about my itinerary and it is very rush? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Thank you.

    Day 1 – Arrive Osaka (land at 5.30pm) – Kyoto hotel

    Day 2 – Kyoto ( Arashiyama, Nijō Castle, Nikishi Market and walk around Gion area)

    Day 3 – Miyama (美山) OR Shirakawago (which is better?) (Day trip)
    (If, to go to Shirakawago, we’ll leave at 7am to Kanazawa and take Nohi bus.
    At 3pm, Shirakawago back to Kanazawa, visit for awhile, head back to Kyoto, con’t Gion.)

    Day 4 – Kyoto – Tokyo
    Fushimi Inari
    (Leave for Tokyo @ 12pm) & (Tour around Yamanote Line. Shinjuku, Harajuku & Shibuya)

    Day 5 – Tsukiji Market, Chiyoda City (Imperial Palace area), Akihabara, Asakusa

    Day 6 – Hakone (Day trip)

    Day 7 – Kamakura and Odaiba

    Day 8 – Tokyo – Osaka ( leave 7am)
    (Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Namba & Shinsekai)

    Day 9 – Nara, Kobe (just to try the beef. Is it worth going?) & Osaka Castle

    Day 10 – Kuromon Ichiba Market. Leave 11am for Flight @ 3pm

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 19, 2018 at 12:53 pm

      Hi JL,

      Your plan is really good. It’s not very rushed and can do very easily.
      For me, Shirakawago is better. It’s much bigger and many more places to see. But Miyama is nice place too. If you want closer place, Miyama will satisfy you.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • JL says:
        January 20, 2018 at 3:50 am

        Hi Mr Takeshi,

        Thank you so much for your reply. I am very happy that my itinerary works and very glad to have stumbled upon your blog too. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.

        Best Regards
        JL

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          January 20, 2018 at 10:22 am

          No worries, JL.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • JL says:
            February 6, 2018 at 5:36 am

            Hello, Mr Takeshi

            I’ve made some changes in my itinerary. Please correct me if it’s not workable.

            I’ll be arriving and departing in Osaka, a 10 days trip.
            3 nights – Kyoto
            5 nights – Tokyo
            1 night – Osaka

            (Each day, we’ll leave the hotel at 7am or take 7am transportation.)

            I’ll be purchasing the ICOCA & HARUKA and a 7days JR Pass.
            Which day is best to start using JR Pass?
            Do I have to reserve the seats or it is best to reserve for using JR Pass?
            Should I buy any Kansai pass or just Icoca will do?

            Day 1 – Arrive Osaka (land at 5.30pm) – Kyoto hotel

            Day 2 – Kyoto ( Arashiyama, Nijō Castle, Fushimi Inari and walk around Gion area)

            Day 3 – Nara, Kobe

            Day 4 – Kyoto – Tokyo
            Nikishi Market
            (Leave for Tokyo @ 12pm) & (Tour around Yamanote Line. Shinjuku, Harajuku & Shibuya)

            Day 5 – Kanazawa & Shirakawago (Day trip)

            Day 6 – Hakone (Day trip)

            Day 7 – Kamakura and Odaiba

            Day 8 – Tsukiji Market, Chiyoda City (Imperial Palace area), Akihabara, Asakusa

            Day 9 – Tokyo – Osaka ( leave 7am)
            (Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Namba & Shinsekai)

            Day 10 – Kuromon Ichiba Market. Leave 11am for Flight @ 3pm

            I am not sure if Day 4, should I go to Kanazawa & Shirakawago on the way from Kyoto to Tokyo? Or a day trip from Tokyo?
            Thank you for your kind help.

            Best Regards
            JL

  8. Stella says:
    November 27, 2017 at 5:35 am

    Hi! Kindly advise on how to make my travel most straightforward and economical.. There are 6 of us in the group – 3 adults, 3 youths aged 11,13,15. Not sure if they are eligible for child fares.

    I saw your 7 day Tokyo-Hakone-Kansai itenerary, but i dont understand how to buy the base fare..eg.odawara to kansai base fare.

    Day 1 late afternoon arrive in Haneda, Tokyo. Stay in Ikebukuro.
    Day 2 Harajuku, Shibuya, Samurai museum, Shunjuku, robot cafe.
    Day 3 Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara
    Day 4 Tokyo station, Ginza, Roppongi
    Day 5 Disneyland
    Day 6 Hakone
    Day 7 Hakone, travel to Kyoto. Stay at Aranvert Hotel Kyoto.
    Day 8 SouthernHigashiyama (kiyomizu-dera temple to shoren-in temple/) and Downtown Kyoto/Fushimi Inari/Gion Shimbashi
    Day 9 Arashiyama/ Tenryu-ji temple/ Kinkakuji temple/ Pontocho Alley
    Day 10 Day trip to Kurama and Kibune
    Day 11 Travel to Osaka. Stay at Hotel Monterey Grasmere, Osaka. Dotonburi.
    Day 12 Osaka castle/Instant Ramen Museum.
    Day 13 Check out. Free time before travelling to KIX.
    Thank you!!

  9. Indri says:
    July 2, 2017 at 4:39 am

    Takeshi san,

    Thank you so much for your answer! I’ve decided to stay in Tokyo first so we can get time to rest after the long flight. I’m so glad to have found your blog. Keep up the good work!

  10. Indri says:
    July 1, 2017 at 11:05 pm

    Hello, Takeshi san!

    I’m going to Japan this October with my parents for one week. Our arrival and departure flights are both from Haneda Airport. We will be using the 7 days JR Pass since we want to go to Osaka and Kyoto too.

    I would like to know your opinion regarding my itinerary.
    Our plane will arrive around 4:30 pm. I was thinking to go straight to Osaka/Kyoto with Shinkansen, but that means we’re going to arrive in Osaka/Kyoto late at night. I’m a bit worried that my parents will be too tired (our flight takes 7 hours).

    My other option is to stay in Tokyo for three days before going to Osaka/Kyoto. Then we will head straight to Haneda Airport from Osaka/Kyoto on our last day. We have plenty of time since our flight is at midnight.

    Which option do you think is better?
    If we go straight to Osaka/Kyoto on our arrival day, is our chance to get seats in the shinkansen still high? Can we reserve a seat before we arrive in Japan?

    Looking forward for your answer 🙂

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      July 2, 2017 at 1:22 am

      Hi Indri san,

      If I were you, I stay in Tokyo first. But you can ask your parents. It’s totally up to you and your parents.

      You cannot book Shinkansen seat before you arrive in Japan. You will exchange your JR pass in Haneda and you also make a booking at same time when you exchange the pass. I don’t think it’s hard to book a seat together.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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