In this post, I would like to share the itinerary which covers Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido. It is 10 days trip plan but you can make this trip by JR pass 7-day. Some local deals are added at the beginning and the end of the trip to shrink the total cost. But JR pass covers all long distance trips. Actually JR Pass 7-day gives you huge saving. Please find the itinerary below.
- Day 1 Narita or Haneda to Tokyo
- Day 2 Tokyo
- Day 3 Tokyo – Kyoto
- Day 4 Kyoto – Osaka
- Day 5 Osaka – Tokyo
- Day 6 Tokyo – Lake Toya
- Day 7 Lake Toya – Noboribetsu – Otaru – Sapporo
- Day 8 Sapporo – Hakodate
- Day 9 Hakodate – Tokyo
- Day 10 Tokyo to Narita or Haneda
- How much you can save
- If you want to make the trip be longer
Day 1 Narita or Haneda to Tokyo
There are many kinds of deals available. Before you choose the deal, you have to make sure which airport, Narita airport or Haneda airport, you will arrive and which place in Tokyo you will stay. The following links shows you the deals for airport to Tokyo and airport Tokyo with subway ride combo.
Ueno is very convenient if you arrive in Narita. You can access to Ueno directly by Keisei railway from Narita airport. Especially limited express “Skyliner” is the fastest way to get downtown Tokyo. Ueno is Keisei railway’s terminal station. Ueno is also accessible to Akihabara, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree. Average hotel rate is more reasonable than most of places in downtown Tokyo.
Shinagawa is most accessible place in downtown Tokyo from Haneda. You can get Shinagawa from Haneda by Keihin Kyuko railway directly. Average hotel rate is not so reasonable actually. But you can catch the Shinkansen to Kyoto at Shinagawa. This is a big asset to stay in Shinagawa. There is no subway station but you can catch JR local trains, such as Yamanote line. You can get Akihabara, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku Yurakucho (Ginza) directly by Yamanote line.
Day 2 Tokyo
You may use the airport access + subway 24 hours ride pass. In this case, you can use subway pass for sightseeing in Tokyo. You may learn the train route and system in downtown Tokyo in the link below:
If you want to stay in Tokyo more, you can extend to stay as many as you want. You start using JR pass when you leave Tokyo and use other deal before that anyway.
Day 3 Tokyo – Kyoto
This is the first day of using JR pass. JR pass can be exchanged in advance. You can exchange JR pass on day 1 when you arrive in Narita or Haneda airport if you want. There are service counters and you can exchange and book a seat. Once you turn in the actual pass, you can start booking your seat. I recommend you to exchange in advance.
You can take Hikari on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Hikari is second fastest train on Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi is the fastest but it is not covered by JR Pass. Please see the timetable in the link below.
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
If you want to spend the time in Kyoto as much as you can, please try to take the train as early as possible. It takes 3 hours to get Kyoto by Hikari. But when you take the Shinkansen, you have to get the Shinkansen terminal station which is Tokyo station or Shinagawa station. If you stay near one of these stations, you can take the Shinkansen very smoothly. But if you do not stay near these stations, you have to take a local train or subway. You might know how crazy a local train is in downtown Tokyo during the morning peak hours. Please try to avoid to take local trains between 7:30 and 9:00 if you leave Tokyo on weekday. If you leave there on Saturday, Sunday or holiday, it is not an issue.
If you stay in Ueno, you may take the Shinkansen for the short ride to get Tokyo station. It takes only 5 minutes. You have JR pass and it covers. Some commuters use the Shinkansen but it is not crazy busy. You can avoid to take a crazy packed commute train even if you depart in peak hours. However the Shinkansen platform is located at the deep underground in Ueno. Please expect to spend extra 5 minutes.
After arriving Kyoto, you can take JR trains in Kyoto by JR pass. Please see the link below to get the coverage information in Kyoto at the link below:
Please remember that JR pass does not cover subway, city bus and non JR trains in Kyoto. You can get Arashiyama, Nijo, Fushimi and Uji. by JR pass. But you have to take city bus, subway and/or non JR trains to get other places in Kyoto such as Gion, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion), Kurama. Please see the link below to find the information about local deal in Kyoto.
Sample itinerary
Ueno 08:31 (Yamabiko 204) 08:36 Tokyo 09:03 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 465) 11:49 Kyoto
Or
Shinagawa 09:10 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 465) 11:49 Kyoto
Hikari between Tokyo and Kyoto runs every 30 minutes in daytime.
After arrival at Kyoto station, drop off your baggage at your hotel and eat lunch. And then you can start to explore Kyoto. I recommend you to stay near Kyoto station.
Kyoto 13:37 (JR Nara line local train) 13:42 Inari
Inari station is located just in front of Fushimi Inari shrine.
Fushimiinari 15:08 (Keihan Railway / 210 yen extra) 15:14 Kiyomizu-Gojo (Walk 1.7 km / 20 minutes) Kiyomizu-dera temple
Even if you take a bus from Kiyomizu-Gojo station, you need to walk about 1 km. There is no buses to get Kiyomizu-dera directly. If you do not walk or travel with senior, do not hesitate to take a taxi. It costs less than 1,000 yen.
Kiyomizu-dera temple (walk about 2km) Gion
There are sightseeing spots, like Sanneizaka, Ninenzaka between Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. I highly recommend you to walk to Gion. It is very scenic and lots of shops along this route. You may have dinner at Gion area. Gion is one of the biggest downtown core in Kyoto. Enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto in Gion!
Gion (city bus 15 to 20 minutes ride / 230 yen extra) Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto – Osaka
You can enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto until late afternoon. After sightseeing in Kyoto, proceed to Osaka. It is very short trip from Kyoto to Osaka. Even if you take the commute rapid train, “Special Rapid Service”, it takes only 30 minutes. You can catch even Shinkansen for this short trip. It takes only 10 minutes from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka.
Shin-Osaka is most recommended place to stay in Osaka in my opinion. It is only one station away from Osaka (Umeda) by JR train.
You can catch subway to get Namba directly. But subway is not covered by JR pass. Please see the link below to find the coverage of JR pass in Osaka:
I show you the sample itinerary that include Arashiyama, Kinaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) and Umeda.
Sample itinerary
Kyoto 09:03 (JR Sagano line local train) 09:12 Enmachi 09:21 (city bus #204 / 230 yen extra) 09:30 Kinkakujimichi (walk 5 minutes) Kinaku-ji temple
You have one hour to view Golden Pavilion.
*Leave your baggage at your hotel and pick up when you leave Kyoto later.
Kinkaku-ji temple (walk 5 minutes) Kinakujimichi 10:59 (city bus #204 / 230 yen extra) 11:08 Enmachi 11:15 (JR Sagano line local train) 11:19 Saga-Arashiyama
You have 4.5 hours in Arashiyama for sightseeing and lunch time. If you want, you can squeeze Sagano Scenic Train (Torokko train). Sagano Scenic Train is not covered by JR Pass.
Saga-Arashiyama 15:48 (JR Sagano line local train) 16:04 Kyoto
Pick up your luggage before you take Shinkansen train when you leave Kyoto.
Kyoto 16:49 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 475) 17:03 Shin-Osaka
You can take earlier or later train. Even if you take Special Rapid train (commute rapid service train), it takes less than 30 minutes to get Shin-Osaka from Kyoto and it runs every 15 minutes. Of course you can take this train by JR pass. However Special Rapid is always busy.
After you arrive in Shin-Osaka, drop off your baggage at your hotel and go to Umeda. Umeda is same location as JR Osaka station. It is only one station away from Shin-Osaka and it takes 5 minutes. Train runs almost every 5 minutes until midnight.
Day 5 Osaka – Tokyo
You enjoy full day sightseeing in Osaka. You have to leave Osaka for Tokyo because Hokkaido is very far to access from Osaka. But you can stay in Osaka until dinner time. I show you the sample itinerary that includes Kaiyukan Aquarium, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Namba. But you can build your own day plan.
Sample itinerary
Before starting trip, purchase Osaka Kaiyu ticket (2,550 yen) at subway Shin-Osaka station. This deal includes admission of Kaiyukan aquarium and 1 day subway unlimited ride.
Trip to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium by Osaka Kaiyu Ticket
Shin-Osaka 09:25 (Osaka Subway Midosuji line) 09:36 Hommachi 09:42 (Osaka Subway Chuo line) 09:53 Osakako (walk 10 minutes) Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium
Enjoy Aquarium and eat lunch at Tenpozan Marketplace.
*Leave your baggage at your hotel before you leave for Tokyo.
Osakako 13:26 (Osaka Subway Chuo line) 13:41 Tanimachiyonchome
Tanimachiyonchome station is located beside Osaka Castle Park. But this park is quite big. You have to walk around 20 minutes to get the castle.
Osaka Business Park 15:41 (Osaka Subway Nagano/Tsurumiryokuchi line) 15:51 Shinsaibashi
Osaka Business Park station is also located beside Osaka castle park. You can get Shinsaibashi directly. After arrival at Shinsaibashi, enjoy eat and shop in Dotonbori and Namba.
19:40 (Osaka Subway Midosuji line) 19:53 Shin-Osaka 20:37 (Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 482) 23:36 Tokyo
Pick up your baggage before you go to Tokyo.
*Hikari runs almost every 30 minutes. This above train is the last Hikari to Tokyo. You can take earlier train if you want to get Tokyo earlier. I just maximize to stay in Osaka. You stay in Tokyo on day 5 but you just stay there and prepare to take early train to Hokkaido next morning.
Overnight train option from Osaka to Tokyo
JR pass covers “Nobi Nobi seat” of the overnight train Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto fully. If you use this train, you can save the cost of hotel in Tokyo and you also can maximize your time in Osaka. Because this train departs from Osaka after midnight. Please find the timetable and the information of Sunrize Izumo and Seto in the link below:
As I mentioned in the post above, it is not easy to book a space on Sunrise Izumo or Seto. You must book it after you arrive in Japan. All spaces may be booked out. You must have a back up plan if you plan to take this train. For example, you book a hotel which you can cancel in 3 days without any cancellation charge. You may try to book a space when you arrive in Japan. If you can make it, cancel a hotel. If you cannot make it, just hold the space at the hotel in Tokyo. It is not hard to find the hotel which allows you to cancel without any charges in 3 days.
Day 6 Tokyo – Lake Toya
It is such a long trip by train. You spend 6 hours on board. After arriving Toyako Onsen (Lake Toya), enjoy lake cruise or walk along the lake shore. Lake Toya is one of the popular hot spring resorts. There are lots of hotels along the lake shore.
You can skip Lake Toya and stay in Noboribetsu if you want. You make a stop at Noboribetsu next day. But if you stay in Noboribetsu, you can leave Noboribetsu earlier and make some extra time in Otaru or Sapporo.
I do not recommend you to stop at Lake Toya and then move to Noboribetsu on day 6. There are express bus running between Lake Toya and Noboribetsu. But no bus is available after 15:00. If you use train from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu, you have to take local bus to Toya station and then take train. And then you need to take local bus to Noboribetsu. You need to spend extra minutes and waste your time.
Sample itinerary
Tokyo 08:20 (Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 5) 12:22 Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 12:34 (Limited Express Super Hokuto 11) 14:09 Toya 14:20 (Donan Bus / extra 330 yen) 14:40 Toyako Onsen
If you skip Lake Toya and stay in Noboribetsu, the itinerary is the following:
Tokyo 08:20 (Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 5) 12:22 Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 12:34 (Limited Express Super Hokuto 11) 14:50 Noboribetsu 15:20 (Donan Bus / extra 340 yen) 15:34 Noboribetsu Onsen
You will change trains at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. You can find some more information about this station in the link below:
I traveled Lake Toya and Noboribetsu before. You can find my trip report in the link below:
Day 7 Lake Toya – Noboribetsu – Otaru – Sapporo
Leave Lake Toya by express bus for Noboribetsu Onsen. You have a quick stop at Noboribetsu Onsen and see the valley of hell. It is just step away from the bus stop in Noboribetsu Onsen. You also spend a few hours for sightseeing in Otaru.
You stay in Sapporo and enjoy the evening there.
Sample itinerary
Toyako Onsen 09:06 (Donan Bus “Express Iburi” / extra 1,700 yen) 10:11 Noboribetsu Onsen 12:00 (Donan Bus / extra 340 yen) 12:12 Noboribetsu 12:35 (Limited Express Super Hokuto 7) 13:48 Sapporo 14:13 (Rapid Airport) 14:45 Otaru 18:30 (Rapid Airport) 19:02 Sapporo
If you skip Lake Toya and stay in Noboribetsu on day 6, you can leave Noboribetsu earlier. The itinerary is the following:
Noboribetsu Onsen 09:45 (Donan Bus / extra 340 yen) 09:57 Noboribetsu 10:09 (Limited Express Hokuto 3) 11:27 Sapporo 11:43 (Rapid Airport) 12:15 Otaru 17:30 (Rapid Airport) 18:02 Sapporo
You can skip Otaru and spend more time in Sapporo if you like.
Day 8 Sapporo – Hakodate
You spend the time in Sapporo until late afternoon. The last train to Hakodate is 20:00 departure. However night view from Hakodate mountain is marvelous. I recommend you to arrive Hakodate by 20:00 because Hakodate mountain gondola is operated until 21:00 in winter time and 22:00 in summer time.
The train in the following sample is the latest train to see the night view from Hakodate mountain. And also I recommend you to stay in the hotel near Hakodate station. You can drop off your luggage right after arrival in Hakodate. And catch the taxi to get Hakodate mountain ropeway station.
Sample itinerary
Sapporo 15:39 (Super Hokuto 18) 19:24 Hakodate
Hakodate (10 minutes by taxi / extra fare about 2,000 yen) Hakodate mountain gondola station
*You can take tram to Jujigai from Hakodate station and walk from there to gondola station. You spend 210 yen only but you spend 10 minutes for tram and 15 minutes to walk.
When I visited Hakodate, I stayed in Hotel Route Inn Hakodate.
It was not a high-end hotel but the rate is very affordable and the location is just next to Hakodate station. This hotel is highly recommended.
Day 9 Hakodate – Tokyo
Enjoy sightseeing in Hakodate and leave for Tokyo by Hokkaido.
This is the last day of JR pass. You have to get Tokyo by midnight. There is no overnight trains available either.
Sample itinerary
Hakodate 18:01 (Rapid Hakodate Liner) 18:23 Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 18:36 (Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 38) 23:04 Tokyo
I picked the last train to Tokyo. But you can take earlier train. Please check the timetable in the link below:
JR East official site – the timetable
You can get off the train at Ueno if you go to Narita on next day.
Day 10 Tokyo to Narita or Haneda
If you use round trip deal on arrival day, you can use the remaining portion. Otherwise single fare is your choice to get the airport.
How much you can save
The total fare during 7 days when you use JR pass is more than 90,000 yen. You can save more than 60,000 yen.
Even if you use 14-day pass, you still can save about 50,000 yen. In this sample itinerary, I use 7-day pass and I recommend you to use other deal for day 1, 2 and 10. The extra cost for these 3 days is around 5,000 yen. It is not a good idea to use JR pass 14-day.
If you want to make the trip be longer
As I mentioned, even if you use JR pass 14-day, you have already to get the worth of that by this trip. So you can use 14-day JR pass and add any places. But if you just want to extend your stay in Tokyo, simply add subway ticket on this trip plan. 14-day JR pass is not very efficient in Tokyo and just wasting money.
I hope you have got some idea from this post.
Comments
hi Takeshi
i need your suggestion for our Japan trip hopefully by February 2018..up to now i still dont have any itinerary for my trip from feb 8 to 17– arrived in narita and leaving in narita also..
the places i want to go are, osaka for the Universal studio, then kyoto and nara, hakone for mt. fuji.. and is it possible for niseko for my number of days of trip? please help…
thank you
renelyn
Hi Renelyn,
Everything is possible. It depends on how much time you want to spend in each places. If you go to Niseko, you will spend two whole days to just move. Please see the link below and find the trip time to Sapporo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
You can get Niseko from Oshamambe where is located between Sapporo and Hakodate. Total trip time is not much different to Sapporo.
In my opinion, if you go to Niseko, you should visit other places in Hokkaido, such as Sapporo, Hakodate. These are very beautiful cities. But if you do so, you will spend 4 to 5 days for Hokkaido. It may be tight.
If you take the flight from Osaka to Sapporo, you can shorten your trip time.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Your post really useful since i will go to japan on 22 november for 11 days and interested to visit hokkaido.
Is it worth to go there on late november? I also want to enjoy autumn at kawaguchiko and kyoto.
I will be arrive at narita then plan to go to sapporo – hakodate – tokyo – fuji & kawaguchiko – osaka – kyoto – kyoto.
Is it possible to visit all places for 11 days?
Regarding the transport its better to buy 7 days JR Pass or 14 days?
Hi Elsha,
Hokkaido will be approaching winter season in late Nov to early Dec. You may not see both fall and winter scenery. It will be transition season. Hokkaido is always amazing place. But if you visit there in this season, please keep it in your mind.
You can visit these places in 11 days. I this 7 days is okay for your trip because I expect you will stay in Sapporo for a few days at the beginning and a few days in Tokyo at the end. If you fly in Sapporo and fly out from Tokyo, you don’t need JR pass for staying in Tokyo and Sapporo. But if you intend to visit Sapporo from Tokyo by train at the beginning, you need JR pass. At this point, your itinerary has not been fixed. Please make sure where you stay and how many days you spend at each places.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Finallly.. my final itinerary done. Could you please advise if it’s still okay if i will be travelling with my parents (60 yo) Do you think it’s still to rush?
Also please advise if i will arrive Narita at 7.30 am is it still possible to catch the train to Hakodate at 10.13 am? Do you think we will have enough time?
Please advise.
Thank you very much in advance for always responding my query.
17 jan – Arrive NArita 7.30 am to Hakodate 10.13 am
18 Jan – Hakodate to Sapporo
19 Jan – Sapporo to Tomamu
20 Jan – Tomamu to Sapporo
21 Jan – Sapporo
22 Jan – Sapporo to Tokyo
23 – 24 Jan – Tokyo
25 Jan – Tokyo to Takayama depart 9am arrive 13.10pm
to Shirakawago depart 14.30 am
Back to Takayama take 19.43pm bus
26 Jan – Takayama to Kyoto
27 -28 Jan – Kyoto/ Osaka/Kobe
29 Jan – Kyoto to Narita
30 Jan – Back to SG
Hi IK,
Your itinerary is okay. But if you mean to take train to Hakodate at 10:13 from Tokyo station, it’s impossible. You need to take three trains from Narita airport to Tokyo, Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Hakodate. You may be able to take Narita Express to Tokyo at 9:15. Please see the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_u/index.html
But even if you can take this train, you will be Tokyo at 10:19 and you cannot catch 10:20 departure to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto from Tokyo.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/01.pdf
If your flight arrive early in Narita and take one earlier Narita Express at 8:50, you may be able to take 10:20 to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto from Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Please advise if this itinerary if possible for 11-day tour. On the first 4 days, i’ll be using Kansai Wide Pass and then from day 5 onwards will be using JRPass for 7 days.
Nagoya will be our home base from Day 1 to 4 since we’ll staying with our relative.
Day 1 – arrive in Nagoya (evening)
Day 2 – Nagoya tour
Tokugawa art museum
Osu kannon temple
Atsuta shrine
Toyota automobile museum
Day 3 – Kyoto tour
Fushiri Inari
Kyoto tower
Higashi honganji temple
Nishi honganji temple
Nijo castle
Manga museum
Imperial palace
Day 4 – Osaka and Namba tour
Osaka Castle
Shitennoji temple
Namba
Todaiji temple (nara)
Day 5 – Nagoya to Tokyo (morning)
Tokyo tour:
Tokyo tower
Akihabara
Odaiba (Gundam new)
Day 6 – Disneyland
Day 7 – Tokyo to Sapporo (morning)
Sapporo tour:
Clock tower
Odori park
Sapporo TV Tower
Hokkaido Shrine
Mount Moiwa
Bell of Happiness
Day 8:
Botanical garden
Shiroi koibito park
Moerenuma Park
Beer museum
Ishiya Chocolate Factory
Otaru tour (afternoon)
Day 9: Sapporo to Furano
Farm Tomita
Lavender East
Saika-no-Sato
Choei Lavender Garden
Blue Pond
Day 10 – Sapporo to Tokyo (morning)
Day 11 – Tokyo to Nagoya (morning)
Fly back out of the country in the eveninG
Hi Michael san,
Kansai Wide Area Pass does not cover Nagoya. And you cannot purchase it in Nagoya either.
You have two choices.
1. Use JR pass 14 days
2. Use Kintetsu Rail Pass for day 3 and 4
JR Pass is more expensive option but you can get Kyoto and Osaka directly, and cover most of places on your list.
Kintetsu rail pass is much cheaper:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
But you cannot get Kyoto directly even if you add limited express fee. Trip time to Kyoto from Nagoya is much longer. And it does not cover any transportation in Osaka and Kyoto. You need to add single ticket or other deals, such as subway/bus pass.
Trip time to Sapporo from Tokyo is quite long.
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
I think day 7 is a bit tight.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Pleade advice me for my 23 Dec 2017 to 5 Jan 2018 14 days trip as we are on budget to hope that minimize our transport expenses.
Day 1 (23/12) Kansai-Kamishinjo Stn (touch down Kansai airport around 10pm then head to the place where we stay)
*Kyoto Access Pass*
Day 2 (24/12) Osaka – visit at least 4 places as it was offered by Amazing Pass
*Osaka Amazing Pass*
Day 3 (25/12) Kyoto
*2 days Kansai Thru Pass*
Day 4 (26/12) Kyoto & Nara
*2 days Kansai Thru Pass*
Day 5 (27/12) Osaka -USJ (whole day)
*ICOCA/Single Fare*
Day 6 (28/12) Shirakawago (stay overnight)
*7 days JR pass*
Day 7 (29/12) Shirakawago to Tokyo
*7 days JR pass*
Day 8 (30/12) Tokyo ( stay Kawaguchigo)
*7 days JR pass*
Day 9-12 (31/12/2017 -3/1/2018) Tokyo -Hokkaido – Tokyo – Osaka
May I know it is have the train schedule that only change 1 time to reach Hokkaido by JR pass? I don’t wish to stop at different stops.
If this plan doesn’t work, i guess I have to stay in Tokyo for Day 9-12 but my boyfriend wish to snow and my friend said Hokkaido is the only place that confirm have snow.
Day 13 Osaka
*ICOCA/Kansai One pass*
Day 14 Osaka-Kansai
*Kansai One Pass*
I know Day 12 is too rush, do you mind to guide me for a better itinerary?Should i get 14 days JR pass than 7 Days JR pass? Desparately need you advice as we try to arrange everything now.
Thank you so much for your advice in advance.
Hi QingYun san,
Your planning is mostly okay. But I have a few things to mention to you.
On arrival day, the last train for your connection departs at 23:34. You have to complete custom, immigration, pick up your baggage, purchasing ticket in 1.5 hours. It’s not impossible but it wll be tight. Please keep it in your mind.
In worst case, you will miss this train. You still can get Umeda (JR Osaka) by limousine bus.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/UM
But you need to take a taxi to Kamishinjo. I don’t have taxi fare but it’s expensive. I guess you will pay more than 3,000 yen. So try to get a train by 23:34.
If you want to see snow, you don’t need to go to Hokkaido. Gala Yuzawa offers day trip from Tokyo.
https://gala.co.jp/winter/english/
If you really want to go to Hokkaido, you can go. Please see the link below to find the way to get there.
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
7 days pass is okay anyway. 14 days pass is too expensive.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Thank you so much for your advice. Really appreciate for your reminder about the last train. I guess we will be rush on the arrival day, therefore we have planned either to spend a night in the airport or try our best to hop on the last train.
Is a great ideal to go Gala. Should take into the consideration. Maybe I should explore Mt Fuji and others beautiful scenery near Tokyo. Takeshi san, do you have any recommendation or link can introduce me as reference? By the way, we would like to try any overnight train if possible.
So sorry to trouble you but your website and all your advice
were excellent for me and my boyfriend. Thank you for your amazing website!
Hi QingYun san,
Please see the links below to find the info about Fuji.
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/sample-itineraries/1-day/fuji-hakone-one-day-trip-sample-itinerary-you-can-visit-both-lake-kawaguchi-and-hakone-by-day-trip-from-tokyo.html
Overnight train option is very limited in these days. Only one train runs in Japan now. But it may be hard to book it and not highly recommended now.
https://jprail.com/trains/sunrise-izumo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
First of all, your website is awesome!!
Me and my friend will be visiting Japan this late September for 2 weeks, I need your advise with my itinerary :
28 Sept Jakarta-Osaka = (stay in Osaka)
29 Sept(morning)-30 Sept Kyoto = (stay in Kyoto)
1 Oct(morning)-5 Oct = Nagoya-Sapporo (stay in Sapporo)
5 Oct(afternoon)-6 Oct = Nagoya Gifu (stay in Nagoya)
7 Oct (Morning)-8 Oct (Afternoon) = Nagoya-Kawaguchiko/Fuji(stay Kawaguchiko/Fuji)(back up plan to Tokyo)
8 Oct (Afternoon) -10 Oct = Tokyo (Shibuya-Harajuku-Tsukiji fishmarket)
10 Oct(Night) = Osaka
11 Oct = Kobe-Osaka
12 Oct = Osaka-Jakarta
What type of Pass and deals suits our itinerary?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Fichan,
If you take trains for all parts of your trips, JR pass 14 days is your choice. You can use it for the first or 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 can add other deal for 28 Sept or 12 Oct. Please see the link below to find the deal:
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,
I am planning to go Japan this coming November 18-28 2017. I was wondering which pass would suit me. I will be coming from Singapore. Kindly see the following points to help you 😀
a. I was thinking to take one way tickets.. SG-first stop and last stop-SG (is it advisable so i can save time?)
a. Which airport should i choose first? SG-(OSK,NARITA/HANEDA,HOKKAIDO– 1ST STOP) and my
(LAST STOP—OSK,NARITA/HANEDA,HOKKAIDO)
b. I would like to cover Shibuya, Disneyland, Dotonburi, Hokkaido(No place yet but prefer sight seeing with alot of snow) – not in particular order
I would really really appreciate your reply as i am very confused with all the rails available. Thank you!
Hi Jessica,
I recommend you to arrive and depart at New Chitose (Hokkaido) and Narita/Haneda. Because trip time to Hokkaido is quite long. Please see the link below to find the info:
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
You don’t need to arrive/depart at Osaka because you don’t go to Osaka.
Your choice is JR pass or JR East South Hokkaido Rail 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
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass-user-guide-perfect-deal-for-the-travelers-who-visit-tokyo-and-sapporo-by-train.html
If you go to eastern and/or norther part of Hokkaido, such as Kushiro, Abashiri, Asahikawa, Wakkanai, Furano, you need JR pass. And also you may not be able to see snow if you do not go to eastern, northern part of Hokkaido. It’s not very often see the snow in Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate in mid November.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
i was plan to have 10days holiday (Tokyo,Kyoto and Hokkaido) during 24 Apr2018 to 3rd May 2018. in between we will like to see sakura at Hokkaido and we book hotel at Sheraton Hokkaido on 29 Apr 2018 to 2 May 2018.
How should i plan my trip and what type of JR pass i need to purchase?
we will arrived Tokyo on 25 May 2018 Morning at Narita airport.
Kindly advise us
Thank you
Vivian
Hi Vivian,
As you probably read the post above, JR Pass is your choice. In this sample itinerary, I have chosen 7 days pass. But you can get the worth of 14 days pass.
You can visit Kyoto at the first if you want. You will arrive in the morning at Narita. You can get Kyoto on arrival day. Hokkaido is very far from even Tokyo. If you go to Hokkaido from Kyoto, trip time is much longer. So I recommend you to stay in Kyoto first. And then visit Tokyo between Kyoto and Hokkaido. Please see the link below to get the info about access to Hokkaido.
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
First of all, thank you so much for this information. I will arrive in Haneda around 10 pm , I’m afraid that we can’t catch the train by that late.I had booked hostel for us around Kawasaki and we are going to follow your itinerary for 10 days – Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka & Hokkaido, which we will extend 3 days in Tokyo. Can we exchange the JR pass for that kinda late hours in the airport? Any advise for us for the train or bus as I will be travelling with senior citizens and junior citizens for that late hours? Any advise for train around Tokyo then to Haneda for the day 14 ?
Thank you so much
Julia Tan
Hi Julia,
The last train departs from Haneda at 0:01. It takes 15 minutes to get Keikyu-Kawasaki with one train changes at Keikyu-Kamata.
http://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/transport/trainlinemap.html
Keikyu-Kawasaki is same location as JR Kawasaki station.
As long as the flight arrive on time, you can catch the train. But you cannot exchange JR pass on arrival day. The window open until 18:30. You need to exchange on next day.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html
Keikyu is not covered by JR pass anyway.
Tokyo subway ticket is the best choice to see in Tokyo.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html
There is no deals for access to Haneda on the last day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We are traveling to Hokkaido on 7/1/17 and staying in Sapporo from 7/1-7/6.
On 7/6, we will go to Hakodate and stay until 7/8.
On 7/8, we will take the underwater train to Tokyo, and will be staying in Kawasaki area and Disney area until our departure from Narita on 7/14.
Would you please recommend what rail passes we need to purchase? Thank you very much!
Hi Pat,
If you need a deal just for Sapporo-Hakodate-Tokyo-Kawasaki, JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass is the best choice.
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass-user-guide-perfect-deal-for-the-travelers-who-visit-tokyo-and-sapporo-by-train.html
If you intend to visit somewhere during staying in Sapporo, JR Pass 14 days may be suitable.
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
But it may be too expensive. You have to make sure where you go before making a decision.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi… may i check if you ever made itinerary Tokyo to Hokkaido in 15 days? Any advise?
Thank you very much
Hi Ik,
I have never made 14 days Hokkaido itinerary. But I have one of 14 days one and a few of 7 days itineraries. Please see the link below and it may help you to build your plan:
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/kyoto-and-hokkaido-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/hokkaido-tohoku-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/14days/throughout-japan-14-days-by-japan-rail-pass-14-days-pass.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for always responding my inquiries 🙂
So.. if i will be in Japan for 14th days and am planning to go kansai and hokkaido as well. Do you think i should buy the 14 days JR pass? please advise.
Thank you.
IK
Hi IK,
You can get the worth of 14 days pass by even trip to Hokkaido only very easily.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Any suggestion for the fastest way to get to Shirakawago from Hoshino resort tomamu?
Please advise.
Thank you.
Hi IK,
It’s very very far. If you take the trains, you need to get Kanazawa and go back to Tokyo first.
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
Trip time is about 13 hours and I don’t recommend. You should stay somewhere between these places. Otherwise take the flight from either Kanazawa or Toyama to New Chitose.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com