I have received many inquiries about Osaka-Tokyo one way trip plus Hakone and Fuji. In this case, Japan Rail Pass is too expensive for Osaka-Tokyo one way trip. So I would like to show you a classic itinerary for this trip. I want to share with you about how to combine several deals and single tickets.
What kind of ticket you need
From Kansai to Narita
ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket / 3000 yen
Base fare ticket from Kyoto to Shinjuku/ 7980 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi reserved seat supplement ticket from Kyoto to Shinagawa / 5540 yen
Base fare ticket from Shinjuku to Narta Airport / 1450 yen
Narita Express reserved seat supplement ticket from Shinjuku to Narita Airport / 1660 yen
Fuji Hakone Pass / 7000 yen
Limited Express surcharge for Odakyu Romance car from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku / 870 yen
Total 27500 yen
From Kansai to Haneda
ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket / 3000 yen
Base fare ticket from Kyoto to Shinjuku / 7980 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi reserved seat supplement ticket from Kyoto to Shinagawa / 5540 yen
Base fare ticket from Shinjuku to Shinagawa (JR) / 190 yen
Base fare ticket from Shinagawa to Haneda Airport International Terminal (Keihin Kyuko) / 400 yen
Fuji Hakone Pass / 7000 yen
Limited Express surcharge for Odakyu Romancecar from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku / 870 yen
Total 24980 yen
Itinerary
Day 1 / Kansai (KIX) – Kyoto
Kansai Airport is the gateway to this itinerary. ©Kansai International Airport Co.,Ltd/©JNTO
Ticket : ICOCA and Haruka
After arrival at KIX, go to JR Kansai Airport station and purchase ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket.
Limited Express Haruka is only direct train service from KIX to Kyoto. This is the best and the fastest. It runs almost every hour. It takes about 1.5 hour to get Kyoto from KIX.
If you are not hurry, try to complete all JR train bookings at Kansai Airport station. If you can’t, you can do it at JR Kyoto station. You have to purchase and book all ticket except Fuji Hakone Pass and Limited Express surcharge for Odakyu Romancecar.
Overnight in Kyoto
Day 2 / Kyoto
Togetsukyo bridge is the highlight in Arashiyama. ©Akira Okada/©JNTO
Use ICOCA for your sightseeing in Kyoto. I think 1500 yen e-money cover most of your trip in Kyoto.
Overnight in Kyoto
Day 3 / Kyoto – Tokyo – Shinjuku – Hakone
Ticket : Base fare ticket from Kyoto to Shinjuku, Shinkansen Nozomi supplement ticket, Fuji Hakone Pass
Kyoto 08:02 departure by Shinkansen Nozomi 306
Shinagawa 10:13
Take local train (Yamamote line) to get Shinjuku. It takes abut 20 minutes.
Shinjku 11:40 (Chuo Highway Bus)
Kawaguchiko station 13:32
After arrival at Kawaguchiko station, enjoy sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchi.
When you depart from Kyoto, you can take any Shinkansen train to Tokyo or Shinagawa. Please see JR Central Shinkansen timetable (PDF).
After arrival at Shinjuku station, go to Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Odakyu Shinjku station to get Fuji Hakone Pass.
*Please see Odakyu website to get more detail about Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shijuku station.
By the way, Hakone and Fuji are located between Kyoto and Tokyo. Especially Odawara is the nearest station to Hakone and there is Shinkansen station. But I have two reasons why I skip Odawara and go to Tokyo. First of all, Fuji Hakone Pass is only unlimited ride ticket that covers both Hakone and Fuji can be purchased at Odakyu Shinjuku station only. We cannot purchase it at Odawara and any other stations other than Shinjuku. Second reason is luggage storage. In the trip to Fuji and Hakone, you will take lots of transportation and stay at different hotels for this 3 days trip. If you have a bit luggage, like full size suitcase, the luggage will be a big problem. So why don’t you leave your luggage in Shinjuku? This Fuji and Hakone trip is starting from Shinjuku and finish in Shinjuku. You can pack small luggage for just two nights trip to Fuji and Hakone. If you book hotel near Shinjuku station, you may be able to leave your luggage at the hotel. If you can’t you can use coin locker or storage service in the station.
In Fuji and Hakone, Odakyu Railway’s website provide nice itinerary and information about this trip. Please see Fuji-Hakone model course. But in this itinerary, recommended accommodations are a bit pricey. You can make an arrangement whatever you want.
Overnight in Lake Kawaguchi
Day 4 / Lake Kawaguchi – Gotemba – Hakone
Hakone Ropeway is one of the best way to see the mountains surrounding Hakone. ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO
Ticket : Fuji Hakone Pass
From Lake Kawaguchi to Gotemba, you can take Fuji Kyuko Bus by Fuji Hakone Free Pass. Unfortunately English timetable is not available, but you can check it at Japanese website. Please check Fuji Kyuko Bus website. There are two tables. Lower table is to Gotemba from Lake Kawaguchi. Lake Kawaguchi is shown as “河口湖駅” at the top of the table. Gotemba is shown as 御殿場駅（着）at the 4th row from the bottom. If you want to go to Gotemba Premium Outlet, you see “御殿場プレミアムアウトレット” at 2nd row from the bottom. If you click “11時～15時”, timetable shows timetable between 11:00 and 15:00. If you click “16時～19時”, you will see the bus between 16:00 and 19:00.
From Gotemba to Hakone-Togendai, take Odakyu highway bus. Timetable is shown on this PDF.
After arrival in Hakone-Togendai, you can enjoy cruise on Lake Ashi, Gondola ride or Hakone Tozan bus. All transportation guide in Hakone can be seen at Hakobe Navi.
Overnight in Hakone
Day 5 / Hakone – Tokyo
Ticket : Fuji Hakone Pass, Supplement ticket for Odakyu Romancecar
First of all, access to Hakone-Yumoto station. You can access there by Hakone Tozan Bus or Hakone Tozan Railway.
After arrival in Hakone-Yumoto station, you can take Odakyu Limited Express train “Romancecar” to Shinjuku directly. You have to pay additional 870 yen on Fuji Hakone Pass. But it is fast and more comfortable than local train. I strongly recommend to take this train.
If you leave your luggage in Shinjuku, don’t forget to pick up. Lots of shops and restaurant open until late in Shinjuku. You can enjoy Tokyo even after come back from Hakone.
Overnight in Tokyo
Day 6 / Tokyo
Ticket : Maybe subway pass (not included in total cost)
If you visit several places in one day, you may think about purchasing subway pass. Please see the post, Fast, economical and convenient for sightseeing in Tokyo. Learn about Tokyo Subways.
Overnight in Tokyo
Day 7 / Tokyo – Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND)
Ticket : Single ticket to Narita from Shinjuku and Supplement ticket for Narita Express (to Narita)
Single ticket to Shinagawa from Shinjuku (JR) and Shinagawa to Haneda Airport International Terminal (Keihin Kyuko)
If you go to Narita, Narita Express is the best option from Shinjuku. It is direct service and on time. You may be able to take direct limousine bus to Narita from the door of your hotel. Please see the post, Compare many rail services and shuttle bus. How to get downtown Tokyo from Narita airport.
If you go to Haneda, it is simple. Just purchase the ticket at the vending machine in the station. You don’t need to prepare in advance.
You can extend as you like
I tried to put everything in 7 day. So I skipped Osaka and Nara. Of course you can add anywhere between Osaka and Tokyo if you have extra time. If you want to stop at Osaka, you can still use ICOCA and Haruka. ICOCA can be used for Osaka subway as well. If your ICOCA is empty before you go to Kyoto, you can add Kyoto city pass for your sightseeing in Kyoto.
Of course you can complete this itinerary in reverse. Total cost is a bit higher but not much different.
Comments
Takeshi san, we are travelling to Japan for 10 days in mid Oct. We are big family of 11 +1 (6 year old) child.
KIX – OSAKA 19 Oct (stay in Ibis style – arrive evening eta 21:50 pm ) – visit Universal
2 nights in Osaka
OSAKA – Kyoto (2 nights)
Kyoto – wants to see mt Fuji shall we stay in Kawaguchi lake & Hakone ? how many nights?
how to get to Tokyo ? stay 3 nights or so, can you help me plan my itinererary please as how many nights & places to see. thanks
We will leave at 9.15 pm on 30th Oct from Haneda
What would you recommend us to travel with :
KIX to IBIS Osaka for 11 people +1 child
OSAKA – Kyoto – Hakone – etc – Tokyo shall we travel by JR pass? Or shall we just buy single trip pass ?
Hi Rebecca,
Please see the link below to find the info about access to Fuji/Hakone from Osaka and Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
You don’t need to visit both Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone. If you want to see Mt. Fuji, you can visit either one. If you want to have Onsen experience, Hakone is recommended. And also you can visit from Tokyo as day trip.
I have one sample day trip itinerary which include both places. But this is very very busy trip. If you make only one of Hakone or Lake Kawaguchi, day trip is such an easy trip.
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
JR pass is not your choice. Just one way single ticket is your choice.
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
You may use local deals in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. Please see the links 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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.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
You can find the deal for KIX to Osaka in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
You may charter small bus or taxi from KIX to Osaka. But I have no idea how much this will be. I don’t have any info either.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. Is there any updated most efficient route to travel from Kyoto to Hakone, and then Hakone to Tokyo? Where is the most popular area to stay in Hakone?
Hi Fenny,
You can just drop by Odawara on the way to Tokyo from Kyoto. Hakone is a few stations away from Odawara. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/odawara-station-guide-how-to-transfer-to-the-train-to-hakone.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Hakone-Yumoto and Gora are very popular to stay in Hakone but there are many accommodations between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora. Togendai also has many accommodations too. You can choose it by the style of accommodation and your budget too. As long as you stay near the stations, it’s accessible.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
Please could you help us determine whether we should purchase a Japan Rail pass (from New Zealand) for the following trip or whether it would be better just to purchase the tickets in Japan when we arrive:
We plan to travel:
Tokyo to Hakone
4 days after arriving in Hakone: Hakone to Kyoto
6 days after arriving in Kyoto: Kyoto to Tokyo (Narita airport)
While we are in Tokyo we may do a day trip to Nikko by train
While we are in Kyoto we may do a day trip to Nara by train.
We look forward to your recommendations. Thank you.
Hi Rachael,
In my understanding, you will spend 7 days for Hakone-Kyoto-Narita. Is this right? If so, you can use 7 days JR pass for this segment. Single fare is okay for Tokyo to Hakone. You may use Hakone Free Pass from Odawara. It’s same way as the sample itinerary above. You may use other deals for trip to Nikko.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi San.
Please help me plan my trip to explore part of Japan.
What’s the better route if I am going to run the Mt. Fujisan marathon on Nov 27 2016.
Tokyo. Kawaguchiko. Hakone. Kyoto. Nara. Osaka?
How can I travel the cheapest?
I can do the overnight bus as well 🙂
Thank you very much
Hi Candy san,
I can give you only train trip plan. I know there are many overnight bus services there. But I have not taken overnight bus in last 10 years. So I don’t have any updated info. Please see the link below to find bus info.
https://willerexpress.com/en/
Please don’t ask me about the bus in the link above.
The following link shows you Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka route by train and local bus.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-tokyo-hakone-kyoto-and-osaka-classic-route-in-7-days.html
You can squeeze Lake Kawaguchi between Tokyo and Hakone. I gave you some info about access to Lake Kawaguchi at your previous reply. Please refer the info too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
kindly advise whether my itinerary is fine. My husband and I tend to wake up around 10am and will usually have brunch at 11.30am. It’s our first time visiting Japan and we want to take it at a slow pace. Our primary objective is to visit hakone shrine to visit the thousand years old tree that protects mother and child for smooth pregnancy as well as to try Kobe beef.
I am wondering should I purchase a JR 7 days pass other than ICOCA? Because the single ticket from kansai to odawara station, and single ticket from odawara to Namba station roughly the same as JR pass.
27th Jan, Wednesday
– Reach kansai airport at 6.15am.
– buy ticket at kansai airport to hakone yumoto station.
– should reach hakone yumoto before 2pm.
– Check in hotel walkable from hakone yumoto station before 3pm and leave for hakone shrine and lake aishi.
– Get back to hotel before 6pm for dinner.
– Enjoy Omsen for rest of the night.
28th Jan, Thursday
– check out hotel at 10am.
– visit the rest of hakone using hakone free pass. Should be fast since partial of hakone are closed.
– catch train from hakone yumoto around 2pm to Namba station, Osaka.
– check in hotel walkable from Namba station.
– explore dotonbori area in the evening.
29th Jan, Friday
– visit kiyomizu Deru temple at 1pm (shiji karasuma station)
– visit nishiki market by 5pm (Kawaramachi station)
30th Jan, Saturday
– visit Auarium Kaiyukan at 1pm (osakako station)
– visit kuromon ichiba at 4pm (Namba station)
– visit shinsaibashi at 8pm. (Namba station)
31st Jan, Sunday
– visit Ishida Kitanozaka, Kobe for Kobe beef at 12noon (sannomiya station)
– visit either mt maya or Nara
– visit dotonbori at night
1st Feb, Monday
– visit fushimi inari at 1pm (inari station)
– visit gion shijio at 4pm (inari station)
– dinner at dotonbori
2nd Feb, Tuesday
– leave hotel by 7am
– reach kansai airport by 8am to check in.
– flight at 10am.
Hi Susie,
You can make this plan easily. JR pass is cheaper than single fare. But you need to add Hakone Free Pass as you think, and some city deals in Osaka and Kyoto. Because subway and local bus are not covered by JR Pass.
And also I have only two small things to mention.
Kiyomizudera is closer to Kawaramachi station than Karasuma. Please check the map in the link below:
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
The nearest station is Kiyomizu-Gojo. Gion can be squeezed between Kiyomizudera and Nishiki Market.
Nara after Kobe beef lunch will be tight. I think you will spend 2 hours to eat lunch. Roughly you will be Nara around 16:00. It’s a bit late to visit there. If you really want to go to Nara, you can visit after Fushimi. As I mentioned above, Gion can be visited after Kiyomizudera.
I also recommend you to check the links below. You will find the coverage of JR pass in Osaka and Kansai area.
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/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/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 takeshi,
Thank you for your kind input. I will purchase the JR pass for 7 days. In that case, do you recommend me to stay at JR Namba or Namba station since I have the JR Pass?
Hi Susie,
JR Namba is a bit away from center of Namba. If you use JR pass and book a hotel near Namba (not JR Namba), you have to walk for at least 10 minutes with your luggage. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi Takeshi
I am going to Japan from 30th March, 2016 to 5th April, 2016.
Below is my plan, please advice. Thank you very much..
30/3 (wed) : early AM from KIX to Osaka
31/3 (thurs) : Osaka
1/4 (fri) : noon from Osaka to Kyoto
2/4 (sat) : noon from Kyoto to Tokyo
3/4 (sun) : Tokyo
4/4 (mon) : early AM from Tokyo to Nagoya
5/4 (tues) : early AM from Nagoya to Osaka
the Osaka (2night) stay is confirmed, the rest (4night) stay not confirmed yet…
Hi Hazel,
You may use JR pass 7 days. It will cover most part of your trip from the beginning to the end.
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 san,
I am travelling with a group to Japan in February. We are skiiing in Hakuba for 7 days and then have 7 days to travel around. Our draft itinerary for sightseeing after skiing is as follows:
Tue 16 Feb: Hakuba – Tokyo AM
Wed 17 Feb: Tokyo sightseeing
Thurs 18 Feb: Tokyo – Kyoto PM
Fri 19 Feb: Kyoto
Sat 20 Feb: Kyoto – Osaka AM
Sun 21 Feb: Osaka
Mon 22 Feb: Osaka – Hiroshima -Osaka (day trip)
Tues 23 Feb: Osaka – Tokyo AM – Narita PM
Can you please advise what would be the best / cheapest option for getting around by rail?
Thanks,
Emmy-lyn
Hi Emmy-lyn san,
Can you do Tokyo sightseeing at the end of your trip? Because it takes 8 days from Hakuba to the end of you trip. JR Pass is available for 7 days and 14 days. But 7 days is too short and 14 days is too expensive for 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
If you do sightseeing in Tokyo on 22 Feb, you can complete from Hakuba to Tokyo via Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. This is most cost effective plan. If you cannot change your plan, you have to use single ticket for most part of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Need your advise, I have booked air ticket for family of 3. Alighting at Itami airport – Osaka (4night) – Kyoto (2night) – Fuji (2night) – Tokyo (5night) – Narita airport. Hope my planning is ok and what kind of train ticket should I get. Rather familiar in Tokyo as I travel there often free and easy, been to above location via joining tour group , this time round will be going free and easy.
Best regards
Tay
Hi Tay san,
Your itinerary is okay. You can take limousine bus from Itami to downtown Osaka.
http://osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/bus/
And then it’s same way as the sample itinerary above. There is no deal to cover whole part of your trip. You may combine local deals, such as subway pass and single ticket.
If you just visit Hakone only to see Mt. Fuji, you can get off at Odawara and use Hakone Free Pass. Please find more info about Fuji at 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi San,
Good day
Tay
No problem, Tay san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san ^^v
I’m going to visit Japan for 6 days in May. Can you please advise on what the best plan for getting around would be by rail?
Friday: Arrive AM from KIX to Osaka
Saturday: Early AM from Osaka to Kyoto
Sunday: Early AM from Kyoto to Hakone then late to Tokyo
Monday: Tokyo
Tuesday: Tokyo
Wednesday: Tokyo depart midnight from Haneda
Arigatou~
Akma Chan
Hi Akma san,
It’s almost same as the plan above. You can make a stopover at Odawara by Kyoto-Tokyo one way ticket. And you may purchase Hakone Free Pass as you need at Odawara. Please see the links below to get the details:
Single ticket rule 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
Odawara station https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/odawara-station-guide-how-to-transfer-to-the-train-to-hakone.html
Hakone Free pass http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I’m going to visiting Japan for seven-days in November. Can you please advise on what the best plan for getting around would be by rail?
Monday: Early AM from KIX –> Osaka
Tuesday: Osaka
Wednesday: Early AM from Osaka –> Kyoto
Thursday: Noon from Kyoto –> Hakone
Friday: Noon from Hakone –> Tokyo
Saturday: Tokyo
Sunday: Tokyo
Monday: Noon from Tokyo –> Narita
Arigatou~
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy san,
You may pick up one of the deals from the link below for arrival day.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Osaka subway pass or Amazing pass may suit your plan in Osaka.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
Single ticket is your choice from Osaka to Tokyo with stop over Kyoto and Odawara.
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
In Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo, you may find the deal at the links below:
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
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/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
No deal is available for Narita.
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