Some of you are wondering if you should use JR pass or not for one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka via Hakone and Kyoto. Actually JR pass does not meet this trip. The price of 7-day JR pass is 29100 yen. One way base fare from Tokyo to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka plus Shinkansen surcharge is around 14000 yen. As long as you have one way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka, JR pass is way more expensive than single fare. Even if you use JR pass when you stay in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it is not realistic to spend another 15000 yen. Base fare in these cities is 200 to 500 yen.
In this post, I show you the sample itinerary and some deals in these cities.
*When you follow this sample itinerary, please check the updated timetable. You can find more information about timetable at the link below:
Guide to plan your trip. How to find Japan Railway’s timetables
Day 1 Narita or Haneda airport to downtown Tokyo
Suggested deals for Narita passengers
There are many deals available. Please refer the following link about Narita deals:
Suggested deals for Haneda passengers
Please refer the following links:
Day 2 Tokyo
Enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo.
You can find the detailed information of train system in downtown Tokyo in the link below. You also can find the information about the deals:
In Tokyo, the single fare is very reasonable because of a short trip. The regular fare may be cheaper if you visit one or two places. You may use IC card, such Suica or Pasmo instead:
Day 3 Tokyo to Hakone
Suggested itinerary
08:53 Shinjuku
Odakyu railway’s limited express “Romancecar” Hakone 9
10:35 Hakone-Yumoto
Leave your baggage at hotel or locker at the station. Enjoy sightseeing Hakone all day.
Odakyu Railway is most convenient to get Hakone and cheaper than JR trains. You can purchase base fare ticket and Hakone Free Pass Odawara departure at Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku station.
Suggested deals
Base fare ticket (Shinjuku – Odawara) and Hakone Free Pass (Odawara departure 2 days)
You may find more information about Hakone Free Pass and Odakyu Railway in the link below:
Hakone Free Pass official site
Shinjuku departure Hakone Free Pass (5140 yen) is not required for this itinerary. Because it includes round trip to/from Shijuku. But you do not come back to Shinjuku and leave Hakone then go to Kyoto next day. Of course single fare for Shinjuku-Odawara is cheaper than the difference between Shinjuku departure Hakone Free Pass and Odawara departure Hakone Free Pass.
Once you get Hakone, use Hakone Free Pass as much as you can. You can get most of places in Hakone by this pass.
I recommend you to stay in Hakone for at least one night. But if you want to visit Hakone as “luggage free” day trip from Tokyo, Hakone Free Pass Shinjuku departure is the best deal.
I have the post which explains about the access to Hakone and the trip plan in Hakone in the link below:
Day 4 Hakone to Kyoto
Suggested itinerary
09:40 Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone Tozan Railway
09:54 Odawara
10:08 Odawara
Hikari 507
12:13 Kyoto
Odawara station is the nearest JR station to Hakone. You can catch the the Tokaido Shinkansen to get Kyoto. Please find the details about Odawara station at the following:
There are some Shinkansen train, “Hikari” stop at Odawara and takes you to Kyoto without any transfer. I picked 10:08 departure, Hikari 507. Please see the timetable at the link below and find the train what you want to take:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
You may find Hikari which stop at Odawara mostly every two hours. Please try to catch this kind of Hikari. This is the fastest and direct way to get Kyoto from Odawara.
There is no deals to cover the trip from Odawara to Kyoto. The base fare ticket and the Shinkansen seat fee ticket are required to take the Tokaido Shinkansen. You can purchase these tickets in advance if you want. The Shinkansen and limited express surcharge tickets can be purchased at most major JR stations that have reservation window, a.k.a. “Midori no Madoguchi”. The base fare ticket also can be purchased with surcharge ticket at same time. If you do so, you can just transfer from Hakone Tozan Railway train to the Shinkansen at Odawara.
If you follow my suggested itinerary, you have half day for sightseeing in Kyoto. I recommend you to visit south part of Kyoto, like Fushimi Inari. It’s just 5 minutes away from Kyoto station by Nara line local train. If you want, you can visit even Nara.
If you need some more information about Kyoto station, please refer the link below:
Day 5 Kyoto
You can enjoy in Kyoto for all day.
Please refer the links below to find the information of train system in Kyoto and deals in Kyoto.
Day 6 Kyoto to Osaka
Suggested itinerary
09:14 Kyoto
Special rapid
09:43 Osaka
I use JR train, Special Rapid which is the fastest way to get Osaka (Umeda). It is a sort of commute train. Only base fare is required to take this train.
There are many other trains running between Kyoto and Osaka. Please see the link below to find the train network in Kansai area:
After arriving in Osaka, you may add the deal as you need.
Day 7 Osaka to Kansai airport
There are some deals available. Please see the link below:
Summary and total costs
If you have one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka, as you read above, the key is how to combine some local deals and the regular fare ticket. In this itinerary, approximate total cost is 23,000 to 26,000 yen. It is cheaper than JR Pass 7-day. And JR Pass does not cover Hakone area, subway and city bus in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. You might feel the total cost is very close to JR Pass 7-day. But actual different is much bigger.
I show you 7 days itinerary but you can extend staying in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto or Osaka. And also I have another sample itinerary that includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka only. Please see the following post to find it.
I hope this post will help you to build your trip plan to Japan!
Comments
Hi takeshi
Can I seek your advice on land transport on the following
Flying in to Osaka. Stay 2 days
Osaka to kyoto. Stay 2 days
Kyoto to Tokyo. Stay 2 days
Tokyo to haneda
Thanks
Jean
Hi Jean,
Your plan is similar to my other sample itinerary. You may get some idea about your trip.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-hakone-fuji-and-tokyo-classic-route.html
In the itinerary above, I recommended ICOCA and Haruka. But you will stay in Osaka. You may find other deals at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Single ticket is okay for Osaka to Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, can you please tell me if this itinerary is worth getting a JR 7 day Rail pass or any other recommendations you will make? I greatly appreciate your input and advice!! Thank you
Day 1 – arrive to Osaka Kansai airport (August 15)
Day 2 – spend day in Osaka
Day 3 – day trip to Nara, then return to Osaka
Day 4 – train from Osaka to Mt. Fuji (looking at Kozantei Ubuya Ryokan)
Day 5 – climb Mt. Fuji
Day 6 – train to from Mt Fuji area Ito
Day 7 – explore Ito (looking at Yokikan Ryokan)
Day 8 – train to Tokyo in morning
Day 9 – depart from Narita in evening
Hi Suzanne,
JR pass does not meet your itinerary. If you use JR pass, round trip between Osaka and Tokyo is required. Even if you use the pass for other trips, like day trip to Nara, it’s not enough. As you see the sample itinerary above, your total train cost is not much different from the cost shown in the post above.
So single ticket is the best choice for Osaka to Mishima, Mishima to Ito and Ito to Tokyo. Mishima is the station to catch the bus to Fuji. Please see the link above.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Even if you have JR pass, the bus services are not included.
When you go to Ito from Fuji, you have to take a bus to get Mishima again. And take a train to Ito.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-atami-ito-shimoda-and-other-places-in-izu-peninsula-by-railways.html
You may use some deals from KIX to Osaka. But there are not many choices to get Narita.
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/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, ive found your page and its very informative. My daughter and I are travelling to Tokyo, Narita in september for a week. We want to see mount Fuji, maybe Hakone or Lake area. Then we want to visit Koyasan and have temple stay. Then some time in Kyoto, we have been Kyoto before but want to visit a few sights we missed last time such at Fushimi shrine. Can you advise on best way to do these places with best travel options. Which order to visit would be helpful. Thanks so much Julie
Hi Julie,
You can follow the sample itinerary above, but you need to remove Osaka. And then add Koyasan instead of Osaka. However you have to go back to Narita after Koyasan. Kyoto is closer to Tokyo than Koyasan. So switch Koyasan and Kyoto. You may visit Koyasan after Hakone. It’s easier to get back to Tokyo.
If you really want to see Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi is better than Hakone. But in this case, day trip to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo is easier. You may remove Hakone and Hakone staty, and add stay one more night in Tokyo and make a day trip to Lake Kawaguchi.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Could you take a look at our itinerary? Should we get 7 day JR pass? Which passes should we buy while staying in our base cities and for day trips? This is still preliminary so suggestions on moving things around are welcomed. We are not sure if it is better to take day trips from Osaka or Kyoto (such as Nara and Hiroshima). Is it possible to go from Hakone to HND to depart or too risky?
Thanks!
Bob
24-Oct Osaka-Arrive KIX
25-Oct Osaka-Day trip Hiroshima and Miyajima (better from Kyoto?)
26-Oct Osaka-Day trip Mt. Koya and Nara (better from Kyoto?)
27-Oct Osaka-Day trip Kobe and Himeji
28-Oct Kyoto-Osaka to Kyoto – Eastern Kyoto
29-Oct Kyoto-Day trip Arashiyaman, Sagano Scenic Railway-Kyoto
30-Oct Tokyo-Kyoto to Tokyo
31-Oct Tokyo
1-Nov Tokyo-Day trip Yokohama
2-Nov Tokyo-Day trip Izu
3-Nov Tokyo-Day trip Odaiba
4-Nov Tokyo-Day trip Kawagoe?
5-7 Nov Tokyo
8-Nov Hakone-Tokyo to Hakone (Fuji Hakone freepass?)
9-Nov Hakone-Follow Odakyu Fuji Hakone course
10-Nov Depart HND
Hi Bob,
You may use JR pass 7 days for the first 7 days of your trip.
I suggest you to make some change your itinerary.
1) Mt. Koya and Nara
It’s a bit tight. I think you will spend one full day for Mt. Koya. And JR Pass does not cover Mt. Koya. Koyasan World Heritage Pass is recommended.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/koyasan.html
If you really want to visit Nara much more than Koyasan, give you Koyasan and visit Nara and southern Kyoto, such as Uji, Fushimi.
2) Trip to Izu
This is the longest trip when you are in Tokyo. It should be in 7 days coverage period. So try to visit Izu on 31-Oct. Other trips are closed to Tokyo and single fare is fine.
3) Hakone
Are you visiting just Hakone? or Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi? If you visit both, Fuji Hakone Pass is recommended. But if you are okay with just view of Fuji, you can see Mt. Fuji from Hakone. In this case, Hakone Free Pass is fine. If you use Fuji Hakone Pass, you should visit Lake Kawaguchi first. Because Hakone is closer to Haneda.
If you leave from Haneda in the afternoon, you may take direct bus to Haneda from Hakone.
http://hnd-bus.com/route/hakoneyumoto.html
But this bus is not covered by Fuji Hakone Pass. If you use Fuji Hakone Pass, give up the portion of return trip to Shinjuku or back to Shinjuku and go to Haneda.
Anyway as long as your flight depart in the afternoon, you can depart from Hakone. But if your flight leave in the morning, it may be risky.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
I’m still wondering where I should buy a JR Pass or not. Here is my travel plan:
– Day 1-4: Tokyo
– Day 5-6: Kyoto
– Day 7-10: Osaka
I’ll be making side trips to Nara, Himeji and Mount Koya. Is it better to buy individual ticket or any JR pass?
Thank you very much.
Hi Zee,
If you arrive and depart from Tokyo, 7 days JR Pass fit for day 4 to 10. If you one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka, single fare may be cheaper. But if you take Shinkansen from Osaka to Himeji, the difference is very small. JR pass is still more expensive than single fare but it’s more flexible.
The choice is yours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will be staying at odawara for 2 nights. If I purchase the Hakone 2 days free pass, does it include unlimited trips from odawara to Hakone and back? Or does the pass only starts from hakone- Yumoto station?
Hi Kate,
Yes. Hakone Yumoto-Odawara is in coverage area too. You can take the train in this segment as many as you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your reply. I will be visiting Japan for the fiorst time in November. My itinerary is as follows:
D1: Arrive Tokyo 7 morning
D2: Tokyo
D3: Tokyo
D4: Disneyland Tokyo
D5: Tokyo – Odawara
D6: Odawara – Hakone
D7: Odawara – Kyoto
D8: Kyoto
D9: Kyoto
D10: Morning flight at 11 am from Kansai Airport
I’m not planning to get the Rail pass. However buying single way ticket is a bit confusing for me.
Question:
1) Can i buy a ticket all the way from Odawara to Kansai Airport but stopping in Kyoto for 3 Nights? If yes, how much will that cost?
2)On Day 10, how early should i leave for airport? How long does it take from Kyoto Station to Kansai Airport?
3) Is it advisable to get Kaiser one way ticket + 3 days tokyo Subway/metro pass when i reach Tokyo? I will be staying in Shinjuku area.
4) How do i travel from Shinjuku to disneyland for a day trip?
Thank you! Appreciate your insight.
Kate
Hi Kate,
1) The ticket is valid for 4 days. You can find the rule of single ticket at 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
The cost is about 15000 yen but it depends on how you take a train. This rough cost includes base fare, Shinkansen surcharge (Odawara-Kyoto) and Limited Express Haruka non reserved seat (Kyoto-KIX). You may find the cost break down at the post above.
By the way, you may purchase these ticket in advance. You can purchase at any JR stations in Tokyo. Of course you can purchase at Shijuku station or Odawara station.
2) It takes about 1.5 hours by Limited Express Haruka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
You may find the timetable at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
3) it’s hard to tell. Keisei does not take you to Shinjuku directly. You have to transfer at either Nippori or Ueno. You will get subway pass. But JR Yamanote line is the best way to get Shinjuku. This is not subway and not covered by subway pass. On the other hand, JR Narita Express takes you Shinjuku directly from Narita. But there is no deals for one way traveller. Subway pass is very attractive. But you need to pay extra to get Shinjuku on arrival day.
4) Please see the link below:
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/access/
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/tokyo-station-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-shinkansen-narita-express-and-other-local-trains.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/trip-to-tokyo-disneyland-and-tokyo-disneysea-in-2015-spring-part-1-preparation-and-access-from-narita.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’ve been reading your impressive blog. I looked through your list of itineraries, but I couldn’t seem to find any on a round trip using JR Pass, for instance if I want to travel across Japn from KIX for 7-8 days and then return to KIX.
If you have a link that I probably missed, please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Dwi,
I don’t think I have. But if you travel round trip to Tokyo or round trip to Hakata or more, 7 days pass will work. I have received many inquiries about one way from Osaka to Tokyo or reverse. So I made these sample.
If you show me your plan, I check whether JR pass will work or not.
Cheers,
Takeshi
Thanks for your reply.
My itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Arrive at KIX then Kyoto
Day 2: Activate JR Pass, Kyoto to Nara back to Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto to Himeji then continue to Hiroshima
Day 4: Hiroshima/Miyajima to Kobe
Day 5: Kobe then Tokyo
Day 6: Tokyo whole day
Day 7: Tokyo to Kawaguchiko then either back to Tokyo or Yokohama
Day 8: Tokyo/Yokohama to Osaka
Day 9: Osaka to KIX
Please advise if you have a suggestion for a better route.
Thanks!
Hi Dwi,
Yes. 7 days pass will give you a big saving.
You may use ICOCA and Haruka for arrival and departure day.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thanks again for your help.
For my full day travel in Kyoto and Tokyo respectively, should I just use the JR Pass or do I need to purchase another pass or just use the ICOCA?
Thanks!
Dwi.
Hi Dwi,
JR Pass covers some points. Please find more info at 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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Of course, you will have 1500 yen e-money in ICOCA. This can be used for any non JR trains, such as subway.
Cheers,
TAkeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
Thanks for your helpful article. We will be visiting Japan for 10 days in July arriving and departing via Narita. We’d like to visit Kyoto and Osaka as well. Is it better for us to buy the JR pass or can we just buy the loose tickets?
Thanks
Hi Senja,
Tokyo-Osaka round trip fare by Shinkansne is just slightly cheaper than 7 days JR pass. You will use the pass during stay in Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto. So JR Pass 7 days is the best choice for you. As long as you use the pass for Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto-Tokyo portion of your trip, it will work.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I’ll be in Japan on June 10-16, and I’m quite confused with the railway system. Anyhow, here are my planned dates and cities:
June 10- (Arrival at Narita) Tokyo
June 11- Tokyo
June 12 – Osaka
June 13 – Osaka
June 14 – Kyoto
June 15 – Tokyo
June 16 – Flight back to Manila
And seeing that I’m actually gonna be going to three major cities, would you recommend for me to buy the 7day pass, or just purchase the tickets individually? Can I also use the 7-day pass from the Airport to Tokyo and Vice Versa?
Your reply would very much be helpful.
Thank you.
Kathlee
Hi Kathleen,
Yes. You can use JR Pass 7 days for your trip. You can use the pass between airport and Tokyo.
Narita https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-narita-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
Haneda https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
You also can find some info about using pass in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there !
I plan to stay in Japan for 11 days and will purchase Jprail pass for 7 days. Here is my plan
Day 1 and 2 Tokyo to Nikko
Day 2 to 3 Nikko to Mt. Fuji
Day 3 to 5 Mt. Fuji to Shikagawa-go
Day 5 to 7 shirakawa-go to Kanazawa
Day 7 to 10 Kanazawa to Kyoto
Day 10 to 11 Kyoto to Osaka
Would you kindly show me how to go from Tokyo to Nikko till I get to Kyoto. I’ve been trying to read the direction online but It doesn’t help much. I’m more on the visualize side that when I see thing I wild remember well but not wording with direction alone. I really appreciate if you could help me out thanks
Best regard,
Mia
Hi Mia,
I think the following links will help you to find the route.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
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/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail