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,
i have purchased a 7 days JR pass order for my trip on October 25 to November 2, 2015. but i am planning to stay longer in japan. is it possible to exchange the 7 day pass to 14 day pass since i haven’t use and activate it? thank you
regards,
micci
Hi Micci,
No, you cannot. You have to change your exchange order from 7 days to 14 days. That means you have to return your exchange order and ask your travel agent to issue new exchange order. You may have to pay some handling charge. But anyway you have to contact your travel agent.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
My family of four (3 adults & 1 child) is visiting Japan from 20 – 31 Dec. Appreciate your advice on the transport. Is JR Pass a good option?
20/12 Arrive in Narita Airport, Tokyo, stay in Shinjuku area
23/12 Depart from Tokyo to Osaka
26/12 Travel from Osaka to Kyoto
29/12 Travel from Kyoto to Tokyo
31/12 Depart from Narita Airport, Tokyo
Thanks for your advice.
Best Regards
Teddy
Hi Teddy,
Yes. You can use JR pass 7 days for 23/12 to 29/12 of your trip. But you may need to add some local deals in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo because it does not cover subway and local bus. Please find more info at the links 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/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/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
You may add NEX Tokyo Round trip ticket for arrival and departure days.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Japan from 7th November to 18 November. I’m flying to Tokyo Haneda airport and will be departing from Tokyo Narita airport. I would like to cover Osaka, Hakone and Tokyo during my stay. I would like your advise on travelling from city to city base on my following agenda.
7th Nov – arrival reaching 10:00pm Japan time at Haneda Airport.
8th to 11th Nov – Osaka. Morning train to Osaka from tokyo
11th Nov to 12th Nov – Osaka to Hakone
12th Nov to 18th Nov – Hakone to Tokyo
Could you advise how I should travel from city to city?
Thanks & Regards,
Eric
Hi Eric,
You can take Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka. And you can use JR pass 7 days from Nov 8.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
You may add subway pass in Osaka because subway is not covered by JR pass. Subway is more convenient to access to some places in Osaka.
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
Hakone is not covered either. You may purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara.
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
Dear Sir,
Can you please help me to arrange my train with my schedule below :
day 1-3
Osaka
day 4
Osaka – Takayama
day 5
Takayam-Shirakawa
day 6
Shirakawa – Takayama – Mount Fuji
day 7 -9
Mount Fuji – Kyoto
day 10 – 12
Kyoto – Tokyo
And what do you prefer the one way train or with JR pass? Thank you so much in advance for your help.
Thank you!
Hi Christie,
If you go to Tokyo on day 10, you may use 7 days JR pass from day 4 to day 10.
When you arrive in Osaka, you may find some deal from KIX to Osaka at he link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
In Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto, you may add subway/bus deal as you need.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.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
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
If you leave from Narita or Haneda, there is no deal. Single ticket for train or bus is your choice.
P.S. I don’t reply to any readers personally. So I deleted your email address from your comment.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
we are first timers in japan. we would like to experience a lot during our 8days stay (techincally 7days since we will arrive 8pm on day 1 and leave 6pm on day 8).
does our itinerary physically possible? or could you suggest a better one? 🙂
day 1 evening osaka
day 2 morning hiroshima & miyajima
evening osaka
day 3 morning himeji + nara + gion
evening kyoto
day 4 morning kanazawa
evening kyoto
day 5 morning kyoto
evening fuji – ryokan
day 6 morning tokyo – city
evening tokyo
day 7 morning tokyo – theme park
evening tokyo
day 8 morning osaka / koya
thanks in advace! 🙂
Hi Kennard,
I think day 3 and day 8 are very tight.
On day 3, it will be evening if you visit both Nara and Himeji. If you are okay with only evening in Gion, you can keep this itinerary. If you want to visit some places in Gion, like Kyomizu-dera temple. I recommend you to remove either Nara or Himeji.
On day 8, even if you leave early morning from Tokyo, you will be Osaka around 8:00 am. You will spend another 2 hours to get Koyasan. And then you will spend another 3 hours to get back to KIX. Your flight is 6:00pm You can stay in Koyasan around 1-2 hours. it’s too tight. If you really want to go to Koyasan, you have to get back to Osaka on day 7. Even if you go to Koyasan from Osaka, It’s still very tight. But it’s much better than from Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hello, we are arriving osaka on the 28 Sept 2015, from airport we need transfers to osaka hotel, 2 nights osaka then off to kyoto for the day, back to osaka for the night, then off to tokyo hopefully via shinkansen. Can I inquire as to what is the best regional pass to get for these cities since JR pass does not seem like a savings; we depart japan from tokyo haneda. please help! which pass do we get? which might cover trains and buses in these cities as well. First time in japan. Do we get JR Kansai pass? Do we get PASMO pass? do they include transfers to and from airports? HELP! please…
Hi JC Soler,
You may learn how to choose the pass for staying in Osaka at the link below. It shows you about sample itinerary of staying in just Osaka. But you can use some ways in this plan to choose the pass.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
In most of case, Kansai thru pass is the best. But you have to fix your location to stay and detailed itinerary. JR Kansai pass is a good pass but it does not cover any subway and local bus services, but Kansai thru pass does. Especially in Kyoto, this is a huge advantage because you cannot visit many places in Kyoto without bus and subway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I have planned my itinerary according to how you have outlined just that I extended some days in certain cities. I will now spend 4N in Tokyo, followed by 1N in Hakone, then 2N in Kyoto before ending off at Osaka with 2N. As I’m spending 2N in Kyoto, how do I get from Kyoto to Osaka in the most economical way since I can no longer use the same single trip ticket?
Thank you for your advice in advance!
Hi Geraldine,
If you want to get Umeda (JR Osaka), JR line is still the best choice. But if you will stay in different location, like Namba, Keihan Railway is cheaper.
There are many ways between Osaka and Kyoto. You need to find the exact location for both Osaka and Kyoto. Otherwise you cannot find the best route. Please see the link below to get the details:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
For Kyoto, I’m staying at Shimogyo-ku area and for Osaka, I’m staying near the JR Namba station. I’ll check out the Keihan Railway then. Is it still more economical to buy all separate tickets, rather than just purchase the JR 7-days pass with my planned itinerary?
Thank you!
Hi Geraldine,
If you use JR pass, you can take JR train to get Osaka from Kyoto. And then transfer to Osaka loop line to Imamiya. And you need to transfer again to another local train to JR-Namba from Imamiya.
It may take longer than Keihan. But it’s covered by JR pass fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi, we are travelling to Japan on 28 Sept – 6 Oct 2015; we are thinking landing in Osaka, 2 days Osaka/Kyoto, then off to Tokyo. For such a limited amount of days in Japan, what do you suggest we include or see in these places? and do you suggest JR Pass? thank you sir.
Hi JC Soler,
If you travel one way to Tokyo from Osaka, JR Pass is too expensive. The following link shows you sample itinerary. It is different but you may get some idea:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-hakone-fuji-and-tokyo-classic-route.html
Sorry but I cannot recommend the place to see because everybody has different taste.
So at this point, I cannot many things to say about deals before you fix your itinerary.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
This is Lee from Malaysia.
I’m in the process of planning my 3-4 week trip (starting Oct 19) in Japan and I use your sample itinerary as my reference. Thanks for writing this.
Basically I’d be flying to Tokyo and then go back from Osaka.
First 2-week look something like this…
Day 1 – 7: Tokyo (7 nights)
Day 8 -9: Yokohama (2 nights)
Day 10-11: Fujisawa & Kamakura (2 nights)
Day 12-14: Hakone (3 nights)
I still figure out how should I plan for the rest of my trip. Basically, I’d do something like…
> Hakone to Kyoto (3-4 nights)
> Kyoto to Osaka
> I’d also like to spend time in Nara and overnight in Koyasan.
So my question is — if you were me, how would you plan it so that it makes sense. Also, do I need a JR Pass? (I won’t be going back to Tokyo anymore)
I’d really appreciate if you can provide some valuable insights.
Thanks again!
Hi Lee,
First of all, JR Pass is not your choice because round trip fare between Tokyo and Osaka is slightly cheaper than even 7 days pass. So single fare is the choice for most part of your trip.
Your plan is good and I don’t have many things to tell you. If I were you, I use 14 days JR Pass and add some more sites, like Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima. Because I prefer to stay in many places. Even if you want to stay at each places for multiple night, you still have several nights. Nara can be accessed from Kyoto or Osaka as day trip. I think one night is okay for Koyasan. I also make day trips to Yokohama and Kamakura from Tokyo and use these four nights at other places.
My style might be different from yours. But Japan has many places to see. I think you have a time to see in different regions.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Thank You! Your response is greatly appreciated.
No problem, Lee.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Lee here again.
I thought about what you suggested last night. Since I’ve a long journey in Japan, I might as well see more places.
Let’s say I were to include Takayama, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima in my itinerary. Is this the correct way…
From Hakone > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto
> So 2 NIGHTS each on Takayama and Kanazawa will be enough?
> Also, how do I travel to Hiroshima? Should I start from Kyoto or Osaka? (I’ll go back home from Osaka)
> Oh, if I purchase the 14 days JR Pass, from where would you advice me to activate it?
> You said you’d make day trips to Yokohama and Kamakura from Tokyo. You mean there’s no need to overnight on these 2 places?
Feel free to make any suggestions you think might help.
Your site has really helped me a lot. Thanks!
Hi Lee,
> From Hakone > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto
Yes.
> So 2 NIGHTS each on Takayama and Kanazawa will be enough?
yes
> Also, how do I travel to Hiroshima? Should I start from Kyoto or Osaka? (I’ll go back home from Osaka)
Osaka is better but you can access there from Kyoto too. The following link shows you day trip to Hiroshima. But you may find the route to get there from Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
> Oh, if I purchase the 14 days JR Pass, from where would you advice me to activate it?
I have to see your final itinerary before I make a decision. 14 days pass may be more expensive than single fare. If you put Tokyo at first and Kyoto/Osaka at last, 7 days pass may be fit. Anyway at this point, your itinerary has not been fixed yet.
> You said you’d make day trips to Yokohama and Kamakura from Tokyo. You mean there’s no need to overnight on these 2 places?
In my opinion, yes. One day each is okay for me. But everybody has different taste. So it depends on how much you are interested in these places.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Mr Takeshi
We (party of 2) will be travelling to Tokyo on 13 Oct nite and departing Tokyo on 20 Oct.
This is our simple itinerary :
i) Day 1 and 2 – Tokyo (hotel in Shinjuku)
ii) Day 3 – Proceed to Hakone (1 night there)
iii) Day 4 – On our way to Osaka
iv) Day 5 – In Osaka
vi) Day 6 – back to Tokyo again for Day 7 departure flight home.
Very much appreciate your detailed guidance, especially the travelling part (different modes of transport I guess) as they sounded a little complicated.
Once again, thank you for your expert advice.
Hi Elaine,
First of all, you can use 7 days JR pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
This pass covers most part of your trip, especially long transfer. You can use this pass right after you arrive. If you arrve in Narita, you can take Narita Express to get Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html
When you go to Hakone, you can take Shinkansen instead of Odakyu railway in the sample itinerary above. Because JR pass covers Shinkansen to get Odawara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
And you may add Hakone Free Pass at Odawara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/odawara-station-guide-how-to-transfer-to-the-train-to-hakone.html
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
From Hakone to Osaka, it’s same way as sample itinerary above, trip to Kyoto from Hakone. You can take Shinkasnen. You can get Shinkansen to go back to Tokyo. You don’t need to buy long distance transfer single ticket, like itinerary above. You may add city deal, such as subway pass in Osaka and Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com