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 San,
Thank you so much for all the information listed here, they are really helpful and it’s been the source that I refer to for my plans for the upcoming Japan trip. Just a couple of questions which I would like to ask for your advice.
As I am traveling during the peak season , I am concern about the transport arrangement.
Q1 . I will be traveling from
– Tokyo to Kyoto (31 Dec 2015 Morning) and
– Kyoto to Osaka (3 Jan 2016 Morning)
I would like to check with you on the following base on the suggested 1 way ticket plans as mention in your article, is there a possibility that tickets could be sold out for Tokaido Shinkansen upon my arrival in Japan (27 Dec) ?
Q2 . For the above mention, should base fare 1 way tickets still be available is it highly likely that reserve seat will not be available and it will all be non-reserve seat and posibility of standing the whole way to Kyoto ?
Q3 . For the above mention Q1, should base fare 1 way tickets be sold out – will getting the JR pass (in advance- now) guarantees that I can at least make it on the train to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto and Kyoto to Osaka? Or could there be a possiblity that when I were to exchange my JR Pass for tickets upon arrival in Japan and still be told that tickets have sold out?
I will be arriving at Haneda Airport on the 26 Dec, 11pm.
Q4 . Will the I still be able to purchase the 1 way JR Tokaido ticket at during that time in the airport for the upcoming plans to secure my tickets?
Q5 . Base on the bried itinerary below, would it be better if I just get the JR Pass?
Below are a brief itinerary I have plan for my trip, prehaps you can give me some good advice.
26 Dec’15, 11pm : Arrival at Tokyo Haneda airport
– Proceed to hotel at Shin-Urayasu (MyStays)
27 Dec to 28 Dec’15: Disney Land and Sea
29 Dec’15 : Move to Hotel Sunroute Higashi Shinjuku ,
– Sightsee tokyo Senso-ji, Asakusa area and Sumo match afternoon/evening
30 Dec’15 : Ghibli Studio Musuem (morning) and sightsee Harajuku / Akihabara etc
31 Dec’15 : Ride Shinkansen to Kyoto (morning), check in hotel and Countdown in Temple
1 Jan’16 to 2 Jan’15 : Sightsee Kyoto
3 Jan’16: Ride Shinkansen to Osaka (morning) and sightsee osaka
4 Jan’16 : Sightsee Osaka
5 Jan’16, 7.50am : Depart Osaka Kansai Airport
Appreciate the time you have taken to write your site and sorry to trouble you with all my questions.
Hi Micaela san,
A1/2/3 . Actually December 31 is not busy day. Most of local travellers complete travel by December 30. You can be optimistic to book it.
Kyoto to Osaka is not a big issue. It’s a commute route. It’s still in holiday season and very slow. You can do but you don’t need to take Shinkansen in this segment. Tickets never be sold out even if reserved seat is sold out. You can purchase a base fare ticket and non reserved seat ticket anytime. But as I mentioned, it’s slow. It may be slower than average.
A4 . It’s too late to purchase a ticket when you arrive in Haneda. You can go to any JR stations in next day to purchase it. Don’t be nervous. You will be okay.
A5. One way ticket is better. You may use one base fare ticket from Tokyo to Osaka with stopover in Kyoto. Please fine more info 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
And you may add subway pass in each cities as you need. The following links show you those.
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
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JRRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Need some clarifications on the following:-
1.Does the JR Tokyo wide pass cover the journey by Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa and then Karuizawa to Takasaki and Takasaki to Tokyo?
2. Does the JR Tokyo wide pass cover the journey by Limited Express Train Super View Odoriko from Tokyo to Atami and back to Tokyo?
3. Does the JR Tokyo wide pass cover the journey on the Izu Kyuko Railway from Atami to Ito?
Thanks Takeshi.
Hi Lucy,
Those three trips are covered by Tokyo Wide Pass fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi – San
Just to check with you on going to Lake Kawaguchiko with the JR Tokyo wide pass. Does the pass cover the journey from Tokyo station to Otsuki and then by Fujikyu railway local train from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko? How long will the whole journey take?
Thank you for yr help.
lucy
Hi Lucy,
Yes. It covers whole part of the trip. It takes about 2.5 hours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San
The following is my itinerary
29th dec – arrive at Narita in the afternoon. Do you recommend that we (3 adults with luggage) take the Keisei skyliner or the Narita Express? We are staying in Kamiyacho.
30 till 2nd Jan – we will stay put in Tokyo and use the single fare card?
3rd-we plan to visit lake kawaguchiko. We will start using our JR Tokyo wide pass on this day. Btw, what train do we take to Otsuki station from Tokyo station if we use the JR Tokyo wide pass?
4th- we take hokuriku Shinkansen to karuizawa or gala yuzawa then to takasaki and then train to nakanojo.
5th – back to Tokyo by hokuriku Shinkansen.
Appreciate your help. Thanks Takeshi.
lucy
Hi Lucy san,
I recommend you to take Skyliner. You can take subway Hibiya line and take you to Kamiyacho directly from Ueno.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/pdf/routemap_en.pdf
You may use Skyliner and Tokyo subway ticket deal. Probably 3 days pass deal is okay for you.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/value_ticket/subway.html
You can take local train to Shinjuku from Tokyo and then take limited express Kaiji or Azusa to Otsuki.
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
Hi Takeshi – san
You recommended the Keisei skyliner (return) plus 3 day Tokyo pass deal. I arrive in Narita on the 29th Dec and will only take my flight back home from Narita on 6th Jan.
I will only be in Tokyo for about 4 days so can I still use this deal and when do I have to start using the 3 day Tokyo pass deal? Do I start using it on the 29th or can I start to use it only on 30th Dec. Appreciate if you can clarify.
Thank you.
Hi Lucy san,
You can start using whichever 29th or 30th. Once you start it, you need to use it consecutive days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San
Just got back from my Japan trip. Used the JR Tokyo wide pass from Tokyo to Karuizawa, Karuizawa to Takasaki, Takasaki to Nakanojo and return trip to Takasaki and then Takasaki to Tokyo. We also travelled from Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchiko and back to Shinjuku. We had all our seats reserved. We bought the Keisei Skyliner return with the 3 days Tokyo subway pass. We had a good trip. Thanks for your recommendation and help.
Hi Lucy san,
I’m very happy to hear that you have enjoyed staying in Japan.
I hope you will go back to Japan and visit other places.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, thank you for your the useful information on the webpage. I am planning a trip in December, grateful for your input on the itinerary:
09/12/2015 Tokyo
10/12/2015 Tokyo
11/12/2015 Tokyo
12/12/2015 Tokyo to Hakone (Romance car + Hakone free pass)
13/12/2015 Hakone to Kyoto (JR pass)
14/12/2015 Kyoto (JR pass)
15/12/2015 Kyoto / Nara (JR pass)
16/12/2015 Kyoto to Osaka (JR pass)
17/12/2015 Osaka (JR pass)
18/12/2015 Osaka to Tokyo (JR pass)
19/12/2015 Tokyo (JR pass)
Is the above itinerary advisable? Also, can I use the JR pass to travel from Kyoto to Nara?
Thank you for your help.
Alvin
Hi Alvin,
It makes sense. JR pass is the best and you use in right way.
You can use JR pass to get Nara. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you so much for this very helpful post! Our family of 11 is looking forward to visiting Japan in a couple weeks. Our itinerary is outlined below and is almost identical to your suggested itinerary. Just wanted to check what your recommendation would be.
Sat – 11/21: Arrive Narita. We have arranged a van to pick up our family and take us to Gotanda station which is the area we have an apartment.
Sun – 11/22: Sightseeing around Tokyo
Mon – 11/23: Sightseeing around Tokyo
Tues – 11/24: Train from Tokyo to Hakone, planning to get Hakone Free Pass. Stay overnight at Hyatt Hakone.
Weds – 11/25: Train from Hakone to Kyoto. We are staying close to Kyoto Station.
Thurs – 11/26: Sightseeing in Hakone
Fri – 11/27: Sightseeing in Hakone. Evening train to Osaka.
Sat – 11/28: Day trip to Hiroshima and/or Kobe.
Sun – 11/29: Depart Osaka airport back to USA.
Based on your recommendation in the original post, we should not get JR pass, correct? If we decide to go to Hiroshima or Kobe would it be better to get the pass?
Hi Anjali,
I believe you will visit Kyoto and enjoy sightseeing on 11/26 and 11/27 before departing to Osaka. You mentioned sightseeing in Hakone but I think that is mistyped.
As you think, single ticket is your option basically. But if you go to Hiroshima, JR pass is recommended. Kobe is not enough to use JR Pass. So you have to decide whether you go to Hiroshima or not before you leave. JR pass cannot be purchased in Japan. Find some more info about day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka/Kyoto at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
If you use JR pass, you can start using it on 11/23. JR pass covers many spots in Tokyo. And you can take Shinkansen to get Odawara from Tokyo. Then you can purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/odawara-station-guide-how-to-transfer-to-the-train-to-hakone.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thank you for your post. Extremely helpful.
I am planning for a family trip next week to Tokyo-Disneyland-Gotemba-Mt Fuji-Hakone-Kyoto-Nara-Osaka. The itenerary is close to what you have shared in your post.
However, I am considering to rent a car in Tokyo to drive around for 3 days before driving up to Gotemba. I will return the car there.
Why I am considering to drive is because my family will consist of my wife and 3 very young children (4.5yrs old, 2.5yrs old and 1 yr old). We will have a stroller and 3 luggages.
From Hakone-Kyoto-Nara-Osaka, we plan to travel by train.
In my situation above, what is your advice?
Thank you.
Hi Ahmad,
Basically it’s same as my sample itinerary. You may remove Narita-Tokyo-Hakone part from this itinerary. And you can start your train trip from Hakone or Odawara. You can purchase Odawara to Kyoto single ticket in advance before you leave Tokyo. You can book and purchase a ticket at any JR stations in downtown Tokyo.
When you take a train, luggage will be issue. You have to keep your luggage at your seat. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Kids under 5 year old are free of charge. But you have to share your seat with kids. I recommend you to purchase one or two more tickets at child rate. You will get two more seats. Even if kids don’s use the seat, you will use the space for your luggage. I think 4.5 years old child need own seat. Your laps are occupied by 2,5 years old and 1 year old kids.
And I recommend you to stay in one place to make a day trip in Kansai area. Don’t move around Kyoto-Nara-Osaka because of your kids and luggage. You can stay in Osaka and make day trips to Nara and Kyoto. Of course you can stay in Kyoto and make day trips to Nara and Osaka.
Kansai thru pass is recommended for these day trips.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
I’m not familiar with car rental. So I cannot say anything about it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi Takeshi! i will be travelling to japan on late January. first thing first, i’m so thankful this post exists!
ok here it goes..
1. i’ll be arriving in Tokyo (Haneda Airport) on the 27th of January (if i’m not mistaken it’ll be around 1pm).
2. and then, i’m planning to go to Hakone the next day (is one day trip from Tokyo enough?).
3. Osaka on the 29th-30th,
4. last but not least, Kyoto for the 31st
i’ll be flying back home on the 1st of Feb (23.30pm) from Tokyo, so do u recommend the overnight bus/train from Kyoto to Tokyo on the 31st of Jan, or Shinkansen (or anything) in the morning on the 1st of Feb (meaning i have to stay at Kyoto)?
can you help? is this possible? would the JR pass convenient to my trip? and how much would it cost for all the transportations? i need to calculate but i’m too dumb to speak/read Japanese.
thanks and much appreciated,
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I recommend you to use JR Pass. But if you use JR pass, you have to take Shinkansen both way because 7 days JR Pass is almost same cost as round trip by Shinkansen and some local train rides at both end, Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto. If you take overnight bus, you can save your accommodation. Single fare ticket from Tokyo to Osaka + Overnight bus – accommodation is maybe cheaper. But there are many kinds of overnight bus in these days. And I’m not familiar with bus much. So I cannot comment about this comparison.
Hakone can be visited as day trip. If you have JR pass, you can take Shinkansen between Tokyo and Odawara. This is one of the benefit of JR Pass. Otherwise you may use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi, please review my itinerary and give me any feedback. Thank you for your invaluable service and insight. My first trip to Japan will travel w/my husband and 12 year old son. LindaH
Itinerary: will buy JR Pass 7 days
Arrive Nov 18th Narita Terminal 2 at 4:30pm
Staying at Conrad Hilton Downtown Tokyo
Spend Nov 20 and Nov 21 in Tokyo
Nov 22 Depart Tokyo (10:26am) for Odawara (11am) to go to Hakone — not sure how long take from Odawara to Hakone?
stay one night in Hakone (buy Hakone Free pass)
Nov 23 depart Odawara (12pm) to Kyoto (2:11pm)
Nov 24 Kyoto and visit Nara on day trip
Nov 25 Depart Kyoto return to Tokyo stay one night
Nov 26 morning in Tokyo flight departs 6:15pm.
My pass will not cover my entire stay and I will have to buy a separate train ticket back to airport on Nov 26.
Hi Linda,
You should use JR pass for the last 7 days. Because there are lots of deals available for incoming tourists but not for outgoing. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
There are lots of places t see and stay in Hakone. For example, if you go to Hakone-Yumoto, it takes about 15 minutes from Odawara and 1 hour to get Gora.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be coming to Japan on 27th Dec-6th Jan; via Haneda airport.
27th Dec-31st Dec: Around Tokyo (Akihabara, Asakusa, Ginza, Harajuku, Ikekuburo, Kinugawa Onsen, Odaiba, Ryogoku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno)
1st Jan: Fuji Q Highland
2nd Jan: Echigo Ski resort
3rd Jan: Echigo Ski resort
4th Jan: Hakone
5th Jan: Kyoto
6th Jan: Back in Tokyo before heading to Haneda in the afternoon
Here’s my thoughts:
1- For the first half of my trip, i can use a SUICA card.
2- I can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass from 1st Jan-3rd Jan. Then separate individual tickets from Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Tokyo.
Do you think that will be provide higher cost saving, rather than using the 7D Rail Pass, halfway through the Tokyo trips in Dec?
Do let me know your comments.
Thanks!
Hi Halimahtus,
You should use 7 days JR pass. Round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto is slightly cheaper than 7 days pass. But you will have round trip to Echigo and Fuji. JR Pass is much cheaper than single fare + Tokyo Wide Pass. So you may use 7 days pass for the last 7 days of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRailc.om
Hi Takeshi
Thank you for sharing JP rail.
My husband, adult daughter n myself will be in Tokyo on this 29 dec. We will stay in Tokyo for the first few days. We hope to visit Osaka n Kyoto before we fly back from Tokyo.
My questions are as follows:
Do we need to buy the 7 day JR pass for our travels to Osaka n Kyoto? How does the pass help in moving around in Tokyo itself. Does it make sense to stay in Osaka or Kyoto or make day trips there from Tokyo to save on hotels since we r spending so much on the pass. Appreciate yr advice.
Thank you
Hi Lucy,
JR pass is recommended. 7 days pass is slightly more expensive than return fare by Shinkansen. But it’s more flexible and much easier to use.
And also you can take JR trains in Osaka, Kyoto and of course in Tokyo. Please see the links below to find the coverage in the cities.
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/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
You can make a day trip to Osaka or Kyoto from Tokyo. But you will spend 2.5 hours for one way to Osaka or Kyoto. So which one is better, 5 hours train trip or staying in Kyoto or Osaka? The choice is yours.
In my opinion, staying in Osaka or Kyoto is much better than day trip. It’s too busy and you can get different experience to stay in especially Kyoto.
By the way, as you probably know, New Years Holidays is the busiest season in Japan. Most of Japanese locals get out from major cities to go back to hometown. Usually Dec 29 and 30 are busy for outgoing, Jan 2 and 3 are busy for incoming. So don’t try to take a train from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka on especially Dec 29. Trains will be very very busy. And don’t try to go back to Tokyo on especially Jan 3.
As long as you stay in Tokyo, it’s okay. Just long distance trains are busy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Yes, we are aware of the busy holiday season n most places are fully booked.
What would be the best way from Narita to Minami Gyotoku. I understand that Minami Gyotoku is on the same line as Otemachi which is about 10 mins walk from Tokyo station.
Tokyo station, is there where we catch the trains to Osaka and Kyoto using the JR pass?
Thanks Takeshi.
Hi Lucy,
You can take subway Tozai line from Otemachi to Minami-Gyotoku.
You also can take Shinkansen to Osaka and Kyoto at Tokyo station by JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi.
Have a good day!
No problem, Lucy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
With the holiday season will there be any difficulty getting reserved seats on the Shinkansen assuming I travel out of Tokyo on either the 3rd or 4th of Jan for Osaka n Kyoto and travel back to Tokyo on the 5th?
Appreciate yr reply. Thanks
Hi Lucy,
Jan 3rd will be very busy because it’s the last day of holidays and everybody will be back to home and ready for work on next day. So 4th and 5th are normal.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thanks for yr reply.
We will be taking the train from Minami Gyotoku station during our stay in Tokyo. What is the best pass to use for moving around the city and to all the tourist places. Also would it better to travel directly to Shinjuku for example from Minami Gyotoku or stop at Otemachi station from Minami G and transfer to a train at Tokyo station? Appreciate your advice. Thank you.!
Hi Lucy,
Subway pass is only choice for you because Minami-Gyotoku is on subway line.
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
If you transfer at Tokyo station and take JR train, it may be faster but not much different because you have to walk from Otemachi to Tokyo. And also subway pass does not cover JR. Try to complete by only subway and you will save your cost.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi.
No problem, Lucy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
There is this new JR Tokyo wide pass effective only on the 19 of December? My questions are as follows:-
1. Does it cover the journey by Shinkansen Joestsu from Tokyo station to Takasaki?
2. How do I go from Takasaki to Nakanojo station? May want to go to to the onsen at Kashiwaya.
3. Does the pass cover the journey by Shinkansen Hokuriku to Kuruizawa and from Kuruizawa back to Tokyo?
4. How do I use the pass to Izu Peninsular?
Thanks Takeshi.
Hi Lucy,
Tokyo Wide Pass is sold as Kanto Area Pass until December 18. The conditions is not much different but price is cheaper that is sold at 8300 yen. You can take all trains that you want to take by Kanto Area Pass.
You can take Agatsuma line local train or limited express Kusatsu from Takasaki to Nakanojo. Nakanojo is located on the way to Kusatsu. So you may find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/how-to-access-to-kusatsu-onsen-japan-rail-pass-covers-all-part-of-trip-to-kusatsu.html
You can take limited express Odoriko to get Izu from Tokyo.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi.
No problem, Lucy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We will be travelling to Tokyo on 31 Oct and departing Osaka on 9 Nov.
Here’s our planned itinerary :
Day 1 – Arrival 8pm Tokyo Narita (stay in Shinjuku area)
and 2, 3, 4 – Tokyo
Day 5 – Proceed to Kyoto (stay in Gion)
Day 6 – Kyoto
Day 7 – Daytrip to Nara
Day 8 – Proceed to Osaka (stay in Namba)
Day 9 – Osaka
Day 10 – Departure 9am Osaka Kansai
Would like to know if it’s worth getting a 7-day JR Pass and if so, should we start to use it Day 1 on NEX?
Thank you in advance for your expert advice.
Candice
Hi Candice,
It’s same idea as the sample itinerary above. JR Pass does not work.
In the itinerary above, Hakone is included but your itinerary does not have Hakone. So just remove Hakone and use single fare from Tokyo to Osaka instead of Odawara to Osaka. Single ticket is okay for trip to Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, Takeshi! One last question, what’s the best way (time and value) for a one way trip from Narita Terminal 2 to Shinjuku, past 8PM? We have suitcases.
Thanks again,
Candice
Hi Candice,
Your choice is Limousine bus or Narita Express. Both are not affordable choice. But these are only direct way to Shinjuku.
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
Appreciate your help, Takeshi. Thanks again.
Candice
No probem, Candice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com