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
Hai Takeshi,
Please tell me if I should Buy JR Pass or not. I will travel with my husband on 30 March 2016 – 7 april 2016.
This is my itinerary:
Day 1: Narita airport to hotel in Shinjuku. Sightseeing Ueno, Asakusa, Skytree
Day 2: sightseeing akihabara, Tokyo dome
Day 3: sightseeing Harajuku
Day 4: to Fuji lake kawaguchiko
Day 5: sightseeing fuji
Day 6: to osaka. Hotel in namba. Sightseeing to kyoto
Day 7: sightseeing to kyoto
Day 8: universal studio osaka
Day 9: leave japan from Kansai Internasional Airport
What do you think of my itinerary?
I’m a first time traveller to japan and a bit confused with all the trains and i cant speak Japanese.
Please reply.
Thanks
Evina
Hi Evina,
You don’t need JR Pass. You can use the itinerary in the post above, but you have make some small change.
Remove Shinjuku-Hakone-Odawara from the itinerary above. And then add Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Kawaguchi to Mishima. You can catch Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto at Mishima. Please find more info about access to Fuji and Fuji to Mishima 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
You can find some info about English signage and announcement at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Can you please help me with my situation …. it’s unique because of short term.
Jan 17th sunday – Narita airport (Tokyo) – around 2:30pm
my return from Narita airport (Tokyo) on Jan 20th (Wed) – around 6pm.
so plan to spend time in Tokyo on 17th (Whatever is remaining)
18th go to Hakone
19th go to Kyoto
20th back to Tokyo to catch flight.
how do I manage this itinerary. Should I buy JR pass or individual tickets? I believe JR pass doesn’t cover all internal transportations.
Hi Sri,
I recommend JR Pass. Because you can take Narita Express between Tokyo and Narita by JR Pass. JR Pass also covers Shinkansen between Tokyo and Odawara, Odawara to Kyoto and Kyoto to Tokyo. The fares for these trains are more expensive than JR pass 7 days. So even though you will stay for short term, 7 days JR pass is the best choice.
But you need to add other deals for Hakone and Kyoto, and may be Tokyo. Please see the link below to find more info:
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
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 following links shows you the timetable of Shinkansen and Narita Express.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
Be careful that JR Pass does not cover Shinkansen Nozomi (“N” in timetable). You need to take H (Hikari) or K (Kodama).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, i would like to ask, which one do you think is more cheaper, using pasmo/suica card or using 1-3 day subway pass for getting around in tokyo only?
Hi Prisilia,
It’s hard to say. It depends on how many you will take a train and which place you will go.
As long as you cannot find how many trips you will make, nobody can compare it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
This is the first Japan trip in my life, im not really familiar with Japan but im still trying to make out my itinerary.
I would like to plan a 10days trip Tokyo+Hakone+Kyoto+Osaka.
But im still lost in how to arrange my trips as my flight both departure and arrival are at Narita airport. Lost in where should i start the first itinerary. Should i go direct from Narita airport to Kyoto (as a based), then to osaka for day trip, then travel to Mt Fuji for one night, then from there back to Tokyo.
Can you pls suggest me how shd i plan on my trips?
REally appreciate alot.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
It depends on arrival time in Narita.
If you arrive early, you can go straight to either Osaka or Kyoto. But you will spend at least one hour to clear custom and immigration. And then you may spend another one hour to purchase/exchange a ticket and transfer to train. It takes one hour to get downtown Tokyo. You will spend another 2.5 hour to get Osaka or Kyoto.
Even if you arrive early, you may not want to spend such many hours on arrival day. If so, you may stay in Tokyo first.
When you leave from Japan, you need to spend at least 4 hours for just transfer to Narita from Osaka or Kyoto. And you have to be airport at lease a few hours before departure time. So you may not be able to spend the last night in Osaka or Kyoto if your flight will depart in the morning or early afternoon.
You have to make sure these things first when you make a plan.
Mt. Fuji can be accessed as day trip from Tokyo if you want. Of course you can stay in Hakone or Lake Kawaguchi. I prefer to stay there. But some of travellers want to have day trip because of luggage. So it’s up to you.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
You may stay in both Osaka and Kyoto. But it’s same thing as Fuji. You can stay in either Kyoto or Osaka and make day trips. It takes only 30 minutes between Kyoto and Osaka by train. It’s quite easy to make day trip. You can visit Kobe and Nara too.
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
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your replied.
I will reach Narita airport at 1400hrs.
the last destination definately is from Tokyo to Narita airport.
There is no direct shinkanshen or train from airport to Kyoto?
I will choose to stay over one night in Hakone or Lake Kawaguchi.
In this case, i only can plan my trip as below:
Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka- Hakone-Toyko?
Thanks
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Unfortunately there is no direct train to Kyoto from Narita. You have to take Narita Express from Narita to Shinagawa and transfer to Shinkansen to Kyoto. You can find timetable at the links below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
You also can 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’ve planned a 10d9n trip to Japan during 28/03-06/04/2016.
Day 1- NArita airport – Tokyo
Day 2- Tokyo – Mt Fuji (hotel at Lake KAwaguchi)
Day 3- Mt Fuji – Tokyo
Day 4- Tokyo – Kyoto
Day 5- Kyoto
Day 6- Osaka -Universal Studio
Day 7- Kyoto- Tokyo
Day 8- Disney Land
Day 9- Disney Sea
Day 10- Narita airport fly back to SIngapore
Can i check with you do i need a Hakone free pass during my stay at Lake Kawaguchi, plan to visit Gotemba Outlet and Hakeno.
Do i need 7days JR pass during my stay? IF yes, which is the best day to activate it?
Besides direct bus from Shinjuku to Otsuki, I also can purchase “Romancecar” ticket to there right?
Hope you can help to solved my enquiry. This is my first trip to Japan.
Thanks alot
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
You need Fuji Hakone pass, not Hakone Free Pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/fujihakone/
And then you can start using JR pass on day 4 when you go to Kyoto from Tokyo.
Cheers
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I have a family of 4. My itinerary is as following:
Day 1: Haneda Airport Tokyo go straight to Osaka
Day 2: Osaka
Day 3: Osaka
Day 4: Osaka +day trip to Kyoto
Day 5: Tokyo
Day 6: Tokyo + day trip to Mt Fuji
Day 7: Tokyo
Day 8: Tokyo and Narita Airport
What do you think about my itinerary?
And which pass do you recommend me to use?
I researched about JR Pass and it stated that JR pass does not include the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto/Shin-Osaka. so which pass is suitable for me and my family?
Hi Kerris,
JR pass covers whole part of trip from Haneda to Kyoto by Shinkansen. You cannot take the fastest Shinkansen train, “Nozomi” but you can take other Shinkansen, like “Hikari”.
So you can use 7 days pass. You can exchange it at Haneda airport and it covers Monorail to Hamamatsucho. You can take local train to Tokyo station from Hamamatsucho station and then transfer to Shinkansen to Kyoto.
It covers many part of Osaka, Tokyo, Fuji too. Please see the following links to get more details:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
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
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
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
Dear Takeshi
I’m travelling with hubby @ 1 yr old baby
10 days osaka-kyoto-hakone-tokyo-osaka
Kindly advise
Shall I buy Jr pass ?
Shall I add any free pass in my trip?
I’m planning to
Day 1 -4 stay osaka ,daytrip kyoto@ nara
Day 5-6 stay hakone
Day 7-8 stayTokyo
Day 9-10 stay @ depart osaka
Hi Zizi,
You can use 7 days JR Pass for day 4 to the end of your trip.
There are lots of deals for access from Kansai airport on arrival day.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
If you go to Kyoto and Nara on day 4, you can use JR Pass to get these places.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
If you want to spend one day each, use single fare for Nara or Kyoto. In Kyoto and Osaka, you may need to add subway or bus pass.
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
In Hakone, you can get Odawara from Osaka by Shinkansen but you need to add Hakone Free Pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
You may need to add subway ticket or pass in Tokyo because some of places cannot be accessed by JR train.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m wondering what your thoughts are on getting the Japan Rail pass or the Japan Rail West (Kansai area) pass. My itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Arrive Tokyo via Haneda
Day 1-5: Tokyo, including DisneySea
Day 6: Day trip to Hakone (Hakone free pass)
Day 7-8: Kyoto
Day 8-10: Osaka
Day 10: Leave Osaka for Kansai Airport
I’m not sure if the Japan Rail West pass (Kansai area) will work for Tokyo?
I was planning to activate the rail pass starting from day 5. I know the rail pass is only valid for 7 days so I’m not even sure I would be using the rail pass to its maximum benefit?
I’m trying to determine whether it makes sense to get the:
(1) Japan Rail pass + Hakone free pass
OR
(2) Japan Rail WEST Kansai Area pass + Hakone free pass
OR
(3) Buy train tickets separately because this will be cheaper than buying any passes. When I have tried looking up on my own via Hyperdia it looks like it would be cheaper to buy train tickets separately because it will be less than a Japan rail pass.
Help please? Many thanks!
Hi Melanie,
I have the cost breakdown at the post above. Single ticket and many local deals combination is the best way for you. Both JR Pass and Kansai area pass do not suit your plan. You just put Hakone Free Pass and remove single fare from Shinjuku to Odawara. And you can purchase single fare ticket from Tokyo to Kansai airport with stopover at Kyoto and Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am getting confused by all the different passes by now… My itineary as follow:
Day 1: Arrival at Kansai airport and going to Kyoto
Day 2 & 3 : Remain in Kyoto
Hi Rosaline,
ICOCA and Haruka is the best.
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
You can use ICOCA 1500 yen e-money for Kyoto. It can be used for any trains and buses in Kyoto. If it’s not enough, you may add city deals in Kyoto as you need.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m in the midst of planning my trip to japan in 2 weeks time. This is my initial plan:
Day 1: Arrive at Tokyo Narita – Osaka (JR pass)
Day 2: Osaka (USJ?)
Day 3: Osaka
Day 4: Osaka – Kyoto (JR pass)
Day 5: Kyoto (Day trip to either Shirawago or Hiroshima?) (JP pass?)
Day 6: Kyoto – Tokyo (JR pass)
Day 7: Tokyo
Day 8: Tokyo (Mt Fuji day trip) (Hakone free pass)
Day 9: Tokyo (Disneysea)
Day 10: Tokyo
Is it ok to give me some advice on my itinerary?
Thanks so much!
Alice
Looks okay, Alice.
You are ready to go! 🙂
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Could you please advise me on following itinerary ?
We are family of 4
17th Dec – Arrival in Haneda and will be staying in Kansai
18 – 19 Dec – DisneyLand and Disney Sea
20th Dec — Tokyo –> Hakone (stay 1 night)
21 Dec — Hakone –> Kyoto (JR PASS)
22,23 Dec Kyoto
24th Dec Kyoto –> Osaka (JR Pass)
25,26th Dec Osaka
27th Dec Osaka –> Tokyo (JR Pass)
28 – 1 Jan –> Tokyo
2nd Jan –> Haneda
Is there a shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara ? Am I correct to use JR pass here ?
Hi M4rk,
JR pass is the right choice.
You can take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara. But you don’t have JR pass on this day. Odakyu railway is more convenient and easier to get Hakone.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
You may use subway pass for exploring in Tokyo.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com