Sample itinerary Tokyo to Osaka in just 7 days by Japan Rail Pass 7 days

7 to 9 days
Mt Fuji from Lake Shoji ©Akira Okada/©JNTO
Mt Fuji from Lake Shoji ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

Mt Fuji from Lake Shoji ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

I have received many inquiries about Tokyo – Osaka one way trip from many readers. But Japan Rail Pass 7 days is too much for Tokyo (even Narita) to Osaka (even Kansai) one way trip. Single fare is much cheaper than 7 days pass price. So in this itinerary, I include Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima and Miyajima and still include Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. This itinerary can be done in just 7 days from airport to airport. But if you want to travel a little more slowly and stay longer, you can add some local deals beside 7 days pass. I tell you at the end of this post about add on plan. Of course you can do this itinerary from Osaka to Tokyo.

Itinerary

This timetable is as of June, 2013. Please check the updated timetable before using this itinerary.

Narita Express is covered by both Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Narita Express is covered by Japan Rail Pass. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Day 1 / Narita airport to Tokyo

Take Narita Express from Narita airport to Tokyo. Narita Express can take you Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Yokohama and many more stations. Of course you can take local train or Rapid train. As long as you take JR train. Japan Rail Pass cover your trip.

If you arrive in Narita early morning, you will have a time to explore in Tokyo.

If you arrive in Haneda early morning, you will have a time as well. But you cannot exchange the pass in early morning in Haneda. The exchange counter open between 11:00 and 18:30. In this case, take Keihin Kyuko to Shinagawa. Exchange window open between 9:00 and 19:00 at Shinagawa. If you want to exchange your pass much earlier, go to Tokyo station. They open from 7:30 to 20:30.

Please refer the post, How to take Tokyo Monorail or Keihin Kyuko for late arrival and early departure at Hanedato get the details about access from Haneda.

Day 2 / Mt. Fuji day trip from/to Tokyo

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Shinjku
Hotels in Shinagawa
Hotels in Kyoto city

First of all, access to Shinjku to catch the train to Otsuki. Shinjuku can be accessed from most stations in downtown Tokyo by JR Yamamote line, Chuo line or subway line. JR trains can be covered by JR Pass, but subway is not.

07:30 Take Limited Express Azusa #3 at Shinjuku station
08:31 Arrive at Otsuki station
08:35 Take Fuji Kyuko local train at Otsuki station
*This train goes through Fuji Kyuko line from JR line. Train departs from JR’s platform. Please see the post, Otsuki station guide. How to transfer from JR train to Fuji Kyuko train. to get the details about transfer to Otsuki station
09:21 Arrive at Fujisan station

Train on Fuji Kyuko line is not covered by JR Pass. The fare 990 yen is extra.

After arriving at Fujisan station, take bus to Mt. Fuji 5th station.
09:40 Fujisan station
10:45 Mt. Fuji 5th station
Enjoy fresh air and walk at the high elevation (2300m) area.
13:30 Mt. Fuji 5th station
14:15 Kawaguchiko station
*5th station can be accessed between mid April and mid December. But it depends on the weather. I think May to October is the season to get there.

You can use round trip bus fare for Fujisan station – 5th station – Kwawaguchiko. Round trip fare is 2000 yen. After you get Kawaguchiko station, you can go Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka or wherever you want. You can get more info at Mt. Fuji and Fuji Goko Navi.

From Kawaguchiko station, train runs every 20 to 30 minutes. I just show you the last connection to Shinjuku.
20:19 Take Fuji Kyuko local train from Kawaguchiko station
21:19 Arrive at Otsuki station
21:40 Deparr from Otsuki station by Limited Express Super Azusa #36
22:36 Arrive at Shinjuku

After arriving Shinjku, take local train or subway to get your accommodation. In Tokyo, trains run until midnight.

Actually we have one more later connection from Kawaguchiko station to Shinjuku via Otsuki. But you have to take all local trains and have to transfer between Otsuki and Shijuku. It is not recommended for the travellers.

Day 3 / Tokyo – Kyoto

Enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo before going to Kyoto. From Tokyo to Kyoto, you can take Shinkansen. Japan Rail Pass allows you to take only Hikari or Kodama. Nozomi that is the fastest train is not covered by JR Pass. But even Hikari runs every 30 minutes. So you can go to Kyoto whenever you want. I just show you the last train to Kyoto.

20:03 Depart from Tokyo by Hikari #533
23:03 Arrive at Kyoto

Day 4 / Full day free at Kyoto

Kifune shrine is very popular to see fall color leaves. But you neded to take non JR train, Eizan Railway to get there. ©JTA/ ©JNTO

Kifune shrine is very popular to see fall color leaves. But you neded to take non JR train, Eizan Railway to get there. ©JTA/ ©JNTO

Enjoy sightseeing in world famous Kyoto. But Japan Rail Pass does not cover subway, bus and private trains in Kyoto. You may have to purchase city pass. Please see the post, Japan Rail Pass is the best way to explore Kyoto? How to use Japan Rail Pass in Kyoto to get the details.

Day 5 / Kyoto – Hiroshima/Miyajima – Osaka

07:20 Depart from Kyoto by Hikari #491
09:06 Arrive at Hiroshima

If you feel this train is too early, you can take Hikari $493 (08:02/10:01). But you will lose one hour in Hiroshima/Miyajima.

From Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, train runs every 10 minutes, 09:16, 09:26 and 09:36. I recommend you to store your luggage at Hiroshima station. You can take 09:16 train from 09:06 arrival. But if you want to store your luggage, 09:26 or 09:36 is more comfortable.

It takes 30 minutes to get Miyajimaguchi by local train. After arriving at Miyajiamaguchi, take passenger ferry to get Miyajima. This ferry service is operated by JR. So it is covered by JR Pass. About access to Miyajima, please see the post, How to access to Miyajima from Hiroshima by local train. No extra charge for Japan Rail Pass user to get the details.

It is up to you how many hours you spend in Miyajima. It takes another one hour total from Miyajima to Hiroshima via Miyajimaguchi. If you want to see many things in Hiroshima, try to finish sightseeing Miyajima as fast as you can.

When you go to Osaka, take Shikansen again. Sakura or Hikari is your choice. Trains run very frequent. I just want to tell you the last Shinkansen to get Osaka. Of course you can get an earlier Shinkansen if you want.

21:58 Depart from Hiroshima by Hikari $444
23:32 Arrive at Shin-Osaka

After arrival at Shin-Osaka, you can get Umeda (JR Osaka station) by JR trains and you can get Namba by subway Midousuji line. But subway trains is not covered by JR Pass.

Day 6 / Full day free at Osaka

You can enjoy downtown Osaka. Please see the post, “How to use and how much can we use Japan Rail Pass in downtown Osaka?” to get the details about using JR Pass in Osaka.

Day 7 / Osaka – KIX

Take Limited Express Haruka to get Kansai International Airport. You can ride Haruka at Kyoto, Shin-Osaka or Tennoji. You cannot catch this train at Osaka or Namba. You have to take local train to get these three station to catch Haruka.

If you want to travel a bit slower

As long as you use JR pass 7 days for Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Osaka, it works. The pass is cheaper than total single fares. So you can use Suica & N’ex for the first several days in Tokyo.

On the other hand, you can finish to use 7 days JR pass at arriving Osaka from Hiroshima. You can use subway pass for sightseeing and other deals to get Kansai Airport.

Comments

  1. Wobb says:
    December 7, 2013 at 3:07 am

    Konichiwa, Takeshi-san
    my family of 4 is planning for 7 days trip to japan in april 2014.
    Our current itinary are
    Day 1- 3: Tokyo sight seeing – include sanrio land near Tama center station, fujiko f fujio museum in Kawasaki
    Day 4: Tokyo-Kawaguchiko, overnight Kawaguchiko
    Day 5: Kawaguchiko-Osaka
    Day 6: osaka-kyuto-nara-osaka daytrip – is this possible?
    Day 7: Osaka sightseeing before flight back from KIX evening

    we arrive Narita early morning day 1, depart evening KIX on day 7

    after reading a lot on your site, it seems like JR Pass would be too expensive for us.
    Currently I’m thinking Suica & N’EX for our Tokyo leg
    not too sure if Suica cover the tokyo-kawaguchiko and kawaguchiko-(somewhere to catch shinkanzen to Osaka)
    it also seems like we should use single ticket for shinkanzen to osaka – am i correct here?
    then what about osaka-kyuto-nara area? can we still use suica in osaka? would it take us to kyoto?
    what about Haruka to KIX? single separate ticket?
    (we may drop Nara if it take too much time)
    looking forward to your advice

    regards

  2. Lisa Lee says:
    December 5, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    I will be in Japan for 7 days, arriving at Osaka and departing from Tokyo.
    I am planning for trip from Osaka –> Nara –> Kyoto –> Tokyo.
    Is it more worth it if I take JP rail pass?

  3. Myako says:
    November 27, 2013 at 2:13 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I was wondering if I could get your opinion on if it’s worth getting the JR pass or buying single tickets for my upcoming trip by end of May 2014.

    Fyi, me and my group will arrive in Nagoya and depart from Nagoya as well.

    This is my itinerary:

    Day 1: Nagoya – Tokyo
    Day 2: Tokyo Sightseeing
    Day 3: Tokyo Disneyland
    Day 4: Tokyo (Mt. Fuji if applicable/Sightseeing)
    Day 5: Kyoto
    Day 6: Osaka
    Day 7: Osaka – Nagoya
    Day 8: Depart Nagoya

    Any insight you could share would be appreciated !
    Thank you

    Regards,
    Myako

    • JPRail says:
      November 27, 2013 at 3:51 pm

      Hi Miyako,

      Total fares (except trip to Mt. Fuji) will be just less than 7 days pass price. So if you go to Mt. Fuji by train, JR pass 7 days will be better choice. In this case, you can use it for day 1 to 7.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Myako says:
        November 27, 2013 at 10:26 pm

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you so much for your reply.
        So I assumed here, if I decided not to go to Mt. Fuji, its better to just buy Shinkansen Tickets for Nagoya-Tokyo and Tokyo-Kyoto, and then Seica for Tokyo sightseeing, and Kansai Thru Pass for Kyoto-Osaka-Nagoya, rather than buying JR Pass, am I correct ?

        Thanks

        Regards,
        Myako

        • JPRail says:
          November 27, 2013 at 10:58 pm

          Hi Miyako,

          Kansai Thru Pass does not cover Nagoya. You have to purchase single ticket for Kyoto-Nagoya too.

          I think even if you don’t go to Fuji, JR Pass is better and easier choice for you. Price is not much different. And also you will have many chance to take trains in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. Sue Wong says:
    November 11, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Your website is extremely helpful and informative. Thanks so much!

    I am going to Japan in December 2013, arriving at Narita Airport and departing from Kansai International Airport. I would like to visit the following cities during my 8 days in Japan:

    – Dec 16: Tokyo
    – Dec 17 to 18: Ito (and Mt. Fuji if possible)
    – Dec 19 to 21: Kyoto
    – Day 22 to 24: Osaka (and Kobe if possible)

    Could you advise what trains to take or if I should purchase a 7 days JR pass?

    Thanks ahead for all your help!

    Best,
    Sue

  5. Nikki says:
    September 28, 2013 at 10:57 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Thanks your useful sample itinerary. Amazing!

    I am going to Japan in mid of October 2013. Would you please advice some places and the following location how to proper arranged for my trip. I would stay in Japan about 10 days, arrive/depart at Narita airport.

    Places that, i wanted go.
    – Odaiba (Miraikan, Ferris Wheel, Sensoji Temple)
    – Tsukiji (fish market)
    – Shinjuku (Min-On Culture Centre, Yoyogi park)
    – Nikki (Onsen)
    – Kawasoe (little Edo)
    – Kyoto
    – any matsuri in this period?
    – good view of mt.fuji? or climbing?

    Most properly i would stay in chiba, i dont know to speak japanese and i am travel a lot. Kindly advise helpful tips and guide.

    thanks 😉

    Nikki

  6. Amy says:
    September 11, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    Dear takeshi,

    Thanks for your advice. Can you suggest which should i go first from tokyo if i want to go to hokkaido/kyoto/osaka?

    Thanks in advance..

  7. Amy says:
    September 2, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    I’ll visits japan mid may and don’t have any ideas how to create the itinerary for 7days until I found your site. It’s very informative and helpful, though I still need a few advices from you.

    I’m thinking to just follow the 7days itinerary using JR pass, however still didn’t have any idea on how to start since I’ll be arriving on haneda late at night, around 11pm, go thru the customs most probably won’t be able to catch the last train. Currently I still didn’t book any place to stay for the night.

    Can you suggest an itinerary that I can fully used the JR pass(I can used the one you suggest here) but include Hokkaido and tour around Tokyo. It might be pack so its ok not to cover many places. I want to go to Hokkaido since there will still be cherry blossom (I found in Hokkaido it blossom in mid may, but not sure which area of Hokkaido).

    Tokyo tour should be last coz I think it will be easy for me to get back to haneda airport (flight depart from haneda also midnight). I also prefer to spend the nights on train/sleeper car with no extra charge or bit charge just fine.

    Really appreciate your help on this. Thanks.

  8. Teresa says:
    August 22, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be arriving in Japan on 17/09/13 for a 19 days trip. Landing in Narita and departing from Kansai. As a first time and inexperience traveller I feel quite stressful planning for this trip, mostly concern on how to get around Japan easily and most cost effectively as I do not speak the language. So I have been googling for info and tips. And here I landed on this website and would appreciated your expert advice.

    The below will be my rough itinerary to major cities and a few side trips I had in mind for his trip:

    Major trips (I haven’t work out how much time at each location yet):

    1. Tokyo – Nagoya
    2. Nagoya – Takayama
    3. Takayama – Kanazawa
    4. Kanazawa – Kyoto
    5. Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto
    6. Kyoto – Kobe
    7. Kobe – Hiroshima
    8. Hiroshima – Miyajima
    9. Miyajima – Osaka
    10. Osaka – Kansai

    Side trips:
    1. Tokyo – Kamakura, Yokohama, Odaiba, Disneyland/Sea,
    2. And obviously commuting around the major cities.

    Not sure if I try to squeeze too much travelling within the amount of time I have? Could you please advise if a 21 days JR pass worthwhile, if not can you please suggest an alternative? Also any other helpful tips you can provide be really great.

    Thanks in advance,

    Teresa

    • JPRail says:
      August 22, 2013 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Teresa,

      I think 14 days pass is the best for your trip.

      After you will land in Narita, I think you will stay in Tokyo for first several days. You will not have many chances to use the pass when you stay in Tokyo. In your wish list, Kamakura is the longest trip from Tokyo. But one way fare is 890 yen. It’s not worth while using JR pass.

      I recommend you to use Suica & N’ex for Narita to Tokyo transfer and sightseeing in Tokyo.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/suica-nex-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-tokyo.html
      Suica 1500 e-money can be used for train to TDL (JR Keiyo line), Odaiba (Yurikamome), Kamakura and Yokohama (JR line) and even Tokyo subway lines.

      When you leave from Tokyo, you can start to use 14 days JR pass. I think you can complete most part of your trip in 14 day. Maybe it will cover to the end of your trip in KIX. As long as you get Osaka in 14 days, it’s fine. Osaka-KIX transfer is 1160 yen. It’s not worth while using the pass.

      So if you stay in Tokyo for first 5 days, it will be perfect. If not, try to complete from Tokyo to Osaka (not KIX) in 14 days. I think 14 days is enough to see everything on your wish list.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Yuli says:
    August 1, 2013 at 5:08 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for your explanation on jp rail pass. After reading so many blog posts about japan rail/subway/metro, I still need your advise or confirmation if jp rail pass is worth for our itinerary. Can you please help. Below is our itinerary:

    31 Aug Arrive at Narita 19.00
    1 Sep Tokyo – Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya
    2 Sep Tokyo Disney Sea
    3 Sep Odaiba
    4 Sep Puroland and Ginza/Tokyo
    5 Sep Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko or Hakone, either)
    6 Sep to Kyoto
    7 Sep Kyoto
    8 Sep to Osaka
    9 Sep Osaka
    10 Sep Osaka
    11 Sep to Kansai International Airport.

    If I start using JR pass on the 5th, I don’t think we can maximise the pass and still have to spend more for non jr rail. Your thought please. Thanks in advance.

    Yuli

  10. Mike says:
    June 29, 2013 at 9:27 am

    Hi there,

    Thanks for the info, I am going to Japan from Haneda in mid-August. Just want to ask, I am going back via Haneda airport. Is Osaka full day visit worth it or can I just extend Tokyo on the first 3 days and then go follow the itinerary above and from Hiroshima, take Shinkansen on Day 7 towards Haneda Airport. Let me know. Thank you.

    • JPRail says:
      June 29, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Hi Mike,
      May be no. But it’s hard to say. It depends on your taste.
      Please check the following link to get more details about Osaka.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html
      Cheers,
      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Mike says:
        June 29, 2013 at 1:03 pm

        Hi Takeshi,

        I’ve just booked Kyoto hotel for 4 days. So my itinerary will be…

        Day 1: Arrival in Haneda (5am)
        Travel to Kyoto (6am)
        Stay in Kyoto (3nights)
        Day 2: Hiroshima/Miyajima Day tour
        Day 3-4: Kyoto tour
        Day 5-7: Tokyo tour

        Do you think this is okay? Is Japan Rail Pass worth it? Thanks again. You are awesome!

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