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. Nid says:
    March 3, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Hi, Takeshi
    I’m planing to visit Japan on April,23-April,27 then back to USA.
    I will be arrived at Narita Airport around 3pm then head to Kobe to visit frirnd thre and stay overnight there. Next day we will go to kyoto and stay overnight there then back to Tokyo. I purchased JR pass already. I wonder how can we use JR pass to Kobe. Any suggestion on the trip. I have a short trip because I want to stop at Japan for a bit after Thailand trip.

    Thanks in advance

  2. Rebecca says:
    March 2, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    I read my email that I sent you and it looks that I was tired at the time. It is not clear and I was confused.
    I came up with this itinerary to cover the 7 days of the rail pass. What do you think? Will I mange to do it with this rail pass that we are buying from overseas?
    I will appreciate your opinion.

    Tokyo- 9 days (friends and excursions)

    Now using the 7 days Rail Pass

    Pass 1. Tokyo -Nikko -Tokyo

    Pass 2. Tokyo-Takayama (overnight Takayam)

    Pass 3. Takayama- Kanazawa (overnight Kanazawa)

    Pass 4. Kanazawa- Kyoto (overnight Kyoto)

    Pass 5-6. Kyoto-Hiroshima (2 overnights Hiroshima)

    Pass 7. Hiroshima – Kyoto

    Kyoto for 3-4 days

    Kyoto- Osaka

    Osaka 4-5 days in Osaka
    Last day + Osaka home Flight

    I checked the trains HyperDia . It looks that I have connection. Most of the rides are 3hours.
    is it too much? Do you suggest to omit Kanazawa or Takayama?
    Appreciate your opinion.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 3, 2015 at 12:55 am

      Hi Rebecca,

      Your plan is feasible. It’s right way to use JR Pass. I don’t have many things to tell you. Your itinerary is quite good.

      You can visit both Takayama and Kanazawa easily. You can of course drop by Shirakawago on the way to Kanazawa from Takayama.

      In your itinerary, you will stay in Kyoto on day 4 of JR pass. But in my opinion, Osaka is better. If you get an accommodation near Shin-Osaka, it’s best. Because there are very few Shinkansen trains that run between Kyoto and Hiroshima. You need to transfer at Shin-Osaka or Okayama. You will come back to Kyoto later. So you can maximize the time to stay in Kanazawa and Hiroshima. Just drop by Shin-Osaka and sleep. I think that is more efficient way to use your time.

      Anyway your itinerary is good to go! 🙂

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. Rebecca says:
    February 28, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    hi, need a tip.
    Although I am 70 old, female I decided to travel Japan on my own. I found the tours to japan extremely expensive.
    I will stay in Tokyo 4-5 -days if I will have a daily tours out of Tokyo. Any suggestion? (historic ancient places like Kanazawa?)
    Tokyo-Hiroshima -I will take the bullet train Tokyo-Hiroshima ( 125.37 $ ), stay 2-3 days
    Hiroshima -Kyoto (70$) Stay in Kyoto 4-5 days going out to Takayama? where else, other destinations can you suggest?)
    Kyoto- Osaka -looks half an hour ride.( 6-7 dollars) shows Hydra Day. I can come and go if I am not limited by the pass of 7 days.
    OSAKA- 3-4 days
    NOW- Is it logical to buy the rail pass if I want to stay in one place 3-4 days and fly out of Japan?
    The Rail Pass limits your stay to 1-2 days in each, no?
    I understand that the pass is valuable only between cities, am I right?
    I will appreciate your answer.

  4. Lily says:
    February 2, 2015 at 5:06 am

    Hi Takeshi! My family and I will be coming from Tokyo on Apr 1 and we intend to go to Mt Fuji via the JR pass. This is our first trip to Tokyo and I’m kinda confused on these trains. After 1 day in Mt fuji, we will head to Kyoto then Osaka. Will you suggest on how we will do it thru the JR pass, the most economical way

  5. Amy says:
    December 10, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    It is me, Amy again. Sorry for creating a new comment but I’m not sure how to reply to your comment.

    First of all, thanks so much for replying to me and for your recommendation.

    You mentioned that I can use the JR pass in cities like Osaka and tokyo, so I am wondering how useful is the JR pass in the cities itself. Am I still required to purchase additional ticket to roam around the cities or I can fully rely on the JR pass.

    Also, I am wondering if i would like to get good view of the mount Fuji area for viewing pleasure, without going to Mount Fuji itself, will the JR pass be included to lead me there?

    Do you also recommend me to start my trip from Osaka and back to osaka, or start my trip from Tokyo and back to tokyo, as I’m aiming to purchase the airline tickets on discounted rate and hence unable to start one place and end at another.

    Really greatly appreciate your reply.
    Thank you.

  6. Amy says:
    December 9, 2014 at 6:32 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am thinking if I should head to Tokyo –> Kyoto –> Osaka –> Tokyo or the other way? And if i were to take either route, will the 7 days japan rail pass be worth it?

    Also, is there anywhere I should not miss? So far I only have know Disneyland is a must for me.

    Thank you & greatly appreciate your reply!

  7. Lim says:
    November 7, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Hi,

    my family of 6 will visit japan from 1 dec to 13 dec,
    we would like to cover from tokyo to osaka, pls advise is 14 days JR pass is more economic for our journey?

    looking for economic accommodation for 6 pax in Osaka and Tokyo, any recommendation? any area outside osaka or tokyo will be fined but need shorter travelling time

    regards
    lim-san

  8. Gerrwin says:
    October 18, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Hi! I’ll be travelling to Japan from December 13-18, 2014 to spend our honeymoon. Would like to seek an advise if you can have an itinerary that will cover tokyo-kyoto & osaka for just 5 days. Thanks in advance!

  9. Diana Yeo says:
    August 25, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    Me and my hubby are going to Japan on 30/12/2014-06/01/2015. Our itinerary is as below.

    Day 1 (30/12/14) – Arrival at Haneda Airport at 10.30pm. Overnight in airport.
    Day 2 (31/12/14) – Tokyo ( DisneySea / DisneyLand ). Overnight in Tokyo
    Day 3 (01/01/14) – Heading to Osaka and overnight there.
    Day 4 (02/01/14) – Heading to Kyoto and overnight there.
    Day 5 (03/01/14) – Kyoto
    Day 6 (04/01/14) – Heading to Hakone / Mt Fuji (overnight)
    Day 7 (05/01/14) – Tokyo
    Day 8 (06/01/14) – Tokyo (Leaving from Haneda airport at 11.45pm)

    I need your advice on the 7 days JR Pass. It is worth for us to use it for this itinerary?
    Any comment on my itinerary? as this is my 1st trip to Japan and I’m really have no idea where to visit..haha~ And i notice that during New Year time, shops will close for few days, is it convenience for us to move around?

    Thanks in advance!

    Thanks,
    Diana

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      August 25, 2014 at 11:47 pm

      Hi Diana,

      If you purchase single tickets, total fares will be almost same as JR Pass. But JR Pass is much more handy to use. I recommend you to use JR Pass.

      I don’t see any issues on your itinerary. One thing I mention to you is trip to Odawara from Kyoto. Odawara is the nearest station to Hakone.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/odawara-station-guide-how-to-transfer-to-the-train-to-hakone.html

      You will take Shinkansen to Odawara from Kyoto. But there are not many Shinkansen trains that stop at Odawara. Please see the timetable below:
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf

      The first train is H512 (Hikari 522) that depart from Kyoto at 8:33. This type of Hikari runs almost every two hours. Try to get this type of train. This is the fastest way to get Odawara.

      After Odawara, JR Pass does not cover to Hakone. If you intend to visit most of places in Hakone, Hakone Free Pass is highly recommended.
      http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

      At last, train to Odawara on Jan 4 will be super busy. New Years holidays is one of the busiest period. Jan 4 is the last holiday and everybody go back to the home. Especially train to Tokyo will be super busy. The first thing that you have to do is booking for this train on Jan 4. During the holidays, it’s not busy. But the beginning and the end of holidays are very busy.

      In these days, some shops and restaurants open in even New Years day. It will not be a big issue.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

    • yihui says:
      November 24, 2014 at 5:33 am

      Hi Diana, would you mind to share your itinerary? i am taking the same timing with you but in november..Maybe you can just share with me after you come back from japan…Thank you very much…

      • Diana says:
        November 29, 2014 at 11:35 pm

        Hi Yihui,,

        I had changed my itinerary after doing some homework on my Japan Trip. And i will only stay at tokyo for my whole trip as it is not worth to go to & fro from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto just to spend 3 days at there. Its kinda wasting time & money. So Osaka/Kyoto will be my next trip. And i found out 7days also not enough to cover Tokyo. Haha.

  10. Nina says:
    June 19, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’m back for the 2nd time 🙂 .I need your advice regarding my plan to visit Mt Fuji / Lake Kawaguchi including music box museum after finishing my 7day JR pass. You recommended to buy Fuji Hakone Pass. I’ve decided to have 1 day trip only. I don’t think I’ve enough time to try cable car, rope way and cruise in Hakone. What do you think? is it still recommended to use Fuji Hakone Pass? Does the pass fully covering the highway bus fare from Shinjuku to Kawaguchi?

    Hope to hear from you soon since I’ll be arrived at Tokyo on June 23rd, 2014.
    Thanks in advance.

    rgds,
    nina

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