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. Siti khatijah says:
    January 9, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    Hi there, we are (group of 4) planning our first trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto) & and back to Tokyo to catch flight back to Singapore. Planned to leave Singapore early morning arriving Tokyo mid morning 25 mar 2016 travelling back to Singapore 31 mar. Is it worth to get JR pass. Would you have an itinerary to suit our trip?

  2. Julia says:
    January 7, 2016 at 11:48 am

    Will be travelling to tokyo on jan 14 for tokyo auto salon and going to fuji raceway and then follow your itinerary to hiroshima-osaka and back to tokyo

    Would it be advisable to get a JR pass? Thank you

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 7, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Hi Julia,

      You may use 7 days pass for my sample itinerary. But if you spend more than 7 days for whole part of your plan, 14 days pass is too expensive.
      Just add single fare or other transportation fee on this itinerary. That will be cheaper than 14 days pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Pearl says:
    December 16, 2015 at 12:05 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Is there a way to go Mt.Fuji without joining the tour? Is it more cost and time efficient? I’m arriving tokyo and departing at Kansai in 8 days.

    1st day- Tokyo touchdown
    2nd day- Asakusa Temple, Ueno Park, Tokyo tower
    3rd day- Disney Sea
    4th day- Mt.fuji via motor coach?
    5th day- Kyoto
    6th day- Nara
    7th day- Osaka
    8th day- departure

    * do you think JR pass 7days is advisable?

    Thanks,
    Pearl

  4. Aisiang says:
    December 10, 2015 at 6:45 am

    Hi takeshi,
    I will travel with my kid, two adult and three kids, 2 weeks with itineary like this
    Day 1
    arrive haneda at 22.00 pm can we still go to city during this time?
    Day 2 tokyo, day 3 tokyo, day 4 disneyland day 5 disneysea, day 6 yokohama, day 7 hakone, day 8 hakone, day 9 kyoto, day 10 kyoto, day 11 kobe, day 12 osaka, day 13 osaka, day 14 osaka, day 15 kansai airport
    Should we use jr pass?
    U think better if we stay in kyoto 3 days or in osaka 3 days?

  5. Andrei says:
    October 1, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    Hi! How can we get from Tokyo to Osaka without using Shinkansen? Is there a day bus besides Willer Express? If we’ll ride train, what’s the best route without using Shinkansen and how much?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 1, 2015 at 11:06 pm

      Hi Andrei,

      I believe other bus service is available but I’m not very familiar with bus. I don’t have any detailed info.
      If you take a train, you have to spend 9 to 10 hours with at least 6 train changes. (maybe more). All trains are commute train and you may not find a seat. You may have to stand for a couple of hours. The fare is about 9000 yen but this way is not realistic.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. lani says:
    September 13, 2015 at 4:45 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Can you please help us on the most efficient means to going on our trip on October 18 to 24, 2015? Is jr pass really advisable? Would appreciate if you suggest must see places to visit .
    Here’s our itinerary:
    day 1 – touchdown Narita Airport at 7am
    Tokyo city proper
    Hachicko
    Tokyo tower
    Imperial palace
    Ueno park
    day 2 – disney sea
    day 3 – sanrio puroland
    mt fuji ? do we still have time to see this even if from
    a distance?
    Travel to osaka
    day 4 – kyoto whole day
    what places can you suggest and the routes going
    to each place?
    day 5 – universal studio
    day 6 – osaka city
    what places to visit?
    Looking forward on your reply.
    Thanks in advance!
    God Bless!

  7. Sherry says:
    September 12, 2015 at 1:29 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m going to Japan from 13/12-19/12 for the first time. Please advise if I should purchase the 7 days JP rail pass.

    Day 1: touch down at osaka airport in evening
    Day 2: Osaka universal studio
    Day 3: Osaka/Kyoto(can suggest any place of attraction?)
    Day 4: Kyoto to Tokyo
    Day 5: Mt Fuji and Tokyo
    Day 6: Tokyo Disneyland
    Day 7: Tokyo and Tokyo airport in the afternoon

    Please advise that if I do not purchase the 7 days JP rail pass, are there other passes I should purchase that will be more cost efficient and convenient?

    Thank you in advance!

  8. Amy says:
    September 7, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m going to Japan from 7-15 November. Please advise if I should purchase the 7 days JP rail pass.

    7 – touch down at osaka Kansai airport
    8 – day trip to nara
    9 – day trip to Kyoto
    10 – Osaka
    11 – Osaka to Tokyo
    12 ~ 14 – Tokyo
    15 – To narita airport

    Please advise that if I do not purchase the 7 days JP rail pass, are there other passes I should purchase that will be more cost efficient?

    Thank you in advance!

  9. chee erene says:
    September 7, 2015 at 2:34 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I plan to visit Tokyo and Osaka for 10 days on end of November 15, is it more worth and convenience if i buy JR pass because my return flight is at Haneda airport.
    Or i need to follow any ground tour for my trip?
    Please advise.
    Thank you.

    Regards,
    erene

  10. IK says:
    August 24, 2015 at 1:13 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m Planing to go Tokyo for 10 days. Any recommendation nearby places that wort to visit? and do i need to buy JR pass if i just stay around Tokyo?

    Please advise.

    Thanks.

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