I have received many inquiries about Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka one way trip. I always recommend to use a regular ticket for this one way long distance train ride, such as from Tokyo to Kyoto, from Osaka to Tokyo. Because this one way trip is not enough to get the worth of JR Pass 7-day. I have written the post about the fare calculation before.
But I think this post was not enough to explain the fare rule. JR single ticket rule is very complicated for the tourists from oversea. But you do not need to know everything. If you understand some basic rules, single ticket is more useful and it gives you a trip at more affordable rate.
In this post, I will show you some basic rules of the regular ticket for the long distance train ride and how to use and purchase it.
How to purchase it
Simply you can purchase it at the station. If you make a short distance trip in the city or city to just outside city, you can purchase a ticket at the vending machine.
e.g.
Ueno to Tokyo (inside city)
Tokyo to Yokohama (city to just outside place)
Osaka to Universal City (inside city)
Osaka to Kyoto (city to outside place)
If you make a long distance trip, you still can buy a ticket at the vending machine. But the ticket window may be easier to purchase a long distance ticket for the foreign travelers. Especially if you intend to make a stopover on the way, you have to buy a ticket at the ticket window. Because you have to explain your trip plan.
If you want to take a limited express train, you have to purchase a limited express surcharge ticket too. Even if you want to take a non reserved seat on a limited express train, you have to purchase it. You can purchase both a reserved and a non reserved ticket for a limited express (the Shinkansen as well) at “Midori no Madoguchi”. Midori no Madoguchi is the name of JR reservation ticket window. You can purchase a base fare ticket at Midori no Madoguchi too. Please get the detail about reservation at the post below.
In the case of purchasing both base fare ticket and limited express surcharge ticket, you can purchase it in advance. An express surcharge ticket is on sale one month prior to a departure date.
e.g.
Tokyo to Kyoto travel on Dec 1
You can purchase the tickets after Nov 1.
You also can purchase the tickets at any JR stations if you buy both base fare and limited express surcharge at same time. For example, if you start to travel from Tokyo station, you can purchase it at Narita airport station on the day of arrival.
Base fare ticket can be purchased at any JR stations where station staff is on duty. There are many station without station staffs in remote area. In major cities and major stations, there are station staff. Even if you take a train at the station without station staff, you can purchase it from the conductor in the train.
How to get a fare
You can use Hyperdia to get the fare quite easily.
As you see above capture image of Hyperdia, you can get base fare and seat fare (includes surcharge). In this image, total fare is the following:
Base fare – 9560 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi (Tokyo – Shin-Osaka) – 5740 yen (reserved seat)
Ltd Exp Haruka (Shin-Osaka – Kansai airport) – 820 yen (reserved seat)
Total – 16120 yen
*The above image was captured in 2013. The fare was raised in April l, 2014 because of consumer tax was increased to 8% from 5%. The actual fare is different from the fare in the image above.
The price of Japan Rail Pass 7 days ordinary is 28300 yen. (New price is 29110 yen.) Total single fare is more than 10000 yen cheaper than 7 days pass price. This is the reason why I recommend to use single fare for Tokyo – Osaka one way transfer.
Validity
Please see the above capture image of Hyperdia again. You also can find a distance at Hyperdia. This is a key to use single ticket. Actually long distance ticket can be used in multiple days.
| Distance | Valid days |
|---|---|
| 101 – 200 km | 2 days |
| 201 – 400 km | 3 days |
| 401 – 600 km | 4 days |
| 601 – 800 km | 5 days |
| 801 – 1000 km | 6 days |
- From 1001 km and up, add 1 day every 200 km.
- If you travel more than 101 km but it is in Tokyo or Osaka zone only, ticket valid in one day only.
So in above capture image, distance is 613.4km. This ticket valid in 5 days.
Stopover
You can stopover as many as you want. Of course you cannot go back. Once you start to travel, you have to go forward. You have to care only one thing. When you depart/arrive to travel at the following areas, you cannot stopover in same areas.
- Sapporo
- Sendai
- Tokyo 23 wards
- Tokyo Yamanote line
- Yokohana
- Nagoya
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Kobe
- Hiroshima
- Kitakyushu
- Fukuoka
These areas are same as city limit. I show you some examples.
1. Above ticket (Tokyo – Kansai Airport)
You can NOT – Stopover at anywhere in Tokyo 23 wards. For example, after you start to travel from Tokyo, you cannot stopover at Shinagawa.
You can – Stopover at Kyoto, Osaka and anywhere outside of Tokyo 23 wards.
By the way, you can start to travel from anywhere in Tokyo 23 wards.
2. Ticket from Narita airport to Osaka
You can NOT – Stopover at anywhere in Osaka city. For example, you cannot stopover at Shin-Osaka. Once you exit at any stations in Osaka city, your ticket will be expired right away.
You can – Stopover at Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and anywhere outside of Osaka city.
By the way, when you travel through Tokyo downtown core, ticket will be calculated by the shortest route. For example, most typical route from Narita to Osaka via Tokyo, via Tokyo station and Shinagawa station. But if you want to go to Osaka via Akihabara and Shinjuku, you can take this route and stopover.
But in case of using limited express, you have to purchase limited express surcharge ticket for each segments.
ex) Tokyo – Osaka trip, stopover at Nagoya.
You have to purchase two Shinkansen tickets, Tokyo – Nagoya Shinkansen surcharge ticket and Ngoya – Shin-Osaka surcharge ticket.
Sample ideas
Please see above capture image of Hyperdia again. If you use this ticket, you can do the following itinerary.
Day 1 Tokyo – Kyoto (Stopover at Kyoto)
Day 2 Kyoto (no use single ticket)
Day 3 Kyoto – Osaka (Stopover at Osaka)
Day 4 One day trip to Kobe (purchase another single ticket.)
Day 5 Osaka – Kansai airport
When you arrive in Tokyo, you can use other deals, such as Suica & N’ex. And you have 5 days after you finish to see Tokyo. If you add Suica & N’ex one way ticket, total amount is 19620 yen. It is about 9000 yen cheaper than JR Pass 7 days.
I believe this is the perfect solution for Tokyo – Osaka one way travellers.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I will be arriving at Shin Chitose Airport, Hokkaido on 17 November and staying at Otaru on the same day. Is that okay if I purchase a single way ticket to Otaru, and make a stopover at Sapporo Station?
Hi Yan,
No, you can’t. Because the distance is too short to apply stopover. You need to purchase two tickets, New Chitose to Sapporo and Sapporo to Otaru.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be landing in Tokyo on Aug 25 and leave for Osaka on the 28th. I will be flying back to my country from Kansai airport on the sept 1. Can i buy the one way ticket from Tokyo to kansai airport and stop over at osaka? would it be cheaper that way? Also taking the train from tokyo to osaka, is there certain time period more expensive than other period?
Hi Anna,
You can use one base fare ticket from Tokyo to Kansai with stopover in Osaka. But there are lots of deals from Osaka to Kansai. You can simply use one ticket from Tokyo to Osaka. And then you can add other deal from Osaka to Kansai. This combination may be cheaper and easier to handle the tickets. Please see the link below to find the deals.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
The ticket price is same even if you leave early morning or late evening. If you want to save your cost and okay with spending extra time, you may think about using Platt Kodama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Kobe-Osaka in total of 12 days (arrival late in first day and fly out early morning on the last day). I find your “Sample itinerary of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka classic route in 7 days” very similar to mine so I would like to ask whether the suggested pass/fare is applicable/ valid to my trip (I am a bit confuse on the stopover and validity of the single pass)? Thank you!
Hi Nelly,
You may use one base fare ticket from Odawara to Kansai airport but you don’t need to. Just use single fare ticket from Odawara to Kyoto without any stopover. If you add single fare one by one, it’s not much different. And also it’s much easier.
After arrival Kyoto, you can add local deals in Kyoto and Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
And also you can add Kansai one pass for city to city transfer, such as Kyoto to Kobe, Kobe to Osaka.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
If you have this card, you don’t need to purchase a ticket one by one.
You can find the deal to Kansai airport from Osaka in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
You have great info here & I would like to ask a few things & hopefully you’d be able to help me out!
I’m flying to Japan in November; will be flying in to Osaka and depart from Tokyo hence it will be a one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo. I’m planning to do Osaka – Kyoto – Nara – Tokyo. Do you think this is workable? I’ll be in Japan for 11 days. I am planning to have 4 days in Osaka, 4 days in Tokyo so in between I have 3 extra days. I don’t mind staying over in Kyoto. But what would you recommend? Cause I’d also be bringing big luggages around. Are there any other areas that I can fit in along my Osaka-Tokyo journey?
Will the single pass qualify in this case? Or would you recommend getting the JR 7 day pass?
Thanks a lot in advance! Hoping to hear from you!
Hi Flo san,
I think you can make other day trips from either Osaka or Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.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/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html
You can squeeze Kanazawa between Osaka and Tokyo. And you can stay there for 1 or 2 nights. You can visit Shirakawago from Kanazawa. You can stay in Hakone on the way to Tokyo from Osaka. But if you want to avoid the trips with luggage, just try to make day trips.
JR pass is not your choice if you move from Osaka to Tokyo. But if you take one of these big day trips, JR Pass will work.
At this point, I cannot say which deal is the best for you. Please consider how you use extra 3 days and then you can think about the deals.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I am currently arranging my trip and are looking at all the combinations. What would you recommend to be the best option? In addition to this, I cannot find anywhere where to buy single non-JR pass tickets online before arriving in Japan.
I will travel to Japan mid-June 2017.
My itinerary is: Tokyo for 6 days, Kyoto for 5 days, Osaka for 2 days and Tokyo again for 3 days.
My idea is to do Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Tokyo, in a combination of taking the train to Kyoto and returning by plane from Osaka Kansai.
Will this be better than a return plane ticket from Tokyo to Kansai airport and going from Kansai to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Osaka back to Kansai?
Hyperdia says Tokyo-> Kyoto is about 13,500 JPY on the train, are there cheaper slower trains?
Many thanks in advance,
Alex
Hi Alex,
I usually recommend to use JR Pass 7 days at 29,100 yen for Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto round trip. I don’t recommend to take flight for Tokyo-Osaka. It takes 3 hours by Hikari (Shinkansen) for Tokyo to Shin-Osaka. It’s just one stations away from Osaka (Umeda).
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
If you take flight, it takes 1 hour 15 to 20 minutes. But you need to check in and you have to access to airport. Shinkansen is usually faster.
There is no cheaper trains other than local trains. If you take local train from Tokyo to Osaka, you have to change at least 4 times. It takes more than 8 hours and all trains are commute trains. You may need to stand up. It’s not realistic choices.
JR pass covers local trains in Osaka and Kyoto. You can get the worth of 7 days pass by round trip between Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo, and taking local trains.
If you really want to take the flight, it’s okay. It may be cheaper. But you have to add airport access deal.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
And also you need to add extra fare or local deal in Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
If you want to take one way flight and one way train, you may think about using Platt Kodama. It’s a bit slower but it’s cheaper than regular Shinkansen fare.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
You cannot purchase either regular ticket or Platt Kodama online. You need to purchase it after you arrive in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! I found this information on a rush because I have this dilemma, i’ll be on Japan in June 9, we arrive at Narita Airport then we want to go to Fukuoka because we´re visiting a friend then on June 10 we want to go back to Tokyo as soon as posible so the question here is to know if it’s better to get a JR pass (wich for me is seriously expensive when we will just stay 3-4 days) or we should take the ticket as a non-jr pass user?.
Hope you can help me!
Thanks in Advance
Hi Ed,
If you use single fare ticket from Tokyo to Fukuoka, one way fare is around 23,000 yen. If you have round trip between Tokyo and Fukuoka, JR Pass 7 days at 29,100 yen is way cheaper than regular fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-sama,
So I have this dilema. We planned to take a trip to Kyoto for five days but will visit Miyajima Island for one of those five days. We will arrived at Narita airport. Here is the thing, I was thinking getting one way ticket from Narita to Miyajimaguchi and stop over to Kyoto. Is this allowed? Or soon as I stepped out of Kyoto Station my ticket will expire?
Thank you for all the help!
Hi Ralph san,
You can make a stopover at Kyoto. But don’t forget tell the station staff that you will make stopover. Don’t slot your ticket to automated gate. If you do it, it’s expired.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi,
Is it worthwhile purchase a seat on JR rail from Tokyo to Kyoto? Or unreserved is good enough? Is it easier to get the seat?
Hi Derek,
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/reserved-seat-vs-non-reserved-seat-how-to-get-a-seat-on-non-reserved-car.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We are interested in a stop over ticket. Not sure if it is possible on our itinerary. I will try to give a simple breakdown of the loose itinerary.
July 12th (or 13th) Fly from Tokyo to Osaka
Then SAME DAY—
July 12th (or 13th) Bus from Osaka to Kyoto
July 15th Train from Kyoto to Mt Fuji area, preferably near the Fujinomya area or Hakone (going for the waterfalls)
July 17th Train to Narita airport area
Is it possible to get a single train ticket that allows us to do this as a stop over? We could tighten up dates to leave Kyoto to Hakone/Fujiomya on the 16th and then continue on to Narita the following day, the 17th.
I wanted to add that we will be in Tokyo from July 9th or 10th through the 12th or 13th, I am sure we would use some trains or transportation in Tokyo. We are just trying to determine if the Japan Rail Pass makes sense or if we should just get a one way.
Thank you!
Hi Chrisitna,
You can use one ticket from Kyoto to Narita with stopover at Odawara (to Hakone) or Shin-Fuji (to Fujinomiya). These two stations are located on Shinkansen line to Tokyo. Please see the link below to find the timetable:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
Many more trains stops at Odawara than Shin-Fuji. Hakone is more accessible.
JR Pass is too expensive for one way trip. If you want to use it, you should have one round trip between Tokyo and Osaka (or Kyoto).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello! Thank you for all the information.
I am a little bit confused how to purchase the base fare and Shinkansen tickets separately. I am taking a trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima and then Hiroshima to Tokyo – on the way back I will stop in: Okayama, Himeji and Osaka (maybe Kyoto too but will probably just take a train from Osaka, not the Shinkansen).
After some research I would like to buy the base fare from Hiroshima to Tokyo and make those stops. Now I’m just confused as to how I can actually complete the purchase…. I can’t get the JR pass.
Thank you!
Hi Zoe,
You can purchase all ticket, base fare ticket and Shinkansen seat tickets for each segments. You also can purchase base fare ticket only and add Shinkansen seat ticket later when you need. If you want to have flexibility, you can purchase Hiroshima to Okayama Shinkansen ticket only and add other Shinkansen ticket later.
By the way, you should purchase Tokyo-Hiroshima round trip base fare ticket same time. Because you can get 10% long distance round trip discount.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Wow thank you for the quick reply. Can I buy this at the machine or do I have to talk go into a ticket office?
Another question, if I want to purchase the round trip, can one way be a reserved seat and the other way be un-reserved?
Thanks!
Hi Zoe,
You need to purchase a base fare ticket at the window. But you can purchase Shinkansen ticket at the vending machine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com