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 san,
Thanks so much for this post. Its sometimes pretty hard to find the information you need. I am hoping you could help. My mom and I are visiting Japan next month. We will spend two days in Osaka, then 3-4 in Kyoto and then 3 in Tokyo.
We fly into osaka and out of Tokyo, so I think a pass is not worth it. We have to decide if we will fly from osaka to tokyo, or take the train. Onvipusly the train would be an experience but its more expensive than flights.
After seeing your post i was wondering if would wourk put a bit cheaper if we are able to buy a trainticket and to a 4 day stopover in Kyoto? Would that be possible?
Thank you in advance!
Danicke
Hi Danicke san,
Actually it doesn’t matter if you purchase a ticket from Osaka to Tokyo with stopover in Kyoto or purchase Osaka to Kyoto and Kyoto to Tokyo separately. There is no differences. And also there are so many routes between Osaka and Kyoto. If you take other than JR trains, such as Hankyu Railway, Keihan Railway, you have to purchase separately anyway. You may be able to use the deal, such as Kansai thru pass if you have day trip to other than Kyoto and Osaka, like Nara, Kobe.
I think these following links may help you to build your trip plan. Please refer these.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/basic-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-and-tokyo-in-7-days.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/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Thanks for providing an amazing resource, Japan rail (and buses) are quite confusing!
Above you mentioned about stopovers, is it possible to do this on local trains too? For example I would like to go from Hiroshima to Kyoto but I would like to stop in Okiyama and Osaka (for one night each). Hyperdia says this is the distance: Take time: 354 Minutes Transfer: 2 Times Distance: 380.6 km.
Thanks for any help you can offer 🙂
Hi Robin,
Yes, you can. It’s valid for 3 days. But actually if you purchase a ticket for Hiroshima to Osaka with stopover at Okayama, and Osaka to Kyoto separately, it is cheaper than just one ticket for Hiroshima to Kyoto with stopover at Okayama and Osaka. If you check the fare separately, you will find that separated ticket combination is a few hundred yen cheaper than one ticket. It is very interesting because there are lots of other railways between Osaka and Kyoto. They compete each other. So JR use special rate for Osaka – Kyoto segment.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail
Hi Takeshi San,
I am travelling to Japan for the first time with some friends. I found your website very resourceful and helpful. I am still confused about getting the 7 day Jr vs the 14 day JR. My itinerary is as follows.
May 22nd(day1) – Arrive in Narita
May 22-26th – All days in tokyo.
27 May – Depart to Hakone.
29th May – Depart from Hakone to Kanazawa
31st May – Depart from Kanazawa to Kyoto (via Takayama)
3rd May – Depart from Kyoto to Osaka
9th May – Depart from Osaka to Tokyo
11th May- Fly home from Narita.
I used Hyperdia to calculate my total train tickets and it comes up to about 54980JPY.
Hakone to Odawara – 2740
Odawara to hakone-yumoto – 510
Hakone-yumoto to Odawara – 510
Odawara to Takayama – 12760
Takayama to Kanazawa – 6650
Kanazawa to Takayama – 6500
Takayama to Osaka – 10000
Osaka to Kyoto – 560
Kyoto to Osaka – 560
Osaka to Tokyo – 14140
But i wonder if the JR pass is worth it because I am spending the last few days just in osaka between 4th and 9th of May.
Please Advice. Thank you so much!
Hi Kavan san,
You may get the worth of 14 days pass. But JR pass does not cover Odaawra to/from Hakone. It’s not JR.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
JR pass covers local train in Osaka and Kyoto 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
And also JR pass gives you flexibility. If you change mind when you are in Osaka, you can make other day trip, like Nara, Kobe. You also can make a big day trip, such as day trip to Hiroshima.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
If you do so, you can make a bigger saving.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Mostly will get the JR Pass tomorrow! Appreciate your recommendations, will try and squeeze in a trip to hiroshima from Osaka. 🙂
Arigatou Gozaimashita
No worries, Kavan san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
My cousin and I will be going to Osaka (3D2N), Kyoto (2D1N), Tokyo (3D2N) and lastly Osaka (2D1N) in beginning of June. I’m in dilemma whether is it worth it to buy JR pass for our trip especially for long distance travel. And also JR pass is quite expensive.
Hi Thel,
Actually round trip fare by Shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo is around 28,000 yen. It is almost same as 7 days JR pass. You may take JR local train in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. So you can get the worth of 7 days pass. Even though you think it’s expensive, there is no better deals if you take Shinkansen (bullet train).
You may use it for the last 7 days of your trip. You can use other deal for the first 3 days in Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello!
I will be traveling from Shinjuku station to TSU station on May 14th. I’ve never been to Japan and would appreciate any assistance or insight! Do you recommend getting a JR pass for this trip or just to buy single tickets at the train station?
I will be doing more travel, but most of it will be in Tokyo, so I was planning to just get a SUICA card and pay for all train tickets with that. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Clare,
You cannot get the worth of JR pass even 7 days by Tokyo to Tsu one way trip and taking train in downtown Tokyo. Your choice is normal ticket for Tokyo to Tsu. Please refer the post above to learn normal fare ticket.
For sightseeing in Tokyo, you can use Suica. But Tokyo subway ticket may be cheaper option. Please find more info in the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
If you arrive in Narita or Haneda, there are many deals available for airport access + subway pass combo deal.
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I am travelling to osaka from 23 may to 26 may and one of the days we are going to hiroshima, we are planning to take the shinkansen from shin-osaka, which particular shinkansen should we take and must we buy the ticket online or only at the station? Pls advise. Thank you! Molly
Hi Molly san,
You can take one of Nozomi, Hikari, Mizuho or Sakura. Please find the timetable in the links below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
You cannot purchase a ticket online. You will get a ticket at the station after your arrival in Japan.
By the way, Kansai Hiroshima area pass is cheaper option.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I am so glad to find your website which provides a lot of useful information about the Japan rail, the system is a bit complicated for foreigners to understand. I am planning my Japan trip in Late July/ Aug 2018. I will spend 14 days totally, I will go one way from Tokyo to Osaka, please see the followings:
26/7 (day 1) Tokyo
27/7(day 2) Tokyo
28/7(day 3) Tokyo
29/7(day 4) Nikko (day trip)
30/7(day 5) Tokyo
31/7(day 6) Tokyo to Hakone ( spend 1 night)
1/8 (day 7) Hakone to Kyoto
2/8(day 8) Kyoto
3/8(day 9) Kyoto
4/8(day 10) Nara (day trip)
5/8(day 11) Himeji (day trip)
6/8(day 12) Kyoto to Osaka
7/8(day 13) Osaka
8/8( day 14) Osaka (departure from Kansai Airport)
According to your information, I came up with the idea to use a Greater Tokyo Pass between day 3-5, and I wonder can I buy a one way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto and stopover in Hakone for 1 night on day 6?
I think I will buy a 3 days JR Kansai pass for day 10-12 to do the day trip to Nara and Himeji. And I can use it to Osaka as well on day 12.
For the city tour, I think I will buy an Icoca card, it can be used in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, right? I heard that Icoca has discout on Kansai Haruka Express, and that why I think I will get Icoca instead of Pasmo and Suica.
Could you please suggest me whether my idea is good/correct and is there any other better option?
Thanks a lot!
Cheers, Wendy
Hi Wendy san,
You may follow as your trip plan. But I have another idea.
If you go to Nikko on day 5, you may start using JR pass 7 days and it will cover until you make a trip to Himeji on day 11. JR pass gives you unlimited Shinkansen ride and easy to handle. Greater Tokyo Pass is not bad but if you use JR pass, you can take Shinkansen to get Utsunomiya and take a local train to Nikko.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
When you go to Himeji, you can take Shinkansen instead of Special Rapid. It’s much faster and much comfortable. The following link shows you about the trip to Himeji from Kyoto. You may add 30 minutes by Special rapid and 15 minutes by Shinkansen on the trip trim from Shin-Osaka. You may find how much the trip time is different.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
You can add ICOCA but you cannot buy it in Tokyo. ICOCA is sold in Kansai area only. So you can get it after you arrive in Kyoto. If you do so, you may add Kansai one pass instead. You still can buy Haruka discount ticket if you have Kansai one pass.
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
If you use JR pass, you can add subway pass and airport access deal in Tokyo:
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
Use Kansai one pass for Kyoto to Osaka and may be in Kyoto and Osaka too. But there are other deal in Osaka and Kyoto too.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Thanks for your detailed reply, but I still have one question, if i don’t use JR pass and I go to Hakone on day 6 and spend one night and I will go to Kyoto on day 7, can I buy a one way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto and stopover in Odawara on day 6? In this case, I should buy one basic fare from Tokyo to Kyoto, then buy 2 reserved fares for 1. Tokyo to Odawara and 2. Odawara to Kyoto respectively? Thanks
Hi Wendy san,
You have understood the condition correctly. You will get one base fare ticket (Tokyo to Kyoto with stopover at Odawara), and two Shinkansen tickets (Tokyo to Odawara and Odawara to Kyoto).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Good day to you.
I am glad to find your website for my Nov/Dec 2018 Japan trip with my hubby and 2 boys (6 and 9 years old). It is truly informative!
I have drafted my transport plan based on your recommendation, but am not confident if I understood you fully. Could you help me on my itinerary and transport plan?
26 Nov: Arrived in NRT (airport limo to hotel in Disney vicinity)
27-28 Nov: Disneyland/Disneysea (Disney shuttle bus)
29 Nov: Nakamise Street/ Tokyo Dome (train)
30 Nov: Puroland/ Doremon Museum (train)
1 Dec: Exploring Harajuku/ Shibuya/Shinjuku (train)
2 Dec: Mount Fuji area (express train and Fuji/ Hakone Pass)
3 Dec: Gotemba area (attraction shuttle bus to /fro Mishima Station)
4 Dec: Hakone area (Fuji/Hakone Pass)
5 Dec: Numazu>Nagoya. (JR single ticket. Please see question no. 4)
5 Dec-evening: Nabana No Sato Illumination (bus)
6 Dec: Nagoya (Legoland)
7 Dec: Nagoya (Day trip to Shirakawa…probably join day tour)
8 Dec: Nagoya > Osaka (JR single ticket…expire once exiting Osaka station, right?)
9 Dec: Kobe (train)
10 Dec: Nara (train)
11 -13 Dec: Osaka (train)
14 Dec: Departure (express train to airport)
Accommodation:
26-28 Nov: Disney vicinity
28 Nov-2 Dec: Shinjuku Station
2-5 Dec: Numazu Station
5- 8 Dec: Nagoya Station
8-14 Dec: Osaka Station
Questions:
1. Understand that there are various airport limo deal but I don’t seem to find one that brings me to Disney vicinity. Could you help me pick a deal for this portion?
2. For 29 Nov – 1 Dec, I am overwhelmed with the train network in Tokyo, could you help pick a deal as well? (I know there is no 1 good deal for all….:P)
3. Could you share the train deals for Nagoya and Osaka? (Do hope it is not as overwhelming as Tokyo. :P)
4. Your recommendation on JR single ticket (Tokyo>Osaka) had bought me over. As such, I am toying with the idea to do so. However, I am considering to set out from my Numazu accommodation to save travelling time than returning to Tokyo for shinkansen. That is, to get a single JR ticket for Numazu (transfer via Mishima)> Nagoya (stopover)>Osaka.
I have worked out with HyperDia.com, it seems feasible. This route is approximately 4xxkm based on HyperDia.com distance calculation, which gives the ticket a validity of 4 days (I tally with the ticket validity table which you provided in your page on non JR pass user.) Does this sound good to you? Let me know your thoughts on this.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Esther
Hi Esther san,
1. Limousine bus takes you to Disney Resort.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/tdr.html
If you can take this bus, you can use Limousine and subway pass deal:
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/information/visitor_tickets/subwaypass/
You may use one bus ticket and 24 hours deal because you need only one way.
If you cannot take Limousine bus duet to late or early arrival, you cannot Disney Resort directly. You can use Tokyo Shuttle and subway pass deal.
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
And take other bus from Tokyo station to Disney.
http://info.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/access/bus/tokyo.html
You can use subway pass on either Nov 29 or Dec 1. If you use shuttle and subway deal, you can go for 48 hours pass and switch Nov 30 and Dec 1. You can use 48 hours pass. There is no deals to cover Sanrio and Doraemon.
You will stay in Numazu for 3 days and one ticket cannot cover from Tokyo to Osaka. As you think, you need to have two base fare tickets for Tokyo to Numazu and Numazu to Osaka. By the way, are you really sure to participate tour to Shirakawago. If you visit by own, you will take a train to Takayama. As a result, total fares for Numazu-Nagoya-Takayama, Takayama-Nagoya-Osaka, Osaka-Kobe return, Osaka-Nara return are very close to 7 days JR pass price. Total fares are slightly cheaper but JR pass is much easier to use. If you take a tour, that’s okay. But if you visit by yourself, consider using JR pass.
In Nagoya, subway pass is common deal.
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/TICKET/TRP0001071.htm
In Osaka, there are lots of deals:
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/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
For trip to Kobe and Nara, Kansai thru pass is recommended:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
sorry for the late reply.
Thank you for the recommendation/ advise. We will heed your advise accordingly.
On the day trip to Shirakawago, I will look into going ourselves if it isn’t too cumersome to go on ourselves. (I realised it is rather costly to go with a private day tour.) If so, then I will take the 7 days JR Pass as per your advise.
Once again thank you for your recommendation/ advise.
No worries, Esther san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I’m going to Japan for the first time with my husband and two kids ( 6 and 4 years old) from 2-9 October.
We will arrive in Narita airport and leave Japan from Kansai Osaka airport.
Our plan is stay in Tokyo for 4 days, 1 day in Kyoto and 3 days in Osaka . We want to go to Disneyland and some tourist and shopping areas in Tokyo.
Could you please recommend what would be the best option for us? Should we buy JR pass.
Many thanks in advance.
Hi Diana san,
JR Pass does not work for your trip. Please see the link below. You will find the guide for Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka sample itinerary and ticket guide:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
You may stay in only Tokyo and Osaka, and make day trip to Kyoto from Osaka. You can minimize to move with luggage and small kids. If you do so, please refer the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/how-to-make-the-itinerary-of-tokyo-osaka-one-way-trip.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
We are a group of 1 adult and 3 children (ages 14, 12 and 8) travelling from Shinjuku, Tokyo to the Tateyama Alpine Route and then back to Shinjuku on a 1-day trip. I have been looking all over the net for the most cost efficient and time efficient way of achieving this trip. Can you give me some much needed information such as:
1. what is the best mode of transportation to take and how much it would cost?
2. We will be in Tokyo from May 1 to May 6, 2018, which I recently found out to be the “golden week”, given this, will it be realistic to do this Alpine route trip with our young group?
Thank you.
Julia
Hi Julia san,
Please see the link below. I wrote about the day trip to Alpine route from Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kurobe-tateyama-alpine-route-from-tokyo.html
Actually I do not recommend to travel there in this period because of Golden Week. It will be super crazy busy up there. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://www.alpen-route.com/en/concerning-april-15th-april-25th-congestion%E3%80%80-%E3%80%80415%EF%BD%9E425%E3%81%AE%E6%B7%B7%E9%9B%91%E7%8A%B6%E6%B3%81%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6-2
Even if you understand this condition and really want to go, May 1 and 2 are slightly slower than other dates. But these days are still much much busier than usual.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com