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,
One way Nozomi ticket from Tokyo to Osaka.
Start the trip from Shinjuku station or Hamamatsucho station to Tokyo station.
Stopover in Nagoya station for 2 days, Then continue to Kyoto station and stopover for 2 days.
On the 5th day from Kyoto station to Osaka station, is the one Nozomi ticket valid for this trip?
Is it valid for reserved seats from Nagoya to Kyoto?
Thanks
Simon
Hi Simon,
You have to purchase Shinkansen ticket for each segment. So you will need three Shinkansen tickets if you take Nozomi for all part of your trip. But Kyoto-Osaka is only 30 minutes ride by rapid train. You don’t need to purchase Shinkansen ticket for this segment.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
This website is superb! This is my plan to Japan in Dec 2014:
20/12: Arrive Osaka Kansai Airport in the morning.
21/12: Explore Osaka
22/12: Depart to Kyoto from Osaka by rail in the morning
23/12: Explore Kyoto
24/12: Explore Kyoto
25/12: Depart to Tokyo from Kyoto by rail in the morning
26/12: Day trip to Hakone from Tokyo
27/12: Explore Tokyo
28/12: Explore Tokyo
29/12: Flying off from Narita airport at night. (travel to Narita airport via airport limousine, is this the easiest?)
From your illustration above, I can purchase a single ticket from Osaka to Tokyo on 22nd Dec that will be valid for 5 days hence I can stop over in Kyoto on 22nd and travelling to Tokyo on the 25th Dec. Do I understand this correctly?
I can use Odakyu Electric Railway for my Hakone day trip.
This way it will be cheaper for me to buy JR pass for 7 days right?
Any advice on my itinerary will be much appreciated 🙂
Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Julie
Hi Julie,
If you can use ICOCA and Haruka on arrival day, you can get Osaka by Haruka and ICOCA e-money can be used for Osaka-Kyoto trip.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
In this case, you can purchase single ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo. And also if you want, you can drop by Hakone on the way to Tokyo. Odawara is the nearest station to Hakone and you can purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
After you visit Hakone, go back to Odawara and continue to use single ticket to Tokyo. Of course you can visit Hakone from Tokyo as day trip. You can enjoy Hakone without baggage. I don’t know how much you are sensitive about the cost. You can save some cost if you use this route.
There are some Hikari that stop at Odawara. If you use this Hikari, you can get Odawara directly from Kyoto. I attach the link to see Shinkansen timetable.
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
At last, as you guess, JR Pass is too much for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
[…] visit Takeshi’s JP Rail page which gives a lot of great information about […]
Dear Takeshi san,
I will be traveling from
(A) Gifu to Osaka
(B) Osaka to Tokyo Shinjuku
Thanks to your posts, I was able to try out the hyperdia website.
However, please advise for my trips, where can I buy all my tickets from one station? example the Gifu JR Station.
For example, trip (A) as suggested by Hyperdia:
– I will take the JR Gifu to Nagoya
– Take the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Shin-Osaka
– Take JR kyoto line from Shin-Osaka to Osaka station
And for trip (B), can I buy the ticket a day before or on the day itself? I’m afraid it will be sold out.
Is there any peak hour timing I should avoid.
Thank you!
Hi Yiu Yiu,
Don’t worry.
You can purchase and book all tickets at Gifu. The tickets are on sale at 10:00 am on the day one month prior to departure day.
ex) If you take train on Oct 15, you can purchase and book after Sep 15 at 10:00 am.
And actually you can purchase and book at any JR stations that have reservation window. Most of major stations, like Gifu, Nagoya, Osak have reservation window. So if you can drop by other JR stations before you start to travel at Gifu, you can complete book and purchase.
As long as you travel by Shinkansen other than new years holidays, mid August and first week of May, you can book very very easily. It never be sold out.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
we (group of 6 people) are going to Inuyama (next to Nagoya) at the end of September. As we have the Visum status “Entertainer” we cannot use the Rail pass.
We want to make a 4 days trip before starting to perform.
The first day (30.9.) we start next to Nagoya (station Shinunuma) and stay overnight in Osaka.
Then we go on to Hiroshima and Miajima and stay overnight in Hiroshima (1.10.).
On the way back we want to visit Okayama and then Kyoto where we have another hotel stay (2.10.).
On 3rd October we return to Shinunuma.
Is it possible to use just one-way-tickets from Nagoya to Hiroshima and back with the stopovers in Osaka, Okayama and Kyoto already being included in the fare?
Regards,
Paddy
Hi Paddy,
You can use single ticket for Nagoya – Miyajimaguchi, not Hiroshima.
Miyajimaguchi is the gate station to Miyajima. It’s not located in Hiroshima city. So you can make stopover at Hiroshima on the way to Miyajima.
On the way back, you can make stopover at Okayama, Osaka and Kyoto. When you make a stopover in these cities, exit at Okayama, Osaka and Kyoto station and enter at same station. There are some stations in especially Osaka and Kyoto. Use Osaka and Kyoto station. If you enter different stations, your ticket may be expired. If you use JR trains in Osaka and Kyoto, exit and purchase another single ticket.
And you can purchase round trip ticket at Nagoya.
At last, I think you will take Shinkansen. You have to purchase Shinkansen ticket for each segment. So you need to purchase Nagoya-Hiroshima, Hiroshima-Okayama, Okayama-ShinOsaka and Kyoto-Nagoya. Osaka-Kyoto is very short segment. You don’t need to take Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
thank you very much for your fast reply.
Why do I need the Shinkansen ticket for each segment?
Does the ticket become unvalid by stopovers overnight?
By the way what exactly is a Shinkansen ticket?
Is it a special ticket which i have to purchase additionally to the ‘way’ ticket for being able to use shinkansen instead of slower trains? So the best in this case would be to buy a roundtrip ticket from Nagoya – Miyajimaguchi – Nagoya as ‘way’ ticket and additionally all the Shinkansen tickets inbetween (except Kyoto – Osaka) as you told me?
Regards,
Paddy
Hi Paddy,
Shinkansen is the special express train. So you have to purchase Shinkansen surcharge ticket beside base fare ticket. Otherwise you can’t enter Shinkansen platform. If you take only local train or rapid train, you don’t need to purchase any other ticket. But it’s not realistic for long transfer.
You can find the fare at Hyperdia. Please see the link below to get more details.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You can make stopover as many as you want within valid days. Of course you can stay overnight.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi ~ We’re going to Osaka next 2 weeks & we got quite confused with the transportation. Here is our plan for the stay
Day 1 : Osaka
Day 2 : Kobe
Day 3 : Nara-Osaka
Day 4 : Kyoto
Day 5 : Tokyo (a day trip coz we’re staying in Osaka)
Day 6 : Osaka
I hope you can help us to get the best & cheap travel experience. Coz we’re on quite a tight budget. Thank you very much 🙂
Hi Hirahyun,
JR Pass 7 days is the best choice.
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
As long as you have a round trip, there is no choice other than JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I read some of your recommendations about getting single ticket rather than JR pass. I’m still quite confused so would like your advice.
My rough itinerary is:
Day 1 – Arrive at Osaka. Travel to Kyoto.
Day 2 – Kyoto
Day 3 – Kyoto
Day 4 – Kyoto
Day 5 – Kyoto -> Takayama -> Shirakawa-go
Day 6 – Shirakawa-go -> Takayama
Day 7 – Takayama -> Toyama -> Takayama (if possible)
Day 8 – Takayama -> Mount Fuji
Day 9 – Mount Fuji
Day 10 – Mount Fuji
Day 11 – Mount Fuji -> Osaka
Day 12 – Osaka
Day 13 – Osaka
Day 14 – Osaka
Day 15 – Osaka
At Osaka, planning to visit Wakayama, Nara, Mie area. Would it be better for me to get the 14 day JR pass or should I go for single tickets. Thanks for your kind advice.
Hi Winnie,
I recommend you to use 7 days JR pass for day 5 to 11. And you can use other deals for the beginning part and the last part.
You can use ICOCA and Haruka for day 1.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
You can use ICOCA e-money 1500 yen for the last part when you stay in Osaka. You can use all day bus pass or Kyoto city sightseeing card for visiting many places in Kyoto.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
For the last part of your trip in Osaka, you may use ICOCA e-money for visiting Nara. If you intend to visit Ise in Mie prefecture, you can use Kintetsu Rail Pass.
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/useful/ticket/rpw1-3.html
Kintetsu Railway is the best transportation to get Mie from Osaka. And JR Pass does not cover Kintetsu. Kintetsu pass is a great deal.
You may use Kansai Area Pass to get Wakayama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
It’s a bit cheaper than single fare from Osaka to Wakayama by JR train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning to visit japan on dec 2014 around 9 days. .Arrive at Nagoya, Depart from Osaka.
I am planning to visit these places :
Day 1. Takayama
2. Shirakawa go
3. Kanazawa
4. Tokyo cititour
5. Mt. Fuji
6. Yuzawa Ski
7. Disneyland
8. Kyoto
9. Osaka
Please advise if this itinerary is a good idea and JR pass 7 days is worth or not.
I will take my children, 14, 12, 9, 2 and husband. What is your advise for family traveler like us.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks.
Hi Ellis,
It’s not impossible, but it will be very very busy trip. And I’m afraid of handling the luggage. I think your baggage is not small because of party of 6. But you will move almost everyday. You may have to find the space to store the luggage. Trains do not have many spaces for luggage. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Regarding itinerary, some part of transfer is a long movement.
Nagoya airport – Takayama via Nagoya 3 hours
Kanazawa – Tokyo 4.5 hours at least
Tokyo – Yuzawa 1.5 horus one way
Tokyo – Kawaguchiko (Fuji) 2 hours at least one way
Tokyo – Kyoto 2.5 hours
So it’s not impossible. But you may be tired if you do this.
But for the trips to Yuzawa, Fuji and TDL, you can stay at same hotel in Tokyo, it’s easier.
At JR pass gives you a great value if you do this trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there,
Thank you very much for the information from this webpage. I would like to confirm the following..
If I buy a ticket from Nagoya to Tokyo, but want to stop at Kamakura (Yokohama Station) – then my ticket will be valid for 3 days? Hyperdia states the journey to be 366km.
Thanks 🙂
Hi WanChing,
Yes, you are right. You can use it for 3 days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi takeshi san, glad I found this website, because it’s full of useful information! Arigatou! 😀
I need some help, I’m planning to visit Japan this Sept and I’ll only cover Kyoto and Tokyo (one way trip)
I got confused wether to buy the JR pass or not. Here is the rough plan:
Day 1: Arrive haneda 10.30pm –> go to my friend’s house in shibuya
Day 2: Tokyo Tour
Day 3: Tokyo Tour
Day 4: Tokyo Tour
Day 5 : Tokyo-Kyoto
Day 6 : Kyoto
Day 7 : Kyoto–> Kansai 11am
If you don’t mind, can you suggest other interesting place that I can stop over only for half day from tokyo-kyoto-kansai?
And kindly suggest the best public transport in tokyo and kyoto that I can use if I’m not gonna take the JR pass.
Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Nisha
Hi Nisha,
Unfortunately there is no options for the deals cover all part of your trip. You can use local deals in Tokyo and Kyoto. But you have to purchase single ticket for Tokyo to Kyoto. If you want to save your budget, you can take long distance bus. I can tell you info about bus. But I’m not familiar with bus services. Please don’t ask me about it.
https://willerexpress.com/en/
In Tokyo and Kyoto, you can use bus or subway deal.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
At last, you can use JR West Kansai Area Pass for the trip to KIX from Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Limited Express Haruka is only direct train to KIX from Kyoto. This pass covers Haruka and cheaper than regular fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail