Hi. We are a family of 4 and we'll arrive in Japan at Dec 31 and leave at Jan 10. Here is our pending itinerary:
DAY 1: Kansai International Airport to Osaka
transportation: Icoca & Haruka card
DAY 2-3: Osaka
transportation: Icoca & Haruka card
DAY 4: Osaka to Nara
transportation: Icoca & Haruka card
Nara to Kyoto
transportation: Icoca & Haruka card
DAY 5: Kyoto to Tokyo
transportation: Shinkansen
DAY 6-7: Tokyo
transportation: Suica card
DAY 8: Tokyo to Osaka
transportation: Night bus
DAY 9: Osaka
transportation: Icoca & Haruka card
DAY 10: Osaka to Kansai International Airport
transportation: Icoca & Haruka card
Do we really need to buy a Suica card when we're in Tokyo or can we use the Icoca in Tokyo? Do you recommend this itinerary that involves a shinkansen, IC cards and night bus? Can this be a cheap alternative for JR Pass or not?