Hi!
I'll be travelling to Japan from Mar 27 - Apr 12. Currently contemplating whether should I get a 7-day or 14-day pass and how about to get train tickets not covered by JR line.
My itinerary as follows:
D0 - Mar 27: Arrive at Haneda at midnight
D1 - Mar 28 to D4 - Mar 31: Tokyo (staying near Omotesando st)
D5 - Apr 1 to D7 - Apr 3: Tokyo (staying near Shibuya st)
D7 - Apr 3 to D9 - Apr 5: Kanazawa (staying near Kanazawa JR st)
D9 - Apr 5 to D12 - Apr 8: Kyoto (but will be staying at the JR Nara st due to no rooms available in Kyoto)
D12 - Apr 8 to D13 - Apr 9: Nagoya (near Fushimi st)
D13 - Apr 9 to D14 - Apr 10: Gero (1 night stay at onsen ryokan)
D14 - Apr 10 to D15 - Apr 11: Osaka (near Nishiohashi st)
D16 - Apr 12: Kansai Airport
Option 1: My initial thought is to get a 7-day pass and the start date to be on Apr 3 which is the day I'm heading out from Tokyo. However the pass will expire on Apr 9, correct? Then my tickets to Osaka will not be covered, which is a bummer.
Alternatively, I'll need to take the 14-day pass
Option 2a: 14-day pass start date on Apr 30, such that it'll cover all my itinerary including Kansai airport. Can I get to Osaka aquarium and Osaka Castle via JR line?
Option 2b: 14-day pass start date on Apr 28, such that the pass expire the day I'm arriving at Osaka. This will be the best option assuming I can utilize the pass more for travelling within Tokyo.
Can you please share your thoughts on which option would be the best? Knowing that it'll be during the peak season, should I do seat reservation and how far ahead can I do the booking?
For the Kyoto visit, I'll be travelling everyday from Nara to Kyoto. Is it convenient to go Kyoto visiting places from the JR Kyoto station?
Is there a common pass or prepaid train ticket that I can use for other subway/train line in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka that is not covered by JR line?
Kindly please advise. Thank you.