Order Your JRPass
Back to Itinerary check

7 day vs 14 day pass?

Ani
Ani
over 11 years ago
4 responses

Hi there,

I will be visiting Japan from Oct. 02-Oct.16, 2012 and it will be my first time so need some help revising my itinerary, especially regarding my JR pass plan. There's so much to see and so little time so Am trying to maximize the usage of my pass. Am trying to decide which pass is best for me. I would really appreciate any input.

Day 1-5: Tokyo with day trips to Nikko or Hakone

Day 6:Takayama, stay overnight

Day 7-10: Head to Kyoto, stay 4 nights, with possible day trips to Nara or Kobe.

Day 11: Head to Mont Koya, then to Osaka in evening, and stay overnight in Osaka.

Day 12: Hiroshima, then overnight in Miyajima

Day 13: Then to Himeji, then back to Tokyo

Day 14: Fly back home from Narita :(

Let me know if it's a realistic itinerary and which pass is more beneficial for my travelling needs. Thank you so much for all your help!!

Have a nice day,

Ani

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Looks like a great trip - here are some thoughts on it for you:

If you can squeeze your non-Tokyo travel to between the 6th and 12th, then you could theoretically fit it all into a 7 day pass. That said, I really like your spacing on this trip so recommend you stick with it and aim for a 14 day pass starting from Day 2.

On arrival into Tokyo you should use either the Keisei Skyliner + 2 day unlimited Metro Pass deal or the [Narita Express + ¥1500 prepaid Suica card deal] to get into Tokyo. As these deals are only available at Narita it makes most sense to take advantage of them at the start of your trip. This will allow you to make good savings on travel from the airport and around Tokyo at the start of your journey.

I think I'd aim to overnight on Mount Koya rather than stay in Osaka - it's a long trip and while Osaka nightlife is great I think you'd only get the most out of Koyasan if you stay the night.

To make sure you'd have good savings with a 14 day pass lets take a look at your actual JR costs:

  1. Tokyo > Nikko: ¥5630, (121mins, 150km)
  2. Nikko > Tokyo: ¥5630, (117mins, 150km)
  3. Tokyo > Takayama: ¥14600, (275mins, 532km)
  4. Takayama > Kyoto: ¥9980, (190mins, 314km)
  5. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (45mins, 41km)
  6. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
  7. Kyoto > Kobe(hyogo): ¥1050, (56mins, 75km)
  8. Kobe(hyogo) > Kyoto: ¥1050, (57mins, 75km)
  9. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540, (28mins, 42km)
  10. Osaka > Hiroshima: ¥10150, (104mins, 345km)
  11. Hiroshima > Himeji: ¥8270, (63mins, 249km)
  12. Himeji > Tokyo: ¥15410, (219mins, 644km)
  13. Tokyo > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥3140, (58mins, 79km)

TOTAL: ¥76830 for 13 legs

  • 07 day rail pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥48530
  • 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥31730
  • 21 day rail pass (¥57,700) saving: ¥19130

As you can see you'll make great savings even with a 21 day pass so the choice is yours about which to pass to choose - the simple answer is that thy will all give good savings :)

Hope this helps!

Ani
Ani
4 posts
over 11 years ago

Thanks so much for the input, really helpful!

Have a nice day,
Ani


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17329 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes