Order Your JRPass
Back to Itinerary check

Itinerary check - traveling with kids

atladottir
atladottir
about 8 years ago
3 responses

Hello,

It is our first trip to Japan and we are in the midst of reserving hotels and finalizing our 2 week travel. I´d love some feedback on our itinerary, mainly in regards to which rail passes to buy and for what duration

Day 1 - arrive Tokyo
Day 2 - Tokyo
Day 3 - Travel to Shibu Onsen, stay in Ryokan
Day 4 - Monkey Park and travel back to Tokyo
Day 5 - Day trip to Kamakura
Day 6 - Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 7 - Kyoto
Day 8 - Day trip to Nara
Day 9 - Kyoto
Day 10 - Kyoto to ShinFuji station then bus to festival area Shibazakura Festival near Mt. Fuji
Day 11 - Travel to Tokyo
Day 12 - Tokyo and depart in the evening

Also, any advice on traveling with young children (aged 4 years and 4 months). For example, do we need to have car seats with us? Anything we should keep in mind that might not be obvious coming from the US?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 8 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

We have an blog post with details on child passes:
http://www.jrpass.com/blogs/japan-rail-passes-for-children

I think that would be a good start on what is important to know when traveling with children. You don't have to bring a special car seat.

As for the JR Pass, it is somewhat hard to match a 7 day JR Pass to your current itinerary. As it is now, I would use one from day 5-11. You would get better value if used between Tokyo - Shibu Onsen. Would it for instance be possible to move Kamakura to day 3 and visit Shibu on day 4 and 5? Don't worry if this would not work, as you still get good savings with the JR Pass.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

atladottir
atladottir
3 posts
about 8 years ago

Thank you for the helpful information! Also, the blog is a fantastic resource, perhaps it would be good to add it to the main page?

I also have a follow-up question about etiquette in onsens. Is it ok for young kids to go into the pools? Should the baby wear a swim diaper?

Many thanks in advance.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 8 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

We are actually working on a new website design where the blog will have a more prominent place.

Children can use Onsen without problems. What is important to know are Onsen Etiquette. For instance you have to thoroughly clean, show, scrub and wash yourself before entering the Onsen, this applies to children too and you are expected to go without any clothes.

Also see:
http://www.onsenjapan.net/onsenbasics.php

Hope this helps,
Daniel

atladottir
atladottir
3 posts
about 8 years ago

Hi again,

It looks like we have to keep our itinerary the way it is. Would it make sense to buy the 14 day pass to cover all the travel (even if we are only staying 12 days), or would you recommend instead the 7 day pass to cover day 5-11 and just buying the other tickets the rest of the time?

Many thanks in advance.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 8 years ago
Expert

Hi again,

If you keep your itinerary as it is, then I would use a 7 day JR Pass from day 4-10 (this would save you the most) and buy normal tickets for the other parts.

Hope this helps!
Daniel


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