Order Your JRPass
Back to Itinerary check

Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Nagano (Shiga Kogen) - Tokyo

YellowHoneyBee
YellowHoneyBee
over 12 years ago
1 response

I plan to visit Japan from January 22 to February 5, 2012. Below is my tentative itinerary. I would like to know if I should buy a JR pass or buy one-way tickets when I get to each train station.

January 22 - arrive in Tokyo Narita Airport
January 25 - From Tokyo to Kyoto
January 27 - From Kyoto to Osaka (day trip), then back to Kyoto
January 28 - From Kyoto to Nara (day trip), then back to Kyoto
January 29 - From Kyoto to Nagano, transfer to Shiga Kogen, ski in Shiga Kogen for 6 days
February 4 - From Shiga Kogen to Tokyo
February 5 - Tokyo Narita airport, leave for Toronto, Canada.

Please kindly advise. Many many thanks!

avatar
mari
1950 posts
about 12 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

This is a 15 day trip, so we'll leave one of your Tokyo>Narita legs out of our calculations as they won't fit into a 14 day rail pass. That being said, here is the approximate breakdown of your travel costs:

  1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Tokyo: ¥3140, (62mins, 79km)
  2. Tokyo > Kyoto: ¥13420, (165mins, 513km)
  3. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540, (28mins, 42km)
  4. Osaka > Kyoto: ¥540, (29mins, 42km)
  5. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (49mins, 41km)
  6. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (46mins, 41km)
  7. Kyoto > Nagano: ¥10930, (237mins, 398km)
  8. Nagano > Tokyo: ¥8170, (106mins, 222km)

TOTAL: ¥38120 for 8 legs

Certainly, it doesn't seem worth buying a 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) to cover a lot of your trip, mainly because you will be spending a big portion on the ski slopes - lucky you!.

The only alternative I can think of here is a 7 day rail pass from the 23rd to the 29th:

  1. Tokyo > Kyoto: ¥13420, (165mins, 513km)
  2. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540, (28mins, 42km)
  3. Osaka > Kyoto: ¥540, (29mins, 42km)
  4. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (49mins, 41km)
  5. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (46mins, 41km)
  6. Kyoto > Nagano: ¥10930, (237mins, 398km)

TOTAL: ¥26810 for 6 legs

As you can see, from the legs you have mentioned here, it still will be slightly cheaper to buy separate tickets as you go than a 7 day JR Pass at ¥28300.

However, if you were to mix in some more travel on the 23rd and 24th (eg, Nikko, or trips on the JR lines around Tokyo as you explore the city), you could easily push your travel costs over the ¥28,300 barrier where a 7 day JR Pass becomes cost effective. With a Japan Rail Pass, you also have the added benefit of not worrying about buying tickets before travel. I think this convenience factor alone makes using a rail pass worthwhile, but in the end it's down to personal choice - On price alone, it's a very close run thing!

For more train times and prices, you can use the travel planning website, www.hyperdia.com. You can also see our online guide for how to use Hyperdia for JR Pass holders.

Hope this helps!


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 17323 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