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Is 7D JR Pass suitable for the trip?

pstoh
pstoh
over 7 years ago
17 responses

We are planning 7 Days trip (part of our plan) starting from Osaka and ends in Nagoya...
Day 1 - Osaka -> Hiroshima -> Miyajima
Day 2 - Miyajima -> Tokyo
Day 3 to Day 6 - Tokyo & side trips
Day 7 - Tokyo -> Ise & Nagoya

Is a 7D JR Pass able to cover all the above and cheaper than other means of transport?
Thank you.

PS

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi PS,

The JR Pass will be a very good option for you. Just traveling on day 1 and 2 will already more than cover the price of the JR Pass and help you make savings.

The JR Pass covers all your travel, there is a small additional fee to Ise but thats all.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

pstoh
pstoh
17 posts
over 7 years ago

Thanks Daniel... l have some more questions...

  1. Will the JR Pass allows me to move around within the city, say Tokyo or l need to get another pass or top up card?
  2. Is 5 Days JR KANSAI WIDE AREA PASS is same as JR Pass, but only valid in Kansai wide area region? Is this Pass a right choice to travel from Kansai International airport to Kyoto, Nara, Mount Koya, Himeji and Osaka within 5 days?
  3. What about Icoca & Haruka card?
avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi again,

1.) The JR Pass covers all JR lines in Tokyo. This is enough to see most of the city.

2.) Yes, however the JR Kansai pass does not allow for seat reservations.

3.) What about it :) ? Its a good deal if you start and Kansai Airport and need to travel to Kyoto on arrival.

pstoh
pstoh
17 posts
over 7 years ago

Thanks Daniel-san,

  1. sorry, l don't get your point on 3.) Do you mean Icoca & Haruka card to travel from Kansai Airport to Kyoto on arrival? What about JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, can it be used to travel from Kansai Airport to Kyoto?
  2. If we are not allow to do seat reservation, does it mean we have to stand throughout the journey or we can sit any seat available if any?
  3. Which is a better choice between the following 2 options?
    a. 5Days JR Kansai Wide Area Pass or
    b. A lcoca & Haruka card + JR Kansai Area 4 Days pass to cover 5Days Kansai region?
    

Sorry for asking too many questions... this is my 1st trip to Japan and still don't have a clear picture of the transportation systems...

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi again,

1.) Yes, that what I mean. The Kansai Wide Pass can also be used for this route.

2.) Every limited express train (like the Haruka) has a series of reserved and non reserved seats. If all non-reserved are taken, that means you would have to stand. You can however queue up on the platform before hand.

3.) With travel to Hiroshima and Tokyo by advise would be to use a 7 day JR Pass instead. This would cover all your travel and there is no need to worry about limitations, such as on the Kansai Wide Pass.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

pstoh
pstoh
17 posts
over 7 years ago

Hi Daniel,

We will use the 7 day JR Pass as your advise for Hiroshima and Tokyo...

Which is a better choice between the following 2 options (travel from Kansai International airport to Kyoto, Nara, Mount Koya, Himeji and Osaka within 5 days) ?
a. 5 Days JR Kansai Wide Area Pass OR
b. A lcoca & Haruka card + JR Kansai Area 4 Days pass to cover 5 Days

Once again, thank you very much for your help... l have a better understanding now on the transport system in Japan.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi again,

I would use an ICOCA card for travel to Kyoto, Nara and Koya-san, then buy a 1day Kansai Pass for travel to Himeji. This would be the cheapest option.

pstoh
pstoh
17 posts
over 7 years ago

Thanks for your valuable info... :-)

pstoh
pstoh
17 posts
over 7 years ago

Hi Daniel-san,

After discussing with my family members, we came up with a 18D17N itineraries for the end of November.
Hope you can advise us on choices of cards/Pass for transportation. We are worried that we might not understand fully the system as this is our 1st trip to Japan.

Day1 - Kansai International Airport -> Osaka (use Icoca & Haruka card)
Day2 - Osaka -> Mount koya (use Koyasan World Heritage Ticket)
Day3 - Osaka -> Hiroshima & Miyajima (1st day use of 7Days JR Pass)
Day4 - Hiroshima -> Himeji (few hours stop) -> Tokyo
Day5-8 -Tokyo with sidetrips
Day9 - Tokyo -> Ise -> Nagoya ( 7th day use of JR Pass)
Day10 - Nagoya -> Takayama (morning) (Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass (5Days) )
Day11 - Takayama -> Kanazawa (afternoon)
Day12 - Kanazawa
Day13 - Kanazawa -> Kyoto
Day14 - Kyoto with side trip (5th day use of Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass)
Day15-17 - Kyoto with side trip (Kansai Area 4 Days pass)
Day18 - Kyoto -> Kansai International Airport.

Q1 - Apart from Icoca & Haruka card & 7D JR Pass that you recommended earlier on, are the other Passes suitable for the trip?
Q2 - Is it a better choice to visit Himeji on the way to Hiroshima (Day3) or on the way back to Tokyo (Day4)?
Q3 - Is it too rush to travel from Kyoto to Kansai Airport as our flight is at 11,00 am in the morning? If it is more convenient to travel from Osaka to Kansai airport, we will stay in Osaka the night before.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

1.) You are perfectly set for your travel with a 7 day JR Pass and the ICOCA + Haruka package.

2.) Its quite a long route to Tokyo, so having a break somewhere, like Himeji is a very nice thing.

3.) I've done this in the past and its fine, just be sure to use early train. Preferable before 6 am. If you want to sleep a little longer, consider staying at a hotel near the airport.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

pstoh
pstoh
17 posts
over 7 years ago

ThankS Daniel


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