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JR vs private in Tokyo, etc.

ninjakat
ninjakat
about 11 years ago
7 responses

I've read that the JR Pass is not valid on private or "local" transportation. Do you have a list that shows the specific lines, etc. that the JR Pass can be used for?
I'm trying to see if the 7 day JR Pass can be used for most (if not all) our travel needs. My family & I are planning a 10 night stay, and tentative itinerary is follows:
1. Narita Airport to Tokyo (Asakusa)
2. Asakusa to Tokyo Disney Sea & back to Asakusa
3. Asakusa to Kyoto
4. Kyoto to Nara & back to Kyoto
5. Kyoto to Hiroshima & back to Kyoto
6. Kyoto to Osaka, then to Tokyo (Asakusa)
7. Asakusa to Mitaka, etc (within Tokyo)
8. Asakusa to Shibuya, Harajuku, etc. (within Tokyo)
9. Asakusa to ? (within Tokyo)
10. Asakusa to ? (within Tokyo)
11. Asakusa to Narita Airport
I would appreciate as much information as you can provide to me.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

The JR-Pass is valid on local JR-Lines/Busses other transportation methods and companies are indeed not covered. Still you can get to most places in Tokyo with the JR-Pass.
Here is a map with lines that are covered in Tokyo.

I saw you are staying in Asakusa, this place is not directly served by JR. If you come from Narita by JR-Pass, I would recommend taking the Narita Express to Tokyo station and transfer there to the Ginza line (Tokyo Metro) to Asakusa.
Also for your other days you can use the metro to Ueno station and from there use to JR-Pass to board to Yamanote line and travel to many places in Tokyo.

For the rest I do think that the JR-Pass will give you very good value with your trip to Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Here is a breakdown of costs without the pass.
Narita Airport --> Tokyo ¥ 2,740
Tokyo --> Kyoto ¥ 13,020
Kyoto Nara (return) ¥ 1,380
Kyoto --> Osaka ¥ 540
Osaka --> Hiroshima ¥ 9,750
Hiroshima --> Tokyo ¥ 17,850

For a total of ¥ 45,280, the 7 Day JR-Pass is ¥ 28,300 saving you at least ¥ 16,980 plus you have one additional day of use for in Tokyo or a day trip.

Let me know if I can assist in any further way.
-Daniel

ninjakat
ninjakat
7 posts
about 11 years ago

Thank you very much for the info, Daniel-san.

Re Hiroshima, we are planning to go from Kyoto to Hiroshima & back. Then Kyoto to Osaka, then to Tokyo. Can I use the JR Pass for this route, instead of what you have (Osaka to Hiroshima, then Hiroshima to Tokyo)?

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ayako
21 posts
about 11 years ago

Hi Ninjacat - yes, you should be fine to use the JR Pass for that route :)

Hope this helps!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 11 years ago
Expert

Yes indeed like Ayako says, it this the same route you will be traveling only the stop order is different.

Happy Travels!


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