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jaslinyjh
jaslinyjh
over 9 years ago
10 responses

Hi, I will be touching down in Osaka Kansai on 30/03/2014 and flying off on 08/04/2014.

I will be staying in Kyoto from 30/03/2014 to 03/03/2014.

I wish to do a day trip to Nagoya, and another day trip to Nara, and the remaining days in Osaka.

Please advise if it's better to travel to Nagoya from Kyoto or Osaka?

Same goes for Nara, is it more accessible from Kyoto or Osaka?

I'll really appreciate a cost and time breakdown as well!

Will a JR Kansai Pass cover these 4 places?

Thanks!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

I would advise buying normal tickets for your itinerary. The Kansai pass would only cover Kyoto/Osaka/Nara but these tickets are all low cost Osaka - Kyoto for instance is 560 yen and Kyoto - Nara 710yen.

Kyoto and Osaka are both very close and it does not really make much of a difference in where you stay. I would just go with the city that speaks most to you.

I would advise using www.hyperdia.com for ticket prices and other route information, such as travel times. This is a great resource for planning. We have a great blog post with all the details to get you started.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

jaslinyjh
jaslinyjh
10 posts
over 9 years ago

HI Daniel,

Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful reply!

How about to Nagoya then? My hotel for Kyoto is booked till 3rd April, if on 3rd I leave Kyoto for Nagoya, how much will that cost and which mode of transport would you recommend?

Should I spend the night in Nagoya and leave for Osaka on the 4th? Or should I leave on the 3rd evening for Osaka after the day trip in Nagoya?

If I were to do the 2nd option, where should I leave my luggage while going about Nagoya?

Thank you so much!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi Again!

A one way to Nagoya will cost you around 5,500-6000yen for one way by Shinkansen. This will only takr 40minutes or so. You could also look at express buses which are 3,000yen or so but take 3 times longer.

I would spend the night in Nagoya as it would make for a bit more relaxed travel. However the difference is small and you could leave your luggage in a coin locker at Nagoya station if you did a day trip.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

jaslinyjh
jaslinyjh
10 posts
over 9 years ago

Hi Daniel,

Thanks so much once again!

How do you recommend travelling around the area then? I understand subway is very convenient, but is there a pass usable for all 3 areas - Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya? Should I get one way trip tickets to go everywhere? Or do you have another recommendation?

Thanks!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

For local non-JR travel, consider buying an IC card. This will make for very easy access. You can find all about IC cards in Japan here.

There is no discount pass available for all 3 areas expect for the nationwide JR Pass.
-Daniel

jaslinyjh
jaslinyjh
10 posts
over 9 years ago

Hello once again Daniel!

Thank you so much for all your help! Can I check if the IC card can be used for Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara? DOes it cover the local subway lines for all these areas? How about the local buses in these areas? Appreciate your help thanks! :)

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

Yes an IC card can be used for almost any kind of transport! That includes the subway, local trains, buses and even taxis!

jaslinyjh
jaslinyjh
10 posts
over 9 years ago

Hello!

The IC Card is also known as the ICOCA Card right? Where can I purchase it? And will there be any savings to get it compared to purchasing individual one way tickets each time?

How about the ICOCA + Haruka package then? Do you recommend it for my itinerary?

Thanks!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

You could consider the ICOCA + Haruka Package, it offers great value if you travel to Kyoto. This may be purchased directly at Kansai Airport.

An ICOCA card (or any other IC card) does not give discount over normal tickets but it will save you a lot of time buying normal tickets each time you travel. Additionally you don't have to look up the right fare each time, this can be hard when there are no English sign boards.

jaslinyjh
jaslinyjh
10 posts
over 9 years ago

Thanks so much!

So in summary:
- ICOCA Card: All subway and buses within Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka and Nara - Haruka: From Kansai Airport to Kyoto, will it cover Osaka to Kansai Airport? - Shinkansen one way tickets between the regions: Kyoto - Nagoya / Nagoya - Osaka

What form of transport do you recommend for Osaka to Nara then?

Kindly advise if my stated transport options is logical and recommended? Thanks!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

Yes that is all covered. Nara - Osaka can also be done using the ICOCA card, either with the JR or Nankai rail company.

I think it all looks good!
Daniel


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