Konnichiwa, Hello, Bonjour,
My husband and I (two adults, no kids) will be traveling in Japan for three weeks in July 2015, precisely from July 5th to 24th. We're very excited, and a bit frightened... Traveling in Japan seems, at the same time, easy (great trains), and hard (no idea how the system works!). We heard about the JR pass, and are wondering what kind of pass (and for how many days) we should buy.
Here's, so far, our traveling plan :
NARITA airport - July 5th
We're planing to take a train (or shuttle?) from Narita Airport to our hotel, in Asakusa. Which train (or shuttle) should we take?
TOKYO- July 5th to July 11th (6 nights)
We're first staying in an hotel in Asakusa for three nights ; we're planing to take a bus or train from Narita Airport to our hotel, in Asakusa. We're planing to visit different part ot the city (Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku...) during our stay. I guess we'll be traveling mostly by subway or by train... Could we travel by train and\or subway in Tokyo with our JR pass? We're also planing to stay the last three nights in another part of the city (Shibuya or Ginza). I guess Ginza would be a better choice : it's closer to Tokyo station. From Ginza, we could take a taxi to the train station : don't wan't to be stuck in subway with luggages during morning rush hour! While in Tokyo, we might take a day to visit Mt Fuji or Nikko if the weather is good.
KANAZAWA -July 11th to July 13th (2 nights)
We're planning to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen that now goes faster and more directly to Kanazawa. That shinkansen leaves, in Tokyo, from Tokyo station. Is that correct? Is it (also) leaving from Ueno station? While in Kanazawa, we plan to walk around, and use the local transports (subway, bus, trains).
TAKAYAMA -July 13th to July 15th (2 nights)
We're planning to take the bus or the train from Kanazawa to Takayama. If we are to take a train, which one(s)? If we take the bus, will there be enough space for our two luggages? While in Takayama, we plan to visit Shirakawago by bus.
KYOTO -July 15th to July 20th (5 nights)
We plan to take a train from Takayama to Kyoto. Which train should we take? While in Kyoto, we plan to walk around, and use the local transports (subway, bus, trains). We plan to enjoy the Gion festival, visit different city sites, and take a day to visit Arashiyama.
HIROSHIMA - July 20th to July 22nd (2 nights)
We plan to take a shinkansen (which one?) from Kyoto to Hiroshima. While in Hiroshima, we plan to walk around, and use the local transports (subway, bus, trains). We'll take a train (which one?), then the ferry to visit Miyajima for a day.
NARA - July 22th to July 24th (2 nights)
We plan to take a train (shinkansen? which one?) from Hiroshima to Nara. While in Nara, we plan to walk around, and use the local transports (subway, bus, trains).
ITAMI airport - July 24th
We plan to take the Itami bus (shuttle) from Nara.
So, considering all that, wich JR pass should we take, and for how many days? Also, is it possible to reserve our seats in all those trains (shinkansen or regular train) in advance, and how?
If you could reply to this email, it would be greatly appreciated! Arigato! Thank you! Merci beaucoup!
Nathalie (from Montréal, Canada)