JRパス

Hi there,

Lets take a look at the costs of travel from day 3-9:

1. Tokyo > Nikko: ¥5630, (121mins, 150km)
2. Nikko > Tokyo: ¥5630, (117mins, 150km)
3. Tokyo > Odawara: ¥3840, (35mins, 83km)
4. Odawara > Tokyo: ¥1450, (36mins, 83km)
5. Tokyo > Kyoto: ¥13420, (164mins, 513km)
6. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
7. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)

JR ticket cost: ¥31350 for 7 legs

• 07 day rail pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥3050

Based on the above itinerary you'll make a small savings with a rail pass for this period. Aside from this small saving I think I would still recommend the 7 day pass as it will give you added flexibility for this period (for example, day trip to Hiroshima while you are in Kyoto and free use of the JR lines in and around Tokyo). Also, the JR lines between cities are generally simpler to navigate for tourists than the non-JR lines that you'd have to use with a Kansai Thru Pass.

You could look at the Kyoto city bus pass or subway passes to help you around in Kyoto itself, or simply purchase ¥100-200 bus or subway tickets. Kyoto and Nara are very much suited to exploration on foot, so I think you'll get the most out of simply paying for the odd subway or bus ride as you need to.

Hope this helps!