Using JR Pass in this Itinerary

Hi there!

Here's a basic breakdown of your JR legs in the first 7 days:

1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Kyoto: ¥16,330 (238mins, 592km)
2. Kyoto > Inari: ¥140 (5mins, 2km)
3. Inari > Nara: ¥830 (50mins, 42km)
4. Nara > Horyuji: ¥210 (11mins, 11km)
5. Horyuji > Kyoto: ¥950 (64mins, 53km)
6. Kyoto > Takayama: ¥9,380 (193mins, 314km)
7. Takayama > Tokyo: ¥14,000 (273mins, 532km)

JR ticket cost: ¥41,840 for 7 legs

• 7 day Japan Rail Pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥13,540

Note that to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji on a clear day you need to sit on the left hand side of the bullet train on the way back from Nagoya/Takayama to Tokyo.

In general I think your itinerary is good with excellent savings! If I could offer one though you may find that you're spending too long in Takayama (but it does depend on your goals). If you did save a night from Takayama you could spend it on another night in Kyoto and use it as a base to do longer day trips if you felt up to it (eg. Himeji, Kurashiki, Hiroshima & Kinosaki onsen are all within day trip territory). Alternatively you could spend the extra night staying in nearby Koyasan temple lodgings.

I think as you're staying in Tokyo for an extra 3 days, I recommend you purchase a Keisei Skyliner 1 way + 2 day metro pass when you arrive at Narita. This will give you good discounted travel around Tokyo on day 8 + 9 and also get you back to Narita Airport on the 10th. For your travel round Tokyo on the 10th, you could also purchase a further 1 day metro pass at Narita if you think you'll do over ¥600 of travel, or could take it easy and pay as you go for this day. Note that from Shinjuku for the Keisei Skyliner back to Narita you'll need to travel to Nippori station, which is easiest on the JR Yamanote line which will not be covered by the metro pass so you may be better off just paying as you go on the 10th.

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much Mari, you are helping me a lot.

I'm asking a few more questions:

• Between Takayama and another place where I can see Mt Fuji, which one would you chose?

• Do you think I can go from Kyoto to Takayama, see something there and take the train to Tokyo?

• If I save one day, as you suggest, which of these two places would you advise me, Nikko or Kinosaki onsen? I know, they are very different...

Thank you again Mari
Isabel

Hi Isabel,

Here are some answers:

1. I think in spring both will be incredible places to visit. I love Takayama, as much for the train journey up through the alps as the place itself. For Mt Fuji, Hakone will also be incredibly pretty at that time of year if the Sakura is out, and offers a more 'touristy' but still great location. At Hakone you have access to many onsen hotsprings and other activities like lake cruises, ropeways and so on. Takayama will have much more of an 'operating town' feel to it, but offers a more real view of Japanese town life. I honestly don't think I can decide as it depends on many personal factors :)

2. If you mean travel from Kyoto to Takayama to Tokyo in 1 day, then while it is technically possible, I don't recommend it. You'll need at least an overnight stay in Takayama or you will feel really rushed I think.

3. Nikko or Kinosaki Onsen.... I think this really will depend on your outlook. Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a very easy day trip from Tokyo that would not need you to do much luggage carrying. On the other hand, Kinosaki is a wonderful place to spend the night and unwind. Personally, I'd go for Kinosaki Onsen because I love onsen so much, but if you are already visiting Hakone (which does have a lot of onsen), then you may get more out of Nikko.

Sorry I haven't been very decisive, but I hope I've laid out your options at least!