JR pass or not??

Hi there!

Here are some thoughts for you:

1. You can use the Haruka Express from Osaka International Airport to Kyoto if you are a JR Pass holder, so I certainly recommend this method to you.

2. Your costs look good - I can certainly recommend a JR Pass for you. You are right though that it will be busy over new year period (31st-2nd). I highly recommend reserving all your tickets on arrival at Kansai Airport as there is no way for JR Pass holders to place reservations before arriving in Japan on the lines that you intend to use.

3. Seat reservations are 100% free for JRPass holders, (but must be made in person in Japan). If there are no seats available, there is always the option to stand, but seats will be a far better option!

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the tips Mari. That is disappointing that you can't book in advance, though I thought I had read somewhere that it was possible. I have a friend in Japan who could help me out if that is possible? I am worried about not getting seats as we are on a very tight schedule.

Is always interesting with Japan, they are so advanced in some things and then appear to lag behind the rest of the world in others.

Hi there!

It is possible if you have a Japanese speaking friend to reserve seats using eki-net. If you can do this for your travel around new year I would really recommend it as soon as you can.

I guess certain things are geared more for Japanese. Also, as JR Pass seat reservations are free, I suspect that you may have to make the reservation in person may be to prevent misuse of the service...

Hope this helps!