Do I save with the JRpass?

Hi Brenda,

While Nozomi trains cannot be used with the JR-Pass, Hikari trains can be used and run on the same track and are only slightly slower that the Nozomi trains.

I assumed you would arrive @ Narita Airport, please correct me if you land on a different airport.

Narita Airport --> to Nagano for Yudanaka, ¥ 10,280 from Nagano you will have to use a private railway to Yudanaka for the last part (¥ 1,230)
Yudanaka back to by private rail to Nagano --> Kyoto ¥ 10,330
Kyoto --> Tokyo ¥ 13,020

For a total of ¥ 33,630 the 7day JRPass is 28,300 saving you at least 5,330.

With your itinerary I would use the pass on the first 7 days (16th-22nd) to cover most of your travels.

Hope this helps,
-Daniel

Hi Daniel-san,
Thank you very much for this quick reply.
We are also thinking about hiring a private taxi from Narita to Yudanaka on the day we arrive so we do not have to worry about changing trains and luggage etc after such a long flight. Would we still save money with the 7 day pass if we purchase it starting on the 18th?
Thanks again
Brenda

Hi Brenda,

Not a bad idea! I am not sure though how much a Private taxi would cost between Narita and Yudanaka, if I may ask did you already have something in mind?

In case the sum would change to:
Yudanaka back to by private rail to Nagano --> Kyoto ¥ 10,330
Kyoto --> Tokyo ¥ 13,020
Tokyo -> Narita ¥ 2,740

For a total of ¥ 26,090 so you would not cover the cost of a 7-Day Rail pass. It could still be worth it, if you plan on making day trips from Kyoto, for instance a return Osaka by JR is ¥ 1,080 and a return Nara ¥ 1,380.

Let me know if I can help you in any other way.
-Daniel

Hi Daniel-san,
Yes, we were looking at the Chuo taxi to Yudanaka which is about 12,000 yen.
Can we also use the JR pass to get around Tokyo?
Thank you
Brenda

Hi again Brenda,

For 12,000 that is not a bad deal for 2 persons! I will remember it in case it may be useful to other travelers, thank you!

You can use the JR-Pass on local JR-Lines and JR-buses in Tokyo. A great line to use it on is the so called Yamanote line that makes a loop trough Tokyo and stops at many of the bigger stations.

Best regards,
Daniel