Tokyo/Nagano/Hiroshima/Kyoto/Osaka

Hi there,

It depends on on many days you will spend in each city. Though a 7 day JR Pass will give you very good savings if you can cover Tokyo - Nagano - Hiroshima - Kyoto with it.

I can give you a better recommendation if you post the dates of travel.
-Daniel

Hi Daniel

Our draft itinerary :

20 Dec - arrive in Tokyo
26 Dec - train to Nagano (2.5 hours?)
29 Dec - train to Hiroshima (6 hours?)
2 Jan - train to Kyoto (2.5 hours?)
5 Jan - train to Osaka (1 hour)
7 Jan - fly out of Osaka to KL

The train trip from Nagano to Hiroshima is at least 6 hours, which is a long trip, we may look at changing. Maybe go straight to Hiroshima from Tokyo - and perhaps make short trips from there? What would you recommend?

Many thanks
Siew Hong

Hi Siew Hong,

Travel to Hiroshima is indeed a pretty long trip. You could visit Kyoto or Osaka before hand, because they are directly on the route. This way you can spread travel around better and still include a visit to Hiroshima.

You could also consider a return to Tokyo and maybe visit Nikko or Yokohama from there. It also depends on what interests you the most.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Hi Daniel

We are narrowing down our itinerary. Base on below, please advise which rail pass is the most appropriate for us to purchase..

Arrive in Haneda Airport on 20 Dec

Staying in Yutenji, Tokyo till 26 Dec - will be travelling north/south/east/west of Tokyo

26 Dec - to Hiroshima - from Hiroshima, we will be visiting Akiota, Miyajima Island, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi

31 Dec - to Himeji; cable car ride to Shozashan

Jan 1 - Akashi

Jan 2 - to Kyoto - Kinkakuji Temple; Aarayashima Kyoto; Kinosaki and Hiromine castle - north of Kyoto

Jan 5 - to Osaka - Nachi Falls – Wakayama

Jan 7 - fly out of Osaka

Thank you so much for your assistance.

Best Regards
Siew Hong

Hi Siew Hong,

I would go with a 7 day JR Pass and use it for travel to Hiroshima, Himeji, Kyoto and Osaka. This will give you great savings and cover the major part of your itinerary.

It is great to spend new year in Japan, I am somewhat jealous ;)

Daniel

Hi Daniel

Thank you for your reply.

Another question - while we are staying in Tokyo, do we just buy the local train tickets as required?

The Hiroshima (26 Dec) to Osaka (5 Jan) will be a total of 10 days - the 7 day JR Pass won't cover this, right?

So the other 3 days, we should pay as we go, and it will work out cheaper than buying a 14 days JR Pass?

We are indeed very excited about our trip to Japan. Hope the weather will be kind to us.

Best Regards
Siew Hong

Hi Siew Hong,

Yes, you can just buy normal tickets in Tokyo or buy an IC card like Suica.

You will also need normal tickets for the last couple of days, however travel within Kansai does not cover a lot. However do try to include Kinosaki in the JR Pass, is it is the furthest away.

Make the best of your trip!
Daniel