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7 day pass 0r 14 day pass?

EvaP
EvaP
over 9 years ago
2 responses

Hello I'm going to Japan in 15 dec 2014 and I'm wondering which type of passes would be best for me. I have planned my first week traveling around Kansai area (thinking of using local train or even Kansai pass?), and use a 7 day JR pass to go to Tokyo, Hakone, Nikko, Nagoya and Osaka. I wonder which type of passes would be best for me? Would it be better to just order a 14 day pass?

My travel plan is as below:

16 dec Arrived in Osaka
17 dec Osaka
18 dec Kyoto
19 dec Kyoto
20 dec Nara
21 dec Kyoto
22 dec Kobe
23 dec Tokyo
24 dec Tokyo
25 dec Hakone
26 dec Nikko
27 dec Nikko/ Tokyo
28 dec Nagoya
29 dec Nagoya
30 dec Osaka
31 dec Osaka
1 jan Osaka- back home

Please advice which types of passes are best for me. Most of the hotels are already booked actually. Would deeply appreciate any advices I can get. Could someone also give an opinion about my travel plan? E.g. is traveling from Hakone-Nikko too harsh/ tiring? Big thanks! I would need to order my JR pass ASAP.

avatar
Daniel-san
18816 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

I would advise starting with the Haruka + ICOCA package for your arrival. After which I would use the ICOCA card for local travel. Kansai is pretty compact when you look at it and ticket prices are low.

Then for the 2nd part, a 7 day JR Pass would work very well. Just a return Kyoto/Osaka - Tokyo pays for the JR Pass and any addition travel will go towards your savings.

The plan itself looks great. Travel from Hakone - Nikko should not take too long if planned ahead. I would advise the following route. Go to the Shinkansen station for Hakone, this is Odawara station. From here take a bullet train to Tokyo station and transfer at Tokyo station to the Tohoku shinkansen bound for Utsunomiya, at Utsunomiya transfer to the JR Nikko line, bound for Nikko. All covered by the JR Pass.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

EvaP
EvaP
2 posts
over 9 years ago

Hi Daniel-san! Thank you so much for your quick reply and advice! It definitely helps me a lot in getting all my minds up. One question considering Haruka +ICOCA package, is it necessary to purchase it before we come to Japan, or we can buy it in Japan (where?)?

I've calculated that the 7 days JR pass would expire on the 29 dec while we are in Nagoya (Validate on 23 dec to Tokyo). Could you please advice which pass or ticket shall we take from Nagoya to Osaka?

Again, many many thanks to you! You gave such big help!!! :-D

avatar
Daniel-san
18816 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi Again!

The ICOCA package can be purchased directly at Kansai Airport without having to buy it beforehand.

I assumed that you would travel to Osaka on the 29th, it less than 1h of travel. If possible I would advise taking a late train and try to arrive in Osaka on that day to get the most out of your pass. Otherwise you could buy a normal Shinkansen ticket at Nagoya station.

Hope this helps too :)
Daniel


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