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First time in Japan (and a bit lost...)

Jean-Jacques
Jean-Jacques
almost 10 years ago
4 responses

Greetings,

I will be traveling to japan with my wife and daughter at the end of November. The plan is to spend one night in Tokyo, then take the shikansen to Kyoto, where we will spend a week. We will be staying in Arashiyama, so taking the train back and forth to downtown Kyoto, taking one excursion to Nara, then back to Tokyo.

Do we need a JR Pass or not? Is there any way we can book and buy shikansen tickets online from abroad?

Many thanks for your kind assistance,

Jean-Jacques

Jean-Jacques
Jean-Jacques
4 posts
almost 10 years ago

Forgot to mention we were going to stay 8 days.

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
almost 10 years ago
Expert

Hello Jean-Jacques,

I do think that it would be a good idea to consider a 7 day JR Pass for your travels. A 7 day JR Pass is roughly the same price as a normal return Tokyo - Kyoto on the Shinkansen. With the JR Pass you get 7 days of unlimited travel for the same price. For instance you can use it for travel to Arashiyama, Nara but also for local travel on the JR within Tokyo or to the Airport.

You can book Shinkansen tickets once you are in Japan and have exchanged your rail pass. There are a lot of seats available and trains run very frequently, so you don't have to worry about not being able to obtain tickets.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Jean-Jacques
Jean-Jacques
4 posts
almost 10 years ago

Thank you! Now, since we arrive on a Saturday and leave on the following Saturday, that would actually be 8 days. Does this mean that I should actually get my JRPass on the day following my arrival, ie not use it for the Narita-Tokyo trip and get it at the station the next morning, as we're ready to travel to Kyoto?

Jean-Jacques

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
almost 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Jean-Jacques

I would activate your JR Pass on day 2 in Japan. This way you would also cover your way back to Narita Airport.

For your arrival consider a 1,500 Narita Express ticket this will get your in comfort to Tokyo for a very good price.

Hope this helps too!
Daniel

Jean-Jacques
Jean-Jacques
4 posts
almost 10 years ago

Awesome, thank you so much!


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