Dear To Whom It May Concern,
I am traveling with someone else to Japan from the US (for 19 days) and we want know what is the most cost effective and efficient way to get around Japan for 2 Adults. Our itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Arrive from the US to Kansai International Airport (KIX) [I believe it is Terminal I], we then want to go from here to the place we will be staying for 5 days, located in Dontonbori Square, Osaka
Day 2: Full Day in Osaka: Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building Garden, Sumiyoshi Shrine, etc.
Day 3: Full Day in Osaka: Osaka Aquarium, Kuromon Ichiba Market, other local markets
Day 4: Full Day in Osaka: Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
Day 5: Full Day in Osaka and Kurashiki: Explore Dontonburi Square and local area, travel to Kurashiki and back to Dontonburi (Osaka)
Day 6: Osaka ---> Nara: Nara Park, will be staying at Nara Park for 1 night
Day 7: Nara ---> Kyoto, specifically to Nine Hours Capsule Hostel, Full day in Kyoto
Day 8: Full Day in Kyoto: Moving from Nine Hours Hostel to the place we will be staying at for 3 days, located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
Day 9-10: Full Days in Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Sagano Road of Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishiki Market, Yasaka (Gion) Shrine, etc.
Day 11: Kyoto ---> Tokyo, specifically to the place we will be staying at for 3 days, located Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Days 12-14: 3 Full Days in Akihabara District, Tokyo exploring Ghibli Museum, Akihabara District (shops, markets), etc.
Days 15-16: Ahihabara District, Tokyo --> Harajuku District, Tokyo, 2 Full Days in Harajuku District exploring Senso-ji Temple, Tsukiji Market, Arashio-beya Sumo Stable, etc.
Day 17: Traveling from Harajuku District, Tokyo --> Tokyo Disney
Day 18-19: 2 Days in Tokyo Disney
Day 20: Tokyo Disney ---> Haneda International Airport (HND) ---> US
Since I am moving ONE-WAY from Osaka ---> Kyoto ---> Tokyo and not round-trip, then I think the regional passes may make the most sense cost-wise. However, moving from Osaka ---> Kyoto and from Kyoto ---> Tokyo may not be included in the regional passes and I worry that the costs of moving from city to city (which seems to be inclusive in the nation-wide Japan Rail Pass) may be a lot more than expected.
Any recommendations/advice on how to save money and not waste time on my trip would be greatly appreciated it!
Thank you!
