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Tokyo- Lake Kawaguchi- Kyoto-Nara Osaka- Tokyo ---- or----- Tokyo-Lake Kawaguchi-kyoto-nara-osaka

audiophilexx
audiophilexx
about 5 years ago
4 responses

Hi,

I am going to Japan for 10 nights/11 days in November and here is my itinerary. Please see if it makes sense to get the JR pass for 7 days (planning to activate it when leaving tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi) .

OPTION 1:
Day 1- Arrive Tokyo
Day 2- Tokyo
Day 3- Tokyo
Day 4- Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi
Day 5- Lake Kawaguchi- Kyoto
Day6- Kyoto
Day 7- Osaka (day trip) and back to kyoto @ night
Day 8- Nara (day Trip) and back to kyto @ night
Day 9- Kyoto to Tokyo
Day 10- Tokyo
Day 11- Fly Home

OPTION 2:
Day 1- Arrive Tokyo
Day 2- Tokyo
Day 3- Tokyo
Day 4- Tokyo
Day 5- Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi
Day 6- Lake Kawaguchi- Kyoto
Day 7- Kyoto
Day 8- Kyoto
Day 9- Nara (day Trip) and back to kyto @ night
Day 9- Kyoto to Osaka
Day 10- Osaka
Day 11- Fly Home from Osaka

Option 1 and 2 is almost similar except option 2 will be flying home from osaka and spending another day in osaka. it will be my first time to japan and i am not sure which option is better and base on my itinerary, it is worth to get the JR pass for either option or both. Or is there a better option?

Hope to get some tips from you guys!! Thanks.

Best Regards,
Nig

avatar
Daniel-san
18836 posts
about 5 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

In Option 1: The JR Pass would be a great option here.

In Option 2: Here you would not cover enough travel for the JR Pass to be cost efficient.

The difference is in the long intercity trip Osaka - Tokyo, this is basically the half of the cost of the pass.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Useful!1
audiophilexx
audiophilexx
4 posts
about 5 years ago

Thanks Daniel.

I have another question for you. Day 4- i am going to Lake Kawaguchi from Tokyo and Day 5- Lake Kawaguchi to Kyoto.

I understand that using the JR pass directly to lake kawaguchi is impossible. How to do i get there indirectly using the JR pass? and which JR pass should i purchase for my option 1 trip above?

Best Regards,
Nig

Useful!0
avatar
Daniel-san
18836 posts
about 5 years ago
Useful!0
audiophilexx
audiophilexx
4 posts
about 5 years ago

Daniel,

I need to ask you one more question.

Say if i choose option 2, and i purchase a 1 way trip JR pass from Tokyo to Osaka, can i stop in kyoto first for 3-4 days and then use the same ticket to osaka? or i need to purchase separate tickets from tokyo to kyoto and from kyoto to osaka? please let me know. Thanks

Best Regards,
Nigel

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avatar
Daniel-san
18836 posts
about 5 years ago
Expert

Hi Nigel,

Yes, that's possible using the JR Pass. If you would buy normal tickets without the JR Pass, then separate tickets for each leg would be required.

Kind regards,
Daniel

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audiophilexx
audiophilexx
4 posts
almost 5 years ago

Daniel,

With confirmation, i am choosing option 2:

OPTION 2:
Day 1- Arrive Tokyo
Day 2- Tokyo
Day 3- Tokyo
Day 4- Tokyo
Day 5- Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi
Day 6- Lake Kawaguchi- Kyoto
Day 7- Kyoto
Day 8- Kyoto
Day 9- Nara (day Trip) and back to kyto @ night
Day 9- Kyoto to Osaka
Day 10- Osaka
Day 11- Fly Home from Osaka

Question is- Since like you mentioned that using JR pass for this option is probably not worth it. What tickets shall I be considering and do I just get the normal train tickets? bullet trains? Do I get the tickets on the spot when I arrive at each location? or do I have to purchase them online ??

Sorry I have absolutely no clue. Thanks

Best Regards,
Nigel

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