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Which pass should I use for Tokyo-Kyoto-Takayama-Shirawakago-Osaka-Nara

Regina
Regina
over 5 years ago
5 responses

Hi, I will going to Japan on early January and planning to buy the JR Pass, but I am still confusing which pass should I buy better, below is my route plan:
1. Tokyo--> Kyoto
2. Kyoto--> Takayama-->Shirakawago-->Takayama-->Kyoto
3. Kyoto--> Osaka
4. Osaka--> Nara --> Osaka
5. Osaka--> Kansai Airport

Which kind of JR Pass that suit to my itinerary better? Is it JR Kansai Hokuriku Pass or JR Kansai Area Pass or JR Kansai Wide Area Pass? Or none from the mentioned?

I noticed To kanazawa is covered by JR Pass, but I didn't see to Takayama is covered. I will not explore either two of the city because I will just transit to Takayama to take bus to visit Shirakawago (my purpose is to visit Shirakawago) and then back to Kyoto on that day itself.

Please kindly advise me what is the best and cheapest way to travel and covered all my itinerary. Thank you.

.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 5 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

The answer is simply, the 7 day Japan Rail Pass. There's no other pass that covers the route Tokyo - Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen and the pass would help you make good savings by doing Kyoto - Takayama - Kyoto as well.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Regina
Regina
5 posts
over 5 years ago

Thank you for your reply. Now I am changing my route. I am going to shirakawago not via takayama anymore but via kanazawa because it is nearer and faster. So I re-write my journey route again here. Probably you can advise which pass I should buy.
My journey route
1.Tokyo-Kyoto
2.Kyoto-Kanazawa-Shirakawago
3.Shirakawago-Kanazawa-Kyoto
4.Kyoto-Osaka
5.Osaka-Nara
6.Nara-Osaka
7.Osaka-Kansai Airport

I have noticed Jr Regional Kansai Hokuriku 7 days covers all the route I want to go. I am right? Please advised again which is the most suitable pass, Jr Kansai Hokuriku or Jr nation wide? Is it worth it to buy the jr pass or pay single journey better? Thank you very much.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 5 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Do you mean the Hokuriku Arch Pass? This pass does indeed cover the railway transport for your trip but you need to go via Kanazawa to travel to Kyoto and thus adds quite a lot of time. That's why my preference would be the 7 day JR Pass/

Also note that the bus to Shirakawa-go is not included in either pass.

Kind regards,
Daniel

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 5 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Do you mean the Hokuriku Arch Pass? This pass does indeed cover the railway transport for your trip but you need to go via Kanazawa to travel to Kyoto and thus adds quite a lot of time. That's why my preference would be the 7 day JR Pass/

Also note that the bus to Shirakawa-go is not included in either pass.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Regina
Regina
5 posts
over 5 years ago

Hi david, thank you for your reply. Yes it is Hokuriku Arch pass.. if I cannot travel from Tokyo directly to Kyoto, and must via kanazawa to kyoto. Then I just need to change my travel route. Which will be:
1 Tokyo- Kanazawa
2. Kanazawa - shirakawago-Kanazawa
3. Kanazawa- Kyoto
4. Kyoto- Osaka
5.Osaka-Nara-Osaka
6. Osaka-Kansai Airport

If I change my route in that way, can I use the arch hokuriku pass now? Because I want to save money, we are 4 people. Nation Wide Jr pass is ¥29.110 and Arch Hokuriku Jr pass is ¥24.000, I can save about ¥20.000 for 4 person.l :) What do you think? Please advise me soon. I have to purchase the pass soon because holiday is coming. Thank you David.

Regina
Regina
5 posts
over 5 years ago

Oooppss sorry.. I called the wrong name. Your name is Daniel not David .. so sorry :)


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