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21 days in Japan

alexander
alexander
almost 8 years ago
4 responses

Hi all,
Our family (2 adults and 2 children) will be travelling to Japan in early October this year for 21 days. We've just managed to finalize our itinerary and would really like to have some feedback as to which passes would be most suitable.
landing Narita
day 1 Tokyo
days 2-4 Takayama
days 5-8 Kyoto
day 9 Hiroshima and Miyajima
day 10 Osaka
day 11-13 Fuji five lakes and Hakone - with a car
days 14-19 Tokyo (side trip to Nikko)
day 20 flying from Narita

any kind of information or comments will be most apriciated.
Thank you,
Alex

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 8 years ago
Expert

Hi Alex,

Unless you plan to do a lot of travel from Tokyo, I would suggest using a 14 day JR Pass from day 1 - day 14 and make the day trip to Nikko on day 14. This way you get the best use out of a JR Pass. Local travel within Tokyo does not cost a lot, so you could simply buy normal tickets there.

Its also a good idea to use a car round Hakone, as transport there can be a bit complicated.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

alexander
alexander
4 posts
almost 8 years ago

Hi Daniel

Thanks very much for your reply. It does help and reassures my thoughts.
I do want to bring up another alternative. Please let me know what you think. As we will be spending the first day in Tokyo and then going to Takayama for 3 days, wouldn't it be a good idea to take the train from Tokyo to Matsumoto on the second day , and then the bus to Takayama (all paid fully with no pass) and activate a 7 days JR pass on day 5 to go from Takayama to Kyoto for 7 days ending at Fuji (Shijuoka) when renting the car?
I wonder which option will come up cheaper assuming that in Takayama we will do most of our trips by bus.
Thanks again and looking forward to your reply,
Alex

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 8 years ago
Expert

Hi Alex,

This new option would also work. A one way Tokyo - Matsumoto via Shinjuku is about 6,000yen, then you can use the bus to Takayama and start the JR Pass there. This option is slightly cheaper. However a 14 day JR Pass is still recommended if you make the trip in one go, as this route is travelled partly on the much more expensive Shinkansen.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

alexander
alexander
4 posts
almost 8 years ago

Thank you Daniel. I didn't really understand the last part of your answer .If it's not too much of an effort ,would you please explain how the 14 day pass could be a better choice. What do you mean when you say "the trip in one go".
I really appreciate your help!

Alex

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 8 years ago
Expert

Hi Alex,

I was talking about travelling to Takayama directly (instead of going via Matsumoto). Travelling to Takayama from Tokyo involved riding the Shinkansen bullet trains, which cost a lot without a JR Pass. Therefore a 14 day JR Pass is recommended if you were to go to Takayama from Tokyo.

Does that clear things up?
Daniel

alexander
alexander
4 posts
almost 8 years ago

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much for your patience . Your answers are great help.

Alex


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