Hi
I will arrive at osaka international airport on 28th dec 2014 until 5th jan 2015 (departure time : 11.00 am). About 9 days 8 nights.
I plan to cover osaka (1 -2 nights), kyoto (2-3 nights), tokyo (2 nights) and hokkaido (2 nights). I also plan to purchase 7 days jr pass For my travel.
Questions
1) how should i plan my itinerary since osaka is sort of located in the middle. Should i put hokkaido as the first or last destination or in the middle? How should i arrange so that the JR pass can be fully utilized? 7 days pass or 14 days pass?
2) i have read many comments that going hokkaido by flight could be the best and the price may not differ a lot from a train ticket on top of time saving. But i do want to experience their overnight train. Can JR be used without any top up required? If need top up, how much and how long is the train journey?
Appreciate the reply.
Thank you.