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hakone to kyoto and Nara to Tokyo

Clive cass
Clive cass
about 10 years ago
13 responses

Please advise best trains from Hakone to Kyoto and then Nara to Tokyo

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

We have a a great interactive map to help in situations like this.

I have pinned all your destinations for you HERE. As you can see Tokyo - Hakone (Odawara!) and Kyoto are all on the blue line which is the Shinkansen, the high speed bullet train.

Nara is very close to Kyoto station and you can use a local travel from Kyoto to travel there.

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

The attachment is for the imperial hotel and not for a train route.

OUR ITINERARY IS AS FOLLOWS

ARRIVE TOKYO NARRITA THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY

STAY 9 NIGHTS IN TOKYO DURING WHICH TIME WE WILL GO TO NIKKO FOR ONE NIGHT AND 2 DAYS AND ALSO HAKONE FOR ONE NIGHT AND TWO DAYS EACH.

WE COULD LEAVE THE TRIP TO HAKONE TO THE VERY END AND GO THERE ON THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY AND RATHER THAN RETURN TO TOKYO ON FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY BEFORE GOING TO KYOTO THE NEXT DAY .

TRAVEL TO KYOTO ON SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY (OR AS SUGGESTED ABOVE GO STRAIGHT FROM HAKONE TO KYOTO ON FRIDAY NIGHT OF 21 FEBRUARY) FOR 5 NIGHTS DURING WHICH WE WILL HAVE A DAY TRIP (NOT OVERNIGHT) TO NARA

RETURN TO TOKYO FOR ONE NIGHT AT A HOTEL AT NARRITA FOR EARLY FLIGHT HOME

Do you suggest that we go from Tokyo to Hakone and then straight to Kyoto without returning to Tokyo and likewise when we are in Kyoto do you suggest we go to Nara from Kyoto and travel directly to Tokyo from Nara rather than return to Kyoto only to travel to Tokyo the next day.

YOUR PREVIOUS ADVICE SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING

Buy a 7 day pass only to use when we start traveling long distances so use it when we travel to Hakone and then on to Kyoto and then back to Tokyo via Nara.

When we are in Tokyo and go for a one night stop over in Nikko we would simply pay for that return trip. Any advice on the cheapest way to travel to and from Tokyo / Nikko and explore Nikko and its area. I believe you will suggest the Tobu Line from Asakusa rather than the Shinkansen.

Unfortunately we will be travelling to Hakone for a one night stop 8 days before we return from Kyoto to Tokyo so we would have to pay to travel to Hakone before activating our 7 day pass the next day for the journey from Hakone to Kyoto so its a shame we cannot use a 2 day Hakone Pass. Any advice on this single journey to Hakone (from Shinjuku I believe) and to get around Hakone whilst we are there.

You previously advised to activate the JR pass on Arrival at Narrita but set a forward date as the start date. You did not however advise me where to buy the JR pass from. Can I do this in advance from the UK and if so how please or where do I get it at Narrita.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

I do think it would be best to travel on directly to Kyoto from Hakone (via Odawara Station) as this way you can avoid some extra travel time. How you visit Nara does not really matter as it is close to Kyoto - a lost of people visit it as a day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka.

About travel to Nikko, yes you can use the Tobu Nikko line from Asakusa, this is the most economic way to get to Nikko from Tokyo.

As for travel from Shinjuku - Hakone, consider using the Odakyu Railway which leaves directly from Odakyu Shunjuku station and takes about 2 hours to travel to Hakone and only costs 1150 yen, alternatively you can use the Romance car which is 2020 yen.

You can purchase the JR Pass directly online here, shipping is free and will be delivered next day using Royal mail within the UK. The JR Pass can only be purchased outside of Japan, so please order one before departing.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

Thanks Daniel,

I agree about Nara.

Regarding Tokyo to Hakone and then Hakone to Kyoto can you please advise approximate train times and compare this to a direct train from Tokyo to Kyoto please.

If we do decide to go Tokyo, Hakone, Tokyo (rather than Kyoto) do we get the Hakone free pass and if so does this allow us to use the Romance Car. What actually is the Romance car.

Clive

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

I said I agree with you about Nara but can any time be saved going on to Tokyo from Nara rather than back into Kyoto or do we have to go via Kyoto or is it best to do so to get a faster train?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again,

I can give you travel times but please note that they can change depending on where in Hakone you will be staying.
First, Tokyo(Shinjuku) - Odawara is about 2 hours with the Odakyu line. Tokyo - Odawara is about 35 Minutes with the Shinkansen and Odawara - Kyoto 126 Minutes.

I would consider a Hakone Free Pass if you make a return trips Tokyo - Hakone if you don't use the JR Pass between Tokyo and Odawara station. You can find more information about the Romance Car HERE basically it is a train which travels the scenic route.

Hope this helps too!
Daniel

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

I am confused but maybe because of one important question I am not sure the answer to. If I have a JR pass can I only use JR trains or can I use any trains on any lines. In addition can I travel at any time of day or night or are certain trains restricted such as peak times.

There seems to be no point using the Odakyu line from Tokyo to Odawara as it takes about 2 hours instead of the Shinkansen line which takes about 35 minutes.

Tokyo to Kyoto direct 138 minutes
Tokyo to Odawara 35 minutes
Odawara to Kyoto 126 minutes
If we do return to Tokyo before travelling to Kyoto we waste 41 minutes train time so really its not too bad if that is better for us.

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

i have answer most of my previous question myself but using a JR pass can I travel at any time of day or night or are certain trains restricted such as peak times.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

The JR Pass can be used at any time of the day! So you don't have to worry about peak times or the like.
However do note that as a general rule trains stop service around midnight and resume the following morning around 6.

Coming back to travel between Tokyo - Odawara. The Shinkansen does only take 35 minutes but is about 3,800yen / one way, whilst the Odakyu line takes 2H it is only 1,150yen so it makes sense for people on a low budget and without the JR Pass to consider the Odakyu line.

I hope this answers your questions.
Daniel

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

Thats a great help thanks and certainly resolves Hakone

Hopefully just one more question as our schedule has slightly changed and is simple than it was.

I expect we will now only use the JR pass to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto and then back to Tokyo 5 days later. We will also use the JR pass for a day trip from Kyoto to Nara and back to Kyoto. This will all happen within a 6 day period.

We will travel Tokyo to Kyoto around 5pm, and also Kyoto to Tokyo around 5pm. Our day trip to Nara will be around 9am outward and returning around 7pm.

Do you still recommend the JR pass or is it cheeper to get a return train Tokyo/Kyoto/Tokyo as well as a return train Kyoto/Nara/Kyoto.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Clive,

I would recommend a JR Pass for this! A normal return ticket Tokyo - Tokyo is about the same price as the 7 day JRPass and any additional travel you may do is basically free. You would just need one ticket for your travel and can hop on the train anything when the fancy takes you - even if it is for just a short ride.

Make the most of your trip!
Daniel

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

Thanks

What time do the odakyu Trains run from tokyo to hakone and how often. We intend to leave tokyo between 9am and 10am and return the next day around 6pm. What station to they depart from please.

I assume Kyoto Nara Kyoto is a very frequent service?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Good evening,

The Odakyu train departs multiple times an hour, depending on the time when you travel. Here is the Timetable.

As for Kyoto - Nara, trains depart very frequently sometimes even every 15 minutes. Sometimes every 30, depending on the time.

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

I am about to buy the JR Pass and notice 14 days is £97 sterling each adult more than 7 day pass

We are in Tokyo for 7 days and I think you suggest that we use
Suica + Narita Express package HOW MUCH IS THIS PER ADULT?
Metro Pass each day in Tokyo 720 YEN IS ABOUT £4 EACH
Hakone Free Pass for 2 days (one night) to and from Tokyo HOW MUCH IS THIS PER ADULT?
IS THE ABOVE 3 THINGS CHEAPER THAN £97

Then use 7 day JR pass to go to Kyoto and back to Tokyo (including day trip from Kyoto to Nara and back to Kyoto)

After returning to Tokyo (from Kyoto) we have a final day in Tokyo before going to Narrita that night to get an early flight home the very next morning so we can again use a
Suica + Narita Express package

Clive cass
Clive cass
13 posts
about 10 years ago

PLEASE SEE PREVIOUS QUESTION WHICH IS PART OF THIS QUESTION

HAKONE FREE PASS APPEARS TO BE 5000 YEN EACH ADULT FROM SHINJUKU THIS IS £30 EACH

SUICA NARITA EXPRESS APPEAR TO BE ALSO 5,000 YEN PER ADULT RETURN (BOTH WAYS) WHICH I ASSUME CAN BE USED 15 DAYS APART THIS IS ALSO £30 EACH

METRO DAY PASSES ARE £4 EACH SO FOR 7 DAYS IS ALSO CLOSE TO £30

3 LOTS OF £30 ARE £90 AND SO IT IS ONLY £7 SAVING COMPARED TO BUYING THE 14 DAYS JR PASS

THE 14 DAYS JR PASS DOES MEAN WE CAN USE THE FASTER SERVICE TO AND FROM HAKONE AND ALSO MEANS WE ONLY HAVE ONE PASS FOR EVERYTHING AND DO NOT HAVE TO KEEP BUYING METRO PASSES AND 3 DIFFERENT LOTS OF TICKETS

DO YOU SUGGEST WE BUY THE 14 DAY PASS ON THE ABOVE INFORMATION OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER THAT I HAVE NOT THOUGHT OF

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Clive,

That's all correct. Personally I would recommend a JR Pass but you can decide yourself with all the information above.


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