Order Your JRPass
Back to Itinerary check

Maximising 7 day JR Pass - 14 days in Japan in/out Tokyo

Rknight10
Rknight10
almost 8 years ago
4 responses

Hi,

I will be travelling to Tokyo arriving on 15th April in the afternoon and departing on the evening of the 29th April.

I have bought a JR 7 day pass and booked a hotel in Tokyo for the first 3 nights.

Please can you help me with an itinary for the 7 day pass the get the most of it and see lots of Japan. Our interests are photography, beautiful scenery, getting a feel for local life rather than being indoors at touristy places, museums and we don't mind spending a while in transport to get to the most beautiful places.

My wife has to see the snow monkeys, even if there's not much snow lef in April, this can be using the JR pass on a separate day trip from Tokyo depending on what route we take.

My very basic itinary so far:

Day 1-3 Exploring Tokyo itself - suggestions welcome
Day 4-10 Activate rail pass and see as much of Japan as possible- Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima? - please suggest a route where we can get the most from the pass in line with our interests. There is probably other beautiful locations I havn't listed but I understand Kyoto is a must. Southern Islands or up to the North as well or instead? We are very open to suggestions on where to go for these 7 days.
Day 11-14 Back in Tokyo as base to do day trips to surrounding sites after JR pass runs out- snow monkeys, Mt Fuji - please suggest ideas for these days or whether this could get expensive doing it this way. We are on a backpackers budget but can assign more to Japan as we know it's expensive!

As you can see I am not very prepared for Japan yet, I am travelling the world with my wife, almost 3 months into our tip, having been across Canada in the last 3 weeks and 8 weeks in S America before. We usually plan 24-48 hours ahead of our next location but understand Japan needs more thought to get the most and hotels need to be booked sooner as its peak season.

Please help!

Ryan

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
almost 8 years ago
Rknight10
Rknight10
4 posts
almost 8 years ago

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your reply, so do you think Tokyo- Kyoto - Osaka - Tokyo in 7 days is a good use of the pass? If we are looking of amazing pictures and nature would you suggest other parts of Japan we could also see in these 7 days?

Ryan

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
almost 8 years ago
Expert

Hi Ryan,

You could also head to the Japanese Alps, there are very nice areas near Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa.

Also Nara is very nice, or if you head to Kibune and Kurama in the north of Kyoto.

Rknight10
Rknight10
4 posts
almost 8 years ago

Thanks very much for the tips.

Rknight10
Rknight10
4 posts
almost 8 years ago

Is it possible to show a day plan for me is we were going to go to Japanese Alps, Kyoto and Osaka (and possibly Hiroshima) a with the 7 day pass to help me visualise it trip (From Tokyo and back to Tokyo)?


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17323 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes