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Tokyo->Hakone->Osaka(day trip to Kyoto)->Tokyo: The best rail pass would be?

aoichee88
aoichee88
about 10 years ago
6 responses

Hi there,

I will be traveling with my family next week - 5 Adults and 1 child (one year old).
I wish to find out if the JR pass is a good option for us for the following travel plan (we have a tight schedule here):

28 March - Reach Haneda airport at 11pm (stay at Tokyo)
29 March – Daytime: Travelling within Tokyo; Travel from Tokyo to Hakone (stay at Hakone)
30 March – Travelling within Hakone (stay at Hakone)
31 March - Daytime: Travelling within Hakone; Travel from Hakone to Osaka (stay at Osaka)
1 April - Day trip to Kyoto (will return and stay at Osaka)
2 April - Travelling within Osaka (stay at Osaka)
3 April – Daytime: Travelling within Osaka; Travel from Osaka to Tokyo (stay at Tokyo)
4 April - Travelling within Tokyo (stay at Tokyo)
5 April – Daytime: Travelling within Tokyo ; Depart Haneda airport at 11.50pm

Option A:
JR Pass: 7 days 28,300 Yen
Option B:
Buying single tickets for each stop?
Option C:
Hakone Free Pass: 2 days (from Shinjuku) 5,000 Yen + JR West Rail Pass - Kansai Area: 3 days 5,000 Yen+
JR Kanto Area Pass: 3 consecutive calendar days 8,000 yen
(However, I am not sure whether these 3 Passes can cover up all my planned routes)

Questions:
1. May I know if buying the JR pass is worthwhile in this case? Or should I go with Option B or C?
2. I just realised it may take abt 5 working days to get the JR Pass, I am not sure will I be able to get the ticket on time.
3. Do I need to purchase other rail passes for inner city travel?

Sorry for asking so many questions as I am totally a newbie here and totally defeated by the complex railway system in Japan =P
Appreciate if you can provide me with some useful tips and suggestions.

Thank you very much!
Aoi Chee

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

1.) Let's take a look at your itinerary and ticket prices to find out if a JR Pass would be of useful.

Tokyo - Odawara ¥ 3,640
Odawara - Osaka ¥ 12,270
Osaka - Kyoto (return) ¥ 1,080
Osaka - Tokyo ¥ 13,750

For a total of ¥ 31,040 or ¥ 2,740 in savings so far. Remember that the JR Pass is also valid for local travel around Tokyo and Osaka, so your savings would probably end up somewhat higher.

2.) I am not sure where you live but you can find shipping times listed per country HERE. If you would like a better estimation to your address please contact us at [email protected]

3.) The JR Pass is valid for the JR Network in both Tokyo and Osaka. This covers the greater part of both cities and generally is enough to get around. Sometimes you may however still need to use other kinds of transport which will require a normal ticket.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

For Hakone, I do think that it would be a good option to consider the Hakone Free Pass, which you can buy at Odawara station. This will allow unlimited travel within the area for 2 full days and only is 3,900yen at Odawara.

aoichee88
aoichee88
6 posts
about 10 years ago

Dear Daniel-san,

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply and useful tips!
Yes. I am planning to buy the JR Pass & Hakone Free Pass but I still have some queries in my mind, hopefully Daniel-san can answer the following questions:
1. I just checked the delivery speed; it takes about 2 days for my country. Do you think can I proceed with the purchase by today? Or can we collect our tickets once we arrive in Japan later?
2. Is it correct if I activate my JR Pass on the 2nd day according to my itinerary? In this case, I realized I need to buy some single tickets for my last day trip too.
3. For the day trip to Kyoto, there are a few places that I really don't want to miss (if possible): Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama (Bamboo Forest), the Sagano Scenic Railway & Kinkaku-ji Temple. I am not sure which travel pass is the most cost-efficiency that can cover all places stated above.

Once again, thanks a lot for your kind assistance.

Regards,
AC

aoichee88
aoichee88
6 posts
about 10 years ago

I just want to add some new info that I've just got from JRPass Support regarding to my Q1:

Delivery to my country takes on average 2 working days after dispatch and the next dispatch will be on Monday which seems it may be too late for delivery. So JR suggested me to get my order shipped directly to a hotel/residential address in Japan as JR do this for many of their customers. Delivery to Japan takes 2-3 working days after dispatch.

If I go ahead and purchase the passes www.jrpass.com over the weekend JR can prioritise it for dispatch on Monday- it should then arrive in Japan for my collection next week.

Regards,
AC

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Dear AC,

Sorry for the late follow up. It's pretty busy over here, even though it is weekend.
We can indeed ship your pass directly to Japan, given that you place the order before departure. From personal experience I know that the pass should arrive on Wednesday in Japan if you place the order before Monday. Shipping is very fast and reliable so your pass would arrive either Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Please contact us directly at [email protected] if you wish to ship the order directly to Japan. This way we can set up shipping in the best way possible.

1.) I hope this above answers your first question, let me know if something remains unclear.

2.) I would indeed recommend using the JR Pass from day 2, this way you cover most of your travel and a one way ticket to Haneda is not expensive at all.

3.) In Kyoto, both Arashiyama, Fushimi Inar and the Sagano railway can be reached using the JR. You may have to use a other transport such as the bus to Kinkakuji. Local travel around Kyoto is not expansive so it's not something that you really have to worry about.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

aoichee88
aoichee88
6 posts
about 10 years ago

Dear Daniel,

Thanks a lot for your help! You have definitely clear most of the doubts that I have in my mind!

I've just placed my order and sent an email to [email protected] regarding to the details of my order. Hopefully you can prioritise my order for dispatch tomorrow.
Finger crossed everything goes well for me =)

Regards,
AC

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Dear AC,

I am sure that the order will be dispatched tomorrow with all due haste. We will send you a tracking number the moment that your order is on it's way so you can keep an eye on it.

Best regards!
Daniel

aoichee88
aoichee88
6 posts
about 10 years ago

Dear Daniel,

I've received the tracking number from your team. I'm really impressed by your quick response and efficient works. Thanks!

Other than that, would you mind to share me some good options regarding to the transport from Haneda Airport to Akasaka. What would be the best way (and most cost-effective) for 5 adults + i infant?

Airport Limo Bus seems to be the cheapest, however it operates until 10++pm and my hotel does not belong to any alighting point stated there. My last choice would only goes to taxi since it's very expensive as midnight fare will be charged and I might need 2 taxis. I've also tried to book some airport transport services, nevertheless no reply at this moment.

Many thanks in advance!

Rdgs,
AC

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Dear AC,

I guess the pass is well on its way now :)

I do think that taking the limousine bus is the best way to get to your hotel. It is not too far from Roppogi either and you could use the taxi for the last part if there's not a bus stop close to your hotel, which would not be much more than the initial fare. You also don't want to be walking around after such as long day of travel with your whole family.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

aoichee88
aoichee88
6 posts
almost 10 years ago

Dear Daniel,

I received the JR Pass on the second day after I arrived in Japan.. everything went smoothly for me, just we're unable to cover much of the sightseeing places that we planned to visit =P
Tiring yet enjoyable trip for us. Once again, thanks for your help!

Regards,
AC


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