Order Your JRPass
Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Itinerary: Tokyo+Kyoto in 10 days (do I get the JR Pass?)

Vince87
Vince87
over 9 years ago
1 response

Hi,

It will be my first time going to Japan in October and I will be in Tokyo and Kyoto for about 10 days. Right now, this is my draft itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Haneda at 3pm. - Visit the Meiji Shrine
Day 2: Western Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku)
Day 3: Central Toyko (Akihabara, Ueno, Tuskiji Fish Market)
Day 4: Asakusa, Imperial Palace, Odaiba
Day 5: Kusatsu for Onsen?? or Nikko or Takayama or Kamakura or Hakone (still not sure what to do for this day)
Day 6: Leave early am for Kyoto - Go to Kibune and Kurama
Day 7: Arashiyama - bamboo groove, Tenryuji temple, Togetsukyo bridge, Saga-toriimoto
Day 8: Eastern Kyoto - Higashiyama, Nijo castle, Philosopher's path, Ginkakuji temple, Gion, Imperial Palace, Nishiki market, Fushimi Inari (evening)
Day 9: Nara or Hiroshima or Osaka or Kobe....
Day 10: Leave at 12.30 from Kix, Osaka to Seoul

I can still work with my days because I will be doing 5 days in Seoul before flying back home, so if I need more days in Japan, I could reduce the number of days I will be spending in Seoul.

So, my question here is, would it be worth it to take the 7 days JR Pass or just buying tickets?? I've been checking on Hyperdia but still not sure what to do...
Do you think my itinerary is too packed and that I would have to rush....am open to any recommendation
Also, do you have any recommendation for onsen and ryokan in tokyo and kyoto.

I know my questions are pretty long, but I would like to plan my itinerary well and maximize the most I can do. :)

Thank you so much in advance.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

I like your ideas and many of the places you wish to visit are some of my personal favourites.
At this point, it would be hard to say for sure whether a JR would be suitable or not. So for know I would recommend finalising your itinerary or at least make a list of the places you wish to visit for sure. This would make it much easier to match a JR Pass to your travel. For instance, if you would visit Nikko and Hiroshima, then you would make amazing savings with the JR Pass. However if you just stick to Tokyo - Kyoto with a stop in between, then it may be better to purchase normal tickets.

For Onsen, Nikko, Takayma and Hakone all of great onsen and I am sure that you will have a great time at each of these places. The problem is that they are all great places to visit. I think Takayama would take up to much travel time though, for just a day visit. Nikko and especially Hakone would be better suited in terms of travel time.
Kurama (in Kyoto) also has a very nice onsen, you could just go there and spend a little extra time in Kyoto.

Hope this helps!
Daniel


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 17329 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