Order Your JRPass
Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Should i use a 7 day pass or 14 day pass or none at all?

elaineypoop
elaineypoop
about 9 years ago
1 response

Hi!

I have read many posts in this forum and i would like to thank everyone for being so helpful with the advice and feedback!

My boyfriend and i will be spending 2 weeks in Japan, we arrive on 3rd June, 2pm (Narita) and will be leaving on 17th June, 605pm (Narita). Because its our first time visiting Japan, we are a little confused about the JR pass and we're wondering which option is best for us. I have read many posts on JR pass i'm still unsure which is best for our planned itinerary because our itinerary includes rare places which most tourists usually exclude on their first time visit such as Teshima and Naoshima, as well as Sendai (which is up north).

My boyfriend is an architect and he's very interested in some landmarks and museums in those placesso that's why we included these places into our itinerary.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Here's the planned route of travel around Japan:

Day 1: Narita > Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3 Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo (leave early morning) > Hakone (Full day exploring Hakone, followed by an overnight stay in a Ryokan)
Day 5: Hakone (Finish Hakone by lunchtime) >Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto (Day Trip to Nara)
Day 9: Kyoto > Osaka
Day 10: Osaka
Day 11: Osaka (leave early morning) > Uno Port (Explore Teshima & Naoshima Island before staying overnight at Uno Slope House)
Day 12: Continue exploring Teshima and Naoshima Islands in the morning before heading back to Tokyo
Day 13: Tokyo (Day trip to Sendai- my boyfriend wants to see the Sendai Mediatheque there)
Day 14: Tokyo
Day 15: Tokyo > Narita (Leave at 605pm)

So is the 7 day pass or 14 day pass more worth it? Or should we not opt for it at all?

Also, do let me know if the planned itinerary is too packed or how else it can be improved. I actually wanted to include Koyasan in but i took it out due to a fear of the lack of time.

Really really appreciate the help!!!! Thank you so much! :)

Love,
Elaine

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 9 years ago
Expert

Hello Elaine,

Great trip! Especially for a first time to Japan, I am sure that you'll have a great time.

As for the JR Pass, a 14 day JR Pass is by far the best option. You can make good savings by using it from Tokyo Sendai and Tokyo Osaka and all the other side travel.

The itinerary looks good as well in terms of planning, there's much to see and do but not that it will rush you.

Weather permitting, I would definitely recommend hiring bicycles at Naoshima, this is the best way to explore the island and it just feels amazing.

All looks awesome for the rest!
Daniel

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
about 9 years ago

Hi,

For you day 9 or 10, you might take at least half a day and visit Himeji - it is Japan's finest castle and it would also enhance the value of your pass.

nojay
nojay
7 posts
about 9 years ago

You can use the Hayabusa fast shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai, it's one of the few top-speed trains the JR pass covers. It takes about 90 minutes and is an experience well worth enjoying. You do need to book your seats though.

The Hikari shinkansen trains between Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo don't need booking unless you're sure of your travel times as there are some unreserved cars on every train. I wouldn't recommend using a Kodama stopping shinkansen between the Kansai area and Tokyo though as the trip times are noticeably longer.

You can use your JR Pass around Tokyo and Osaka on the JR local lines like the Yamanote line and others. There are also some JR local bus lines in Kyoto and elsewhere which the pass also covers.


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $336.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17433 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