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should we purchase rail pass

Suzanne
Suzanne
over 10 years ago
4 responses

4 adults travelling to a conference in Yokohama.
We arrive in Toyko Oct 25 and are staying at New Otani hotel for 2 nights before going to Yokohama. can we use local transit with JR pass
Oct 27 we depart for Yokohama until Nov 2. Tours are planned most days so probably not much using pass.
Nov 2 we travel to Kyoto for 2 nights and then back Toyko for our flight home on Nov 4th. Time in Kyoto we will be on our own and probably using local transit to get around.
Nov 4 flight is in evening from Narita.
this is a holiday weekend i understand and wonder if this will make travel time difficult
thanks

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

I always recommend a 7 week JR Pass if you make a return Tokyo - Kyoto within it's validity period. This because the JR Pass is just about the same price as a normal return with the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, this means that any train travel you may do after basically is what you save.

For instance you can also use the JR Pass between Yokohama and Tokyo and other local JR lines.

The 23rd of Nov is indeed a national holiday but it's not one that will make travel a lot more difficult, just to be sure I would recommend reserving your train seats one or two days in advance, just for the added security.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

Suzanne
Suzanne
4 posts
over 10 years ago

will the JR pass also allow us to use the local bus and subway systems in Kyoto

Suzanne
Suzanne
4 posts
over 10 years ago

how do we reserve the train seats ahead of time. is this done once we are in Japan

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again,

Unfortunately the JR Pass does not cover the Kyoto bus or Subway system. You can use local JR lines to visit places around Kyoto such as Fushimi Inari and Arashi yama.

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

As for seat reservation, you can make them once you are in Japan.
Just got to any ticket office at any JR Station, show your JR Pass and tell the JR Staff when and where you wish to travel, they will print the tickets for you!

Suzanne
Suzanne
4 posts
over 10 years ago

because we are over the 7 day pass is 14 day pass still worth it/
first 7 days we go Day 1 -Narita to Tokyo
Day 4 - Toyko to Yokohama
Day 9 - Yokohama to Kyoto
Day 11- Kyoto to Toyko

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again,

I think with that itinerary a 7 day JR Pass would be the best, just be sure to use it to cover your trip to Kyoto and back. This way you are sure about making the best use of your pass :)


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