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Tokyo -> Kyoto + Osaka -> Tokyo: JR Pass Clarification

daix2
daix2
about 8 years ago
3 responses

Hello,

I will be traveling to Japan for the first time with my mom from March 30th to April 6th. We will be staying in Tokyo from March 30th to April 2nd, then from April 2nd to April 5th, we will be staying in Kyoto, and in one of the days, we will be taking a day trip to Osaka. On the 5th, we will return to Tokyo and fly out from Narita International Airport on the 6th. I have been reading around and trying my best to understand the JR Pass and the train lines, but I am still a bit confused and would like clarification before purchasing a pass.

  1. We are staying in Roppongi during our stay in Tokyo. I know the JR Pass makes Tokyo accessible by the JR Yamanote line, and I was wondering if it is easy to get to Roppongi through any of the lines accessible by the JR Pass? And also, I think I read that the JR Pass is convenient for getting around Osaka as well?

  2. From my understanding, Tokyo to Kyoto is accessible by the Shinkansen, but I was wondering how to get from Kyoto to Osaka? Is there some train line used in the JR Pass that we can take? Or will it be a separate train line?

  3. I did not read anything about the JR Pass being used in Kyoto. Will we have to buy something different to get around Kyoto?

Thank you!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 8 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

1.) The Yamanote line does make Tokyo very accessible and you can see most of the city with it. Somewhat strangely, Roppongi does not have a close by JR station. The closest would probably be Harajuku. Other access options from Roppongi are the Tokyo Metro and Odakyu lines. The JR Pass is also handy in Osaka, for instance on the Osaka Loop Line.

2.) For travel from Kyoto to Osaka. You could either use the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka station and use a local train for there or use the Shinkaizoku service from Kyoto to Osaka station. The last one is a local service without reserved seats but does not require a transfer if you wish to travel to Osaka station.

3.) JR lines in Kyoto are limited. You can visit the south (Uji, Fushimi Ininari) with it and the west side of Kyoto (Arashiyama). For other parts, use the Kyoto bus or subway. There's a 500yen bus day pass available and buses are the best way of transport within Kyoto.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

daix2
daix2
3 posts
about 8 years ago

Daniel-san,

Thank you for the answers to my questions! Just to clarify one last thing: When you say that we could use the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka station, do you mean that is part of the JR pass? Also, with Shin-Osaka station, is it easy to get to Osaka station? Is the local train is just something separate from what the JR pass covers?

Thank you again for all your help and answers!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 8 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Yes, travel to Shin-Osaka and Osaka station are both included in the JR Pass. Both the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka and the local train from Shin-Osaka to Osaka station.

Hope this answers your question.

daix2
daix2
3 posts
about 8 years ago

Daniel-san,

Thank you for all your help. I have one side question that is irrelevant to my original topic. I am trying to purchase the JR Pass now, and I am filling out the names for the pass users. If I have a first, middle, and last name on my passport, should I include the middle name in the form? It is asking for the first name and the last name, and it wants it to appear as it is exactly on our passports. I didn't know whether I should include the middle name in the "First Name" box or not.

Thank you.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 8 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Your first and and last name are the most important in order to exchange the JR Pass.

You can however include your middle name in the first name box if you want.

If you want to be sure, please send us a e-mail at [email protected] with your name and order number and we will make sure the order is good before dispatching it.

Thank you!
Daniel


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