Order Your JRPass
Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Nara(?)-Osaka (JR Rail Pass?)

rubyr
rubyr
about 11 years ago
3 responses

Hi, I will be in Japan over a 10-day period in early April, and I would like some advice whether it would be worth getting the 7-day JR Rail Pass for part of the trip. The tentative itinerary will be:

Day 1 - Narita Airport to Tokyo
Day 5 - Tokyo to Hakone
Day 6- Hakone to Kyoto
Day 9 - (Option A) Kyoto to Nara, then Nara to Osaka, OR (Option B) Kyoto to Osaka
Day 10 - Osaka to Kansai International Airport

*Note on Tokyo-Hakone leg: (1) For convenience, I am planning to depart from Tokyo Station, not Shinjuku. (2) I think the JR Rail Pass is valid only up to Odawara; is this correct?

I realise that variations of the same route have already been covered in other posts, but I would really appreciate your help. Thanks!

avatar
mari
1950 posts
about 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

I think for your trip, if this is the only travel you intend to do I would not recommend the rail pass (as you don't come back on the shinkansen to Tokyo), but would go for:

  1. [Narita Express + SUICA] & 2 day metro passes for Tokyo
  2. Odakyu Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku to Hakone (this will be the easier in the long run, but if you wanted to go from Tokyo you could get a bullet train to Odawara and then the hakone free pass from there. you're correct that the JR lines and passes only go as far as Odawara).
  3. Single ticket from Odawara bullet train terminal to Kyoto
  4. Other tickets to travel around Kyoto as needed (eg 1 day bus pass etc - ask at the tourism information counter in Kyoto station for the best deals as they change regularly!)

I hope this helps!

rubyr
rubyr
3 posts
about 11 years ago

Hi mari,

Thanks for the recommendation.

Just to clarify, is it still not worth the cost of the JR Rail Pass even taking into account the Kyoto-Osaka leg of the trip?

avatar
mari
1950 posts
about 11 years ago
Expert

Hi Ruby,

Yes, I think so: the trip from Kyoto to Osaka is very short and normally costs around ¥500 ($5USD) so will not change things dramatically.

Hope this helps!

rubyr
rubyr
3 posts
about 11 years ago

Thanks mari - you've been very helpful.


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