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How best to Utilise JR Pass for a 13 Night Itinerary?

RMG8448
RMG8448
over 9 years ago
1 answer

Hello,

This is our first visit to Japan (2 adults) and we are keen to explore as much as possible. We will be arriving in Tyoko in the evening of Sunday 13th August and staying in Japan for 13 nights. We have yet to book our outbound flights but more than likely will be departing from Osaka to save time travelling back to Tokyo.

We are struggling to devise an itinerary that best suits the places that we would like to visit in the time that we have and so far have thought of the below following options. Please would you be so kind as to offer your thoughts regarding if this itinerary is do-able and if a JR Pass would be worthwhile...

Option 1
4 nights - Tokyo
1 night - Hakone
1 night - Nagano
1 night - Visit the snow monkeys at Jigokudani then travel to Matsumoto for overnight stay
1 night - Do the Alpine route then overnight in Kanazawa
5 nights - Kyoto (with day trips to Hiroshima/ Nara/ Osaka)

Option 2
4 nights - Tokyo
1 night - Hakone
2 nights - Matsumoto (with a trip to see the monkeys at Jigokudani)
1 night - Do the Alpine route then overnight in Kanazawa
5 nights - Kyoto (with day trips to Hiroshima/ Nara/ Osaka)

Option 3
Do a round trip from Tokyo to the Alps and Jigokudani, which would mean we do not go to Kanazawa! However we have another night to spend elsewhere? Then travel from Tokyo to Kyoto to spend the final 5 nights.

In your opinion, which option seems best? Or can you offer an alternative to the same places.
We think that we would only require a 7 day JR Pass...do you agree?
We also have luggage with us (large suitcases and hand luggage) would it be ok to take these with us or do you recommend transporting separately. If the latter, how do we arrange this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Look forward to your response,
R

avatar
Daniel-san
19375 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Both options 1 and 2 looks good to me. I would not do option 3 as it ads a lot of additional travel time back to Tokyo and doing the Alpine route alone will mean moving a lot. The main difference between 1 and 2 is a visit to Nagano or Matsumoto. Both places have good things to see do and eat. Personally I like Matsumoto a little more but the difference is small. There is also not a lot of difference in terms of transport. My advice would be to read up on both cities and visit the one that speaks to you the most.

A 7 day JR Pass would be the best option if you can also include the visit to Hiroshima with it. The route to Kyoto and Hiroshima are by far the more expensive parts of your trip and the JR Pass would give you the best possible value.

You can either take your suitcases with you on the train or use a luggage forwarding service like the forwarding service from: http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/tourist/hotel/

Hope this helps!
Daniel


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