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Which rail pass should I purchase?

teamtu
teamtu
almost 3 years ago
13 answers

Arriving into Tokyo on July 6th evening. Plan to go to Osaka and area from July6th through the 10th. THen, from Osaka to Yokohama to board a cruise which will visit the ports of: Akita, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Osaka and Toba before returning to Yokohama on July 19th. Then, hang around Tokyo (and maybe Hakone area one day) from July 19th and leave from Narita airport on July 23rd. So we will want to use it hopefully from Tokyo to Narita on the 23rd.

Questions:
1. Should I just buy a 21 day JR pass since I want to use it before the cruise (Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto/Yokohama for 5 days before the cruise July 6 through 10th), and I want to use it mostly in the Tokyo area for 5 days after the cruise (July 19-23) (although two of the days we will be going to Disneyland so will only be in Disneyland and nearby hotel for 2 of the 5 days after the cruise). Or should I buy a 7 day the first part of the trip and and a 7 day the 2nd part of the trip?

If you think I could still get use out of the JR pass while in the ports on the cruise in Akita, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Osaka and Toba (the cruise dates are July 10th thru July 19th), then maybe better to get 21 day pass? OR, do I get 14 day pass and then get a local Tokyo pass the last part of the trip since only in the Tokyo area from July 19th thru the 23rd and use it to fly from Narita? Will be travelling with 3 adults and 2 children.

avatar
Daniel-san
19362 posts
almost 3 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

A 21 JR Pass will not be worth it for just local travel. We recommend a pass when you do intercity travel, such as Tokyo - Kyoto. So I think a pass before your cruise makes the most sense. It's a bit of a short answer to your long post but I think it covers the most important part.

Kind regards,
Daniel

teamtu
teamtu
13 posts
almost 3 years ago

So before cruise can you specify which pass to buy and am I able to use it from the airport to Tokyo or just pay for that separately and then activate the pass in Tokyo? My son arrives in Narita at 530 pm so he should have time to activate and I arrive into Hameda at 920 pm so I might be too late right?

avatar
Daniel-san
19362 posts
almost 3 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

I would go for the 7-day JR Pass before your cruise and use it to cover your long distance travels (Osaka and back to Yokohama).

Narita is open for JR Pass activation until 21:45 and Haneda 20:00. You could activate the pass the following morning.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Kind regards,
Daniel

teamtu
teamtu
13 posts
almost 3 years ago

Thank you. For after the cruise in Tokyo for 5 days including trip to narita for departure is there a 5 day Tokyo pass you would recommend?

teamtu
teamtu
13 posts
almost 3 years ago

Meaning is there a Tokyo and vicinity pass instead of a full JR rail pass for those 5 days in Tokyo and vicinity. Thx for all of your great answers!

avatar
Daniel-san
19362 posts
almost 3 years ago
Expert

For just Tokyo, you could look at a Tokyo Wide Pass, though you'd have to do at least 1/2-day trips outside of Tokyo for it to be worth it.

Alternatively, use an IC card like Suica to get around Tokyo.

There are also day passes for the JR or Tokyo Metro available for within Tokyo, but it all depends on where and how much you travel within the city if these would be worth it.

teamtu
teamtu
13 posts
almost 3 years ago

Ok thank you. Do you need to be a certain age to activate the jr pass? Can my two kids 18 and 12 years old traveling just the two of them activate it in their own at Narita?

avatar
Daniel-san
19362 posts
almost 3 years ago
Expert

The JR Pass for adult is from 12 years and old, child tickets are half price (6-11yo).

Activation can be done at Narita or any other major station, they just need to bring their passports.


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