Japan Trip November 2012

Hi Joel,

Here are some answers for you:

Itinerary analysis

Here is the cost break down and itineraries for your trip:

1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Tokyo: ¥3140, (62mins, 79km)
2. Tokyo > Odawara: ¥3840, (35mins, 83km)
3. Odawara > Kyoto: ¥11950, (160mins, 429km)
4. Kyoto > Tokyo: ¥13420, (161mins, 513km)
5. Tokyo > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥3140, (58mins, 79km)

JR ticket cost: ¥35490 for 5 legs

• 07 day rail pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥7190

For Hakone

For Hakone you should aim to use the bullet train to get to Odawara station. From here you will need to use non-JR lines up to the Hakone area itself. I recommend the 2 day Hakone Free Pass which you can purchase on arrival at Odawara station.

When leaving Hakone for Kyoto you should use the Hakone Free Pass to get back to Odawara where you can board the bullet train to Kyoto.

Recommendations

As you are in Japan for 9 days, longer than a 7 day rail pass, I recommend the following:

• Single [Narita Express + Suica prepaid metro travel card] or [Narita Keisei Skyliner + 2 day unlimited metro card] to get you into Tokyo from Narita and give you discounted travel for the first few days in Tokyo.
• 7 day Japan Rail Pass for use from the 18th to the 24th.
• Hakone Free Pass for travel around Hakone from Odawara.

The N'EX+Suica vs Keisei+unilmited metro really depends on how you think you'll travel around Tokyo. The NEX+Suica gives you ¥1500 of metro travel, which is about equal to 8 rides on the metro and JR lines - it can also be used in convenience stores to purchase snacks/drinks. The unlimited Metro pass allows unlimited travel for 2 days, but is limited to the metro only and can not be used for other things.

You can look up precise train timetables and costs at the Hyperdia travel planning website and learn how to use Hyperdia for JR Pass holders through our video blog.

Hope this helps!