9-day trip

Hi there,

For your planned itinerary I would advise:

1. [Narita Express + Suica combined deal] (return). This will give you discounted travel into and around Tokyo from Narita and back.
2. 7 day Japan Rail Pass for your Kyoto, Nikko and Takayama travel.

By activating the rail pass on Day 2 or 3 you will ensure you have good JR coverage for your trip and wil maximise your savings. For reference, here is your itinerary breakdown:

1. Tokyo > Kyoto: ¥13420, (164mins, 513km)
2. Kyoto > Tokyo: ¥13420, (161mins, 513km)
3. Tokyo > Nikko: ¥5630, (121mins, 150km)
4. Nikko > Tokyo: ¥5630, (117mins, 150km)
5. Tokyo > Takayama: ¥14600, (275mins, 532km)
6. Takayama > Tokyo: ¥14600, (273mins, 532km)

TOTAL: ¥67300 for 6 legs

• 07 day rail pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥39000
• 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥22200

Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot for your useful advice.

Just another question.

How can we have access to the train timetables and how do we book our seats in advance for each trip?

Thanks.

Hi there,

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.

You must be in Japan with your JR Pass before you book your seats. We have a good post on making seat reservations with a Japan Rail Pass here.

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much for your tip.

I was checking on the best way to make a 1-day train trip to Nikko, from Tokyo Station and then back using my Japan Rail pass.

What would the best itinerary and times be?

Thanks for your ongoing assistance.

Hi there,

For Nikko from Tokyo station you should aim to get the Yamabiko bullet train to Utsunomiya, and from there use the JR Nikko line to Nikko. There is at least 1 train every hour on the Nikko line so you shouldn't have to wait long. Here's a sample itinerary for you.

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much. Will I be able to use my Japan Rail pass for the whole of this trip or will I need to purchase any separate train ticket?

Hi there,

For your trip as detailed the JR Pass will cover all the travel and you won't need a separate ticket provided you do all the travel within the validity period.

Hope this helps!

OK, thank you. Do you think it is advisable to reserve any seats in these trains? And can you provide me with a sample itinerary for the return trip to Tokyo?

In general provided you don't travel during rush hours or public holidays you will be fine to simply turn up and travel. But, if you want to be absolutely sure, you can place reservations for all your travels on arrival in Japan once you have your Japan Rail Pass.

Here's an itinerary for your trip back to Tokyo:

1. Tokyo > Nikko: ¥5630, (121mins, 150km)
2. Nikko > Tokyo: ¥5630, (117mins, 150km)

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!