Advice on JR Pass & 20D itinerary

Hi Wayne,

Let's have a look at ticket prices and find out:

Kansai Airport - Osaka ¥ 1,160
16/5 – Osaka > Nara > Osaka ¥ 1,560 (for the return)
17/5 – Osaka > Kyoto ¥ 540
20/5 – Kyoto > Miyajima > Kyoto ¥ 22,220 for the train and ¥ 340 for ferry.
21/5 – Kyoto > Kanazawa ¥ 6,710
23/5 – Kanazawa > Takayama ¥ 4,180
25/5 – Takayama > Hakone ¥ 12,410 (to Odawara station)
27/5 – Hakone > Tokyo ¥ 3,640
31/5 – Tokyo > Osaka ¥ 13,750
Osaka - Kansai Airport ¥ 1,160

For a total of ¥ 67,670 the 21 day JR pass is ¥ 57,700 so you would make ¥ 9,970 in savings. In addition the JR Pass is valid for local travel on the JR Network in both Tokyo and Osaka, so you would probably end up making even more savings.

An alternative option would be to use a 14 day JR Pass from the 19th - 1st, this way you would make the followings savings.

20/5 – Kyoto > Miyajima > Kyoto ¥ 22,220 for the train and ¥ 340 for ferry.
21/5 – Kyoto > Kanazawa ¥ 6,710
23/5 – Kanazawa > Takayama ¥ 4,180
25/5 – Takayama > Hakone ¥ 12,410 (to Odawara station)
27/5 – Hakone > Tokyo ¥ 3,640
31/5 – Tokyo > Osaka ¥ 13,750
Osaka - Kansai Airport ¥ 1,160

For a total of ¥ 64,410 or ¥ 19,310 in savings as the 14 day JR Pass is 45,100yen and buy normal tickets for the rest of your itinerary.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Thanks Daniel,

Greatly appreciate your help :)
It seems the 14 Day pass would be best.

Any thoughts or suggestions on the itinerary above?
Any places you think we are staying too long, too short, or may have missed completely.
I'm considering losing one of the days in Osaka, and adding it to Tokyo, your thoughts?

Again, many thanks.

Wayne.

Hi Wayne,

I would consider adding a visit to Hiroshima, the city has a lot to offer and the peace museum for instance leaves a deep impression. It's very close to Miyajima and would not add extra travel time since you pass there on the way in any event.

You could also add a day trip from Tokyo to Nikko, this is also one of my personal favorites in Japan.

Have a great trip!
Daniel

Thanks again Daniel for the advice,

One last question, would you recommend buying an IC Card for the 5 days of exploring in Tokyo?
It seems alot more convenient than buying single tickets everywhere.

Regards
Wayne.

Hi Wayne,

Yes using an IC card makes travel much easier! You pretty much answered the question yourself :)

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with,
Daniel

HI Daniel,

Apologies for bringing up an old thread.
Just one last question, would you suggest a "ICOCA & Haruka (one-way)" for the first few days in and around Osaka & Kyoto, before activating the JR pass on the 19th.

Kind regards,
Wayne :)

Sorry I should have mentioned not for any cost savings, but more for convenience.

Hi Wayne,

I would recommend just buying an ICOCA card if you travel to Osaka on arrival. As mentioned, a one way ticket Kansai Airport - Osaka is 1,160yen. You would not make savings with the ICOCA + Haruka package but just buying an ICOCA card is also possible. (That is, unless you want the special collectors edition that comes with the Haruka + ICOCA package).

All the best!
Daniel