most cost effective

Hi Ellen Ezaki,

I looked at ticket prices for your trip to see what would make most sense.
Here is a little overview:

Tokyo -> Kyoto ¥ 13,020
Kyoto -> Kanazawa: ¥ 6,510
Kanazawa -> Takayama ¥ 3,980
Matsumoto -> Tokyo ¥ 6,510

I think the best option for you would be to buy tickets as you travel. It may be worth getting a 7 day JR-Pass if you could fit the above itinerary in a week (it is 8 days now). In this case you would travel for a total ¥ 30,020, A 7 Day JR-Pass is 28.300 saving you ¥ 1,720.

For your journey from Narita to Tokyo I would recommend purchasing a [Skyliner + 2day Metro Pass] It offers great value and allows for 2 days of unlimited travel on the Tokyo Metro!

Hope this helps!
-Daniel

Thank you Daniel but we change in itinerary as recommeded.
16 Apr Narita to Tokyo
18 Apr train to Nagano
19 Apr train to Matsumoto
20 Apr bus to Takayama
22 Apr bus to Kanazawa via Shirakawago
23 Apr train to Kyoto
26 Apr fast train to Tokyo
30 Apr to Narita

Which JR pass would be best for us? Is it worth it to purchase 14 days or should we combine 7 day pass with added trip purchase? Thanks again for advise.

Ellen Ezaki

Hello again :)

I think buying tickets as you go is still the best option.

Narita --> Tokyo ¥ 2,940
Tokyo --> Nagano ¥ 7,970
Nagano --> Matsumoto ¥ 2,770
(Takayama, Kanazawa and Shirakawago) Kanazawa --> Kyoto ¥ 6,710
Kyoto --> Tokyo: ¥ 13,220
Tokyo --> Narita ¥ 2,940

The Total of this journey is ¥ 36,550, which would not cover the cost of a 14-Day Rail Pass. A 7 day pass would only be option if you could fit all of your travel from the day that you leave for Nagano to the day that you return to Tokyo in 7 consecutive days.

Hope this clears things up!
-Daniel

Thanks again for the advise & prompt response.

Ellen