Tokyo - Kyoto - Koyasan - Tokyo

I should also say we will be staying Tokyo for 4 days before and 3 days at the end of our trip and would expect to be using the metro...does that impact the type of ticket?

Hi there!

I would suggest looking into getting a 7 day JR Pass for your travel from Tokyo - Kyoto and back again. This because the 7 day JR Pass is about the same price as a normal return Tokyo - Kyoto but it also gives you 7 days of unlimited travel and covers travel such as to and from the Airport. Do note that you have to purchase the JR Pass outside of Japan.

The JR Pass does not cover the Tokyo Metro or last part to Mount Koya but even so I think that you could make some good savings with it.

In addition you may look into buying an all day metro pass for 710yen which allows for unlimited travel on the Tokyo Metro.

For more information on how to get to Koya-san take a look at this guide.

I hope this helps!
Daniel