JR Rail Pass

Hello there,

A JR Pass could certainly come in handy. It would however depend on what travel you will do. For example Tokyo - Kyoto ¥ 13,800 Kyoto - Hiroshima ¥ 11,290 and Hiroshima - Kyoto ¥ 11,290 and you would make nice savings over normal tickets with a 7 day JR Pass (¥ 29,110). At the same time, if you just travel between Tokyo - Kyoto, then it would be better to just buy tickets as you go.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi

I've just purchased one for me and a friend, I read that you can use it to travel around Tokyo which we will be doing and we will also be using it in Kyoto. We also want to see Mount Fuji so I think overall, it makes sense right? I read that one way was about £100 so for an extra 57 if were getting most of our travel paid for then surely this is a great deal. We also need it to get from the airport to the hotel and then the hotel to the airport again.

Hi again,

Certainly! The JR Pass also is your one ticket for all your travel, making it very easy to get around. It can also be used for local travel in many instances and travel between the Airport and Tokyo.

If you do want to make the most of your pass, add in the visit the Hiroshima. The city is highly recommended and Miyajima is not to be missed either.

Thank you Daniel.

We are there for 7 days, will this be enough time to do all those things and do the Miyajima place?

Yes you can do lots with a bit of planning. I'd recommend visiting Hiroshima/Miyajima as a day trip from Osaka. You can travel there by bullet train, so it's quick. However it will still take some time to get there, so I'd advise taking an early train (around 8 or so).

Let me know if I can help with anything!
Daniel

Thanks Daniel, I have prepared a list of things to see and do, see below:

Do you have any suggestions on how we can group these things?

Japan
Summary
Fishmarket
Sumo Wrestling
Shinto Shrine
Shibuyu crossing
Ebisu - food and drinks place
Mountains
Temples
Hot springs
Game Arcades

Tokyo
Imperial Palace
Tokyo Tower/Skytree
Ryogoku Kokugikan
Shibuya
Tsujiki
Tokyo Themed restaurants
Ghibli Museum
Shinto Shrine
Shinjiku Golden Gai
Mount Fuji

Kyoto
Golden Pavillion
Silver Pavillion
Toei Studio park
Gion
Kyo Ryori
International Manga Museum
Shijo Dori
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Chion-in
Tenryu-ji Temple – Arashiyama

Osaka
Dotonburi
National Bunraku Theatre
Osaka Aquaruim Kaiykan
Osaka Castle Park
Sumiyo Taisha Shrine
Universal Studios
Osaka Castle
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Sheten Noji Temple

That's quite a list!

In Tokyo a day could look like the following.

Wake up early for the Tsukiji Fish market, after head to Shibuya to see the city wake-up and see the local culture. After head to Harajuku, it's almost around the corner and the Meji Shrine can be visited here as well. Enjoy a lunch over at Omotesando and head to Ryogoku Kokugikan for the noon, Asakusa is very close here and you could visit Sensoji as well (this is a big recommendations). Then at the end of the afternoon, head to Tokyo tower or the Skytree (the last is close to Asakusa) and enjoy the Skyline view of Tokyo. Enjoy a dinner of your choice and head to Ebisu for evening fun.

En next day you could visit some places which take up a little more time. Start with a morning walk in the gardens of the imperial palace, then head to Akihabara to try out some of the arcades and see electronic city for yourself. You could then spend the afternoon around the Gibli museum and spend the evening in a place of your own choice - or head to Ebisu there was not enough time on the previous day.

Day 3 could be anything from a day trip to Fuji, to more exploring in Tokyo. For instance go Sumo watching if there's a match on. More about Sumo HERE.

Kyoto and Osaka are much easier to travel around in, basically because they are much more compact. The key here is to look at the map and combine places that are close together. For instance in Kyoto, it would not be hard t combine International Manga Museum, Shijo Dori (visit Nishiki Market here as well), Kyo Ryori together and add a visit to Kiyomizudera as well. Arashiyama and the Golden pavilion are to the west and could thus be easily visited together, while the Silver Pavillion and many other worthwhile temples are to the east. Oh and Toei Studio park is in the middle of nowhere :D

In Osaka Namba Yasaka Shrine, Dotonburi and National Bunraku Theatre are closely together. The other places are all over the city and could be visited in any order.

Let me know what you think :)
Daniel

Daniel this is brilliant, you are a legend. Thank you so much for this.

If your close to Tokyo or Osaka, come and join us for a drink.

Nita