December 26, 2023

Hi Russell,

Say thank you to your mother for the introduction :)

To help you find the best option, could you tell me a bit more what routes you plan to travel and on what dates? This would help me find the best option for you.

Given that you are travelling around the new year period, it may be better to just buy the tickets normally, as soon as they because available online (1 month before travel). This is assuming you'd do something like a return Tokyo - Kyoto/Osaka. If you do plan on more travel than that, say add a visit to Hiroshima. Then A JR Pass would be worth considering.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Thank you sir for your reply.
Our plan is to fly to Tokyo on 12/26 then immediately shinkansen to Osaka that evening. 12/27 head to Kinosaki. 12/28 head to Osaka...then for the next several days, day-trips to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kobe, and other places but staying at our place in Osaka. Then on 1/3 travel from Osaka to Tokyo for the final two nights (no need for Shinkansen on 1/4 or 1/5).
We like the first class cabin so I was considering the 14-day pass with my family since the 1/2 and 1/3 dates would be after a 7-day pass expires. I'm ready to purchase my JR rail pass whenever you recommend b/c I understand the passes are increasing in price! Thank you so much for your guidance, I look forward to your reply.

Hi again,

A trip Tokyo to Osaka + Osaka (return to) Hiroshima will already pay for a 7-day JR Pass. With extra travel added in you could also consider a 14-day pass. The only thing that does make things hard is the order and exchange window, you'd have to order before the end of the month and exchange the pass on the day of your arrival (or before the 29th, if we issue your pass on the 30th of Sept.)

You may already have seen it, but for details I highly recommend reading:
https://www.jrpass.com/blog/pricing-and-perk-changes-to-the-japan-rail-pass

Kind regards,
Daniel