Is the 7 day JRP the best option?

Hi there,

1.) For this route it would make more sense to buy normal tickets, as the cost of normal rail tickets is below the cost of a rail pass.

2.) The Sakura is indeed pretty much over this year, you may still find some in the upper north of Hokkaido but you'd have to cover a significant amount of travel. A great alternative is to go and see the Wisteria Blossom: https://www.tsunagujapan.com/11-great-locations-to-enjoy-wisteria-arbour-in-japan/

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thank you very much for the prompt and honest reply Daniel-san.

Wisteria is certainly an alternative worth considering. Would that change anything on the JRP query or not really?

Much appreciated - Nick

Hi Nick,

It would all depend on what places you would visit, let me know and I can let you know in turn.

Hello Daniel-san,

Finally decided to arrive at Kansai, then travel to Kobe, then on to Kyoto and round off the trip in Tokyo.

The Kyoto - Tokyo leg seems the highest outlay as would be expected given the distance. I assume your original advice about just buying tickets as/when needed is best.

Nearly ready to depart so just making sure about the last few details. Thank you again.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Yes, as it stands now, I would stick with normal tickets.

Have a good trip!
Daniel

Many thanks Daniel-san! Very much appreciated. You offer a valuable, prompt and polite service to everyone who makes an inquiry. I wish you all the best.

Nick

Thank you again Daniel. My wife and I just returned and had a great time. It may have been a good idea to buy a JR pass in the end as we had quite a queue to wait in at Kobe & we did take one extra local train trip within Kyoto to see the bamboo forest. Not sure it would have been covered with a JR pass mind you. Take care - Nick