My main concern: 7 or 14 days?

Hi Davinia,

Lets first take a look at your costs to get a handle on your base JR tickets:

1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Tokyo: ¥3140, (62mins, 79km)
2. Tokyo > Otsuki: ¥2860, (85mins, 87km)
3. Otsuki > Nakatsugawa: ¥7440, (206mins, 229km)
4. Nakatsugawa > Kyoto: ¥6610, (125mins, 227km)
5. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
6. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
7. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
8. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
9. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540, (28mins, 42km)
10. Osaka > Hiroshima: ¥10150, (104mins, 345km)
11. Hiroshima > Miyajimaguchi: ¥400, (26mins, 21km)
12. Miyajimaguchi > Tokyo: ¥17850, (331mins, 916km)
13. Tokyo > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥3140, (58mins, 79km)

JR ticket cost: ¥54890 for 13 legs

• 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥9790

Long answer ;)

The difference between a 7 and 14 day pass is ¥16,800. You'll need to spend more than this in JR tickets in addition to a 7 day pass of ¥28,300 for a 14 day pass to be economically cheaper option.

Assuming you will do this itinerary 100%, then I think the main decision is when you will start your expensive travel. It's clear that the last part of your trip from Miyajima to Tokyo is more than the ¥16,800 so you'll need to use the rail pass for the last part of your trip I think.

If you can start your 7 day period when you leave Tsumago, then the cost of 7 day + tickets is basically the same as a 14 day rail pass. The question is:

1. will the remainder of your travel fit in 7 days?
2. There probably won't be much difference between a 7 day + tickets vs 14 days rail pass (especially if you add in JR travel around Tokyo). How flexible do you need to be?

Short answer

The simple answer is that a 14 day pass will save you money. a 7 day + tickets may save you a little more, but not a huge amount - how valuable is flexibility during the first part of your stay?

Sorry there's no easy solution!

Hi Mari!

Thanks a lot for your quick answer :)

My flexible days will be in Tokyo. After that I have all the hotels booked, so there is not a high flexibility.

I have the hotel booked in Tokyo as well, but I have flexibility to do some excursions for example.

I see. On balance then I think I recommend the 14 day pass as the overall prices will not be much difference. You'll be able to use it around Tokyo and also to do excursions if you feel like it.

Hope this helps!

Hi Mari,

Many thanks, you have been really helpful :)

Maybe it's not the best option, but in case that I need to change my schedule due to any reason I'll be free to move around Japan.

I will wait just a few days more and I'll order two JR for 14 days.

Not a problem - don't hesitate to ask again fi you have any further questions.