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Best transit setup for 8 days in central Japan

jlehigh
jlehigh
2 months ago
3 answers

I have discovered a lot of helpful information on this forum so far, thank you. However, I am still a bit confused about what may be the best transit option for our trip.

A little background on our transit needs:
- Arrive Haneda Airport - Tokyo local with Nikko (day trip) - Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen - Kyoto local with Nara (day trip) and Osaka (day trip) - Depart Kansai Airport

For the long distance travel, I am looking at the regional JR Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass. The only issue is that it won't get us to Nikko. Should we book a separate round-trip ticket for Nikko? Or should we get the full JR Rail Pass?

For the local travel (for Tokyo at least), I assume we will get the Welcome Suica card when we arrive at Haneda. Any suggestions for getting around local in Kyoto and Osaka?

Many thanks

Alexis
Alexis
928 posts
2 months ago
Expert

Hi there,

Your suggestion seems like a better option than purchasing a full JR Pass, a Hokuriku Arch Pass and then a return ticket to Nikko is likely to be your best option. Also, the Suica works in Osaka and Kyoto as well !

Kind regards,

Alexis

Useful!1
jlehigh
jlehigh
3 posts
2 months ago

Thank you, Alexis! And for Nara (round trip from Kyoto) we should also plan on buying a separate ticket for JR, or is that covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass or Suica card?

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Alexis
Alexis
928 posts
2 months ago
Expert

Hi there,

It’s covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass, so there’s no need to worry about purchasing a separate ticket.

Kind regards,

Alexis

Useful!1
jlehigh
jlehigh
3 posts
2 months ago

Because of the Shinkansen ending in Kanazawa for the Hokuriku Arch Pass, and regular JR train to Kyoto, about how much time difference is there compared to taking the Tokaido-Sanyo from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Also, is the Kanazawa switch easy, at the same station, and is there room for luggage on the regular JR line the rest of the way?

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