How to get the best pass for our family trip to Japan ?

I forgot to say, we come back on the 20th january from Nagano station to Narita Terminal 1.

Hi there!

As you're not doing that much long distance travel I do not recommend the JR Pass. I think you will get the best use out of purchasing:

1. [Narita Express + SUICA travel card] on arrival at Narita. This will get you to Nakano and back to Narita, and will give you ¥1500 of JR and metro travel for free to spend on your trips into Tokyo (Shopping/Disney). You can recharge this card if needed if you spend over ¥1500 on travel.
2. Purchase JR tickets as needed to Nagano station. This trip from Tokyo station is just over ¥8000 each way

You can look up precise train timetables and costs at the Hyperdia travel planning website.

As you're based in Nakano, I think I'd aim to shop in and around Shibuya/Omote-Sando as you'll get easy access to a wide variety of goods and have access to the fantastic '[Tokyu Hands]' and '[Loft]' department stores in Shibuya. Also, your children will possibly enjoy the nearby [Kiddy land store] in Harajuku.

Hope this helps!

Hi there!

Japan is a very save country to travel around in with family and children. The only advice I would give you when you travel in Tokyo with them, is to avoid trains during Rush Hour. They can get really cramped and this can be very overwhelming for the little one's. Looking at your itinerary you should not really have to worry about this though.

Disneyland and Disneysea in Tokyo are two separate parks and you can easily spend a whole day in one. Possibly you could visit them on different days or pick just one if you want to save some money. Otherwise make the most of your day by coming early and staying until closing (there are fireworks)!

As Mari points out, Shibuya, Omote-Sando and Harajuku are great places to start shopping and are very close to each other. If your kids love anime don't forget to check out Akihabara. Let me know if there is anything special you are looking for and I can give more specific shopping recommendations.

Enjoy your holiday in Japan!
Daniel

Hello and thank you so much for your help. we are also going to take a trip to Hakone. What kind of ticket should we then purchase to have this Hakone trip included ? Also, is it correct that Dysneyland is at the Maihama station stop on the Keiyo Line ? And pease tell us how long it is to go from Shinjuku station to Maihama station by train ? Thanks again for your very useful help. best regards, The DA-ROS family

Hello again,

The most convenient way to go to Hakone is to use your JR-Pass to travel from Tokyo to Odawara by Bullet Train and from there travel by local transport. Depending on what you would like to see and do here, consider buying a Hakone Free Pass locally. With this you can travel unlimited on almost all kinds of transportation in the area and it offers some nice discounts too!

Maihama is the right train stop for Disneyland (and sea). From here you can ride the Disney monorail to the park itself. You can use the Local JR Lines to reach the park (for free with the JR-Pass). Please see here for an example, route 2 and 5 are the best options and take about 40 minutes.

Let me know if you have more questions!
Daniel

Thanks Daniel,
as Mari said a JR pass is not worth, do you say now, with the Hakone trip in the loop, it is worth getting one.
Finally, should I get a JR pass instead a NEX and SUICA pass ? How much is it and where can I buy it when I arrive ?
Thanks again, Diane

Hi Diane,

Sorry, when wrote my last replay I only had your last post in mind and forgot about the rest of your itinerary.
Even though Hakone could add a bit extra to your travel expanses, I still don't think that a JR-Pass is a recommended option for the current itinerary.

I hope I did not confuse you too much.
To answer your question ''is it correct that Dysneyland is at the Maihama station stop on the Keiyo Line?''
Even without the JR-Pass the route I posted in my last post is the best option by train.

So for now stick with the N'EX + Suica card, you can buy these when you arrive at Narita Airport. Go down to the trains and to the JR Ticket Office, here you can ask for the NE'X + Suica combination and pay in cash or with any major credit card..

Do you have any particular destination in mind when you visit the Hakone area? I can provide you with the most cost efficient way to travel, if you know where you would like to go.

Again sorry for the confusion, I hope this post clears things up.
-Daniel