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Initiating Travel Plans!

Caboose
Caboose
over 8 years ago
1 answer

Good morning,

I am starting to put together an itinerary to make the most of our visit to Japan scheduled for Feb 12-28th/2018.
I'm a little confused over what the JR pass covers, and what it doesn't!
Here is our wish-list so far:

Tokyo 2nights (arrive 13Feb, HND airport).
Nikko 1 nights Feb 15-16 (Tosho-Gu Shrine, Hike through Cedar Forest).
Hakone 2 nights Feb 16-18 ( Ashinoko Lake cruise, Cable Car, Onsen).
Takayama 2 nights Feb 18-20 ( Hida Folk Village, Markets & Food).
Hiroshima 2 nights Feb 20-22 (A-Bomb Dome, Island of Miyajima, Cable Car to Mt Misen).
Kyoto 2 nights Feb 22-24 ( Himeji Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple, Geisha District, Fushimi Imari Shrine).
Osaka 2 nights Feb 24-26 (Food! Day-trip to Iya Valley? is that far?).
Tokyo 2 nights Feb 26-28 (rest before long journey home).

Does this itinerary work with a JR pass? Obviously we would need the 14-day pass, but if we activate it upon arrival, it would be valid until the 27th, so one day short of our return. Would you suggest we purchase a one-way train/metro ride to our hotel upon arrival and only activate the pass on the 2nd day?
I've read that there are regional trains, metro's and busses - but does the JRpass cover everything or do we need to purchase additional transportation locally?
Would appreciate any suggestions and info to make our journey most efficient!

Thank you!

avatar
Daniel-san
19375 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

I really like your itinerary! Lots of detail and the Japan Rail Pass will give you great savings compared to normal tickets. I also think a 14 day pass would be the best option and as long as you are back in Tokyo before it expires, there will be no problems. Local travel around Tokyo is not expensive.

The JR Pass covers nearly all your travel but there will be some parts that will need additional local transport. Mainly within Hakone, you can look at using a Hakone Free Pass to cover this. The JR Pass covers local trains around cities as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto but transport run by other companies is not. For example, the tram in Hiroshima.

Speaking about Hiroshima - while you are there - be sure to visit Miyajima. You can use local trains and the JR Ferry to go there using the JR Pass and it is absolutely beautiful.
I do think Iya Valley would be too far as a day trip from Osaka but there's plenty to do closer but I think you'll be busy enough with just 2 days in Osaka.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

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