Only need the train for 8 days -- will the 14 day JR pass be worth it?

Hi there,

Lets take a quick look at your real ticket costs to get a handle on your spend:

1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Osaka: ¥16650, (272mins, 635km)
2. Osaka > Hiroshima: ¥10150, (104mins, 345km)
3. Hiroshima > Osaka: ¥10820, (109mins, 345km)
4. Osaka > Nara: ¥780, (59mins, 48km)
5. Nara > Osaka: ¥780, (55mins, 48km)
6. Osaka > Kyoto: ¥540, (29mins, 42km)
7. Kyoto > Odawara: ¥11950, (177mins, 429km)
8. Odawara > Tokyo: ¥1450, (36mins, 83km)
9. Tokyo > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥3140, (58mins, 79km)

TOTAL: ¥56260 for 9 legs

Based on this, you will get good value out of either a 7 day (¥28300) or 14 day (¥45100) rail pass.

However, I think I would recommend you use the 7 day rail pass until Hakone and from there use normal tickets back to Tokyo and Narita. This would bring your overall spend to:

1 x 7 day pass (¥28,300)
1 x Odawara > Tokyo (¥3,840)
1 x Tokyo > Narita (¥3,140)

Total: ¥35,280 (saving ¥20980 over normal tickets)

For Hakone you should travel to Odawara with the JR Pass and from there purchase the Odakyu Hakone Freepass which will give you free travel up to and around the lakes on all the rail, funicular and cable cars that travel around the area. You can read more about the Odakyu Hakone Freepass online.

Hope this helps!

Mari,

I've seen your replies to many other people here on this question board.

You are a perfect example of what good customer service is supposed to be these days.

Thank you so much for your expert and timely advice!

Chris

No problem! Hope it helps!