which JR pass to get?

rachelcassar

over 9 years ago

2 answers

Hi, this is my itinerary for my upcoming trip to Japan (see below). I've been mucking about on here - http://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/ - but I still can't work out whether it'll be more cost effective to get a JR pass, or to just book the quickest direct train.

I'm thinking I'll either order the 7 day pass for the 27 May - 2 June leg or order the 21 day pass from 13 May - 2 June because on 13 May we plan to do a day trip to Nikko - which would make more sense?

Is it easier to just buy the 21 day pass? Will that cover all/most of our internal transport?

10 May Melbourne - Tokyo
11 May
12 May
13 May (Nikko day trip)
14 May
15 May
16 May
17 May Tokyo - Hakone
18 May Hakone - Kanazawa
19 May
20 May Kanazawa - Kyoto
21 May
22 May
23 May
24 May
25 May (Nara day trip)
26 May
27 May Kyoto - Naoshima
28 May
29 May Naoshima - Miyajima
30 May Miyajima - Hiroshima - Osaka
31 May Osaka - Koyasan
1 June Koyasan - Osaka
2 June Osaka - airport

Daniel-san

19375 posts

7665 likes

over 9 years ago

Hi there,

I had a look at normal train fares (see prices below) and think a 14 day JR Pass is the best option from May 17th to May 30th. This way you can cover all your otherwise expensive routes (Odawara - Kanazawa and travel to and from Miyajima/Hiroshima).

Tokyo - Odawara ¥ 3,740 (using the Shinkansen)
Odawara - Kanazawa ¥ 17,450
Kanazawa - Kyoto ¥ 6,900
Kyoto - Nara (day trip) ¥ 1,420
Kyoto - Miyajima ¥ 11,620 + 170 for ferry ¥ 7,190
Miyajima - Naoshima (used Uno station for train fare, return) ¥ 14,720
Miyajima - Osaka (via Hiroshima). ¥ 10,760

For a total of ¥ 62,180 or ¥ 15,790 in savings as the 14 day JR Pass is ¥ 46,390

Even with a 21 day JR Pass you would make savings but I think the most cost effective option would be a 14 day JR Pass and buy normal local tickets for the remaining travel.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

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Toraneko

1303 posts

643 likes

over 9 years ago

Hi,

For Koyasan, you can take advantage of the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket to save money. For the Mt Fuji area, look at the Odakyu passes. And IMHO you are putting in way too much time for Tokyo, unless you have something specific planned. Consider some other day trips to Karuizawa, Kusatsu, Kamakura, Izu, Takao, Kawagoe, or other good places. A Tokyo Wide Pass could save you a fortune. If you still want to stick to Tokyo, then for Nikko get a Tobu Nikko Free Pass.

Good luck.

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rachelcassar

2 posts

0 likes

over 9 years ago

Hi Daniel-san, the 14 day pass from 17-30 May is a great idea, I'll be doing that - thanks for your time!!

Hi Toraneko, the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is brilliant, many thanks. We are going to be flat out in Tokyo - we even considered an extra day!! We will be visiting the Shibazakura festival at Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu, we have tickets to a sumo wrestling tournament and the baseball, we'll be riding the Mario Karts through the city, day trip to Nikko and if there's time we might travel out to Fuji-Q.

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