Hi, myself and 8 year old son will be in Japan between 20th Mar and 5th April 2026. We plan the following trips and wanted to know if the JR pass is the best value or buying individual tickets for the journeys;
Tokyo-Kyoto
Kyoto-Osaka
Osaka-Tokyo
We may also be considering a return trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido but may also use internal flight for this leg if we decide to go skiing.
If you can advise if the JR pass represents best value with and without the Hokkaido trip
Thanks,
Ka
Hi Ka,
Based on your itinerary, individual tickets would be your best option. However, since you will be staying within one region, you might consider a regional pass, such as the Kansai Area Pass. If you are travelling around Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Rail Pass would be useful as well!
I hope you have a wonderful time in Japan!
Kind Regards,
Mariko
Hi Mariko,
Amazing and thanks for coming back. We may also consider the Suzuka Grand Prix which the Kansai Area Pass would also cover? Once a pass has been purchased we can reserve tickets for different train journeys or how does the pass allow us to travel on the network?
Thanks,
Ka
Hi Ka,
You are very welcome! Unfortunately, the Kansai Area Pass does not cover Suzuka.
You can activate the Kansai Area Pass at any of the exchange offices listed here. Once activated, you can easily reserve seats at any JR station ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or via the ticket machines.
For local trains, you do not need a reservation. You can simply insert your pass into the automatic ticket gate to enter and exit. Just remember to pick it up as it pops out on the other side!
Kind Regards,
Mariko
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