Should JR pass is cheaper than buying individual tickets

Hi there,

As you'll be in Tokyo for the first 6-7 days, for this period I recommend you use a [Narita Express + Suica prepaid metro card package] purchased at Narita on arrival. This will get you into town and give you ¥1500 of free metro or JR travel, allowing you to explore the city. You can also purchase unlimited metro passes at Narita for ¥980 for 2 days if needed.

As your first 7 days will be covered, lets compare your 2 routes from when you leave Tokyo to a 14 day pass cost (¥45,100):

Route 1

1. Tokyo > Odawara: ¥3840, (35mins, 83km)
2. Odawara > Kyoto: ¥11950, (160mins, 429km)
3. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
4. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
5. Kyoto > Hiroshima: ¥10990, (112mins, 380km)
6. Hiroshima > Takayama: ¥16110, (317mins, 694km)
7. Takayama > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥16300, (350mins, 611km)

JR ticket cost: ¥60570 for 7 legs

• 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥15470

Route 2

1. Tokyo > Odawara: ¥3840, (35mins, 83km)
2. Odawara > Kyoto: ¥11950, (160mins, 429km)
3. Kyoto > Nara: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
4. Nara > Kyoto: ¥690, (44mins, 41km)
5. Kyoto > Hiroshima: ¥10990, (112mins, 380km)
6. Hiroshima > Takayama: ¥16110, (317mins, 694km)
7. Takayama > Nagoya: ¥5670, (145mins, 166km)
8. Nagoya > Kansai airport: ¥7970, (113mins, 247km)

JR ticket cost: ¥57910 for 8 legs

• 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥12810

Recommendations

As you can see, both routes will give you good savings with a 14 day Japan Rail Pass. Please note that for Hakone you'll need to get to Odawara on the JR bullet train, and from here use non-JR Fujikyu lines up to Hakone itself. I recommend the Hakone Free Pass for this, available for purchase at Odawara station on arrival.

You can look up precise train timetables and costs at the Hyperdia travel planning website and learn how to use Hyperdia for JR Pass holders through our video blog.

Hope this helps!