First time in japan. 22 days. Is my itinery cost effective for a 14 day pass?

Hi there!

A 14 day JR Pass is ¥45,100, so you'll need to spend more than that on JR tickets for a 14 day pass to be cost effective. Lets take a look at your JR costs from the 20th:

1. Tokyo > Odawara: ¥3,840 (35mins, 83km)
2. Odawara > Kyoto: ¥11,950 (160mins, 429km)
3. Kyoto > Himeji: ¥5,330 (68mins, 130km)
4. Himeji > Hiroshima: ¥8,070 (60mins, 249km)
5. Hiroshima > Kurashiki: ¥5,440 (92mins, 145km)
6. Kurashiki > Nara: ¥8,380 (168mins, 276km)
7. Nara > Osaka: ¥780 (55mins, 48km)
8. Osaka > Tokyo: ¥13,950 (194mins, 556km)

JR ticket cost: ¥57,740 for 8 legs

• 14 day Japan Rail Pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥12,640

You'll make good savings with the 14 day pass so I can certainly recommend it, especially as you mention you'll need some flexibility.

For your trip into Tokyo and back to Narita, I recommend you use the [Narita Express + Suica] return to get you to/from Tokyo and also a ¥1500 prepaid travel card for use on JR and non-JR lines in Tokyo. In addition to this while you are at Narita, I recommend you purchase several 2 day discounted unlimited metro passes. This will give you unlimited metro travel inside Tokyo for ¥490/day. You will be able to use these as your base, and the SUICA card for topup on other lines if you need to. Note these discounted tickets can only be purchased at Narita airport.

Our UK JRPass delivery is next day if you choose the Special Delivery option, or using 1st class recorded delivery can be 1-4 days. Both these options will mean your JR Pass reaches you before you leave on the 13th, but I recommend you order as soon as you have made your decision for peace of mind.

Hope this helps!

Wow. That was quick. Thanks.
One question about the Narita express + Suica return combo. I read somehwere that the Narita return has to be used within 14 days. My schedule exceeds that so is there another viable alternative?
thanks again.
Paul

you're right! I completely missed that detail - thanks!

In that case, the best alternative is the Keisei Skyliner + 2 day metro pass return which is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. You can purchase a SUICA or PASMO card as normal if needed.

Hope this helps, and thanks for spotting the 2 week clause!

Thanks again. Its certainly a confusing challenge!
Does this seem a sensble option?
On arrival purchase a N'ex + Suica combination for my 6 day Tokyo visit #1.
Then use the 14 JR pass for my out of Tokyo trips.
Then purchase a Keisei Skyliner + 2 day metro pass combination for my 2/3 day Tokyo revisit #2, and return to Narita.

Regarding the JR pass. Do i have to wait to the actual day i wish to start using the pass before activating it. ie 20th December, or can it be activated anytime. when does the clock start ticking?
Thanks again.
Paul

Hi there!

I have a feeling that the Keisei+Metro Pass Single direction can only be used in the direction of Narita > Tokyo... I may well be wrong here, so I certainly recommend you give it a try when you arrive into Narita. (Note that both the Keisei Deal and the NEX deals can only be purchased at Narita, so you should visit the Keisei counter first and see if you can purchase the return single only before you visit the NEX counter).

When the JR Pass is activated you can specify any day upto 1 month in the future for the start of your validity period. For example, if you activate it on December the 1st, you can choose a starting date any day up to the 1st of January. Note that validity is measured in days, so the clock will start ticking at 00:00 on the first day of your validity, and stop at 23:59 on the last day.

Hope this helps!

Thanks mari. things are becoming a little clearer now. Will do some research regarding the Keisei Narita - Tokyo question.
Regards
Paul

Mari
My JR pass has arrived already. Amazing efficiency.
Thanks for your help. My confidence is high.
Regards
Paul

Great! Thank you for letting us know - have a great trip! :)

Hello again
A quick question if i may!
Is it possible to use the Suica pass between Tokyo and Kamakura?
Thanks
Paul