Tokyo Metro pass, Kawaguchiko and Nachi falls by JR

Hi Nancy,

Yes - I agree with you. You'll get most value by activating your Japan Rail Pass on day 1 at Narita, and then using it up until you get to Kawaguchiko. Once you're at Kawaguchiko, you will have to purchase tickets as needed.

Here are some tips:

1. Tokyo Metro does have some discounts available to foreign travellers through 1 and 2 day metro passes (¥600/day and ¥490/day respectively), and also offers a special discount on a combined Tokyo Metro and Keisei Skyliner (competitor to the Narita Express train) ticket (¥2980 for 2 days metro + travel to Narita on Skyliner, normal price of ¥3380). You have to purchase these special travel cards at Narita Airport on arrival, and will have to show your air ticket and passport to purchase. You can find out more on these special metro cards at the Tokyo Metro website. Bear in mind that each trip on the metro will be between ¥160-300, so you can make good savings, expecially with the 2 day metro passes. We also have a blog post on prepaid metro cards here.

2. From Hiroshima to Kawaguchiko you will be able to use the JR Pass as far as Otsuki. From here you will have to use the Fujikyu line up to Kawaguchiko for ¥1110 each way. (sample itinerary). Please note that this is a pretty long trip, clocking in at nearly 8 hours on the train! If you can break overnight midway (in Kyoto for example), I recommend it.

3. For Nachi falls, you'll need to make your way to Nachi station from Wakayama (valid by JR Pass using this itinerary). From Nachi you can make your way to Nachi falls/ Nachi Taisha temple by bus departing from the station. Here's the (Nachi waterfall bus timetable from Nachi station). The Bus will cost ¥410 each way.

Hope this helps!