Hi Daniel,
I've spoken to you before and you were so helpful re my itinerary. I bought my 14 day JR pass (green) through this website and the service was superb and have already received the voucher, (on time), which I will exchange at Kansai airport. Only 5 weeks to go now and I'm doing some research around local travel hence my post. I'll explain more:
- OK so I land at Kansai airport and need to get to Osaka where I am staying and want something for transport around Osaka on day 1, (I arrive at 6am so it would be the whole day), as I don't want to activate my 14 day JR pass until day 2.
So what transport ticket can I buy that will include the trip from Kansai airport to Osaka as well as unlimited travel around Osaka that day (Universal Studios, Aquarium, Castle, etc) please? Any special discount tickets for non Japanese tourists?
I saw a previous post re ICOCA? I'm also doing a day trip to Hiroshima on day 5 would that be an option?
So Osaka to Kanazawa I get. Kanazawa to Takayama would also be JR rail as it's quicker than the bus? I noticed the trains aren't regular, (say once an hour), is that right? Have I read that incorrectly? I saw about 3 or 4 trains max that are covered under JR pass...
Takayama to Hakone (Odawara and then to Gora) via Nagoya. I know you have to change trains but again they don't look regular and I saw only 2 or 3 options. Again is this right? I also know this is a long trip which is fine.
I have 2 nights booked in Kanazawa and 1 night booked in Takayama. The reason I am querying 2 or 3 is that I want to understand what my options are if I really like Kanazawa and want to stay as long as I can but still give myself enough time for Takayama - or vice versa.
- So I arrive in Tokyo and my JR pass is good for most of my stay in Tokyo however it will expire on the Friday which leaves me 2 more full days in Tokyo where I will need to pay for trains/subway.
So what ticket can I get for travel around Tokyo on train/subway (and maybe buses but unlikely)? It will only be Tokyo itself as I will have done my day trips already - eg Ueno, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya, etc. Again I suppose I'm asking if there is a special ticket for tourists?
I will also have to get to Narita airport very early in the morning on the 3rd day. I noticed that a tourist can get a combined 2 day unlimited train/subway pass plus a one way or return express to Narita. However it is only available from Narita airport itself. Is there any other place I can get that from?
What do you suggest?
Thanks Daniel for any help you can give in advance. I've actually directed 4 friends who are looking to go to Japan to use this site and buy their JR pass this way.
Cheers,
Mike
