First time in Japan (and a bit lost...)

Forgot to mention we were going to stay 8 days.

Hello Jean-Jacques,

I do think that it would be a good idea to consider a 7 day JR Pass for your travels. A 7 day JR Pass is roughly the same price as a normal return Tokyo - Kyoto on the Shinkansen. With the JR Pass you get 7 days of unlimited travel for the same price. For instance you can use it for travel to Arashiyama, Nara but also for local travel on the JR within Tokyo or to the Airport.

You can book Shinkansen tickets once you are in Japan and have exchanged your rail pass. There are a lot of seats available and trains run very frequently, so you don't have to worry about not being able to obtain tickets.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Thank you! Now, since we arrive on a Saturday and leave on the following Saturday, that would actually be 8 days. Does this mean that I should actually get my JRPass on the day following my arrival, ie not use it for the Narita-Tokyo trip and get it at the station the next morning, as we're ready to travel to Kyoto?

Jean-Jacques

Hi Jean-Jacques

I would activate your JR Pass on day 2 in Japan. This way you would also cover your way back to Narita Airport.

For your arrival consider a 1,500 Narita Express ticket this will get your in comfort to Tokyo for a very good price.

Hope this helps too!
Daniel

Awesome, thank you so much!