Tokyo>>Yokohama>>Hakone>>Kyoto>>Osaka

Hi there!

For your travel between Tokyo and Osaka the only rail pass that will cover both these zones is the nationwide JR Pass.
Lets take a look at your JR costs to see if a 7 day JR Pass is worthwhile. Please note I have assumed you will use a Hakone Free Pass from Odawara rather than Tokyo as the JR Pass will get your there:

1. Tokyo > Odawara: ¥3,840 (35mins, 83km)
2. Odawara > Kyoto: ¥11,950 (160mins, 429km)
3. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540 (28mins, 42km)
4. Osaka > Tokyo: ¥13,950 (194mins, 556km)

JR ticket cost: ¥30,280 for 4 legs

• 7 day Japan Rail Pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥1,980

As you can see, with a 7 day pass you'll make a small saving of ¥1980 vs normal tickets. As you'll also have full JR travel freedom during this period to add on extra travel I think on balance I would recommend the JR Pass for you. You can use the JR pass extensively in Tokyo , so could make further savings this way for example.

Hope this helps!

What if we're not going to osaka...just tokyo>>yokohama>>tokyo>>>hakone>kyoto?

Also with the JR pass could we still get around in tokyo? or should we still get a local train pass?

Thanks!!

Hi there

As you'll still include Kyoto then a 7 day JR Pass will still make sense (Osaka and Kyoto are very close - 28mins/¥540 away).

Here is a map of JR lines in Tokyo for you - as you can see you can make good use of JR, however I think you'll have to also purchase either individual tickets as needed or a prepaid card. Note there is no difference in prices for these methods, just the prepaid card is more convenient - for tourism though, tickets are probably the most cost effective as there is a deposit needed for the prepaid cards of ¥500.

Hope this helps!