14d itinerary & which JR pass

Hi there,

1.) I think going for the 14 day JR Pass is the better option. You have too much travel to fit in 7-day and have enough time to enjoy sightseeing. It would also allow you to add a day trip from Tokyo if you fancy so.

2.) Depends on what you want to do within the Hakone Area, the Free Pass is a great deal if you plan to do the Hakone circle.

3.) The only part I'm a bit worried about is Kanazawa to Hakone/Fuji five lakes in one day. Kawaguchiko would add a lot of extra travel time. I think I'd get on the Shinkansen from Kanazawa -> Tokyo, then Tokyo - Odawara (Hakone) and base yourself around there.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Thanks for the reply.

As it is our first trip to Japan, we hope to do it at a relax pace and not just "touch n go". So we decided to skip takayama-Shirakawago-Kanazawa area for this trip as we find that it seems a bit rush. I have calculated the fares using hyperdia and both the 7days and 14days pass will give us savings (Better savings with 7days pass). We tried to rearrange the itinerary and explore Osaka & Kyoto for 7 days before returning to Tokyo. Below is my rough itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive Narita airport late morning. Take train to Osaka.
Day 2 Explore Osaka and take train to Kyoto in late afternoon.
Day 3 Explore Kyoto areas
Day 4 Kyoto: Arashiyama
Day 5 Kyoto: Day trip to Miyama, Amanohashidate and Ine no Funaya
Day 6 Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Nara
Day 7 Kyoto to Odawara / Shinjuku to go Hakone/Lake kawaguchi
Day 8 Hakone / Lake Kawaguchi
Day 9 Back to Shinjuku. Staying near Tokyo Dome
Day 10 Tokyo: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
Day 11 Tokyo: Asakusa, Tokyo Sky Tree, Ueno, Akihabara
Day 12 Tokyo: Roppongi, Ginza
Day 13 Tokyo -> Narita
Day 14 Flight home from Narita airport

Some questions I have:
1) For Day 5, is it possible to do these 3 places in a day? We are more interested in visiting these areas than seeing temples and shrines.

2) For Day 7, we want to go Hakone & lake Kawaguchi before going to Tokyo (staying one night at each place). I understand that I can get the 3d2n Fuji Hakone pass only from Odawara or Shinjuku. So what is the best recommended route I should take from Kyoto? Which shd I do first, hakone or Lake kawaguchi?

3) For travel in Tokyo, should I get the metro subway (maybe 72hrs) if I am getting a Suica card at the airport when we arrive for use in Osaka n Kyoto? I am staying near Tokyo Dome and there is JR Suidobashi, Suidobashi metro stn and Korakuen metro stn.

Thank you.

Hi again,

The new trip does look a lot more doable and relaxed, with still plenty to see and do.

1.) You can combine Amanohashidate and Ine no Funaya but I was unable to find Miyama (is the spelling correct?). You can always check the travel times in Hyperdia and plan around that.

2.) Hakone is way more easy to access than Kawaguchiko, you can access Hakone directly by Shinkansen from Tokyo or Kyoto. Then use the Hakone Free pass to travel around.

3.)Metro passes can great value, generally if you use them 3-4 times per day and of course, the more the better. There are also similar day tickets (JR Tokunai) available for JR lines around Tokyo.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Thanks.
Miyama is also known as Kayabuki no Sato. It is a village which has houses similar to shirawakago. I have found the official website and it can be accessed from Kyoto (to Hiyoshi stn and take bus).

As for Fuji Hakone pass, like what you said it’s easier to go to Hakone than Kawaguchiko. So if I buy the Fuji Hakone pass at Odawara station, I understand that it does not include return transport to Tokyo. So what is the best route to return to Shinjuku from Lake Kawaguchiko and does it mean I have to pay for this part?

Thanks

You can use the Fujikyu line to Otsuki and then a JR Line to Kawaguchiko. Some trains go directly to Shinjuku, the extra fares is about 1.150yen one way on the Fujikyu line.

Hi Daniel-san,
I used hyperdia to look up the route you mentioned in the reply. There’s a direct train “LTD. EXP. FUJI EXCURSION” to Shinjuku from Kawaguchiko Station. The total ticket price shown is 4130yen. Is this fare covered in JR pass?

How about the Chuo bus from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku? As it’s not included in the Fuji Hakone pass (Odawara version), can I purchase the bus ticket and make reservation at the Odawara station when I purchase the pass?

Thanks

Hi again,
I’ve looked up fujikyu website to find out more. Am I right to say that:
1) the train fare from Kawaguchiko Station to Otsuki station (Thomas land train) is covered by Fuji Hakone pass

2) I will have to pay for the fare when I transfer to JR line at Otsuki to Shinjuku with Suica if I do not have JR pass.

Thanks.