Hello,
We've planned a 3 week trip to Japan in the Spring 2013 and I'm writing to question whether a JR Rail Pass would be beneficial for our itinerary.
I have two main concerns:
1) After going from Tokyo to Kyoto, we are staying in Kyoto for 7 full days (but are doing small side trips)
2) Non JR trains (or highway buses) are actually faster for some of our destinations
Regarding the JR Pass; I like the ability to take any JR train, however I don't mind spending more to take faster trains, or more direct routes (e.g., highway bus).
Does the JR Rail Pass make sense for our trip, given my above concerns and below itinerary?
Here is our itinerary:
28 March - arrive Tokyo
1 April - train from Tokyo to Kyoto (would take Nozomi for ¥ 13,720 each)
... during the 7 days in Kyoto we plan to do small side trips (Yoshino, Nara, Iga Ueno)
9 April - train from Kyoto to Koyasan
11 April - train from Koyasan to Hiroshima
... during 2 days in Hiroshima we plan to do small side trips (Miyajima, Onomichi, Iwakuni)
14 April - train from Hiroshima to Fuji 5 Lakes
16 April - highway bus from Fuji 5 Lakes to Tokyo (most direct route)
Thanks,
Chris