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Advice on 13 days' itinerary in Osaka, Takayama & Kyoto

Samantha Loh
Samantha Loh
over 12 years ago
2 answers

Hi,

This is my tentative plan for a 13-day trip with my family (3A & 1C) during the period of Dec 9-21 2012.

Day 1 (Sun 9 Dec) - Arrive in Kansai Airport at 9am, and travel directly to Takayama (ryokan based in Takayama)
Day 2 (Mon) - Sightseeing in Takayama (ryokan based in Takayama)
Day 3 (Tue) - Day trip to Shirakawago (ryokan based in Takayama)
Day 4 (Wed) - Day trip to Kanazawa or Okuhida (ryokan based in Takayama)
Day 5 (Thu) - Travel from Takayama to Shin-Osaka
Day 6 (Fri) - Day trip to Kyoto (hotel based in Shin-Osaka)
Day 7 (Sat) - Day trip to Kyoto (hotel based in Shin-Osaka)
Day 8 (Sun) - Overnight trip to Koyasan (lodging based in Koyasan)
Day 9 (Mon) - Return from Koyasan to Shin-Osaka (hotel based in Shin-Osaka)
Day 10 (Tue) - Day trip to Nara (hotel based in Shin-Osaka)
Day 11 (Wed) - Day trip to Universal Studio (hotel based in Shin-Osaka)
Day 12 (Thu) - Day trip to Himeiji (hotel based in Shin-Osaka)
Day 13 (Fri 21 Dec) - Shin-Osaka to Kansai Airport

Please advise if this itinerary is the most cost-efficient if we purchase JR passes. And should we get 7-day or 14-day pass?

Thank you.

Regards,
Samantha

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 12 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

Firstly lets get a handle on your base ticket costs:

  1. Kansai airport > Takayama: ¥13420, (292mins, 414km)
  2. Takayama > Kanazawa: ¥4380, (186mins, 148km)
  3. Kanazawa > Takayama: ¥4380, (161mins, 148km)
  4. Takayama > Shin-osaka: ¥10610, (206mins, 353km)
  5. Shin-osaka > Kyoto: ¥1880, (22mins, 39km)
  6. Kyoto > Shin-osaka: ¥540, (24mins, 39km)
  7. Shin-osaka > Kyoto: ¥1880, (22mins, 39km)
  8. Kyoto > Shin-osaka: ¥540, (24mins, 39km)
  9. Shin-osaka > Nara: ¥2230, (63mins, 52km)
  10. Nara > Shin-osaka: ¥2230, (61mins, 52km)
  11. Shin-osaka > Universalcity: ¥210, (22mins, 10km)
  12. Universalcity > Shin-osaka: ¥210, (25mins, 10km)
  13. Shin-osaka > Himeji: ¥3840, (29mins, 91km)
  14. Himeji > Shin-osaka: ¥1450, (67mins, 91km)
  15. Shin-osaka > Kansai airport: ¥3180, (48mins, 60km)

TOTAL: ¥50980 for 15 legs

  • 07 day rail pass (¥28,300) saving: ¥22680
  • 14 day rail pass (¥45,100) saving: ¥5880

Based on the above routes you can see that you'd make around ¥5000 savings with a 14 day pass vs standard tickets. I recommend the 14 day pass over the 7 day + tickets in this case as you intend to keep travelling all the way until you depart back home.

Hope this helps!

Samantha Loh
Samantha Loh
2 posts
over 12 years ago

Hi, thank you for the useful cost computation.

A follow-up question... Let's say if I take the JR from Kansai Airport to Takayama, I was given this itinerary from Hyperdia:

12:16 - Kansai Airport
[49 mins – Ltd Exp Haruka 18]

13:05 – 13:50 – Shin-Osaka (Arrival Track No. 11/ Departure Track No. 23)
[52 mins – Shinkansen Nozomi 230]

14:42 – 14:48 – Nagoya (Arrival Track No. 14/ Departure Track No. 11)
[140 mins – Ltd Exp (Wide View) Hida 13]

17:08 - Takayama

I notice the time for connection at Nagoya is barely 6 minutes (14:42 to 14:48 from Track No. 14 to No. 11).

How realistic is it for us to can catch the Hida 13 on time with bulky luggage and two kids in tow?

Thanks again.


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