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Lazy trip to Toyko, Ozaka and Kyoto - Do I need a pass?

Solly
Solly
almost 13 years ago
2 answers

Hi Mari,

My fiancée and I are going to be in Japan from the 24 March to 6 April and we would like to leisurely go around the main sites. A very basic itinerary we have at the moment is as follows:

24 March Narita to Ozaka
Day trip to Himeji
Day trip to Nara
Metro around Ozaka for one day
29 March Ozaka to Kyoto
Possible day trip to somewhere near Kyoto (Open to suggestion)
2 April Kyoto to Tokyo
Possible day trip to somewhere near Tokyo (Open to suggestion)
6 April Tokyo to Narita

After reading some posts I think this is not so ambitious. Could we get bored when we just spend time around town? The trip needs to be romantic as I'm going to propose. We don't want to catch every train possible to every location in 2 weeks.

But my question is, would we really need the pass for this amount of travelling? In view of the time, we would probably have to get the 14 to cover every journey. Is it worth it?

I would really appreciate your help with costs.

Kindest regards,

Anthony

avatar
mari
1950 posts
almost 13 years ago
Expert

Hi Anthony,

For a 14 day pass, you'll need to spend over ¥45,100 in tickets. Here are the costs for your trip as it stands:

  1. Narita airport terminal 1 > Osaka: ¥16250, (272mins, 635km)
  2. Osaka > Himeji: ¥1450, (61mins, 87km)
  3. Himeji > Nara: ¥3660, (122mins, 136km)
  4. Nara > Osaka: ¥780, (55mins, 48km)
  5. Osaka > Kyoto: ¥540, (29mins, 42km)
  6. Kyoto > Tokyo: ¥13220, (161mins, 513km)
  7. Tokyo > Narita airport terminal 1: ¥2940, (58mins, 79km)

TOTAL: ¥38840 for 7 legs

This means that you may well be better off buying separate tickets rather than a 14 day pass.

However, there are some really excellent trips you can do from the Kyoto/Osaka area that will be sure to fit into a romantic trip if you do get bored: Takayama, Kinosaki Onsen hot spring bath town and Nikko are all good extra trips you can do. If you add any of these items to your itinerary you will certainly find a 14 day JR Pass is worth it.

PS - Yokohama by the bay is very romantic at night!

Hope this helps - happy to help with any follow up questions you may have!

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Solly
Solly
2 posts
almost 13 years ago

Hi Mari,

Thank you for your help. I had a look at your recommendations and Takayama looks very interesting. If we added a day there after Kyoto, is it straightforward to get back to Toyko? I assume adding that to our trip would take us over the 14 day pass point and therefore make it worthwhile.

Thanks again for your help. It's tough to know what is always the best option. Your advice is most welcome.

Regards,

Anthony

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avatar
mari
1950 posts
almost 13 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

If we added a day [in Takayama] after Kyoto, is it straightforward to get back to Toyko?

Yes - there is a change at Nagoya, but it's a very straightforwards trip, though it will be 4.5 hours. Here is a sample itinerary

I assume adding that to our trip would take us over the 14 day pass point and therefore make it worthwhile.

Yes - as the ticket price of this trip is ¥14,300, it will make buying a 14 day rail pass very worth while.

Hope this helps - if you want me to clarify anything else please let me know!

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