Hello,
We are traveling to Japan for our first time, in March. There is a bewildering assortment of travel passes/options. When does a JR Pass make sense, if one does?
The outline of our itinerary is:
1. Arriving in Narita Airport 17 Mar. Need transfer to Tokyo.
2. Tokyo until 20th, then travel to Kyoto. We are staying near touristy areas so either a JR Pass on Yamanote line or a Tokyo Metro/IC card will be useful?
3. Kyoto from 20th to 23rd (with day trip to Nara).
4. Travel to Kumamoto/Mt. Aso region for a ryokan in Aso on 23rd. Seems like a long day on train, and then bus/taxi to the mountains, but it would be a nice experience. 2 days in mountains.
5. Conference in Kumamoto 26th to 29th. Fixed, no extra excursions.
6. FLY back to Tokyo on 29th. Tix already purchased (train trip too long).
7. Leave Japan on 31st.
Thanks so much.
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Comments
You'd get some decent savings on a 7 day pass used from Narita Airport to Kumamoto (Mar 17-23). You'd activate the pass at Narita and take the Narita Express into Tokyo. The JR office can do the activation and mandatory seat reservations for the N'Ex at the same time.
In Tokyo, yes, you can use the pass for the Yamanote Line, although there is not much savings from it. For some places you can take a subway, but fares are not expensive.
Another option is a 2 or 3 day subway pass.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03
Do not DARE take a taxi from Kumamoto to Aso. The fare will kill you. Use the train/bus.
You don't specify what ryokan - but it might be Kurokawa, with some of Japan's best outdoor hot spring baths.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4575.html
You can see regular fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com
Under "More Options", be sure to uncheck the Nozomi box since you can't ride that train using the pass.
You can see previews of some of the best places to see in Japan on:
https://www.youtube.com/user/thejapanfaq/videos
There are also loads of other tips on
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/the-best-japan-travel-tips/
Best wishes.