The more I research, the more confused I get on the best use of passes and cards for our rail transportation.
My family and I are going to Japan for two weeks (4 adults and one child)
4/11. Arrival at Kansai airport, stay in Kyoto for 3-4 days. We will spend our time within Kyoto with only a day trip to Nara. WOULD YOU SUGGEST A 4 DAY KANSAI PASS OR USE OF AN IC CARD? (Suica, Passmo, or?)
4/14 Kyoto to Hiroshima (begin use of 7 day rail pass.
4/16 Hiroshima to Kumamoto (we will rent a car to visit takachiho gorge for an overnight)
4/18 Kumamoto to hakata
4/20 hakata to shin osaka
4/21 departure from Kansai airport
I CALCULATED COSTS FOR OUR TRIP AND IT IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE 7 DAY RAIL PASS. With a young child, we have planned our trip to leisurely enjoy each destination with no full day trips (other than takachiho ) planned. Would you still recommend the 7 day pass or some other option?
Finally I will be remaining in Japan for an additional week.
4/20. Shin Osaka to koya San
4/22. Shin Osaka to Odawara
4/24. Tomizu (Odawara) to Komae (Tokyo) via odakyu line
4/24-4/27 visit friends and sites within Tokyo
4/27 depart from Haneda
THE SHINKANSEN FARE FROM SHIN OSAKA TO ODAWARA IS ABOUT $100.
SINCE I WILL BE TAKING THE ODAKYU LINE FROM ODAWARA TO TOKYO, I AM THINKING IT WOULD NOT BE TO MY ADVANTAGE TO GET A 14-DAY RAILPASS (approximately $150 more than the 7 day pass)
CSN THE SAME SUICA PASS BE USED IN KYOTO AND TOKYO?
CAN THE SUICA BE USED ON THE ODAKYU LINE
I would appreciate any advice, suggestions. Thank you.
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Comments
I'm not sure how you're calculating it, but it looks to me that a 7 day pass for the rest of you pays off handsomely, and you'd also get your money's worth with the 14 day pass.
Try the rail pass calculator on:
http://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
As for getting from KIX and around Kansai, a Icoca & Haruka discount ticket can save money on the Haruka portions. For other IC card info, see:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html
For Hakata (Fukuoka), you should definitely not miss the Nanzoin Temple - it is one of Japan's best yet virtually unknown to the rest of the world.
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html
For Koyasan, look into getting a Koyasan World Heritage Ticket.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_012.html
i have tokyo wide pass, if i want to go to Gala yuzawa, which station i need to depart from in Tokyo ?
johnwong -
You can easily board the train at Tokyo Station - it takes 80-90 minutes.