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Collecting Rail Pass

My husband & I will arrive in Tokyo on 29th April {Sunday} and wondered if it would be possible to collect our Rail Pass at this time of day ...Also we are leaving for a 7 day trip to Kyoto the next morning & wonder if we could book our trip then or will it be too late to reserve 2 places on the train. W e will be in Tokyo for 7 days after our Kyoto trip and would appreciate advise on 7 or 14 day pass

Comments

  • Hi,
    You didn't list a time. But you can see the exchange offices and their hours here:
    http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html

    The trains may be full - but reservations are free and you may have better luck with an early morning train.
    It's actually iffy if you can make a rail pass pay off. If landing in Narita and going to Kansai for a week, you barely break even on a pass. Staying in Tokyo would not help you make a 14 day pass pay off though. There are a number of day trips you could take, such as Nikko, Karuizawa, Kusatsu, Sendai, and Izu - 3 of those would make a 14 day pass pay off well. Or you could do a day trip to Kanazawa (though an overnight would be better) and that alone would make a 14 day pass worthwhile - but it's 2½ hours by bullet train one way which is kind of pushing it.
    On the other hand, you could get the 7 day pass and do some day trips on the Tokyo Wide Pass.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html

    Alternatively, from Kansai if you did a day trip to Hiroshima/Miyajima, that would make a 14 day pass worthwhile too. Do some research and see what works for you.

    Sitting in big cities gives little value to the rail passes. For Tokyo, there is a good 3 day subway pass though.
    http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03

    You can find regular rail 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.
  • thank you so much for your advise ...We will arrive in Tokyo at 17.55 & I have noted that the office will be open until 19.00 which gives us time to do the exchange ...we are still debating re rail pass & may look at the 3 day Tokyo subway pass ..many thanks again for all the useful info
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