Hi, Going on a 10 day trip soon and was wondering if the JR pass would be worth it. I did some rough calculations myself but would like to make sure.
Narita > Tokyo
(3 days) Tokyo >Kyoto
(1 day) Kyoto > Osaka
(2 days+kobe day trip) Osaka > Kobe
Kobe> Osaka
Osaka>Tokyo
(4 days) Tokyo > Narita
Thank you!
Comments
There is a cheaper alternative though. You could use a japanican ticket which is way cheaper, and allows you to use the fastest bullet train, the Nozomi, getting you there 30 minutes faster. It also includes one free day of local transport. It would not work if you wanted to stop off in between or go beyond Kansai, or to say, Himeji. Fares between the Kansai cities are not covered, but they don't cost much.
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK1/
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTO1/
There is also the Hankyu Tourist Pass, which can partially help.
https://www.kansai360.net/en/ticket/
For getting to/from Narita cheaply, there is the 1000 yen bus.
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
I highly recommend you also make at least half a day available and see Nara - it was also a former capital and has some of Japan's best sights. Missing the Todaiji Great Buddha would be a tragedy. Nara Park has a lot of other great places, such as Kasuga Shrine, Kofukuji Temple, the Isuien and Yoshikien Gardens, and feeding the many deer in the area.
http://bit.ly/1Rhxg0E
It's up to you.
You can see regular rail fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com
Under "More Options", be sure to uncheck the Nozomi box if on the JR Pass since you can't ride that train using the JR 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.