My husband and I are travelling to Japan for the first time in August. We are flying into Narita and staying in Tokyo for 3 nights, Kyoto for 3 nights and Osaka for 4 nights (planning a day trip to Hiroshima). Would you recommend a 14 day pass or a 7 day pass and purchasing single tickets for remaining time?
Comments
Going from Tokyo down to Kansai and Hiroshima round trip would make both a 7 and 14 day pass pay off, but needless to say you would reap far bigger savings if you did all that on a 7 day pass.
I would also highly recommend at least half a day to see Nara as well - it was also a former capital and has some of Japan's best sights. Skipping the Todaiji Great Buddha would be a tragedy.
If you choose the 14 day pass, then you can also use the Narita Express to/from the airport with the pass. But if with a 7 day pass, a cheaper way is the 1000 yen bus.
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
Tokyo also has a good 48 or 72 hour subway pass that can save money.
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 if on a full JR Pass 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 regards.
You could simply buy a regular fare ticket and ride a Nozomi bullet train back if you wish.
Yes, if the 22nd is the first day of your pass, then your final day is the end of the 28th.