Help! I just can't figure out whether to get the JR Rail Pass

Wanderingsoul

I am struggling to figure out my public transportation regarding the JR pass. The itinerary is:

1. Arrive Haneda on Tuesday, September 24 and travel to Asakusa for one night

2. Depart from Asakusa Station Tokyo on Wednesday, September 25 for Nikko for 2 nights

3. Depart Nikko on Friday, September 27 for Akasaka, Tokyo for one night

4. Travel to Fuji area with a friend by car on Saturday, September 28 for one night

5. Depart from Atami Station on Sunday, September 29 for Kyoto for 5 nights

6. Two roundtrip day trips from Kyoto to Nara and Hikone

7. Depart Kyoto for Shinjuku Tokyo on Friday, October 4

8. Travel to Haneda for departing flight on Wednesday, October 9

These dates are all booked (and a little "strange" because I had to cancel a trip to Hong Kong and rearrange the Japan trip), but they involve other people as well as hotel bookings so will not be changed around.

I think that we don't need to include the Haneda to Tokyo and Tokyo to Haneda trips in the JR pass. Do you think it makes sense to get a JR pass or to just book separate tickets? Many many thanks!

Tenjin

If you were thinking of a 14-day pass, it would be a terrible money loser for you. But if you use a 7 day pass from Atami to Kyoto, do the day trips to Nara & Hikone (for Hikone you can take the bullet train to Maibara), and then return to Shinjuku within 7 days, you do barely break even on the pass.
You would not be able to activate the pass from Atami Stn, however. But you can go to any of the travel centers in Tokyo
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html
to activate your pass, and set a future date as your first day.

For Nikko, you could save money on a Nikko Pass.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html

While in Kansai, you could also go see Osaka and Kobe in the evening if you wish, after a day of sightseeing in Kyoto. Especially Osaka comes alive in the evening and there are a lot of good sights to see.
http://goo.gl/XE5R94
As long as you make the last train back around midnight you will be fine.
You can check on train info on Hyperdia - you can see regular fares, routes, and schedules.
http://www.hyperdia.com
Under "More Options", with a full JR pass, be sure to uncheck the Nozomi box since you can't ride that train using the pass.

Also, you can look at some 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.

Wanderingsoul

Many thanks. Can you answer this remaining question? If we decide against the pass, will we be able to purchase a ticket at Atami Station to Kyoto, or should we book this in advance in Tokyo?

Tenjin

Yes, easily.

VTRAN

I post this question in JR East South Hokkaido, but I want to ask question whether I should get JR East Pass or not. I only need a one way shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Hakkodate (Habuya line seems the fastest way). I will fly in Narita Airport and stay around Tokyo for 3 days, go to Hakkodate for a 7 day bus tour (already booked) from Hakkodate all the way back to Tokyo and stay in Tokyo for another 3 days before fly back from Narita. Is it cheaper to buy JR Pass since I read a one way shinkansen from Tokyo to Hakkodate around 230,000 yens and cost from Narita airport to Tokyo is another $20. Thank you for your help. When in Tokyo, I just visit Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza and may be 1 day to Hakone if time permit.

Tenjin

You basically asked a duplicate question.
http://forum.japan-rail-pass.com/discussion/5585/jr-east-south-hokkaido-or-jr-east-tohoku-pass

The pass is not worth it for you. As for getting to/from Narita, the cheapest way is the 1000 yen bus.
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
You are limited to one full size bag though and carry-on stuff. For Hakone, if going all over, then the Hakone Free Pass might save you some money.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html