Is the JR Pass a good Match Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka

Andrea_Saenz

Hello,

We will be traveling to Japan from March 27 to April 4 to various cities and where wondering if the JR Pass would be a good fit for us. I looked at the JR pass and google maps but sometimes the trains we needed to take didn’t appear to be included so I wanted to double check if there was something I did not see.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 –

8:00 AM: Tokyo to Hakone (Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal)

3:00 PM: Hakone to Kyoto (Kawaguchiko Station to Kyoto Station - Fujikyuko LineFuji-Excursion 16 Limited Express Shinjuku, Chuo LineFuji-Excursion 16 Shinjuku, Hachiōji Station, Yokohama Line Rapid Sakuragicho, Shin-Yokohama Station, Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi 243 Nozomi Shin-Osaka, Kyoto Station)

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 – Kyoto to Nara and Nara to Kyoto

Thursday, April 2, 2020 – Kyoto to Osaka

Friday, April 3, 2020 – Osaka to Tokyo

The hardest part to plan transportation wise was the pass-through day trip to Hakone. Could you please let me know if the JR pass has good options for our planned trip? What routes are best?

Thank you for your time

Tenjin

You would just barely break even on a 7-day JR Pass for your plans, and with the convenience of not needing to buy JR tickets, would be what I would choose.
As for seeing Hakone, if you are going to tour the sights, then the most convenient choice would be the Hakone Free Pass.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html
As for getting from Hakone to Kyoto, you have made things way too complicated and messy - just go to Odawara or preferably Mishima Stn, pick up the bullet train, and away you go. There is no need to return to Tokyo at all. You can also get to Hakone faster from Tokyo by taking the bullet train to Odawara instead as you write and get the Hakone Free Pass from Odawara.

You can see regular 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.
Please note that the bullet train station in Osaka is "Shin-Osaka".
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.

Andrea_Saenz

Thank you Tenjin

Andrea_Saenz

Another quick question: When reserving seating, is it possible to book everything at once, or are you only allowed to do so the day before?

Thank you,

Tenjin

You can do it all at once if you wish. Although that does lock you down to a strict schedule.

Andrea_Saenz

Great thank you for your time