This is my first trip to Japan early Oct is as follows:
5 days Tokyo, 4 days Kyoto, 3 days Osaka and 3 days Okinawa, I have the following questions:
1. What combination of JR passes should I buy?
2. What places do you recommend I visit and see?
3. What is the best way to get to KIX airport from Shinsaibashi area in Osaka?
Thank you.
K
0
Comments
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html
Since you are already seeing Tokyo, you can largely skip Osaka during the day. After the temples of Kyoto close down around 5PM, you can zip over to Osaka for the evening. At night the city comes alive and has some great places to see, such as Dotonbori, plus the night views from the Umeda Sky Bldg and Abeno Harukas Bldg are wonderful.
Instead, take that time and see Nara, Himeji and Kobe.
For getting to KIX, as well as around the cities, you might get a Icoca & Haruka discount ticket:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_icoca_haruka.html
The best way to get to Kyoto from Tokyo without the JR Pass would definately be the Platt Kodama discount: http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/
It would only cost you 10000 yen instead of 14000 yen.
Same thing for Suzuka Circuit. You could use the Kodama Platt for a discount to go to Nagoya and then change for the JR Rapid Mie and get off at Suzuka station. Once you are at Suzuka station, you will have to take the Ise Tetsudo line and get off at Suzuka Circuit Ino Station.
Best regards,
Japan Experience
The Platt ticket is certainly cheaper but bear in mind it also takes a lot longer. The Kodama train stops at every bullet train station, so if you buy a regular fare unreserved seat (¥10,360) and take the Nozomi, you'll get to Nagoya in about 100 minutes. The Platt ticket would cost you ¥8,100 and take about 170 minutes.
So save either $23 or 70 minutes - your choice.
One more question, can I use the Tokyo wide pass to get on the monorail from Haneda airport to Hamamatsucho station in Tokyo?
Unlimited use of the following non-JR trains (local, rapid, express and limited express):
Tokyo Monorail to Haneda Airport