Tokyo - Kyoto - Otsu - Nara

Aduque

Hi,

We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Planning to visit Japan for 7 days and before purchase the JR pass, I've been wondering if the 7 day pass will worth based on the journeys we are planning to take. Specially from Otsu where we will be based for 4 days.

Our itinerary will include. Tokyo to Otsu, 2x trips from Otsu to Kyoto, 1 from Otsu to Nara and then back to Tokyo.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

japanexperience

Hi Aduque,

You'd just about break even if you used a 7-day JR Pass for these trips! If you're travelling to/from Narita airport within the 7 days as well you could add around 6000 yen to your savings, though.

Japan Experience

Tenjin

Hi,
For your itinerary, it would make more sense to go to Kyoto by bullet train and then backtrack the 10 minute ride to Otsu.
As said, the itinerary leaves you a little short from breaking even. So if you can add a bit more, like a half day or full day to Himeji, with Japan's best castle, that would do it. Or taking the Narita Express even just once works too. Or a day trip from Tokyo to Nikko, Kamakura/Enoshima, Izu, Kusatsu, Karuizawa, etc.
If you don't want any of the above, look at getting the japanican discount ticket.
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK1/

Aduque

Thank you so much for the advise. We will be landing at Haneda and planning to take the Airport limousine bus that drop us in Asakusa view just next to the hotel. I will look into the discount ticket or add more journeys to our trip.