Hi All, we are taking our 11yr grand daughter to Japan end March early April for 19 days. Arriving in Tokyo we will need to get to Osaka where we will spend 8 days using as a base to travel to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima then travel to Toyama for 3 day then Takayama 3 days before returning to Tokyo for the last 5 days.
Is the JR pass the best way for our travels???
We used the JR pass last year for a 7 day visit and found it fantastic, easy to use but we would need the 21 day pass and at over $700 each is costly.
Any help would be appreciated - Thanks
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A 14 day JR Pass would work well for you, and you would definitely get your money's worth.
You could get a 21 day pass if you add a day trip or 2 from Tokyo, as well as go to Narita on the Narita Express if you are arriving and leaving from there. Near Tokyo there are many good places to see, including Nikko, Karuizawa, Izu, Kusatsu, and others.
If you are unaware of it you will be there in cherry blossom season, so there are a number of good places to see them - just remember that many can get quite crowded, especially in the bigger cities.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html
You may be able also to see the Shibazakura near Mt Fuji, and that can be quite a treat also.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6919.html
The 21 day pass by the way is 59,350 yen, or currently about US$562 for an ordinary adult pass (child is 29,670 yen, ages 6-11). If somebody is trying to charge you over $700 then you are being ripped off.
The pass can take you everywhere you want to go, but for Takayama you really should also go see Shirakawago and Gokayama - an overnight in a farmhouse there can be an unforgettable experience. However there is no rail access there and you'd need to pay for the bus.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5950.html
I'd also recommend taking a day and seeing Kanazawa also. You could take a day away from Takayama to do it - it is not that large a place and you'd still cover the best there is.
There are some good previews of the places you plan to see on:
https://www.youtube.com/user/thejapanfaq/videos
The $700 is Australian and the price on this web site.
Thanks Mazza
End of March may be busier than normal since it is the end of spring break for students, but otherwise it is not truly peak season. The start/end of year, Golden Week, and Obon are usually very busy. You can get seat reservations for free with the JR Pass (in fact for the Narita Express they're mandatory). You can make the reservations at any JR office. In fact if you want to see Mt Fuji on the way to Osaka (provided the weather cooperates) you can try and reserve seats on the right hand side. Getting seats somewhere on the train is usually not a problem - and worst case, if it is, there is always another train leaving every 15 minutes or so.