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Itinerary help and JR Pass Advice . All help appreciated!

I am having trouble getting my itenerary started. Was hoping somebody can help me out with how to get between these places.

Would it be better to get a 14 day or 21 day pass for this trip?

My itenerary is as follows:

25th October
Land at Narita Airport (6:45pm)

25th - 29th October
Nipponbashi Crear 302, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu

29th Oct - 1st Nov
Tominokojidori,Nijyoagaru,Nakagyoku Fregrance Tominokoji Orange room, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

1st Nov - 3rd Nov
HOSHINOYA Fuji
Oishi 1408, Fujikawaguchiko

3rd Nov - 9th Nov
Shinjuku, Kabukicho

9th Nov
Depart from Narita Airport

Comments

  • The truth is not even a 7 day JR Pass would pay off for your trip. If you started using your pass upon arriving on the 25th, the last day you could use your pass would be the 31st.

    You could use some other passes though. Three days in Tokyo are about enough, and there are many good day trips you could take to Nikko, Kamakura, Karuizawa, Kawagoe, Kusatsu, Izu and so on. A Tokyo Wide Pass could save you a lot.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html

    With in Tokyo if you are traveling around, a 3 day subway pass can also save you some good money.
    http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03

    And the 1000 yen bus is a cheap way back to Narita.
    http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
  • So you don't believe it's worth getting a JR pass at all? . From what I was told on Jrpass.com

    "Hi there,

    When considering the JR Pass, its best to start looking at the longer trips first. As those are most expensive and can give you the best possible savings. This would be travel from Narita Airport - Osaka (¥ 17,100) and Kyoto - Kawaguchiko via Otsuki station (¥ 15,450 covered by the JR Pass + 1,140 addition fare). These two routes already cost more than the cost of a 7 day JR Pass (¥ 29,110) and any additional travel you'd cover with the JR Pass would only add more to your savings.

    Hope this helps,
    Daniel"
  • edited October 2016
    Hi,
    As I explained, if you start using the pass and go to Kyoto on the 25th, the last day you could use it would be the 31st (the 7th day).
    Please note that the day you activate it for counts as Day One - which starts and ends at midnight. So if you activate it and use it at 3 PM, your first "day" is just 9 hours long. Actually, landing at 6:45 PM and then going through customs & immigration, plus then going into Tokyo (abt 1 hr) to catch the bullet train, it's very doubtful you could get to Osaka on Oct 25th. Maybe if you took the last Nozomi train from Tokyo; but you can't ride that train on the JR Pass.

    If you did manage to get to Osaka on the pass on Oct 25, and then tried to use a 7 day pass on Nov 1st, you wouldn't be allowed to, and you'd be forced to pay put of pocket for the return trip. The person above at jrpass.com should know better than giving such bad advice.
    But perhaps you meant activating the pass and going to Kyoto on the 26th? If so, then you could use the JR Pass on Nov 1st (Day 7), and you'd barely break even for the cost of the pass. A 14 or 21 day pass would still be far from paying off though.
    Here's a tip on calculating the cost of regular rail fares. Use www.hyperdia.com to see what fares will cost, as well as schedules and transfer info. You should calculate the lowest possible ticket you can buy (unreserved seat) vs the cost of the pass - and this is where the slick salesmanship kinds of tricks you with padded figures - the figures you quote above are with advanced seat reservation charges included - with the Pass they are a free perk thrown in, but hardly necessary for getting a seat on the train. They are rarely full (except perhaps during peak seasons) and you can easily buy an unreserved seat on the bullet train. So calculated that way, one way from Narita to Shin-Osaka would only be ¥16,180. (The Narita Express requires advanced seating though).

    I'll give you an even cheaper way to get to Osaka and back too. And if anyone tried to tell you this on jrpass.com the post would get instantly DELETED. You could use a japanican ticket which is a 7 day ticket from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto and back - and you can take the faster Nozomi train (about 30 min faster), they throw in a day of free local transport, and it is waaay cheaper.
    http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTO1/
    http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK1/
    It does not cover the train from Narita, nor between Kyoto or Osaka (and you should see Nara while down there too) but overall still can come up cheaper. You can't stop off in between nor go beyond Osaka with it, so you'd need to return to Tokyo before going to Otsuki, but the time difference is about the same.

  • Hi Tenjin,

    Thank you so much for all that information! This will definitely help putting together the itenerary.

    My last question: Will it be difficult to get to Osaka from Narita at 6:45pm? How would I go about this based on the information you gave me.
  • Hi Wayne,
    Well I ran the numbers and sorry to say I don't think you could get to Osaka on the 25th due to your late arrival. Assuming that your plane arrived on time and you sailed through Customs & Immigration, it still wouldn't work. There are several variables on this, but let's say it takes about 15 min to taxi to the gate and deplane, plus 45 min to get your bags and go through CIQ (unless you're in 1st or Business Cls). You'd still need to activate your JR Pass, and that could take up to 30 minutes. If you took the Narita Express into Tokyo that would take about an hour.
    And if you look at Hyperdia, that's too late for any bullet train down to Osaka. If you really have to be there on the 25th, you might look at a flight going down there direct from Narita, if there are any.
    Otherwise, I suggest you find a hotel for the night, maybe near Narita Airport or in Tokyo. You'll probably arrive half dead after the long plane trip like everyone else anyways. If you're in a hurry, bullet trains start running about 6:30 AM or so. I hope you can find something that works out for you.
  • Quick question for Tenjin:
    When traveling from Tokyo to nearby day trip places like Hakone, Ichinomiya beach or Hitachi seaside park, does the Tokyo-wide pass work?
  • We are only bringing carry on luggage. You mentioned not getting a JR pass at all. After the information you had given me. I probably won't purchase it. So you definitely think it won't be possible to get there that night even if we don't use a JR pass?
  • Wayne --
    It appears you are absolutely fixed on your dates. If you really want to get down to Osaka on the 25th and go to the Fuji area on Nov 1st, then a pass simply is not any savings to you.

    As far as catching the train, if you wanted to pay for it yourself, then as shown on:
    http://bit.ly/2d76zif
    you can in theory do it. Route 3 has you leaving by 8:11 PM on the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori, where you transfer to the Yamanote Line to get to Tokyo Stn and then catch the bullet train. If you happen to be able to take an earlier train like the Narita Express direct to Tokyo Stn then so much the better.
    If you do manage to catch the train, you should tell your hotel about your late arrival so your reservation is not cancelled. Also as soon as you arrive at Shin-Osaka, you need to hightail it to get the subway down to your hotel; otherwise you may need to take a taxi.
    There could be some flight delay, heavy air traffic, etc., so again, no promises here. But according to the schedule in the link above, in theory you could do it.
  • edited October 2016
    Arthi -
    You could easily go to within walking distance of the beach, but only part of the way there for Hakone and the Hitachi Seaside Park. For Hakone you can take a train to Odawara, and then to save money you can get a Hakone Free Pass.
    http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

    For the Hitachi Seaside Park, you can use the Tokyo Wide Pass up to Katsuta Stn, and then either take a 25 min. bus ride to the Park, or take a non-JR train (not covered) to Ajigaura Stn. Their website has more info:
    http://en.hitachikaihin.jp/access.html

    The Tokyo Wide Pass can take you to many other good places too, including Izu, Kusatsu, Karuizawa, Kawagoe, Nikko, Kamakura, and Takao. Complete info is on:
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html

  • Hi Tenjin!

    Thank you so much for all your help. I got creative with the itenerary and was able to work out my trips without buying the JR Pass. After doing the math, you were correct that it would cheaper doing it another way.

    I wanted to ask if there were any day/night trips you recommend in Osaka and Kyoto.

    Thank you again Tenjin!
  • Hi,
    Sure, there are many. 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. On another evening, you can also go see Kobe.
    As for day trips, you could go see Himeji, which has Japan's best castle. The Kokoen Garden next door is nice as well. A Kansai Area Pass for a day can save money.
    You can also go see places in northern Kyoto, such as Miyama
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3985.html
    and Amanohashidate
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3990.html
    Koyasan is great as a more spiritual experience in Japan, and worth an overnight.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_012.html

    And Nara is an absolute must. It has some of Japan's top sights.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html

    There are some good previews of the places you plan to see on:
    https://www.youtube.com/user/thejapanfaq/videos


  • Hi Tenjin,

    I am going to Japan (My first time!!) arriving on 11/19 (Narita Airport) and leaving on 12/4 (Narita Airport).

    I would like to enjoy the most of Japan. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Okay, please bear with me since I have a lot of questions.... (From Narita I go straight to Tokyo Shinjuku area [hotels?] from 11/19 to 11/27. Leave for Kyoto on 11/28 until I leave on 12/4 (Narita around 6 pm).

    1. I like to see Castles, Shrines, Temples, Museum, Anime, Manga, eat authentic Ramen, ride trains, and do or see other unique stuff. Any suggestions?

    2. I'm considering buying a 14 day green pass (1st class). I need your expert opinion on this. Should I buy a limo bus ticket too (from Narita to my hotel in Tokyo)? Since I am planning to go to Kyoto from Tokyo, maybe use it there so I don't use my days?

    3. My IT is pretty much open at the moment. What's the important highlights that I need to see and experience? I know I can't see everything, but I want to see Tokyo and Kyoto and anything in between. Please Help. What's the most economical route? What's the best use of my time (not going around because I want to see everything, lol) ?

    If I'm going to buy a JR pass I need to do it now so they can Fedex it to me asap. Please help!
  • Hey, Neil.

    Nobody can tell you what the best use if your time is. It's entirely up to you. No single person is the authority on visiting Japan. We can only give our two cents.

    There are websites such as Trip Advisor and Japan Guide, which have thousands of user reviews, impressions or ratings and detailed info for most all of the landmarks and attractions in Japan. Everything is ranked. It only takes time to go through it and come up with a trip plan.
  • edited November 2016
    Hi,
    Well, a few notes - first, it is better to start a new thread with your question than piggybacking on someone else's. As for getting the rail pass, you shouldn't buy anything unless you have a set itinerary first.
    You don't have to get the pass _now_. As long as you have the exchange order before leaving for Japan, you are safe, and if you order it 2 weeks before your departure date, you have a comfortable margin to get it.

    For hotels, I can't even begin to recommend something for you - it is up to your budget and where you are going. You wrote you want a Green Rail Pass, so you want a fancier hotel too? Only you know - try looking at the hotel booking engines like hotels.com and so on. If you can spend one night at a Japanese inn (ryokan), then it would be a good experience for you though.

    For transport to Tokyo, there is the Narita Express, Keisei, limousine bus, and 1000 yen bus. If you have a lot of bags and are staying at or near one of the big tourist hotels, the limousine bus may be the most convenient. But with your schedule, you couldn't use the pass for the Narita Express both ways, so it is up to you, your hotel location, if you want to save money or prefer the convenience, etc.
    http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/
    http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
    http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/special/index.html
    https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
    http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03

    As said, your trip is up to your interests, but you would not make a 14 day pass pay off by just doing a round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. Adding a day trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima would be worth it and make it pay off though, as well as some day trips to places like Nikko, Izu, Kamakura/Enoshima, Kusatsu, etc. There is not much in between Tokyo and Kyoto that is worth seeing. Better to look in the Tokyo and Kansai areas, as well as farther south to Hiroshima, Iwakuni, Kinosaki (if you like hot springs), Koyasan, etc. South of Kansai there are oodles of good places.
    If you like castles, then the best by far is at Himeji, and it makes a good day or half day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3500.html
    The Kokoen Garden next to Himeji Castle is also very good. Hikone, in Shiga, also has a very good original castle. Others like Osaka Castle are fake ferro-concrete reconstructions. If you like anime, then Akihabara in Tokyo is one place to go, as well as the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo.
    For temples and shrines, the best places would be Kyoto and Nara, although there are very good ones in Kamakura and Nikko. For museums, depends on what, but Tokyo and Kyoto have many.

    For scenery, there is Hakone and the Fuji 5 Lakes area - both are very good. The JR Pass won't help much though - some Odakyu passes can save you some money.
    http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/

    You will also be going in koyo season - the peak of the autumn colors and it is just fantastic. Some popular places may be a lot more crowded though. Here are some famous places to see the colors:
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_where.html

    Some good websites to look through for more ideas are:
    http://www.japan-guide.com
    http://www.jnto.go.jp

    http://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html
    http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/
    http://www.kyoto.travel/

    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html
  • edited October 2016
    Sorry about the "piggybacking". It's my first time writing on a forum. Anyway, thank you very much for all the suggestions. I guess I have to make myself clear next time, I was looking for anybody's experience and suggestions... Thank you again for all the help!
  • edited October 2016
    I will definitely check out all the websites and do more research. Thanks!
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