Only 6nights/5 days in Tokyo but want to experience Shinkansen

roselle

I only have 5 days and a bit in Japan and will mostly spend it in Tokyo (travelling with a teenager). However, we would like to experience Shinkansen as well and thinking of a daytrip to Kyoto.

Questions:
1. Would it be better if we join a 1day tour to Kyoto and not buy a 7-day JR pass? And whilst in Tokyo, just pay for train tickets as we go? We are mainly just going to go to Shibuya, Ginza, Takeshita St. only.

2. OR should I buy a 7-day JR pass and go to Kyoto by ourselves? I'm also thinking of the convenience and not having to stress about whether I'm catching the right train to Kyoto.

Thanks

Tenjin

It would be very ill-advised to go to Kyoto for just a day. If you used a pass then one way would take about 3 hours to get there, meaning 6 hours on the train round trip - and if you are going during fall or winter, there is even less daylight time so you won't be able to see much at all.
If you really want to go, it is at least worth an overnight and 2 days. The most cost effective (and fastest) way to go there is using the japanican discount ticket.
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK1/
You can take the fastest bullet train with it and be there in 2½ hours.

If you main goal is just riding the bullet train, then you hardly have to go to Kyoto to do that. You can get a Tokyo Wide Pass and take some bullet trains to places like Nikko, Karuizawa or Kusatsu, and all make great day trips from Tokyo. Plus it costs about 1/3 of the 7 day JR Pass
for 3 consecutive days of travel.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html

roselle

thank you!

roselle

If I buy a Tokyo Wide Pass to enable me ride a shinkansen and if I want to ride the subways/metro - do I need to buy the Tokyo Metro Pass as well?

Tenjin

You never "need to" buy a metro pass - the question is if you'll save money using one. You can see them on:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03

A 1 day pass is nearly impossible to make worthwhile. But if you do a moderate amount of sightseeing across the city, a 2 or 3 day pass can save you some good money.