JR Pass - Kyoto. Kanazawa, Takayama, Nagoya in December

Nicknat63

Hi There

I need some help and advise on travel plans for my family December trip.
I will be travelling with the family to Kyoto for 4 nights, follow by Kanazawa 2 nights, Takayama 3 nights, Nagoya 1 night then back to Kyoto for Christmas for 3 nights. This is my first time to Kansai.

Can someone tell me if I should get the JR passes (7 days / 14 days)?
Or should I just go by the day trips?

How can I go around with the travels, what are the train lines that I should use?

Do I need to book buses from Kanazawa to Takayama or take the train from Kanazawa to Takayama directly?

Also, anyone can tell me if there is a place or anywhere that I can store my luggages in Kyoto for a week?

Thanks

Tenjin

Neither a 7 nor a 14 day pass would pay off for your plans. If you travel around the area of Takayama (Shirakawago, Gokayama, Gero Onsen etc) you _might_ make a Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass pay off although it won't cover your whole trip.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_takayama_hokuriku.html
But it's up to how much you travel within the validity period.
You can see regular rail fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com
You can take either a bus or train from Kanazawa to Takayama. It is all up to your plans on what to see.
I suggest you flesh out your plans more to get a better idea of what works best for you.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5900.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5950.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5990.html

For the luggage question, a takuhaibin might help:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Nicknat63

Hi , Can I know how can I book buses from Kanazawa to Takayama? Is it possible to book in advance online.

For train from Kyoto to Kanazawa, from Takayama to Nagoya, can I book train tickets in advance?

Thanks

Tenjin

I've never heard of booking online, and there is more than one bus company. You might look at:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_shoryudo.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html
The trains can't be done online but you can do it at any JR office.

pstoh

Hi, l am using Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass from Nagoya -Takayama - Kanazawa - Kyoto.. l am plnning to visit Shirakawago & Gokayama for half day. l would like to know which is better, from Takayama to Shirakawago, Gokayama or from Kanazawa to Shirakawago, Gokayama? l only stay one night in Takayama but 2 nights in Kanazawa. Thank you.

Tenjin

First, it's better to start a new thread and not piggyback your question on someone else's.
Second, it's all up to how you define "better".
By bus, from Takayama to Shirakawago is about 50 minutes and costs 2470 yen; from Kanazawa it takes 75 minutes but it's about 620 yen cheaper.
This page may help you a lot:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5950.html