We are going to Japan for 17 days during July.
day 1-6- Tokyo
day 7-8- Takayama- Shirakawa go
day 9-10- Nagiso- Kiso Valley: Magome and Tsuamgo
day 11-17- Kyoto
1. Trips from Tokyo-Takayama-Nagiso, are they covered by JR Pass? which would be the best way to travel?
2. JR Pass, what are the advantages of taking the green pass? are we able to book a seat, and, eventually how?
3. Given that we will be tired after 12 hours flight and with two girls, Is the limousine bus the best way to get to Tokyo from Narita? Any other recommendation?
4. Any recommendation on transportation around Tokyo and Kyoto?
4. SIM card or portable WIFI?
thank you in advance for your help
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The routes are fine except there is no train to Shirakawago - you'll need to pay for the bus to go there. As for the Green Pass, it has better seats, but the ordinary seats are perfectly fine. It's up to you if you want to pay extra. You can see pictures of both on
https://www.quora.com/Is-the-first-class-Japan-Rail-Pass-ticket-much-better-than-the-regular
Reservations can be done in any JR office.
There are certainly alternatives to the orange limousine bus - it can be convenient if you have a lot of bags and if it's going to your hotel, but otherwise you can look at the ¥1000 bus:
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
or look into a Keisei+Metro package:
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/special/index.html
There is also a 3 day subway pass which is very economical:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03
For Kyoto, there is a ¥500 bus day pass which is good.
For SIM cards or portable wi-fi, both are available and have their advantages. There are disposable sim cards like by
https://www.econnectjapan.com/products/sim/
http://umobile.jp/d/lp/prepaid/eng.html
but you can only use it for data and not voice calls.
For wi-fi there are so many places to rent from...
www.econnectjapan.com
www.mobal.com
www.globaladvancedcomm.com
www.rentafonejapan.com
www.ninjawifi.com/en
www.sakuramobile.jp
japan-wireless.com
japanwifibuddy.com
japan-wifi.net
...to name a few.
All the wi-fi rentals essentially use the same networks to connect, so availability is more or less comparable. Be sure however to check daily data limits and factor in any delivery charges. Choose the price and plan that suits you best. Note that just getting one at the airport may be far more expensive than reserving a unit online ahead of time.
On another note, 6 days is way too much for Tokyo - take some good day trips to places like Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, Karuizawa, Izu or Kusatsu. A Tokyo Wide Pass can save you some money also.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html
And for Kyoto, don't skip Nara either - it is well worth it.
Aside of Nara, is there any other day trip we should considerar when staying at Kyoto?
Are the Ltd Exp trains included in the jrpass?
Is JR taita Line included in the jrpass?
Thank you very much.
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 after Kyoto, you could go and visit Kobe. And if you'd like to see a real spiritual side to Japan, take a day and and an overnight to see Koyasan.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_012.html
You also might find Kyoto to be very muggy and hot in July (Tokyo too, but not as much). You might consider taking a day and seeing Kibune or Kurama.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3967.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3933.html
Ltd express trains are covered by the pass as well as all JR routes. You can see a few exceptions though on:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html
Thanks
The subways are privately owned (not run by JR) and are therefore not covered by any JR Pass.
Japan Experience
The Pasmo is refundable. You will receive your initial 500 yen deposit in addition to the card's balance, minus a small processing fee.
You will probably want to return your Pasmo at the last opportunity, before departing at Narita airport. You may do so at the Keisei counter located in the underground rail station.
If you intend to re-visit Japan in the next 10 years, you may also keep the Pasmo card. You'll be able to continue using it.