Hello and thank you for looking!
My partner and I will be travelling to Japan in October 2024 and I just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for our itinerary. This will be my second time in Japan (studied abroad for 4 months) and my partner’s first. We are using the itinerary as a daily suggestion rather than a strict schedule, as both of us prefer not overly planned trips.
Our interests include seeing shrines and temples, Pokemon/Nintendo, Ghibli, Gundam, parks/nature.
My main question is regarding the JR Rail Pass, is it worth it for my trip? When I went in 2018 I got the 14-day pass but since the price hike, I am wondering if it would be worth it for this trip due to all the travelling and distance. All prices for transportation are listed in Yen.
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Cost of Transport Excluding Non-JR Rail Pass Eligible: ¥74,960
Cost of 14-day rail pass: ¥80,000
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**Day 1:**
Leave Canada to Tokyo
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**Day 2:**
Arrive from Canada to Tokyo (Haneda): Friday October 11 at 3:40pm
* Check into hotel
* Shibuya Crossing and Dinner
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**Day 3:**
* Asakusa:
* Sensoji Temple
* Skytree
* Kirby Cafe
* Akihabara
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**Day 4:**
* Ghibli Museum (AM)
* Ikebukuro:
* Sunshine City
* Surrounding Area
* Shinjuku:
* Gyoen National Park
* Golden Gai
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**Day 5:**
* Harajuku:
* Meji Shrine
* Toge Shrine
* Takeshita Street
* Pom Pom Purin Cafe
* Shibuya:
* Parco
* Shibuya Sky
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**Day 6:**
* Yokohama:
* Cup Noodle Musum
* Gundam factory
* Minato Mirai
* Tokyo Bay:
* Diver City – Giant Gundam
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**Day 7:**
Train to Kamakura from Tokyo, (¥740 x 2)
* Hasedera Temple
* Great Buddha
* Hachimangu Shrine
* Kenchoji Temple
* Hokokuji Temple
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**Day 8:**
Tokyo -> Kanazawa
Check out of hotel, travel to Kanazawa (¥13,850 x 2 (Hakutaka Shikasen)
* Nagamachi
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**Day 9:**
* Kenrokuen park
* Ninjadera
* Nishi Chaya District
* Higashi Chaya District
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**Day 10:**
Kanazawa -> Shirakawago -> Takayama
Check out of hotel, travel by bus to Shirakawago (¥2,600 x 2, not covered by JR Rail Pass)
* Ogiamichi Village
Bus to Takayama (¥2,600 x 2, not covered by JR Rail Pass)
* Higashiyama Walking Course
* Old Town
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**Day 11:**
Takayama -> Kyoto
Check out of hotel, train to Nagoya (Hida Limited Express, ¥6,540 x 2) then Shikasen to Kyoto (¥6,310 x 2)
* Yasaka Pagoda
* Yaska Shrine
* Pontocho Alley
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**Day 12:**
* Fushimi Inari
* Toji Temple
* Kyoto Tower (near hotel)
* Higashi Honganji Temple
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**Day 13:**
* Arashiyama
* Tenruji Temple
* Iwatayama Monkey Park
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**Day 14:**
* Kinkakiji
* Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Kiyomizudera
* Higashiyama
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**Day 15:**
Kyoto -> Osaka
Check out of hotel, Shikasen to Osaka in AM (¥1450 x 2)
* Tenmangu Shrine
* Osaka Castle
* Namba Yasaka Shrine
* Dontonburri
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**Day 16:**
* Osaka Aquarium
* Shitennoji Temple
* Shinsekai
* Dontoburri
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**Day 17:**
Osaka -> Nara -> Hiroshima
Check out of hotel, Train to Nara in AM (¥760 x 2)
* Yomogi Mochi
* Isuien garden
* Kofukuji Temple
* Nara Park
* Kusuga Taisha Shrine
Train to Kyoto (¥720 x 2), Shikasen to Hiroshima (¥11,770 x 2)
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**Day 18:**
* Atomic Bomb Dome
* Peace Memorial Museum and Park
* Mitaki-dera Shrine
* Hiroshima Castle
* Shukkeien Garden
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**Day 19:**
Ferry to Miyajima, (¥200 x 2)
* Momijidani Park
* Mount Misen Summit (Ropeway or 2 hr hike)
* Daisho Temple
* Henjo Cave
* Senjokaku Pavillion
* Eat at Okonomiyaku Kishibe
* Itsukushima Shrine
Ferry to Hiroshima, (¥200 x 2)
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**Day 20:**
Hiroshima -> Hakone
Check out of hotel, Sakura Shikasen to Osaka (¥12,120 x 2), Hikari Shikasen to Odawara (¥17,830 x 2), Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora (¥770 x 2, not covered by JR Rail Pass)
* Ryokan
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**Day 21:**
Hakone -> Tokyo
* Ropeway to Owakudani
* Open Air Museum
Hakone Tozan Railway to Odawara (¥770 x 2, not covered by JR Rail Pass), Kodama Shikasen from Odawara to Tokyo (¥3,280 x 2)
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**Day 22:**
* DisneySea
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**Day 23 and Day 24:**
* Free days in Tokyo
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**Day 25:**
Leave for Canada, flight at 6:55pm
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by ridewaveable