Hi everyone! I’ll be traveling to Japan Jan 14-29 with my GF, it will be my third time going to Tokyo but my first time in Kyoto / Osaka as well as Nagano (To visit the snow monkeys!).
I’m really just looking for recommendations and worthy day-trips to do while I’m in the Kansai region (In addition to Nara, Arashiyama, etc)
Im also looking to see if I can get any advice on what would be worth it, a 7-day or 14-day JR pass.
Right now, it seems like it makes more sense to pay for the NXT and Nizomi at ticket price and start the 7-day pass in the middle of my trip, since its the same price as just paying for the 14-day pass but I get access to Nizomi
Day 1 – Arrive Narita 4:30 PM, Send luggage via delivery to Kyoto- Take NXT to Tokyo station, take Nozomi to Kyoto (Part of why I want to just do a 7-day pass is so I can use the Nizomi)
Day 2 – Explore department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan and AEON MALL) around our Hotel (Hyatt Regency Kyoto)
Day 3 – Activate 7 day JR Pass – Visit [**Fushimi Inari-Taisha**](https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/fushimi-inari-taisha-shrine) and [**Kinkakuji** ](https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/kinkaku-ji-golden-pavilion), maybe Himeji Shrine
Day 4 – Visit [Arashiyama](https://www.insidekyoto.com/arashiyama-bamboo-grove) in the morning (Anyone knows if we can expect snow Jan 17?)
Day 5 – Visit Nara
Day 6 – Go to Osaka in the AM (Staying at hotel in Osaka for one night) Explore Dotonburi area, malls, and eat around
Day 7 – (Reservation at [Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M](https://www.matsusaka-projects.com/english/)) Visit department stores and shop around. Return from Osaka back to Kyoto
Day 8 – Explore Kyoto (Visit Nishiki Market and walk around surrounding areas)
Day 9 – Leave Kyoto to Nagano (Kyoto – Kanzawa – Nagano) Staying at Senjukaku for 1 night to visit the Snow Monkey Park
Day 10 – Leave Nagano early in morning to Tokyo (JR Pass ends)
Day 11 – Staying in Ginza, Shop around Ginza, visit Pokemon Center DX, visit Harajuku
Day 12 – Go to Akiahabra, Shop around Akihabra for anime things, spend most of the day in surrounding area
Day 13 – Leave Ginza to Go to Hotel in Odaiba, go to DisneySea
Day 14 – Explore department stores in Odaiba, AQUA center
Day 15 – Last day in Tokyo, leave HND
Does it make sense to purchase the JR pass like I am? Based on my trip to Nagano, Osaka, Nara, maybe Kobe, it pays off, but im wondering if I should just do a 14-day pass just in case I need it in Tokyo? If the calculator I use says its a close call, is it better to just pay each time so I have flexibility?
Any additional recommendations would be appreciated! Thank you all!
1 comment
You are wrong about start day of the pass. 3 to 10 is 8 days.
If it is a close call, it only give you more flexibility to do expensive JR rides, but will force you to use JR even if not the most convenient, like Kintetsu to Nara would get you closer to the park.
I would properly change hotel to Osaka for a bit longer and from there do not return to the hotel in Kyoto, if you do Himeji, you can do it from Osaka using the JR west Kansai area pass, you have to take the rapid train instead of the Shinkansen but it is not much slower.