Hi Guys!
Below is a very rough draft. Let me know what you guys think. I also have questions at the end:
Day 1: Arrive at Haneda Airport. Check into hotel near the Tokyo Station and relax.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo: Shibuya and Akhbara.
Day 3: Activate 7-day JR Pass and head to Kyoto. Check into hotel.
Day 4: Explore Kyoto: Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Day 5: Head to Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima then back to Kyoto.
Day 6: Kyoto to Nara: Visit Nara Park.
Day 7: Head back to Tokyo.
Day 8: Explore Tokyo: Ueno, Shinjuku
Day 9: Fly home
Questions:
1. Is the 7-day JR Pass sufficient for the plan above?
2. Can I ride each bullet train without reserving a seat? If I need to, can I do it at the station 5 minutes before the train? How often do each of these trains run?
3. Is there a train that runs directly to Nara Station from Kyoto Station? Isn’t the last stop Kamikoma? Is it JR Pass eligible?
4. How much Yen should I load into a Suica to tour the Yamanote Line?
5. Any recomendations on cheap hotels near Tokyo Station?
2 comments
3. Yes there is a new green train to Nara you can catch from the Karasuma subway line (Shijo St. Kyoto St.,etc) it’s direct and will take you all the way there to Kintetsu Nara Station.
I suggest downloading google maps it’s very useful to figuring out the trains.
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1. Yes, the 7-day pass is sufficient.
2. You can take all bullet trains without reserving a seat with your JR Pass, save for the Nozomi and Mizuho trains on which the pass is not valid. Google Maps and Hyperdia can give you train schedules.
3. There is a direct JR train from Kyoto to Nara. You have two choices of train to go from Kyoto to Nara: JR, the station is farther from Nara Park where the attractions are concentrated, but it’s included in your pass; Kintetsu’s Nara station is much closer, but JR passes aren’t usable on it. If you don’t mind a long walk, the JR option is worth it – lots of interesting shopping between JR Nara and Nara Park, and there’s a loop bus if you want to take that.
Sorry I can’t answer 4 and 5 for you, not so familiar with Tokyo.