I am planning a two-city Japan trip -- spending part of the time in Tokyo and part in Kyoto. I'll do the transpacific legs on AA (thanks to generous upgrades for EXPs), but I think I'd like to fly from Tokyo Narita to Kyoto immediately upon arrival in Japan. (Basically, I'll fly BOS-ORD-NRT-Kyoto-/x/-NRT-ORD-BOS.)

I'm not picky as between Osaka Itami and Kansai airports. I gather Itami is closer to the city (?), so it's probably preferable if I have a choice.

My problem at the moment: How to get the NRT-Kyoto segment? AA.com doesn't seem to want to add it as an interline segment (even when I specifically request this via the Multiple Stops system that ordinarily works in this situation). And even expedia.com doesn't see the JAL flights that I gather (from the JAL Flight Status page -- http://www.5971.jal.co.jp/cgi-bin/db2www/jtime_eng.d2w/report ) really do exist.

Suggestions? Should the interline with AA work? If not, how best to get a good one-way ticket? (Or round trip w/ throwaway if that's cheaper.) Agree that this preferable to taking the train (slower, may require change of trains, I'm already at NRT, perhaps even more costly)?

Happy to reciprocate if anyone wants help planning a trip to BOS or DC!

I now see in Expedia a $157.50 one-way fare on ANA79 (NRT-ITM, connecting quite well with my AA arrival in NRT). Can't find anything on JAL, though, which would let me earn AA miles and which might treat me better (thanks to AA EXP) in case of irregular operations.

Further guidance still much appreciated.

Excuse my spelling. I think ANA and JAL are
still locked in a pricing battle called-
chowari. Not sure of spelling. I thought
this domestic only fare was about 10,000 yen
(less than $100 US). Call ANA.

Visit Japan Fare (ANA) or Welcome to Japan Fares (JAL) which is 12,000 yen + tax per sector with minimum purchase of two sectors.

ANA link : http://svc.ana.co.jp/eng/whatsnew/campaigns/index_japan.html

JAL link : http://www.japanair.com/Promotions/Welcome2Japan.htm

Rtwstaralliance and DCW, thanks very much for the suggestions. These seem very reasonable to me -- and I can satisfy the two-segment requirement by flying back to HND (Tokyo Haneda) rather than taking the train.

Any suggestions on a travel agent with which to book these? (Each URL in DCW's message says "contact your travel agent" to make the bookings.) I don't need anything fancy -- web-based is fine, or telephone; presumably in the US since I am; trustworthy; etc.

Many thanks.

(Edited to fix typos.)

[This message has been edited by bedelman (edited 01-14-2002).]

I called the JAL reservations folks. They report that JAL 153 (NRT-ITM) is full on the day I need.

Then ANA says that they have a blackout on their Visit Japan fares from March 15 to March 31, fully covering my trip.

So it looks like I may have to book the $156 one-way (via Expedia or ANA directly)... still probably better than the train, though.

It takes about 1hour-1280Yen from ITM to Kyoto by bus.
So I think the train is better than the plane, not bad at least.

From NRT to Kyoto by train:
Go to Tokyo on NEX(Narita Express) then change to Nozomi-Shinkansen.
It takes about 3h50m 16500yen (less than $130) overall.
You can also use Hikari type shinkansen from Tokyo.
It takes about 4h10m 15500yen overall.
JR's official web site (in English): http://www.japanrail.com/

And JR-Central sells discount ticket for Kyoto visitors called "Kyo-no yu-yu kippu".
It includes RT shinkansen fare between Tokyo and Kyoto, 1day free subway and bus ride in Kyoto City,
and a book of discount coupons valid for some facilities and sightseeing bus.
It is valid for 4days, and some various are available (i.e. 28400Yen(Nozomi type) or 26500Yen(Hikari type)).
Narita is in the JR-East area, so if you want to buy this ticket in Japan you must get off at Tokyo, go out through a wicket,
and buy at "Midorino-Madoguchi" (ticket office).
I don't know the agents outside of Japan sell this discount ticket or not.
But I think it is worth asking the Japanese travel agencies in US like
IACE TRAVEL: http://www.iace-usa.com/html/english.html
Kintetsu International: http://www.kintetsu.com/main_eng.html

In Kyoto March is the season of the plum-blossom.
Have Fun!



[This message has been edited by maru_hi (edited 01-23-2002).]

An update -- I ended up concluding that the train, via a Visit Japan rail pass -- would be a better option for my trip. Ended up doing NRT-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo-NRT which worked wonderfully.

Thanks to everyone here for the helpful advice!