Japan - Help with Tokyo JR passes

Hi All,

I will be traveling to Tokyo this weekend.

Arriving in NRT, then staying over night in Hilton Shinjuku.
Then morning train to Kyoto. Staying there for 3 days, then fly out of Osaka (KIX) late in the evening.

I was thinking of doing the following:

NRT - Shinjuku on the N'EX.
Shinjuki to Shinagawa on the JR Chuo line.
Shinagawa to Kyoto on the Norizawa Shinkansen

Then I am not sure to Cab Kyoto to Osaka airport of train it? Never been to Kyoto/Osaka.

I can also go to Osaka and spend the afternoon/evening there to check it out.

Any JR passes that will be of any use to me?

Thanks a lot!

E

I highly recommend the Japan Guide website (http://www.japan-guide.com/) and this page (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html) there explains all the different Japan rail passes. Many of the questions you might have will be easily answered there. (For example, I think Narita-Tokyo-Osaka may be more direct and avoid unnecessarily using the Chuo Line.)

A JR pass will cover NEX, etc. but you need to buy some of these passes before you leave the US (and you can pick it up on arrival - such as at NRT JR booth). Given it serves for up to 7 days and costs 28,300 Yen you may find a pass won't really be cost-effective for you.

Shinagawa to Shinjuku (where your hotel is) is a minimal expense, just a couple hundred yen, as is each train or subway ride within Tokyo. The JR Pass cannot be used on the subway or on non-JR commuter trains.

If you are going to take the train to catch the Shinkansen, go after about 9:00AM to avoid rush hour.

The JR Pass is of little use within Kyoto. You are better off getting a local transit pass, because most of the transportation in Kyoto is by bus or subway.

The general rule is that a JR Pass is worth the expense if you are making at least a roundtrip between Tokyo and Kyoto. Otherwise, single tickets are cheaper.

Cabs are expensive in Japan, and it is a long way to either of the Osaka airports. Take the train.

Also, read the links provided and see if you can buy a Japan guidebook before you leave.

Shinjuki to Shinagawa on the JR Chuo line.

For Shinjuku to Shinagawa, take the Yamanote line.

siI highly recommend the Japan Guide website (http://www.japan-guide.com/) and this page (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html) there explains all the different Japan rail passes. Many of the questions you might have will be easily answered there. (For example, I think Narita-Tokyo-Osaka may be more direct and avoid unnecessarily using the Chuo Line.)

A JR pass will cover NEX, etc. but you need to buy some of these passes before you leave the US (and you can pick it up on arrival - such as at NRT JR booth). Given it serves for up to 7 days and costs 28,300 Yen you may find a pass won't really be cost-effective for you.

Very useful information, especially the link to rail pass info. Planning to use the Haruka for KIX-Kyoto next week & reserving a multi-day pass ahead of time looks like a good time saver. Unsure about one aspect; do we need to do a reservation for each of us (since it does ask for passport info, etc)? However, the web form drop-down has an option for the number of travellers. So perhaps one application for a couple is all that's needed? Would appreciate advice. TIA

si

Very useful information, especially the link to rail pass info. Planning to use the Haruka for KIX-Kyoto next week & reserving a multi-day pass ahead of time looks like a good time saver. Unsure about one aspect; do we need to do a reservation for each of us (since it does ask for passport info, etc)? However, the web form drop-down has an option for the number of travellers. So perhaps one application for a couple is all that's needed? Would appreciate advice. TIA

As a practical matter, except during peak holiday travel periods, a reservation can be made on arrival.

... Shinagawa to Kyoto on the Norizawa Shinkansen Nozomi

Then I am not sure to Cab Kyoto to Osaka airport of train it? Never been to Kyoto/Osaka. Which "Osaka Airport?" KIX or ITM? For KIX, I suggest the Japan Rail Airport Express Train "Haruka."

Any JR passes that will be of any use to me? Probably not.

si

Very useful information, especially the link to rail pass info. Planning to use the Haruka for KIX-Kyoto next week & reserving a multi-day pass ahead of time looks like a good time saver. Unsure about one aspect; do we need to do a reservation for each of us (since it does ask for passport info, etc)? However, the web form drop-down has an option for the number of travellers. So perhaps one application for a couple is all that's needed? Would appreciate advice. TIA

It may not be a time saver. When I attempted to pick up my pass at about 11 in the morning, it took over a half hour to wade through the line at the JR West KIX office. A few days later, I was the only person at about 7 am in the same office. I believe the JR West Kansai Pass needs to be picked up from a JR West ticket office, so you can't exchange it in Tokyo/NRT.

The Icoca IC card was a time saver as it allowed me to catch whatever train was next, even if there was a long line at the ticket office, kiosks, or the manual entry gate. You can also add funds to the Icoca before you exit the station, after riding the train as long as you have enough on the card to cover a shorter route.

I've read that Suica works the same at JR West stations but doesn't work on Kyoto busses. Don't know if you can recharge Suica on Icoca machines as I bought a PASMO on my last trip. I would have bought a Suica had I known it would be more accepted outside Tokyo.

Get a "Green" pass, it's just a little more but you get a guarantee reserved seat in the "Green" cars which are like business class seats.

Get a "Green" pass, it's just a little more but you get a guarantee reserved seat in the "Green" cars which are like business class seats.
The green pass does not guarantee a reserved seat.

Shinagawa to Kyoto on the Norizawa Shinkansen

"Norizawa Shinkansen"? That's a new one.

FYI, the line is known as the "Tokaido Shinkansen", and the names of the various services on the line are "Nozomi", "Hikari", and "Kodama", with Nozomi making the fewest stops.

If you use one of the JR passes available to non-residents, you cannot use the Nozomi services -- but based on your itinerary, I wouldn't recommend buying one. Purchasing a Suica N'EX, the Shinkansen ticket, and transport to KIX via the Haruka limited express or a limousine bus separately would be a better deal.

A little late to the party there. OP traveled in April.

A little late to the party there. OP traveled in April.

Still good advice!