Originally Posted by
KenKix
I used to live in Kyoto.
1) If you go to only Kyoto, I don't recommend JR pass. See comparison below. Less flexibility and higher price.
Tokyo - Kyoto RT (Nozomi) = 27,040 yen
Tokyo - Kyoto RT (Hikari or Kodama) = 26,440 yen
7 days JR pass (can not use Nozomi) = 28,300 yen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N700_Series_Shinkansen
KenKix
So, you save 1,300 yen if you only buy the RT tickets for ONE-TIME use, versus a JR Pass good for 7 days, on any JR trains anywhere in Japan, other than Nozomi, including the NEX between NRT and Tokyo Proper.
And you think the 1300 extra yen is not worth to get the 7 day JR Pass? RT NEX would cost you 3110 x 2 = 6220 r/t already.
The time difference between Nozomi and Hikari is hardly a factor, imo.
Not to mention with the JR Pass, you can go in and out the station by simply showing your pass at the manned transtile - which turns out to be a very handy usage at Shinjuku or Tokyo Station as going directly thru the train station from one side to the other side is much shorter in distance than winding around it when you cannot be inside as you dont have a ticket.
JR Pass can be used anywhere in Japan, versus the regional passes by JR East and JR West. (they are just slightly cheaper.)
JR Pass easily is the best bargain a visitor to Japan can find - that is the reason why it is NOT available inside Japan.