Originally Posted by
kzap
Is it really not worth the cost if you are not taking the N'EX to get the 7 day JR pass if you are just going to be in Kyoto and Tokyo?
Should one get this Japanican voucher to be able to use Nozomi with non reserved seats?
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/det...31MKC/?aff=EXJ
Where else would one be able to use the JR Pass on their Tokyo/Kyoto trip? Wont it be useful if going to Hakone, Nikko, or Nara?
If the round trip to/from Kyoto is all the non-local rail travel planned then no, it is
not worth it. The round trip ticket cost is 27,200 yen and the 7-day ordinary Pass costs 29,110.
If additional longish rail travel is also planned, then the Rail Pass might make sense. Adding Nikko, Himeji or Hiroshima would definitely make it worthwhile but short trips like Nara would not. It all depends on what travel is planned beyond the main round trip. There is little local JR travel in Tokyo or Kyoto that would make use of the Rail Pass. Local prepaid transit cards like the Suica, which are good on the subways and local rail lines, are more efficient and effective.
EDIT: I see that Evergreen posted at the same time making virtually the same points. Most of us have considerable experience making the Rail Pass either work or not work for each specific trip.