Originally Posted by
jaybett4
Do you think it is too much to go to Kyoto twice for the day? Google maps indicates that it is an hour train ride each way. Would you say that is accurate?
With a JR Pass, you can take any Hikari Shinkansen for the 14 minute ride from
Shin-Osaka. Note that Shin-Osaka, where the Shinkansen stops, is not the same as Osaka - it’s about a 4 minute ride on a local train north of Osaka Station. With a JR Pass, I wouldn’t bother getting a seat reservation, just find a seat in the unreserved cars. Even if they’re full and you have to stand, it’s only 14 minutes.