Originally Posted by
FlitBen
Yes, they rely on public transit a lot and would mix and match regular IC card use with whatever else makes economic sense, including local passes from all major rail networks. So, if you will be using IC cards for flexibility around Tokyo, you might swing by a station machine first and check whether the daily pass is on sale for that day.
Unless it's your big trip to Japan or you are all plus-sized, the regular 7-day Pass should suffice. The ride will be equally smooth, regular seats are nearly as spacious as business-class airline seats, and washrooms and other amenities are the same between train cars.
A Suica or Pasmo is good for local rides around Tokyo. Metro or Toei day passes can work, depending on the run of places you are visiting. You could consider a hop-on/hop-off bus pass, the street sighseeing is fun and it goes over the Rainbow bridge to Odaiba, but only on clear days.
In groups, taxis to nearby sites (especially in Kyoto) can be almost as economical while saving time and aggravation. Be aware that a big station like Shinjuku or Tokyo can take as long to negotiate on foot as to ride there from adjacent stations.
Sun - Arrival in Haneda, Keikyu to Shinagawa Sta (Prince Sakura Tower)
Mon - teamLab Planets, a day in Odaiba (Statue Of Liberty, Gundam, Joypolis, etc), Maricar Tokyo Bay BBQ in the evening.
Tues - Disneyland -
Wed - DisneySea -
Skytree in the evening after one of the Disneys
Thurs - Shibuya, Akihabara, Tokyo Dome city combo - Shinjuku Robot Carnival at night
Fri - Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, etc) Yakatabune dinner cruise in the evening,
Thurs/Fri can flip
Sat - Buddha & The Beach - Kotuku In Buddha, Enoshima Island with Iwaya Caves, the beach
Sun - Yokohama (Sea Paradise) then Chinatown, Cosmoworld, Landmark Tower
Mon - Hakone (Ropeway (if open),Lake Ashi, Komagatake Ropeway) maybe the aquarium there
Tues switchover, Nagoya Sumo, Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kobe Ropeway and Harborland, then Osaka Marriott Miyako, MAYBE Dontombori in the evening
Wed - USJ, evening up top Abeno Harukas
Thurs - a day in Kyoto (Arashiyama Monkey Park, Bamboo Grove, Sagano Scenic Railway)
Fri - Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building
Sat - Tennoji Zoo, Shinsekai, Osaka Aquarium
Fri/Sat may swap or have different combos, Tennoji and Shinsakai stay together tho'
There may be a few nights of clubbing (Roppongi in Tokyo, dunno for Osaka), Dontombori in the evening
Sun - leave from Kansai Airport.