Originally Posted by
Gradfly
It depends. I do agree if you're going to stay within a certain region, then the regional passes work out better. If your schedule involves traveling through multiple prefectures and cities, then the JR PASS might be the better option.
Totally agree it depends. But even if you are not staying in a region it can often not make any sense.
The JR network is convoluted; there is a reason they are losing so much money, because the private companies have much better networks and the lines you will want to go on.
If I was flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka via Kyoto I would very much recommend buying the $4 a day city wide passes in each city and the $40 Shinkansen ticket from Kanto to Kansi, and probably the $75 Hokuriku ticket to experience the mountain pass.
It's not just about the money (even though it is), but wasting your time circling around on the Yamanote line, or Osaka loop line when you could be going direct between the places you want to makes no sense when you have spent thousands on your trip.
So many friends regret it, and end up paying directly because it makes more sense.
Just saying to plan ahead.