Hello Japan experts!
I will be visiting with a buddy on mid-March. I fly into NRT-Tokyo and plan to stay three days, take the high speed train to Kyoto and stay two nights, then 2 nights in Osaka via the high speed train. Then back to Tokyo HND for my return flight. Based on this trip, is a JR pass recommended? I really want to take the limo bus from NRT to my tokyo hotel-Hyatt regency but realize the JR pass covers the NRT express which will get me there but need to switch stops to get to the Shinjuku station. If the JR pass is not needed, I really don't prefer to get the JR pass .

We plan on just playing it by ear and just do some spontaneous things around those three cities but I have read in the forums that Nara is a trip I can tack on easily. Will the JR pass get me there?

Any advice is appreciated.

Welcome to Flyer Talk.

Needed isn't a word I would use but yes, the 7-day JR Rail Pass would save you some money on this itinerary.

The trick here would be to activate the Pass for the day or two before you go to Kyoto. From there, you could use it for the trip to Kyoto, a round trip day to/from Nara, the trip from Kyoto to Osaka, the trip back to Tokyo and any other rail travel on JR lines during that 7-day period. That all adds up to a modest savings even though you won't be going back out to NRT for the flight home. I would get one just for the convenience even if the savings were only break-even.

Have you thought your itinerary through? Kyoto and Osaka are only minutes apart on the shinkansen (bullet train) and not much more on local trains. They are easily day-trippable from one to the other. We usually suggest staying in one or the other so as to avoid moving hotel more than necessary. Day trips from either one are easy with a Rail Pass to Kyoto/Osaka, Nara, Horyuji, Hikone/Lake Biwa, Himeji (best original castle in the country) and even a long day to Hiroshima.

Thanks for your reply. I think I have miscalculated my the use of the 7 day pass (thought I could activate when I land and then still have time for my RT back to HND). I arrive on March 12th and fly out on a redeye on March 20th so basically leaving Osaka on the train on the 19th. Activating it a day or two after I get to the hotel makes sense as there is also a train back to HND airport right (Can't remember the name of it but read it is pretty scenic).

Right now we are booked at the Hyatt Kyoto for two nights (pretty expensive) and two nights at the (Crowne plaza) in Osaka. I don't think we have enough points for four nights in Kyoto. The Hyatt Regency in Osaka is an option for four nights but from what I can see, it is so far out from everything. We really want to just get out of our hotel and walk and get the trip going instead of having to take a taxi or subway if we stayed at the Hyatt Osaka. From what I have researched thus far, both the Hyatt Kyoto and Crowne plaza in osaka are pretty good in terms of being in the city and having the JR stations pretty close by.

Thanks again for your recommendation!

The HR Kyoto is in a very nice location, next door to one of the recommended sites (Sanjusangendo Hall) across the street from the museum, across another street from a large temple and short walk from several others, and right on one of the best tourist-oriented bus lines with a stop right outside. Plus it is a very nice stay. Can't comment on the CP Osaka, never been there.

You can activate the Rail Pass upon arrival if you want. Just tell them you want it to start a few days later. You specify the dates for it to be active. Actually, you will have a form filled out with dates and such before you get there. Just be prepared for a line to get to the counter at NRT for activation as everyone arriving at the same time will be there too. If you wait and drop in to Tokyo Station or whatever main JR station is close to your hotel, you might not have as long a wait in line.

Yes, the main disadvantage of activating the JR Pass at NRT is that the lines may be really long if a lot of flights full of tourists have arrived at the same time.

Take the limo bus to the Hyatt Regency, and validate the pass at Shinjuku Station, the nearest major station to the Hyatt, before you leave Tokyo. The pass is not valid on Tokyo subways, the most comprehensive transit network, so for maximum flexibility for travel in the city, buy a Suica debit card, which is usable on all subways and train lines that you are likely to use.

Thanks for the advice. Any tips on getting back from Osaka to hnd? I think the high speed rail will take me back to Tokyo but does it connect to the monorail to the airport, or do I have to get off at a station in Tokyo and take a can to monorail. Believe the monorail is included in jr pass as well

Since you will be getting to the Hyatt Regency by limo it is not relevant here but you can go from NRT to Shinjuku station by N'EX without changing.

Get off the Shinkansen at Shinagawa, change to the Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line to Hamamatsucho (2 stops) and change to the monorail. Yes, the monorail is included in the JR Pass.

As are the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines.

By the way, when you use the JR Pass, you will find that most of the turnstiles are automated and require you to insert your ticket. However, the turnstile farthest to the right is staffed (I believe it's mostly used by people with disabilities), and you just show your pass to the person on duty, who will wave you through.

Yes, that is a point we sometimes forget to mention. For some deluxe trains and shinkansens, seat reservations are either necessary or a good idea. To do that, you go to the JR ticket counter ("green window") at the nearest station, show your pass and get the seat tickets. You then show your Rail Pass as you pass through the manned gate to the right of the turnstiles to get to the platforms and show the ticket to the conductor on the train, along with your Pass.

For local trains or to sit in the non-reserved cars of the shinkansen, you don't need a ticket, just show the Pass as you pass through the manned gate to the right of the turnstiles.

Thanks for the info guys. We will have luggage with us since so good to reserve or can we just do the non-reserve.

Definitely do this if possible. Also a vote for Himeji Castle from me.

Reservations are a good idea and are necessary if you bought a green car rail pass. Be careful about which trains you're entitled to with your rail pass, though. Japan-guide.com is a fantastic resource for this and you can search between city pairs for the best train to take.

Thanks, we are going to have check in luggage with us too when going through the diff cities. Any advice whether reservations are recommended or can we just do the non reserve ones. We plan on going to Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo during non-peak hours, 10-11 am or even in the early afternoon.

Reservations are not needed for luggage but there is limited space for large bags in the shinkansen cars. The reserved seat cars may be less crowded so the limited space behind the last row of seats may go farther.

Why in the world would anyone need large checked luggage for a 1-week visit? A normal-sized roll-aboard bag will fit on the overhead rack of the shinkansen.

To bring home all the shopping, souvenirs, snacks, etc In my last couple of trips I took out (volume-wise) twice as much stuff from Japan than what I brought in.