Vixer

Hi Everyone!
I am in my final stage of planning our Japan Itinerary and just cant figure out if I should get the JR pass or not. I have worked it out and the pass costs $330 Canadian locally and I would need to get it tomorrow (kind of a pain have to go downtown to get it) from what I can tell the trips, if I pay as I go, costs 28 584 Yen or $330 Canadian so its a wash... I may be wrong on this but when I plug it all in to HyperDia, this is what I get...... (Planning a trip to Japan takes a lot of prep as you all know)

Here is my itinerary;
March 27 Arrive Tokyo- Take Limousine Bus to Hotel
March 31 - ACTIVATE 7 DAY JR PASS- Maybe use in Tokyo before leaving for Hakone
April 02 Depart Shinjuku Station for Odawara (to get to Hakone)
April 03 Odawara - Kyoto
April 06 Kyoto - Haneida Airport Total Pay as I go - YEN 28 584


Am I right on this? Does anyone know something I don't? At this point I think I may get the pass just in case I want to take an extra trip, that said, I feel that it is unlikely I will use it beyond the trip Shinjuku-Odawara-Kyoto-Haneida.because I already have a pretty full itinerary.

If anyone can confirm my price that would be so helpful! I just feel like I need some confirmation that I am on the right track here.

Thanks so much Vixer

CaliforniaLady

Hi Vixer,

I'm just about to start dinner for a hungry husband, so I don't have time to double check your math right now. However, did you include the reserved seat fare in your calculation? It comes up right with the fare, but you have to pay it, even though you don't reserve a seat. If you did, then your math is probably right.

If it's a wash, it's a personal decision as to whether you want to schlep downtown right before you leave. I have never bought a JR Pass, because it has never paid off, it's too much trouble to get one, and it's one more thing to possibly lose. I would probably spend my last moments picking up more clothes at Nordstrom.

Vixer

Thanks California Lady! Makes perfect sense!

doug_stallings

I did almost the same itinerary last year. What made the JR Pass work for me was that I took a day-trip to Nara from Kyoto and rode the train to the airport after my trip from Kyoto back to Tokyo. And I think seat reservations are free for pass holders and there's a small charge otherwise.

BigRuss

Get the pass. If you want to add, subtract, rearrange or whatever, it's useful. Plus, you can use it on local JR trains in Tokyo and Kyoto.

mrwunrfl

This would be cheaper:
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/det...U&kw=E-Voucher

You would have to pay ¥1,320 (71 minutes) on a regular Tokaido line train from Odawara to Shinagawa where you would exchange the voucher and board the shinkansen to Kyoto.

Your use of the pass in Tokyo will be minimal.

You can take the Odakyu train ¥880 from Shinjuku to Odawara.

If you want to go to Nara then it is only ¥710 each way from Kyoto.

Unlike Doug, you won't be able to take JR to the airport. He must have been using Narita Airport.

You are going to Haneda from Kyoto, and would take the shinkansen back to Shinagawa and then Keikyu train to Haneda (you will pay that ¥410 whether you get the pass or not).

Seats would be unreserved.

One time, I bought a voucher for a JR Pass on departure day at the airport. ANA was selling them (at IAD) only to pax on their flights. That, of course, might not be an option for you, but it might be if you are flying ANA or JAL.

mrwunrfl

21,600 for the E-voucher
880 (regular Odakyu, not limited express)
1,320 (Odawara to Shinagawa)
=====
23,800

pay as you go
880 Shinjuku to Odawara
12,490 Odawara to Kyoto (Hikari)
14,110 Kyoto to Shinagawa (Nozomi)
======
27480

But the JR Pass part is only 26,600 and includes reserved seats. Using a Hikari from Kyoto would save maybe 300 yen or so.

Shinjuku to Odawara on JR can cost as much as ¥5,410 and could be 30 minutes faster, even with the transfer, than the regular Odakyu train.

I have not used the E-voucher before. Read all the rules.

<b>Important:</b> you will NOT be able to use the E-voucher to board the shinkansen at Odawara. You have to board at Shinagawa (or Tokyo) and take the train all the way to Kyoto.

>>I think I may get the pass just in case I want to take an extra trip
That would be the reason for getting a JR Pass, imo. That plus it is convenient to use.

Vixer

Thanks everyone, I made the trek into the Big City to get the JR Pass so I set to go. Your comments really helped make the final decision to go with the Pass.

laurarc

I think if you go to Nara or Osaka from Kyoto, you may actually save some money with the JR Pass. Make sure to check the latest prices, though... http://www.jrailpass.com.

adammck

It's best to use Hyperdia to make sure that it's worth getting the Japan Rail Pass or not. You can use the tool and calculate all your trips and then simply compare it versus the price of the JR Pass you intend to purchase. If it's pretty close then I suggest getting a Japan Rail Pass since it saves a bit of time at the train station and if you miss your train well you can always just get on the next time.

I'd suggest getting a Pasmo card for when in Tokyo since not much is covered by the pass. But you can use the Yamanote line to get to all the main stations.

You can read more about the Japan Rail Pass and how it works here: japanrailpass.com.au - Unfortunately it's only for Australians but it had the most indepth information

Have a great trip

adammck

Sorry the page didnt come through correctly its http://www.japanrailpass.com.au/