Optimizing my JR Pass - please help!
 

I am traveling to Japan for a total of 22 days but I'm not sure a 21-day pass makes the most sense for my itinerary as I'm spending a good amount of time in Kyoto and Tokyo (at the beginning and end of my trip). Would it make sense to buy the 4-day Kansai pass at the beginning of my trip and something else for the end?

I'm going in late September, and it appears that the JR Central pass will be discontinued (and would have worked better with my itinerary), and I’m not sure the Hokuriku pass would be beneficial since I’m in Kyoto for 5 days.

Someone from JR Pass forum recommended that I pay as I go. Another recommended buying the 14-day pass, starting with the day we leave Kyoto to go to Kanazawa, so now I’m confused.

I am open to any suggestions, as I don't need to use the same pass for the entire trip. Please advise.

Thanks in advance!


Day 1: KIX to Nara (bus or train?)

Day 3: Nara to Kyoto with stop in Uji

Day 5: Kyoto – day trip to Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

Day 7: Kyoto to Kanazawa with stop in Hikone (or Lake Biwa)

Day 9 and 11: Kanazawa – possible day trip to Wajima; possible day trip to Yamanaka Onsen

Day 12: Kanazawa to Takayama with possible stop in Shirawago (bus)

Day 14: Takayama to Matsumoto (bus)

Day 15: Matsumoto – possible day (or overnight trip) to Tsumago

Day 16: Matsumoto (or Tsumago) to Tokyo

Day 20: Tokyo – possible side trip to Kamakura, Nikko or Hakone

Day 22: Tokyo to Narita

I don't know enough about the passes to be able to tell you whether a pass makes sense or not. I can say that with our trip a pass was more expensive than buying individual tickets. The only way to tell is to take a look at the hyperdia website and do the math.

>>Someone from JR Pass forum recommended that I pay as I go.

That person gave you the right advice.

The Hokuriku Area Pass would do you some good. Use it on day 7 to get from Tsuruga to Kanazawa. That fare is ¥4,100 without a reserved seat. The pass is only ¥5000.

... So, if you decide not to take a day trip on Day 9 then you will be out ¥900.

The full JR Pass would not pay off for your plans. But paying as you go would cost you a lot more than you need to as well. Some regional rail passes can save you some money.
For Day 1, look into a cheap bus to Nara:
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/otoku-access/
Nara has some excellent sights - the Todaiji Great Buddha is one of Japan's very best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiGqHkHIPWs
Nara Park has a lot of great places, such as Kasuga Shrine, Kofukuji Temple, and feeding the many deer in the area. A few other great places missed out even by those who go to Nara though are the Isuien
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk-7IoLELio
and Yoshikien Gardens. They are gorgeous and not crowded at all.

If you are open to expanding your plans a bit, for example to do a day trip and see Himeji (Japan's finest castle), then a Kansai Area Pass would save you some money:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_03.html
The The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass might also help you:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_t..._hokuriku.html
Your last 3 days can be helped with a Kanto Area Pass, going to Nikko, Odawara for Hakone (and then using a Hakone Free Pass), and the Narita Express from Tokyo to the airport.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html

For Yamazaki visit, make sure you book to go on the free distillery tour at least 1 day ahead. It's free but you need to book a place. Advise them you'll need the English audio guide (unless you speak Japanese). Do not miss visitnig the whisky library after the included tasting at the end of the tour.
Here are our experiences there:
http://www.petedrinks.com/2012/11/wh...stillery-tour/
http://www.petedrinks.com/2012/11/wh...hisky-library/