To go to Kyoto or not?
 

Hi there,

Is it worth it to go to Kyoto for only one night? We are planning to buy a Japan Rail Pass but don't think we can squeeze in two nights there as we want to go have sufficient time in Tokyo as well as maybe visit Hakone. Can you please give me advice. We have 6 full days in Japan in July.

Thank you so much!

With 6 full days, I don't think Kyoto is going to fit in comfortably unless you can spend at least 2 days there.

A JR Pass may not be the best way to go if you are going to only Tokyo and Hakone, but it would be if you added in Kyoto.

I think it depends on why you are going to Japan. I would spend less time in Tokyo and stay 2 nights in Kyoto, but that's because I enjoy the more traditional aspects of Japan.

No, it is not worth it. Figure that adding Kyoto to your itinerary would cost you around 20,000 yen per person. A JR Pass would be a waste of money if you didn't go to Kyoto.

My figuring is that you'd spend about 8300 around Tokyo, including airport transfers. If you add Kyoto then you'd want to spend the extra 20,000 for a 7-day JR Pass.