Audrey,

One way tickets will likely be cheaper. Note that travel from Tamaya to Kanzawa is best done by bus. In Tokyo, you’ll need to buy a Suica or Passmo card for local transit which can be used in Osaka / Nara too.

As for cheap ways to the airport, I’m guessing public transit is your best bet.

Van,

Buy one way tickets

Arrive at Osaka- 2 days
Fly to kyoto – 2 days
Fly to Tokyo – 3 days
Will depart from Tokyo to Manila

Saw that your comments were very helpful to many people. Could you kindly help me.
My friend and I are flying into Tokyo on 31Oct 2019 and out in Osaka 10 Nov 2019. Please provide some insight as to should I get the JR pass? or just get individual?

My Itinerary are as follows:
31Oct 1035am – reach Tokyo
01 Nov – Tokyo DisneySea
02 Nov – Ksakusa / Sky Tree Sightseeing
03 Nov – Travel to Shirakawa /Tamaya (stay 1 night)
04 Nov – Travel to Kanazawa (Stay 1 night)
05 Nov – Travel to Kyoto
06 Nov – Kyoto -> Nara / Kobe
07 NOv – Travel to Osaka
08 Nov – Osaka Universal Studios
09 Nov – to Riku Premium Outlet
10 Nov – To travel to Osaka Kansei Airport

If needed to get the JR Pass, which date should I start?
Do I need to get the Icoco card as well in Osaka?
Any cost efficient way to airport with 4 large luggages in Osaka?

Thank you very much

Irene,

A 14-day pass would only be worth it if you made a run to Hiroshima so factor that into your planning. If you don’t do Hiroshima a 7-day pass is only worth it if you go to Kyoto from TOkyo and back within that time frame.

Hiroshima is doable in one day. Please check out this guide. https://www.moneywehave.com/hiroshima-and-miyajima-in-one-day-from-kyoto/

we will travel to Japan in December. We are flying into Tokyo and also out of Tokyo.
We will stay for 22/12 until 2 January. Our base will be Tokyo and we are planning to visit places as Kioto, Osaka, Nikko, Hakone even Hirosima (if it’s possible) for one day tours.
I would like to know if it’s worth to get the card and if you think it’s easy to visit these places with train for a day trip.

Thanks a lot!
Irene

Thank you so much! This is very helpful, I appreciate it!

Danielle,

You’re right, it won’t be worth it to get a pass. Getting an IC card will allow you to use local transportation in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. This is convenient since it’s a reloadable card. In Hakone, you’ll want to buy the local pass. For the Shinkansen, buy one way tickets. It shouldn’t be that hard since the IC cards can be purchased from a machine at just about any train station and it has an English option. The Hakone pass is straight forward and same with the Shinkansen passes. Most people who work at the train station sales offices have a good command of English so I wouldn’t be too concerned.

We are traveling to Japan with the below itinerary. I’ve researched (probably too much) and can’t decide if it’s worth the money to purchase the JR Pass. We are flying into Osaka and out of Tokyo.

Kansai Airport -> Osaka
Osaka -> Kyoto
Kyoto -> Hakone
Hakone -> Tokyo
Tokyo -> Narita Airport

From my calculations, it doesn’t look like it would be necessary to purchase it, but I wasn’t sure if there would be the opportunity to use it while in Kyoto or Tokyo to possibly make up the difference. I also wasn’t sure if the convenience of not having to purchase train tickets at every stop would outweigh any over-purchase.

I’m also not sure if we have time to buy it – we leave October 9 🙂 I’ve spent too much time researching.

Thanks!
Danielle