Hiroshima->Kyoto->Tokyo->Nikko->Tokyo, still not worth a JR Pass??
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Nov 5, 2012 10:23 AM Last Post By: Husky82
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Hiroshima->Kyoto->Tokyo->Nikko->Tokyo, still not worth a JR Pass??
Hello all,I'm still planning my second trip to japan. As the title suggests, I'm planning on traveling from Hiroshima->Kyoto->Tokyo->Nikko->Tokyo, and using Hyperdia, my math suggests I'd only pay about $255 out of pocket for all of that travel, whereas a JR Pass is around $370.
Since everyone on these forums highly suggests a JR Pass to anyone doing the kind of traveling I'm doing, I can only assume I'm missing something, but can someone explain to me how it's still worth it to get the pass? I realize I would then be able to use the JR trains in Kyoto and Tokyo, but the first time I was in Tokyo, I only spent maybe $10 a day on train travel (not counting metro) getting around, so I just don't see where the extra $115 is going to come from.
I'd greatly appreciate some clarification, thanks.
Edited by: Husky82
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I agree with bamse in that your calculations might be a bit off. I just checked 23,000 yen (roughly Hiroshima->Kyoto + Kyoto->Tokyo), and it worked out to about $290 USD. Add to that the Nikko trip and any local transportation you want to take.In Tokyo, for example, the JR pass covers the Yamanote Line that circles the central part of the city. This means unlimited travel between places like Ueno, Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku while you are in the city.
One other consideration is convenience. Flashing the pass at every gate rather than working the ticket machines or waiting in ticket counter queues is worth something.
Bottom line: you might save a bit without the pass, but you will have more flexibility and convenience with it.
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Since everyone on these forums highly suggests a JR Pass to anyone doing the kind of traveling I'm doing,That's a misinterpretation of advice.
The advice tends to price your trip & work out your timeframe and decide based on that.
Many ticket shops sell tix for about 1,000 yen less on a ticket Tokyo-Osaka.
The rule of thumb is return Tokyo-Kyoto is almost enough to justify the 7 day pass.
But a few trips tacked onto it would make it more worthwhile. A Tokyo - Kyoto- Hiroshima - Tokyo trip in 7 days is well worth the pass.
Until you do your calculations & work out your timeframe, it's not possible to say.
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Thanks for all of your comments. I'm currently planning on beginning my trip in Hiroshima, then traveling to Kyoto, then to Tokyo, and taking a daytrip to Nikko and back before leaving from Tokyo.I think the thing I missed was the "reserved seat" fee on Hyperdia. I didn't even see that. If I add that in, my calculations suggest it'll cost $456 USD, whereas a JR Pass is around $370. So now I see the value.
