Help on JR pass

[joeyew]

Hi guys, I'm landing in Japan on the 10th Jan to 19th Jan 2014.

10th Jan: Landing Osaka (KIX)
13th Jan: Going Tokyo (via Shinkansen)
16th Jan: Back in Osaka
19th Jan: Fly back to SG

Qns 1: JR PASS only can be used in such tokyo to osaka line is it? Or can it be used as part of their subway line right?

Qns 2: So if this is the case (as above), 7 day pass is enough for above itinerary? What if I am planning to head to kyoto for 1 day trip, would it still be wiser if I stick with 7day pass too?

Qns 3: If it can be used as part of subway, which line can be used? On both Osaka & Tokyo subway map, I see JR line and JR Yamanote Line. Does it mean I can use the pass too?

Qns 4: If JR pass is only for Osaka to Tokyo, may I know if there are any transport card for tourist in Osaka or tokyo ? Example, in Singapore its Ezlink and Seoul its T-money.

Please help me.

 

[snap99]

1. JR pass can only be used on JR lines. Cannot use on the subways.
2. As long as you cover your trip via shinkansen on the 13th to 16th you are "safe". As long as your trip to kyoto falls within the 7 day period, you can use the JR pass as long as you are traveling to kyoto from osaka on a JR line.

 

[samtcy]

Hi guys, I'm landing in Japan on the 10th Jan to 19th Jan 2014.

10th Jan: Landing Osaka (KIX)
13th Jan: Going Tokyo (via Shinkansen)
16th Jan: Back in Osaka
19th Jan: Fly back to SG

Qns 1: JR PASS only can be used in such tokyo to osaka line is it? Or can it be used as part of their subway line right?
JR pass can only be used on trains by JR company. Meaning other than Shinkansen, you can also use it to take:
- Haruka Express which runs between Kansai Airport to Tennoji/Shin-Osaka/Kyoto station.
- Osaka loop line within Osaka.
- JR lines within Tokyo like the Yamanote Loop line/Keihin-Tohoku line/Chuo line...etc.

Qns 2: So if this is the case (as above), 7 day pass is enough for above itinerary? What if I am planning to head to kyoto for 1 day trip, would it still be wiser if I stick with 7day pass too?
Transportation within Kyoto is usually by their subways (non-JR) or bus (non-JR). You could either choose to use your JR pass for 10 Jan to 16 Jan, or 13 Jan to 19 Jan.
I would probably recommend that you use the JR pass to cover 13 Jan to 19 Jan (since you can also use it to cover the Haruka Express train to Kansai Airport on your last day) and then for your day 1 from Kansai Airport you can buy the Haruka Express + 1 way ICOCA package at 3000yen which includes a 1 way Haruka Express ride and a 2000yen ICOCA card. ICOCA card is kinda like our EZ-link card.
Because the 1 way HarukaExpress package only covers Kansai Airport to Osaka/Kyoto, and not the opposite direction, therefore if you want to get a 1 way package, it can only cover your day 1 and not your last day.
Although they have a 2 way version, but since you can use your JR pass to cover either your first day or last day, so you don't really need the 2 way version.

Qns 3: If it can be used as part of subway, which line can be used? On both Osaka & Tokyo subway map, I see JR line and JR Yamanote Line. Does it mean I can use the pass too?
Yes, you can use the 7days JR pass for JR lines like the Osaka Loop line, Yamanote Loop line, Chuo Line, Keihin-Tohoku line, Tokaido line...etc.
Here is the map of all the JR lines within Tokyo which you can use with your JR Pass: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf

Qns 4: If JR pass is only for Osaka to Tokyo, may I know if there are any transport card for tourist in Osaka or tokyo ? Example, in Singapore its Ezlink and Seoul its T-money.
ICOCA card is like our Ez-link card.

Please help me.

See comments in red

I have just posted details of a session (this sunday 29 Dec) for chatting about planning F&E Japan trips on my other thread here. You might want to consider to see if you want to join us.

 

[cpuer]

Hi guys, I'm landing in Japan on the 10th Jan to 19th Jan 2014.

10th Jan: Landing Osaka (KIX)
13th Jan: Going Tokyo (via Shinkansen)
16th Jan: Back in Osaka
19th Jan: Fly back to SG

Qns 1: JR PASS only can be used in such tokyo to osaka line is it? Or can it be used as part of their subway line right?

Qns 2: So if this is the case (as above), 7 day pass is enough for above itinerary? What if I am planning to head to kyoto for 1 day trip, would it still be wiser if I stick with 7day pass too?

Qns 3: If it can be used as part of subway, which line can be used? On both Osaka & Tokyo subway map, I see JR line and JR Yamanote Line. Does it mean I can use the pass too?

Qns 4: If JR pass is only for Osaka to Tokyo, may I know if there are any transport card for tourist in Osaka or tokyo ? Example, in Singapore its Ezlink and Seoul its T-money.

Please help me.

On your Qn4 here's the details:
Prepaid IC Cards in Japan