Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[Vulpix]

Just buy ICOCA and use it like our ezlink. Top up as you go along. You don't need a JR pass.

PS: JR lines in Japan doesn't mean you die die need a JR pass to take. It just means if you have a JR pass, you can have unlimited travel on JR lines.

Thanks! I still sibeh confused as this is the first time I am planning a trip to Japan.

Yes, u can use ur JR kansai wide area pass to take from kyoto to JR saga-arashiyama station

I am assuming the JR Saga line cannot use ICOCA?

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks! I still sibeh confused as this is the first time I am planning a trip to Japan.



I am assuming the JR Saga line cannot use ICOCA?

ICOCA is a stored value card, similar to our ezlink card. U can use ICOCA for JR lines as well as most private lines

 

[Vulpix]

ICOCA is a stored value card, similar to our ezlink card. U can use ICOCA for JR lines as well as most private lines

Alright, seems like only Kinosakionsen I cannot use ICOCA card to get there. Kyoto to Kinosakionsen 1 way already 4320 jpy, no matter what must buy the Kansai wide area pass it seems.

 

[Ruriel]

Thanks! I still sibeh confused as this is the first time I am planning a trip to Japan.



I am assuming the JR Saga line cannot use ICOCA?

ICOCA can be used on all JR lines (except shinkansen) and on most private subways like that evilerniex said. It can also be used on most buses in Japan (except for certain private bus routes like the Tozan bus at Hakone), as well as small purchases in 7-11, family marts etc.

 

[evilerniex]

Alright, seems like only Kinosakionsen I cannot use ICOCA card to get there. Kyoto to Kinosakionsen 1 way already 4320 jpy, no matter what must buy the Kansai wide area pass it seems.

Yup, tt is y i recommend u get that pass. And use it to cover all the longer trips on JR train.
U can still get an ICOCA for taking non JR trains, and also on the remaining days that u are not using the pass

U can also consider getting a 1-day kyoto bus pass for getting ard kyoto. Cost 500yen. Other than fushimi inari and arashiyama, most other attractions are more accessible by bus

 

[Vulpix]

ICOCA can be used on all JR lines (except shinkansen) and on most private subways like that evilerniex said. It can also be used on most buses in Japan (except for certain private bus routes like the Tozan bus at Hakone), as well as small purchases in 7-11, family marts etc.

Thanks! I am assuming the Kansai One Pass version of the ICOCA card not worth it? I see that the card offers a lot of discounts for various tourist location, even got discount for some stores.

 

[Vulpix]

Yup, tt is y i recommend u get that pass. And use it to cover all the longer trips on JR train.
U can still get an ICOCA for taking non JR trains, and also on the remaining days that u are not using the pass

U can also consider getting a 1-day kyoto bus pass for getting ard kyoto. Cost 500yen. Other than fushimi inari and arashiyama, most other attractions are more accessible by bus

Hmmmm, we are going to be living a bit near Nishiki and the Gion area so don't need to take much trains, other than those 2 temples, we not really going anywhere else in Kyoto. Still worth to get bus pass?

 

[evilerniex]

Hmmmm, we are going to be living a bit near Nishiki and the Gion area so don't need to take much trains, other than those 2 temples, we not really going anywhere else in Kyoto. Still worth to get bus pass?

Iirc, take 3 trips on buses will be worth it for the bus pass already. So see how many bus trips u need

 

[Vulpix]

Iirc, take 3 trips on buses will be worth it for the bus pass already. So see how many bus trips u need

At the moment only 1.

 

[Ruriel]

Thanks! I am assuming the Kansai One Pass version of the ICOCA card not worth it? I see that the card offers a lot of discounts for various tourist location, even got discount for some stores.

I think it depends on whether you are going to those locations and stores or not... I was considering it at one point during my trip last year but decided that it's not worth it because most of those tourist locations are not where I wanted to go, and that the Haruka+ICOCA bundle is better for me as I needed to take one way Haruka back to KIX. So I think it depends on individual and your itinerary...

 

[Vulpix]

I think it depends on whether you are going to those locations and stores or not... I was considering it at one point during my trip last year but decided that it's not worth it because most of those tourist locations are not where I wanted to go, and that the Haruka+ICOCA bundle is better for me as I needed to take one way Haruka back to KIX. So I think it depends on individual and your itinerary...

Eh? The Haruka+ICOCA package can use for return trip from Osaka to KIX? I thought the Haruka is only from KIX to the listed locations?

 

[Ruriel]

Eh? The Haruka+ICOCA package can use for return trip from Osaka to KIX? I thought the Haruka is only from KIX to the listed locations?

I took from Kyoto to KIX. The departure need not necessarily be from KIX.

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/

There are two types - round trip or one-way.

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/images/icoca-haruka_02.jpg

Under One-way: "Departure from or arrival at Kansai-airport Station"

 

[evilerniex]

Eh? The Haruka+ICOCA package can use for return trip from Osaka to KIX? I thought the Haruka is only from KIX to the listed locations?

Got round trip version also.
But u can consider one way coz u shld be utilizing ur jr pass to cover one of the trip

 

[Vulpix]

I took from Kyoto to KIX. The departure need not necessarily be from KIX.

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/

There are two types - round trip or one-way.

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/images/icoca-haruka_02.jpg

Under One-way: "Departure from or arrival at Kansai-airport Station"

Oh damn, that is sweet. I wonder if I can make it for the package. My plan right now is to go back from Osaka to KIX via Haruka on my last day, this sounds perfect. Thanks man! The valid for 1 day I assume is the day you use the card right?

 

[Vulpix]

Got round trip version also.
But u can consider one way coz u shld be utilizing ur jr pass to cover one of the trip

Yah, I still calculating how to maximize. My current method is to activate the JR Pass on my trip to Kinosaki. Can use the Haruka pass for my last day back to KIX.

 

[evilerniex]

Yah, I still calculating how to maximize. My current method is to activate the JR Pass on my trip to Kinosaki. Can use the Haruka pass for my last day back to KIX.

Jr pass mainly to cover the expensive trips, which for ur case will the the trip to and from kinosaki, and between kix and osaka/kyoto. If u want to add in himeji, then shld cover tt too.

If u havent book accoms yet, u still can shift things ard for maximum coverage.

 

[Vulpix]

Jr pass mainly to cover the expensive trips, which for ur case will the the trip to and from kinosaki, and between kix and osaka/kyoto. If u want to add in himeji, then shld cover tt too.

If u havent book accoms yet, u still can shift things ard for maximum coverage.

You are right. I just compared:

KIX to Kyoto 2550 JPY bus
Kyoto to Kino4320 JPY
Kino to Osaka5080 JPY
Osaka to Nara800 JPY

If I first day use my kansai wide area from KIX to Kyoto, I'll still be able to use the 5 days for kyoto -> kino, kino -> osaka. Nara one isn't even expensive. Hmmmm the savings seem to be quite a bit too, but having a comfortable bus ride all the way to Kyoto also very tempting.

 

[Ruriel]

Oh damn, that is sweet. I wonder if I can make it for the package. My plan right now is to go back from Osaka to KIX via Haruka on my last day, this sounds perfect. Thanks man! The valid for 1 day I assume is the day you use the card right?

Um, if you get the Haruka+ICOCA bundle, basically what you need to do is to go to the JR West ticket office at Osaka airport, tell the person at the counter that you want to purchase the Haruka+ICOCA bundle, and the person will ask you if you want a round trip on Haruka or one-way. Just tell the person you are looking at one-way from Shin-Osaka to KIX, and which date you will be using the Haruka ticket. They will issue the one-way Haruka ticket (which is only valid on the date that you've specified) to you on the spot, together with the prepaid ICOCA card.

I don't think they will ask you for the time of the train that you want to catch, since it's for unreserved cars. (At least I don't recall them asking me which timing did I wanted...)

 

[Ruriel]

You are right. I just compared:

KIX to Kyoto 2550 JPY bus
Kyoto to Kino4320 JPY
Kino to Osaka5080 JPY
Osaka to Nara800 JPY

If I first day use my kansai wide area from KIX to Kyoto, I'll still be able to use the 5 days for kyoto -> kino, kino -> osaka. Nara one isn't even expensive. Hmmmm the savings seem to be quite a bit too, but having a comfortable bus ride all the way to Kyoto also very tempting.

If you wish to make use of your pass from KIX to Kyoto, but yet don't want to drag your luggage around on the subway/buses once you reach Kyoto station, what you can do is actually get your luggage forwarded to your Kyoto hotel once you reach KIX from SG.

BUT..... It cost about ~JPY1000+ (depends on your luggage size - you can check the rates here, and there may be an airport handling charge JPY648 per luggage involved) per luggage from KIX to Kyoto though, and there's a few uncertainties:
1) I'm not sure if you can receive them the next day at your Kyoto hotel because you will be dropping your luggage off quite late since your flight only arrives at night. For this, you can check with the service provider Yamamoto Transport.
2) The service also closes at 10.30pm daily, so I'm not entirely sure if you can make it after the customs clearance. So... just raising another possible option for you to think about.

http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/tourist/airport/
For inquiries: http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/contact/

 

[Vulpix]

If you wish to make use of your pass from KIX to Kyoto, but yet don't want to drag your luggage around on the subway/buses once you reach Kyoto station, what you can do is actually get your luggage forwarded to your Kyoto hotel once you reach KIX from SG.

BUT..... It cost about ~JPY1000+ (depends on your luggage size - you can check the rates here, and there may be an airport handling charge JPY648 per luggage involved) per luggage from KIX to Kyoto though, and there's a few uncertainties:
1) I'm not sure if you can receive them the next day at your Kyoto hotel because you will be dropping your luggage off quite late since your flight only arrives at night. For this, you can check with the service provider Yamamoto Transport.
2) The service also closes at 10.30pm daily, so I'm not entirely sure if you can make it after the customs clearance. So... just raising another possible option for you to think about.

http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/tourist/airport/
For inquiries: http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/contact/

Naw, I think this option is out. I don't feel secure without my luggage. I'll discuss with wife and see if she wants bus or train to Kyoto. To me both way also can, my hotel is near Shijo which is like 2 stops away? It's just 60 bucks for 2 of us via bus anyway.