Transportation and Accomodation Advice Needed

[Dreamsilver]

Hi all,

I need some assistance and guidance for my upcoming holiday in Japan in mid September.

My planned trip is from 13 Sept (Sun) to 21 Sept (Mon) and the areas we will be visiting are Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

13 Sept - Arrive at KIX (Osaka) in the early evening
...
21 Sept - Depart from NRT (Tokyo) in the late morning

Some places to visit in Kyoto (Planned Duration: 3/4 Days):
Monkey Park, Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji, Arashiyama Bamboo Groves, Jojakkoji, Gioji
Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, Otagi Nenbutsuji, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizudera, Higashiyama District, Kodaiji, Kenninji, Gion

Some places to visit in Osaka (Planned Duration: 2 Days):
USJ, Some street markets (maybe), castle (maybe)

Some places to visit in Tokyo (Planned Duration: 2/3 Days):
Disneysea, FujiQ, Mt Fuji (maybe)


I have a few concerns which needs to be addressed.


Accommodation
Is it advisable to just stay in Kyoto or is it better to book one in Osaka as well. I am considering the following options and will like to seek your opinion on which option is more feasible. Feel free to suggest otherwise.

Option 1: Arrive in KIX Airport, travel to Kyoto to book into accommodation. Stay in Kyoto for 5 nights. Visit attractions in Kyoto, and going into Osaka by train and returning back to Kyoto.

Option 2: Arrive in KIX Airport, travel to Kyoto to book into accommodation. Stay in Kyoto for 3 nights. Visit attractions in Kyoto. Travel to Osaka to book into accommodation. Visit the attractions in Osaka.

Option 3: Arrive in KIX Airport, travel to Osaka to book into accommodation. Stay in Osaka for 5 nights. Travel into and out of Kyoto for their attractions.


Transportation
I am still undecided about the mode of transport to Tokyo from either Osaka/Kyoto.

Option 1: Take overnight bus from Kyoto/Osaka (depending on our place of accommodation) to Tokyo. Cheaper Option + Save one night of accommodation (18 Sept).

Option 2: Take the HSR from Kyoto/Osaka (depending on our place of accommodation) to Tokyo. More expensive option + Have to include one more night of accommodation (18 Sept).



As such, is it better to get the 7 Days Rail Pass or the One-Way HSR Ticket, taking into consideration the transportation cost of traveling from Kyoto to Osaka for 2 days to visit the attractions, and the cost to travel from airport to the accommodation in Kyoto. OR to just stick to the overnight bus to Tokyo.

All suggestions are welcomed since I need all the help I can get.

 

[evilerniex]

it is ok to stick to one accommodation for all 5 days coz it is only 30min between osaka and kyoto. sticking to 1 accom save u the hassle and time for changing hotel, and give u flexibility to change plans is necessary. e.g if rain, go shopping in osaka instead of sightseeing in kyoto.

both kyoto and osaka are ok. osaka has more shops and eateries that are open at night whereas kyoto is much quieter. so it depends if u prefer the buzzing city life of osaka, or the peaceful, laid back kyoto. osaka accommodation is usually cheaper

for transport, it is 3hr by shinkansen or overnight by bus. u can also take domestic flight which maybe a lot cheaper than shinkansen if there is promotion. however, domestic flight will require travelling to and from the airport, checking-in etc. quite a hassle.

i personally prefer shinkansen coz i cant sleep properly on coaches. so i rather have a good sleep in a hotel and wake up refreshed for a day of sightseeing

JR pass is not worth it since u are only making one trip from osaka to tokyo. just buy single trip ticket if u are taking shinkansen. u can purchase a store-value card (e.g. SUICA, ICOCA) for travelling within the city and between osaka and kyoto. and get a 1-day bus pass for getting around kyoto

 

[cpuer]

I would prefer staying throughout in Osaka. More stuffs to do and see at night. If your hotel near Hankyu Kyoto line or JR Kyoto line, Osaka and Kyoto are just 45 or 30min away from each other only. fare is about 400 or 560yen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hankyu_Kyoto_Main_Line

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JR_Kyoto_Line

 

[zack14]

how much is the single trip shinkansen ticket from osaka to tokyo?

 

[evilerniex]

how much is the single trip shinkansen ticket from osaka to tokyo?

about 14000yen
u can use this website to check the fare:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

 

[Wood41]

That hurts.
It is about 40%+ of the 7DJRP just for 1 trip.
I used the pass taking Shinkansen 6x + trains + subways + Airports Express.

 

[zack14]

about 14000yen
u can use this website to check the fare:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

wah too expensive for me liao

 

[floppy]

wah too expensive for me liao

if you don't mind a slower train (an hour more or so) you can take the 'Kodama' train at 3800 yen off by buying the Platt Kodama ticket. The main difference is the train stops at almost all stops along the way from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo.

http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/