Hi Joanne. The JR Pass used to be excellent value but with Japan currently experiencing very high tourism it was oversubscribed and not achieving what they wanted. For your itineray it's not going to be much help and individual tickets are going to be cheaper and more flexible for your needs. For Nikko the Tobu line is often the best option over JR. For Nara and Osaka local Kansai lines are often more efficient than JR depending on where you want to go and where you are staying. Hakone is lovely for a day trip or overnight especially if you enjoy onsen, consider the Hakone pass if you plan to do the loop around (and everything is open) it's a great day and good value. I've linked a couple of articles on the site that may give some useful planning information when you get to that stage. Have a fabulous time.

Thank for your help.

For those destinations over 2 weeks I would not find the JR pass cost effective at the new prices. It's an adjustment after it being such a great tool in our travels for well over a decade but I am now enjoying planning for this next trip with more flexibility, if I want to use Nozomi on a section or a green car on the longer legs after a hectic few days I can and it's still costing me less than the new pass overall. Enjoy your trip!

There are a number of different JR companies. Osaka is in JR West territory, Nagoya and Takayama are in JR East territory. Online booking for international tourists is very limited, you have something like Klook for the major Shinakansen routes or very limited online booking through the JR West site. I don't think either of those options will help with what you need.

You will probably want to use the Shinkansen as far as Nagoya (about 50 minutes) then the Limited Express Hida through to HidaFurakawa (just over 2.5 hours). Are you travelling at a time when you will need to book in advance (eg Takayama Matsuri or Golden Week?). If not you should be OK to buy tickets through the station ticket office or machines, and you can do that a few days in advance if you have the opportunity.

Wondering if you know of a way to get tickets from Osaka to Takayama or Hida? We have booked a stay in Hida, but can't seem to find where I can book tickets without having to go through JR Pass.

Thanks!

Hi Hunter, the JR pass will not be worth getting for the itinerary but it sounds a great first trip. Are you using the Nagano Snow Shuttle bus from the Airport to Shiga Kogen on the day you arrive or do you plan to use trains? If you are flying in and heading out the same day you might want to look at booking that. From Nagano down to Kyoto should not really need booking ahead although you can organise that from the Airport if you have time and are waiting around. It's not an exceptionally busy time of year on those route but you might consider booking your train from Kyoto back to Tokyo sometime when you are around Kyoto Station if you want a particular departure or a luggage seat. Reduced services since Japan reopened have made a difference to how busy the trains are despite tourism numbers still being well down on 2019 pre closure levels meaning you may choose to book ahead now when in the past most people didn't.

- Arrive at Haneda and go to Shiga Kogen for 9 days of skiing.
- Go from Shiga Kogen to Kyoto for 4 days.
- Go from Kyoto to Tokyo for the remaining 6 days.
- Tokyo back to Haneda airport.

If I don't get the JR pass, will I need to pre-book train tickets? What's the best way to do that?

Thanks so much for your help!

Hi Justin. As you have worked out, the JR pass will not be good value for this trip at the new prices. You can book tickets for shinkansen either at the ticket office or a machine at the station, Nozomi is you fastest option between Tokyo and Osaka, while it wasn't an option under the JR pass it is only $3-4 more expensive for the 20-40 minute time saving and experience. There really aren't many discount deals available to tourists on transport within Japan now unless you are using the network quite extensively so individual tickets and a card like the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport if you want the convenience are the best option.

Cheapest option between Tokyo and Osaka is the Highway buses, especially the night bus as it doesn't take up time that you want to use to see the sights and saves a nights accommodation cost too. We haven't used it but have met others that have and they were very happy to trade time for the cost saving.

From Osaka to Kyoto it will depend where you are staying, it is very unlikely you'd want to use the shinkansen anyway as you would have to get from the city to shin-Osaka. Most likely the Keihan or Hankyu railways will be your most efficient and cost effective options especially if you are headed into the heart of Kyoto such as Gion-Shijo or Kawaramachi station.

What would you say is my best/cheapest/fastest options?
Thanks.