Hi all,
We are still planning our trip to Japan which starts in 12 days :S
We are following 2 apartments in Osaka, close to Shin-Osaka Station. We plan to visit USJ and Himeji Castle in Osaka, and Gion, Arashiyama, Nara, Fushimi-inari and surrounds (near Kyoto). We are looking around and around in Hyperdia and Google Maps, but it looks like even having a JR Pass (regional because we are not going to Tokyo by train) we cannot reach any of those areas without having to use a private line which will cost additional fares. Is it like this or are we getting so lost?
We will appreciate any help!
Japan Transport - Help please!
cynvero on 22/05/2016 - 12:43
Comments
So, you mean I need the JR Kansai pass plus a bus pass?
for where you're going I wouldn't bother with a JR pass. just buy your bus tickets there.
the area you're going to is relatively small. JR passes are useful when a person is criss crossing the country.
Finally I did a list of trips day by day and added the individual cost to each section, using Shinkansen when available, and we are not even at half of the price of a JR pass. Moreover, we can add the trip from Kyoto to Tokyo using Nozomi as a Plan B, and we are not yet at the JR pass cost.
Also, we figured out that staying in Kyoto was more convenient in terms of costs than an Osaka stay. So, almost 10 days to go and we came back to our original plans… Hope it is the last change!
Thanks all for your help!
You can reach all those places using a JR pass except for Gion unless you feel like going for a 2km walk. Don't be afraid of catching private rails though if it will make life easier, they are very simple to travel on and don't cost too much. So don't limit your travels only to JR accessible places.
It must be me, but it's a complete confusion here. We are coming back and forth from staying in Osaka to staying in Kyoto, and cannot decide anything yet.
Thanks for your help!We found it easier to take the private rail line in osaka, the cost is pretty low =)
I'm looking on Hyperdia and I'm getting the following:
Gion (I assume in Kyoto?):
Shinkansen Hikari 528 direct from Shin-Osaka to KyotoNara:
LTD. EXP Haruka 41 Shin-Osaka to Tennoji
JR Yamatoji Rapid Service to KAMO Tennoji to NaraArashiyama:
Shinkansan Kodama 674 Shin-Osaka to Kyoto
JR Sagano Line Rapid Service for Sonobe Kyoto to Saga-ArashiyamaHimeji Castle:
Shinkansen Kodama 753 Shin-Osaka to HimejiUSJ:
LTD. EXP Thunderbird 26 Shin-Osaka to Osaka
JR Yamatoji Rapid Service for Nara Osaka to Nishikujo
JR Yumesaki Line for Sakurajima Nishikujo to Universal CityFushimi-Inari
Shinkansen Hikari 528 direct from Shin-Osaka to KyotoFor Fushimi Inari and Gion in Kyoto, I rented a bike and just went nuts in Kyoto. The JR pass doesn't work for Kyoto bus and metro which is why nothing would come up. You can get a separate Kyoto sight seeing pass, or just rent a bike. It's like a few hundred Yen a day and heaps of shops do it. If you plan to do everything in a day though, I hope you are fit hahaha. I hope this helps.
Love Japan, if you have any questions feel free to PM me. Only been their once but I've looked into it enough for a few friends. If you are planning to do a few internal flights and haven't booked them yet, I can show you how to organise a Japan air pass which could potentially save some Moolah. MUST be done while you are in Aus though.
Edit: you can ignore the train numbers and different times of the day will give different options/numbers.
If you're wanting to get from Kyoto station to Gion station (especially if you're planning on going to Gion Corner) to view a performance, then follow the instructions as per the Gion Corner website. Suggest you go early if you want a good seat.
http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html
Worked perfectly. Took the train from platform 8/9/10 at Kyoto station to go the one stop to Tofukuji station. This CAN be done using a JR Pass. From Tofukuji (tranfer) and take the train to Gion station - had to purchase s separate ticket which costs (return) around $AUD 6. Then literally 5 minute walk - to Gion Corner (and thus surrounding area). The whole journey (depending on your train connections) took around 15-20 min.
If you're up for something a little different, especially if you like martial arts, visit the Ninja House at "Kogaryu Ninjutsu Yashiki". It's quite a distance to travel from Kyoto but worth it if you like your martial arts or want to really see a bit more culture and history of ninjutsu. It seems very few Western tourists visit and it's definitely not on the most travelled tourist routes or the easiest to get to. To get there take the train from Kyoto station and transfer at Kusatsu. Then, take the Tsuge line from Kusatsu and get off at Konan station. From Konan station, it's about a 25 minute - very plesant - and easy walk. The last bit is slightly uphill. The attendant at Konan station already had a photocopy of a local Japanese map and just highlighted the direction. VERY helpful. This Ninja House is well worth visiting.
However, not to be confused there is also another place called "Ninja Village" which is along the same train line but two stops further down the tack where you get off at Koka station. This was very disappointing if you're after culture and history around Ninjas/ninjutsu. However it is great fun fod kids where they can get dressed up and compete in activities like a 'real' ninja. There is a free shuttle to the Ninja Village from Koka station. If you arrive and there's no shuttle, tell the station attendant you want to visit Ninja VIllage and they will call the shuttle to come and pick you up (free transfer) and also return back to Koka station.
There was no transport of any sort for the Ninja House (from Konan) station but there were taxis if one needed it. The walk up is very tranquil through a few small back streets of Konan. If you do go there, then as you walk up the hill it can be a little confusing. Have your map in hand and mention the "Ninja Yashiki" house to a local and they were only too pleased to provide directions.
There is also another EXCELLENT Ninja Museum in Kanazawa and if you happen to go there it's also well worth a visit.
Note: neither the "Ninja Museum" (Kanazawa) nor "Ninja house" (Konan) had tours/guides in English. In Kanazawa they do however provide you with a comprehensive folder to guide you through the visit as the tour guide takes your through. At the "Ninja House" (Konan), the demonstrations of the trapdoors/decption makes things clear and there are well signed explanation of things in English to read.
Once again, it's not for everyone and definitely very very very few western tourists at the Ninja house but worth it if it appeals.
Enjoy your trip.
Thanks for all the info!!! :)
I found this site http://jprail.com/ really helpful to have information about transport and best passes to use.
get a bus.