Tokyo - Kyoto - Kanazawa - Osaka JR Pass

Hi everyone.

I am heading over to Japan in about 6 weeks for a university trip, and was wondering if a 7day JR pass is the best way to travel between Tokyo to Kyoto to Kanazawa to Osaka. This will all be within a week, hence I'm planning on getting the 7day pass. Could anyone clarify that the shinkansens that operate these routes are all JR pass friendly?

Many thanks

The cost for regular tickets comes close to the cost of a 7-day Japan Rail Pass.

You could reduce the cost of regular tickets further by traveling Tokyo-Kanazawa-Kyoto-Osaka instead.

Even cheaper would be travel by highway bus:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2366.html

Could anyone clarify that the shinkansens that operate these routes are all JR pass friendly?

Kanazawa is not served by the shinkansen yet. Nevertheless, the Japan Rail Pass will provide you fast access to all the cities listed. Note just that you cannot use Nozomi trains with the pass. And note that, in case you want to travel directly from Tokyo to Kanazawa, travel via Echigo-Yuzawa and the Hakutaka train is not fully covered by the pass. But in that case you are better to travel by regular tickets, anyways.

You can get transportation details on each city's access page.

Kanazawa:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4208.html

Kyoto:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

Osaka:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4006.html

Thanks for the reply. I calculated the one way trips, and it will be a little saving buying just one way tickets as follows:

Tokyo – Kyoto: Hikari Tokkaido:
• One-way fare: approx. 13,000 Yen

Kyoto – Kanazawa: JR Thunderbird
• One-way fare: approx. 6,700 Yen

Kanazawa – Osaka: JR Thunderbird
• Takes 2.5 hours
• One-way fare: approx. 7,000 Yen

It will have to be in this order, as I am going as part of a uni course, and have no control over it.

Tokyo – Kyoto: Hikari Tokkaido:
• One-way fare: approx. 13,000 Yen
Kyoto – Kanazawa: JR Thunderbird
• One-way fare: approx. 6,700 Yen

You can save 1,680 yen, which may allow you to buy 2 to 5 box lunches, by purchasing a base fare ticket from Tokyo tokunai (within 23 city wards) through to Kanazawa; this ticket will be valid for 5 consecutive calendar days.
(You have to purchase an express ticket separately for each train ride, but as to a base fare you can combine legs of plural train rides, which might save money if they have no section in common.)

I am heading over to Japan in about 6 weeks for a university trip

That means it will be around… 26 March 2012.
I recommend reserving your seats early because your ride may be taken during spring holidays.
Compared to Golden Week, O-bon days and New Year holidays, I guess it will be easier to reserve a seat; however as to Shinkansen, in case your time span allowed to take a train is small, you might have to use a non-reservation car if you don't try reservation until the last minute.
(You can change cars from a non-reservation car to a reserved-seat car in order to take a vacant seat by paying for the gap in charges, but not vice versa.)

JR companies will revise their diagrams on 17 March 2012.
Please be sure to use new timetables, which are expected to be available on the Web within a week or so.

Good luck!

I think the plan is to stay in Kyoto for 5 days and on the 6th day leave for Kanazawa, so I'm not too sure if that's still applicable for my situation? Also, if I just buy single tickets while I'm there, surely I can still get a standard seat?

Thanks!

I am actually now thinking of just getting the 7day JR pass, as it'll save me trying to buy single tickets and overall be just an easier ride.

My question for using the pass is, the fact I won't be using it straight away, as the first week I will be in Tokyo, do I need to activate it on the day I start my 7day travel? Or can I for instance get it exchanged when I arrive in Tokyo but not use it until I need it, which will be 7-10 days later.

I am actually now thinking of just getting the 7-day JR pass

Note that you should have entered Japan under "Temporary Visitor" status.
- http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en002.html

Or can I for instance get it exchanged when I arrive in Tokyo but not use it until I need it, which will be 7-10 days later.

You can, as long as you set in advance the date on which you will start using your Japan Rail Pass, as is asked in an application form.
- http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en006.html

it'll save me trying to buy single tickets

As to a ride with a seat reservation, you will still have to obtain a seat ticket.
- http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en007.html

(By the way: When in a day is your plane scheduled to arrive? Which airport will you use to enter Japan?)

Are you going to be in Japan with Temporary Visitor status or will you have a student visa? The former lets you use the JR Pass and the latter will not allow it. Just curious.

I'm just a visitor, no student visa or any of that stuff.

So with the standard JR pass is it just non reserved seating? Surely that doesn't mean I can't get a seat right?

So with the standard JR pass is it just non reserved seating?

No, you can make seat reservations for free. The basics are explained here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html