Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Tokyo

Hi,

Would really appreciate a bit of advice on the best/cheapest way of using the train system for this trip.

I want to go from Tokyo to Hakone (2 -nights) and then onto Kyoto (3-nights) then back to Tokyo.

Is a JR pass worth it?

Thanks very much

Jon

Is a JR pass worth it?

Well, there are so many ways to go Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto-Tokyo. I would take "romance car" from Shinjuku to Hakone yumoto which is not covered by the JR pass. Then from Odawara to Kyoto by Shinkansen (within Hakone, JR is not valid at all so you don't need to consider it). Kyoto to Tokyo is difficult to decide. Normal way is to take Nozomi Shinkansen, but I would consider flight. It takes a little longer but cheaper and the scenery might be better: You will take monorail to Osaka airport-Itami and from Haneda to Hamamatsucho, and you might be able to see Mt Fuji from the window of the aircraft. Normal way is to take Shinkansen though :).

Thanks so much for your help!

Really useful info

Cheers

Jon