JR pass worth it for us?

Hey guys, will be going to Japan for 14 days and our itinerary is:

Narita Airport -> Tokyo
Tokyo -> Hakone
Hakone -> Kyoto
Kyoto -> Osaka
Osaka -> Hiroshima
Hiroshima -> Fukuoka

I've used the JR pass calculator and it says its not worth it. We might save some money on buying single tickets instead. My concern is if its more conventient to have the JR Pass?
I also noticed you cant use it through electronic gates on stations and have to show a "guard" your pass. Is it maybe better to get an IC card like Suica?

What do you guys think? Money vs convenience..



Cheers

If you already did the maths and it didn�ft pay Off, then it doesnt pay Off

Get an IC card for local travel (you�fll need one anyway even if you get a JRP) AMS but separate tickets for your long distance trips.

Look into buying one ticket for Tokyo - Hiroshima and stopping in the way for a few days. That is the cheapest solution. Best bought in a JR office v just wie down your entire itinerary which trains you want to take and that you want one ticket for the long leg with intermediate stops for a few days.

Btw, single tickets have the advantage that you can ride the faster, more frequent Shinkansens.

So win-win

The only advantage of f the JRP could be if you are doing some long daytrips or are prone to changing your Itinerary on the fly. (Adding further locations)

My concern is if its more convenient to have the JR Pass?
IMO - no.

When will you travel? In what month?

Later in 2023,
the prices of the Japan Rail Passes will be increased drastically.
https://www.japan-guide.com/news/japan-rail-pass-cost-increase.html

On the condition that you fly out of Japan from Fukuoka Airport [FUK],
14-day JRP is not suitable for your itinerary.

Note: JRP travelers cannot choose Shinkansen NOZOMI or MIZUHO.

I also noticed you cant use it through electronic gates on stations and have to show a "guard" your pass.

Your source seems too old.

Japan Rail Pass got redesigned to be a magnetic paper ticket,
three years ago in June, 2020;
so, you can get through automatic ticket gates with your JRP.

How long will you be in your listed places?
Have you decided where in Tokyo | Kyoto | Osaka will you stay?

----

Estimated costs per adult, with your Shinkansen seats reserved.

Narita Airport -- Tokyo (somewhere)
: About 1300 to 3100 yen.

Tokyo (somewhere) -- Shinjuku -- Odawara
: About 2100 to 2400 yen,
JR or subway + Odakyu ["Romancecar"].

Odawara -- Hakone-Yumoto -- Odawara
and various routes in Hakone
: Up to 5400 yen, with 3-day Hakone Freepass;
not covered by any JR-issued pass.

Case (A)
: You travel from Odawara to Hakata
in more than 7 calendar days.

(A) Odawara -- Shin-Ōsaka -- Hiroshima -- Hakata
: 30700 to 32500 yen.
(Plus 530 yen each for "NOZOMI or "MIZUHO".)

(A-1) Odawara -- Kyōto
: 12100 to 12700 yen,
JR Tōkaidō Shinkansen ["HIKARI"].

(A-2) Kyōto -- Shin-Ōsaka
: 580 yen,
JR Kyōto Line [Special Rapid].

(A-3) Shin-Ōsaka -- Hiroshima then Hiroshima -- Hakata
: 18020 to 19220 yen,
JR San'yō Shinkansen ["HIKARI" or "SAKURA"].
(Plus 530 yen each for "NOZOMI or "MIZUHO".)

Case (B)
: You travel from Odawara to Hakata
within 7 calendar days.

(B) Odawara -- Shin-Ōsaka -- Hiroshima -- Hakata
: 26600 to 28400 yen.
(Plus 530 yen each for "NOZOMI or "MIZUHO".)

Modification:
"(A) Odawara -- Shin-Ōsaka -- Hiroshima -- Hakata"
-->>
"(A) Odawara -- Kyōto, Kyōto -- Shin-Ōsaka,
and Shin-Ōsaka -- Hiroshima -- Hakata"

The JR basic-fare ticket to go from Odawara to Hakata
is valid for 7 calendar days.
So, when 7 days are too short, you need to split the route.

Thanks for the reply. We will go next month (July).

We will spend:

4 nights in Tokyo (Shinjuku)
1 night in Hakone
3 nights in Kyoto (Nakaygo Ward)
2 nights in Osaka (Chuo Ward)
2 nights in Hiroshima (Naka Ward)
1 night in Fukuoka (Hakata Ward)

You'd need a 14-day pass for what you plan, and if going only one way, would not pay off.