We get many questions on whether or not the JR Pass is a better option for your travel, so we have decided to break it down for you.
Assuming you are using the 7 Day Ordinary Pass, this will cost 50,000 JPY. If you follow Japan’s Golden Route then the pass may be worth your money.
You can use the pass to get around each city and see the sights as long as you are using a train run by the JR Company, you can view the full scope of validity here.
From Narita Airport to Tokyo:
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Narita Airport → Tokyo Station: 3,070 JPY
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Use the pass to get around Tokyo (Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, etc.) via JR lines.
Tokyo → Kyoto (Base for Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima):
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Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station: 13,320 JPY
From Kyoto:
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Kyoto → Osaka (round trip): 580 JPY × 2 = 1,160 JPY
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Kyoto → Nara (round trip): 720 JPY × 2 = 1,440 JPY
Kyoto → Hiroshima (and Miyajima Ferry):
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Kyoto Station → Hiroshima Station (round trip): 11,100 JPY × 2 = 22,200 JPY
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Includes Miyajima Ferry (JR operated)
Kyoto → Narita Airport (final leg):
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Kyoto Station → Narita Airport: 16,480 JPY
Total Cost Without Pass: 58,000 JPY
This already exceeds the cost of the JR Pass (50,000 JPY), and it doesn’t even include local JR rides within cities — making the pass a great deal if you follow this route.
Learn more about the JR Pass and route details [in our full article here].