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    Itinerary

    Japan itinerary for 7 days with a JR Pass

    One week in Japan is enough to see the classics if you use a JR Pass and the shinkansen. Here is a balanced 7 day plan with travel times.

    01

    Day by day

    • Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, ride the Yamanote loop, Shibuya scramble at night.
    • Day 2: Tokyo highlights, Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara.
    • Day 3: Day trip to Hakone or Nikko on JR.
    • Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto, evening in Gion.
    • Day 5: Kyoto temples and Arashiyama bamboo grove.
    • Day 6: Day trip to Nara on JR, deer park and Todaiji.
    • Day 7: Osaka food and Dotonbori, fly home from Kansai Airport.
    02

    Trains you will ride

    • Narita Express or Haruka Express on arrival.
    • Tokaido shinkansen Hikari, Tokyo to Kyoto and Kyoto to Osaka.
    • JR Nara line for the Nara day trip.
    • JR Yamanote in Tokyo and JR Sagano in Kyoto.
    03

    Pass logic

    All of this is covered by a 7 day JR Pass. A single Tokyo Kyoto round trip alone is already close to the price of the pass, and the rest of the trips ride free.

    Frequently asked questions

    Quick answers to common questions.

    Is 7 days enough for Japan?

    Yes for the classic Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka loop. Pick fewer cities and go deeper if you have less than a week.

    Should I fly between cities?

    Not for this itinerary. The shinkansen is faster city centre to city centre and covered by the JR Pass.

    When should I activate my pass?

    On the day you take your first long ride, usually day 1 or day 3 of this itinerary.

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