Kyoto - Tokyo
If you don't have much time and want to see the most iconic places in Japan on your own, without having to travel from one place to another, this program is for you.
Alternative programs
Circuit details
- Scheduled flights.
- 7 nights hotel stay in the category and meal plan chosen by the client.
- 7-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Plus Travel Assistance Insurance.
Flights.
Optional insurance.
Any other service not specified as included.
What is the JR Pass and who can use it?
- It's a single ticket for unlimited travel on the JR rail network.
- It's exclusively for foreign visitors.
- It's offered in three durations: 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days.
- There's also a Green Pass (first class) option, which offers more comfortable and spacious seats and superior service, ideal for peak seasons.
What's included and what's not included?
- Includes: Shinkansen (bullet) trains, express, rapid, and local trains on the JR network, airport transfers (such as the Narita Express or Haruka Express), some JR bus lines, and the JR ferry to Miyajima.
- Doesn't include: Subways and city trams, express bus journeys, ferries operated by other companies (such as the one from Hakata to Busan) or sleeper cars/private compartments on overnight trains without paying an extra fare.
- Note on Nozomi and Mizuho: These are not fully included; to use them, pass holders must pay a special supplement. You can use the Hikari or Sakura trains as an alternative at no additional cost.
Activation and Use
- You must exchange your voucher (Exchange Order) for the physical pass at a JR Exchange Office (at airports or stations) within 3 months of purchase.
- When exchanging, you must choose an activation date, which must be within 30 days of the exchange.
- Exchange must be done in person by presenting your passport (with tourist stamp) and the original voucher; copies, photos, or third-party representation are not accepted.
- Validity is counted in consecutive days, not hours; The pass expires at midnight on the last day.
Seat and Baggage Reservations
- Reservations: You can reserve seats on JR trains at no extra cost (except in specific cases). Reservations are recommended for travel during peak seasons (late April–early May, mid-August, and year-end).
- How to Book: You can book at JR ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) or at ticket machines with QR codes. Some specific reservations can be made online through the Ekinet service.
- Baggage: Generally, you can bring luggage at no extra cost. However, for large bags (over 160 cm in total dimensions), you may need to reserve a specific space at the rear of the carriage.
Incident Resolution
- Loss or Theft: No refunds or reprints are possible if you lose your original pass.
- Lost Items: If you leave something on a train, contact JR's lost and found desks or use the online forms for the region where it happened (JR East, JR West, etc.). You must have your train number, carriage number, and seat number handy.
- Train Status: For delays or cancellations, please consult the official websites of the corresponding operators (JR East, JR West, JR Central, etc.).
Very Important Note Regarding Prices:
The JR PASS does not have a fixed price; prices fluctuate with the Japanese Yen. The price included in the contracted program is indicative; the final price will be communicated by Japan Railways at the time of purchase.
- MANAGEMENT FEES:
From the moment the booking is made: €30 / booking.
- FLIGHTS:100% penalty from the moment the airline tickets are issued. Name changes are not permitted. Date changes are only permitted before the tickets are issued.
- JAPAN RAIL PASS:
100% penalty from the moment of purchase.
- HOTELS:
Special cancellation conditions vary depending on the hotel. Please inquire in each case.
Failure to appear on the departure day without prior notice will incur a 100% penalty.
In the event that the passenger decides to shorten their stay for personal reasons, unused services will not be refunded.
Prices shown for children are valid only when sharing a room with 2 adults.
Children aged 12 and over pay the adult rate.
-Daily departures.
-The deadline for booking requests for this tour or extra services is 21 days prior to arrival in Japan. After this deadline, any changes or added services will incur an emergency handling fee. Requests for changes or new services cannot be guaranteed after the booking deadline.
-Customers who choose to enjoy an "ONSEN" (hot spring bath) should note that for cultural reasons, customers with tattoos are not permitted access to the hot spring baths.
-People with reduced mobility: Many places in Japan, hotels, and transportation are not wheelchair accessible. Please inquire and notify us before booking. Any additional assistance costs required during the tour will be the responsibility of the customer.
-Rooms: Double beds are not available. Since double beds are not common in Japan, most hotels do not offer this type of room. We can request it from hotels, but we cannot guarantee it. Single rooms may be smaller than double rooms. Triple rooms cannot be guaranteed until we receive confirmation from each hotel. These rooms are usually double rooms with two beds plus one small rollaway bed.
-Luggage: In case of lost luggage by the airlines, it is the passenger's responsibility to file a claim and contact the airline directly to arrange for its return or any applicable compensation. Luxotour will not be responsible for any procedures related to lost or damaged luggage.
-Consumer Withdrawal: The tour is sold as a closed package, therefore there will be no refund or discount for services that clients decide not to use or in which they cannot participate due to personal or medical reasons, flight schedules, or other events.
-Conduct at the Hotel or on Transportation Services: In the event that a passenger's behavior endangers and/or causes discomfort to other people, they will be obliged to leave the premises without any discount or refund for services they cannot use.
-Credit Card: Generally, hotels require passengers to provide a credit card or a cash deposit as a guarantee to provide services such as telephone calls, extras in bars and restaurants, minibar, laundry, room service charges, etc.
-Personal Documentation and Requirements Entry requirements for Japan: It is the client's responsibility to inform themselves about the current entry and exit regulations of the country they are traveling to, as well as to carry the personal documents required by the authorities. Luxotour assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please note that visa, transit, entry, and vaccination regulations vary from country to country and may be subject to change at short notice.
Day 1: CITY OF ORIGIN - KANSAI
Departure on a scheduled flight to Kansai International Airport (Osaka). Overnight flight.
Day 2: KANSAI - KYOTO
What will you see today?
Day 3: KYOTO
Free day. Accommodation at the hotel and meal plan chosen by the client.
As a suggestion for today, we recommend spending the day exploring the city. Using only the Japan Rail (JR) train lines included in your Japan Rail Pass, you can directly visit several of Kyoto's most iconic and spectacular landmarks. Although the subway and city buses are not covered by this pass, the JR train network quickly connects the north, south, and west of the city.
For example, here are some of the tourist attractions you can visit by taking a train from Kyoto Station:
Taking the JR Nara Line (Southbound)
- Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine: This is the famous Shinto shrine known for its thousands of red torii gates that ascend the mountain. Take the local train and get off at JR Inari Station (just 5 minutes from Kyoto Station). The shrine is right outside the station.
- Tofuku-ji Temple: A stunning Zen Buddhist temple, world-renowned for its expansive Japanese gardens and elevated wooden bridges, which offer spectacular views (especially in autumn). Get off at JR Tofuku-ji Station (the first stop from Kyoto).
Taking the JR Sagano Line / San-in Line (Westbound)
- Arashiyama and its Bamboo Grove: This natural district outside Kyoto is home to the iconic path lined with giant bamboo, the Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryu-ji Temple. Take the train to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (about a 15-minute ride). From there you can walk to the bamboo forest. Sagano Romantic Train: A beautiful route on a vintage train that skirts the Hozu River canyon. Although the ticket for this scenic train is not included in the JR Pass, the departure station (Saga Torokko) is directly connected to JR Arashiyama Station. And if you just want to stroll around the city without using any transportation, these are the sights you'll find near Kyoto Station; even the station itself is a futuristic commercial and architectural hub of glass and steel. On foot you could visit: To-ji Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan (54.8 meters). It is located about a 15-minute walk southwest of the station. Kyoto Railway Museum: One of the country's most important railway museums, ideal for seeing historic steam locomotives and bullet train simulators. It is about a 15-20 minute walk (or one stop on the Sagano Line to Umejekoji-Kyotonishi Station). Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji Temples: Two gigantic and beautiful Buddhist temple complexes with spectacular wooden main halls. Both are free to access and are located about a 10-15 minute walk north of the station.
- Kyoto Station Skyway: A free elevated walkway on the 11th floor of the station offering incredible panoramic views of the city and Kyoto Tower.
Important Note: Famous landmarks such as Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) or Kiyomizu-dera do not have a JR train station nearby. To reach them, you will need to combine your trip with the Kyoto subway network or city buses (which are not covered by the JR Pass). As a suggestion, we recommend supplementing your JR Pass by using a rechargeable travel card such as the IC Card to ride local buses or the subway without wasting time buying individual tickets.
What will you see today?
Day 4: KYOTO
Free day. Accommodation at the hotel and meal plan chosen by the client.
As a suggestion for today, you have some options outside the city that you can reach using your Japan Rail Pass. These are some examples:
·Nara: 45 minutes away on the JR Nara Rapid Line. Visit the Deer Park and the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple.
·Himeji Castle: About 45 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto.
·Osaka: 15-30 minutes by bullet train or special line express trains (Tokaido-Sanyo).
·Hiroshima and Miyajima: 1 hour and 45 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train. The ferry to Miyajima is also included in the JR Pass.
What will you see today?
Day 5: KYOTO - TOKYO
Using your Japan Rail Pass, depart by train to Tokyo. Accommodation at the hotel and meal plan chosen by the client.
The journey between Kyoto and Tokyo can be made on the iconic Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train, which takes approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. The Japan Rail Pass also allows you to board the Hikari and Kodama trains if you wish to make key stops along the way, such as:
- Nagoya: located halfway between the two cities, it's a perfect stop to stretch your legs. You can visit the imposing Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Jingu Temple. And you can try hitsumabushi (a grilled eel dish) and kishimen (flat noodles).
- Hamamatsu: an ideal intermediate city if you're looking for a more relaxed stop. You can visit Hamamatsu Castle and Lake Hamana, famous for its eel farms and hot springs. Shizuoka and Mount Fuji: The bullet train passes very close to the volcano and Shizuoka Prefecture. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the right side of the train heading towards Tokyo. If you get off in the area, Lake Kawaguchiko is accessible from the main line with local transfers covered by the pass. Odawara (The Gateway to Hakone): This is the best rest stop for accessing one of Japan's most famous hot spring areas. You can visit Odawara Castle. From here: You can take local mountain trains or buses (some operated by the partner network) to visit the Hakone area, famous for its onsen (hot springs), Lake Ashi, and views of Mount Fuji.
Day 6: TOKYO
Free day. Accommodation at the hotel and meal plan chosen by the client.
Using the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) you can visit the vast majority of Tokyo's neighborhoods and tourist attractions. The pass gives you unlimited access to all JR urban train lines, including the famous Yamanote Line, which circles the city center and connects the most important districts.
Using this network, you can visit key points in the city, including:- Shinjuku and Shibuya: The nerve centers of Tokyo, famous for their skyscrapers, shopping districts, and the iconic Shibuya Crossing.
- Akihabara: The quintessential district for anime, manga, and electronics.
- Harajuku and Meiji Shrine: Getting off at Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line), you can explore this shrine surrounded by a large forest and the famous Takeshita Street.
- Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple: Easily accessible using the JR train line.
- Ueno: Visit Ueno Park, its museums, and its popular zoo.
- Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace: A historic area in the heart of the financial district.
Important: Please note that the JR Pass does not cover Tokyo's subway networks (Tokyo Metro and Toei). Subway), so for some specific areas like Roppongi or Tsukiji, you may need to buy additional subway tickets or use an IC card.
Day 7: TOKYO
Free day. Accommodation at the hotel and meal plan chosen by the client.
The Japan Rail (JR) Pass allows you to take excellent day trips from Tokyo. Planning your excursions is very easy thanks to the extensive network of bullet trains (Shinkansen) and local lines covered by the pass. Top getaways include:
- Kamakura: an ancient capital filled with Zen temples and the famous bronze statue of the Great Buddha. The estimated journey time is one hour on the Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station.
- Nikko: located in the mountains, it is known for the spectacular Toshogu Shrine and its forested nature. The estimated travel time is two hours taking the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya and connecting to the JR Nikko Line.
- Yokohama: Japan's second-largest city, with a beautiful waterfront, Chinatown, and the Minato Mirai port. Travel time: ~30 minutes on the Tokaido Line from Tokyo.
- Mount Fuji / Hakone: While some specific areas require local private transportation not covered by the JR Pass, you can reach the foothills and hot springs using JR trains.
Note: If you plan to travel around the city on the same day, remember that the pass also covers the Yamanote Line, which connects major points in Tokyo.
Day 8: TOKYO
Free day to continue exploring the city and its surroundings, making the most of your Japan Rail Pass. Accommodation at the hotel and meal plan chosen by the client.
(Today is your last day to use the JR Pass)
Day 9: TOKYO
Airport transfer at the client's expense.
Day 10: CITY OF ORIGIN
Arrival in the city of origin and end of the trip.