Traveling in Japan JR Pass/Shinkansen?

Question

I'm an exchange student that is going to Japan with my parents next month (they're dropping me off). My school is in Kyoto, but we're taking a plane to Tokyo and doing a few days of sight-seeing there. We plan on using the Shinkansen to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, but I have a few questions about this. First, about the JR Pass: my parents plan on getting 7-day passes (we're going to take the Hikari train from Tokyo), but since I won't have Temporary Visitor status on my visa, are there good chances that I'll be able to buy a ticket (either one-way or round-trip) the day we plan on going to Kyoto? Or will the train be too full? Also, my parents only plan on staying in Kyoto for two days - would it be more cost efficient for them to buy a regular round-trip ticket instead of a JR Pass (I can't seem to find information about what a regular ticket costs). I'm also wondering about luggage: all three of us will have a total of two large luggages, one medium luggage, and three carry-ons. Will we be able to take all of this on the train? If not, would a large sized coin locker be able to fit at least one large luggage? Any extra advice you have will be much appreciated!

Answer 1

>are there good chances that I'll be able to buy a ticket (either one-way or round-trip) the day we plan on going to Kyoto? Or will the train be too full?

You can buy tickets easily unless you take Shinkansen on special days like New Year

>would it be more cost efficient for them to buy a regular round-trip ticket instead of a JR Pass

7-day JRP is 28,300 yen. Round trip Shinkansen ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto is around 26,000 yen. So the 2 are almost the same. But with JRP, you can take other trains, too. I think it's better to buy JRP in that case.

>Will we be able to take all of this on the train?

You have to put it at a small space between cars. But you have to explain if the conductor or someone else asks whose luggage it is.

Maybe, it's better to take a flight between Tokyo and Kyoto.

Answer 2

JR pass must reserve before entering Japan. This kind of question, however,  has been caused many times over and over again. Read the web info carefully.

http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.h...

7day pass costs Yen28,300 and standard fare from Kyoto to Tokyo by shinkansen costs Yen13,220 one way if you choose Hikari. In addition the train cost from Narita to Tokyo is covered by the pass valued Yen3,140 one way. You can use some more JR train if necessary during the period as much as you wish. Consider it well and decide if you use the pass or not.

Whether  you have certain legal visa whatsoever or not, you can purchase any train ticket in Japan if you pay.

Some Shinkansen discount ticket may be available if you speak fluent Japanese in some discount ticket shop on spot base without guarantee.

Regarding luggage, Shinkansen and Narita express train have enough luggage space to carry together. The coin lockers are anywhere in any Shinkansen rail station but no necessity for you I think.

Be prepare to get off the train because time  is very very very short to on/off at every spot and Kyoto is not final destination but half way stop. You definitely make seat reservation before actual train ride on Shinkansen. Mt. Fuji view is best on seat E(window) side.