Start date for Japan Rail Pass

[fiona miles]

I'm a first time Japan traveller, sorry for the basic question!

We're going to Japan for 12 nights - 6 in Tokyo then 4 in Kyoto then 2 back in Tokyo. So, we have a return trip to Kyoto travelling on days 7 and 11. I don't really want the expense of a 14 day rail pass.

Can we choose the start date of a 7 day pass as day 5 of our trip or does it have to start on the day we arrive? Thanks

[Glenski]

It starts the day you activate it in Japan. That much you can choose. It can be the day you land in Japan or the day you leave or anything in between.

[fiona miles]

Thanks.

Does a JRP get you on the subway in Tokyo? Struggling to read my map to see what's a train station and what's a subway station

[ArmandV]

Thanks.
Does a JRP get you on the subway in Tokyo? Struggling to read my map to see what's a train station and what's a subway station

No. The subways are mostly metropolitan and separate from Japan Rail. But they're generally cheap, about 200 yen or under, depending on where in Tokyo you're going.

There are some commuter trains in Tokyo that are JR. For example, the Yamanote Line is a train the encircles the Tokyo metropolitan area and is a JR train line. The Railpass is usable for it.

[Glenski]

http://www.japanrail.com/JR_japanrailpass.html

[spicytuna]

You have 3 months from the issue date to exchange your voucher for a rail pass.