Ben wrote:
> hello all
>
> sorry these slightly difficult questions, but I'm having a hard trying to
> evaluate which choice would be more economic.
>
> guidebooks and websites can't beat first hand experience.
>
> This is the trip to come.
>
> Arriving in Japan next week and staying there from the 7th till the 26th.
> i'll be staying in Tokyo 4 nights, my friend arrives on the 10th, and then
> we're moving to her place in Kyoto.
>
> Probalby staying in Kyoto until the 18th or so, my friend has to see the
> family some.
>
> from Kyoto, day trips to Kansai / nearby places Nara, Kurama, Biwa lake,
> Osaka to see friends...
>
Add Himeji to this list. While you're there go to Engyoji Temple on Mt.
Shosha. If you have a decent sense of direction I suggest walking back
to Himeji; saves you money on the bus fare and you'll see things the
normal tourist won't.

> After this week we leave Kyoto and plan on making a stoppover in the Nagoya
> area ( to see Takayama, Ise )
>
> and then we plan on making a 5 day trip somewhere, possibly up north to
> Morioka area, Iwate...
>
> Don't really know where to go as most national parks are closed, it's busy
> ski season... Our interests are more in rural traditional places,
> countryside, mountains. Oh and going to a nice onsen for a couple of nights.
>
Do you have a car? Can your Japanese friend drive? You might look into
this option for getting around. I've not priced rentals in Japan for a
long time, but it could be a decent deal if you're splitting the costs
two ways. This certainly allows you to see the rural areas, but this
time of year you also have to consider icy roads.

> We had considered Akita, but the ski rush doesn't make it this appealling,
> and even Hokkaido, but 5 days would really be rushing it, unless we catch a
> plane ? but even then, doesn't seem worth it.
>
> we're flying out from Tokyo on the 26th
>
>
>
> this is a very flexible schedule, the aim in the 20 days is not to see as
> much of the country as I can pack in ( my first time in Japan) but just to
> have a nice stay, no rushing.
>
> As I mentioned, we're also looking for an good onsen to go to, her parents
> might help us finacially on this one though.
>
> Any suggestions or horror cries ?
>
> On railpasses, my budget is really low due to some recent events.
>
Sounds like me on my first trip to Japan. There are tickets designed
for students (seishun jyu hachi kippu), but it doesn't look like you'll
be able to use them since they're seasonal;
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html.

> So i'm really wondering wether I should get a JR pass for 7 days ( which is
> what I plan on doing) or 14 days (which is what I had planned, but now blows
> my budget). With the travelling involved, will I end paying more with a 7
> days pass only or is there a way I could maximize a 7 days pass with such a
> flexible program ?
>
Use http://www.hyperdia.com/ (there's an English option) to get a good
idea how much you'll need. You could probably get by using regional
passes. The JR West regional pass, in particular, seems to be a good
deal to me (http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html). For
your trip up north it makes sense to use the rail pass; unless someone
else is paying for your ticket it doesn't make sense at all to not have
the full pass.

John W.