What’s the cheapest way to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto using a Japan Rail Pass versus buying regional passes?

If you plan only a Tokyo‑Kyoto round‑trip, a one‑way Shinkansen ticket on the Hikari line costs about ¥13,000, while a 7‑day Japan Rail Pass is ¥29,650 and only saves money if you add extra trips like Osaka or Hiroshima. For just the two cities, buying discount tickets or using overnight buses is usually cheaper. Consider regional passes only if you’ll explore Kansai extensively.