Japan Rail Pass

6/14/2023

By far the best option for visitors who plan to do a lot of travelling is the Japan Rail Pass, which allows unlimited travel on almost all JR trains, including the Shinkansen, for a fixed period of 7, 14 or 21 days.

Whereas a single round trip from Tokyo to Osaka costs almost 29,000 yen, the 7-day Rail Pass in ordinary class is 29,650 yen. The 14-day and 21-day ordinary pass is 47,250 yen and 60,450 yen, respectively.

Green Car Rail Passes cost 39,600 yen, 64,120 yen, and 83,390 yen for 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively, and include unlimited travel in Green Car seating. Read more details about more comfortable Green Cars below.

The unlimited rides also include the Tokyo Monorail to/from Haneda Airport and use of the JR Miyajima Ferry for travel from the mainland to the island of Itsukushima, popularly known as Miyajima. The Japan Rail Pass is also valid on local buses operated by JR "but not on highway buses". The JR Pass is offered exclusively to foreign visitors with tourist visas.

On April 14, 2023, JR Group announced that a price increase would take place effective October 2023. Prices for the Japan Rail Pass are expected to increase by as much as 77%.

At the same time, there are plans to provide additional discounts to various attractions affiliated with the Japan Rail Pass. Sales at offices in Japan will be integrated with sales on Rail Pass reservations. It was also announced that permissions would be updated for pass holders to be able to use Mizuho and Nozomi services on the Shinkansen; though the specifics of this process are still to be determined.

If you’re planning to visit Japan in the near future, you can still take advantage of the current prices by purchasing your JR Passes before the price increase takes effect:

JR Passes can be activated up to 3 months after the issue date. You can order your pass at the current price until 25 September.
When you activate your pass in Japan, you can select a start date up to 30 days in the future. This means you could potentially travel to Japan with the Pass until the end of January, depending on when you order.

When placing your order, keep your 3-month activation window in mind, as well as the date you will exchange your voucher for the pass in Japan.

For example, If you’re planning to activate the pass in Japan on December 20, you should purchase it on September 21 or after. Be sure to plan ahead and buy your pass once you’ve set the dates, as demand is expected to surge before the price increase.

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)

The easiest way to purchase a Japan Rail Pass is to buy it online. An Exchange Order will be delivered to you within 3–5 days. Take your exchange order to any major JR station or airport in Japan to collect your JR Pass within three months of purchase.

The Japan Rail Pass can also be purchased from many authorized travel agencies outside of Japan. When you buy your pass from any of them, you will first receive an exchange order (Image) that you have to exchange for the actual pass inside Japan. The Japan Rail Pass can be purchased in Japan at a higher price at selected major train stations and airports.

At the time of exchange, you will need to have your passport with you and know the date upon which you will want the Rail Pass to start. Dedicated counters specifically for Rail Pass exchanges exist at some stations, such as Tokyo Station, but most stations issue passes from the travel center or, occasionally, the main information desk. Because this is separated from the main ticket office, wait times are generally low, and as soon as you receive the pass, you can make all your planned reservations with the same person giving you the pass.

You can only make advance reservations after receiving your pass. The reservations are free, so even if you are not entirely settled with your plans, you can reserve everything at the start and make changes later at no cost. Note that many trains fill up far in advance, particularly around holidays.

JR Trains: Green Cars Versus Ordinary Cars

The Japan Rail Pass is available in two types: Ordinary (Image) which requires paying the surcharge to use the Green Car (Image), and Green, which includes Green Car seats at no additional charge.

Express services may offer first-class Green Car seats. They are available on most Shinkansen and limited express trains, as well as on a small number of local trains. Green Cars offer larger seats, more foot space, and tend to be less crowded and quieter than regular cars.

Many travelers find the size and foot room of ordinary seats sufficient, but those who wish to have additional luxury should go for the Green Car.

Japan Rail Pass Exceptions

Japan Rail Pass does have a few exceptions:

You are not allowed to travel on Nozomi or Mizuho services on the Tokaido, San'yo, or Kyushu Shinkansen lines; the full fare must be paid.
You must pay extra for Gran Class, a premium first-class cabin on some JR East Shinkansen trains.
You must also pay extra surcharges for beds on overnight trains, though some also offer some regular seating that is covered.
Some JR trains travel partially on non-JR track, so there is a small surcharge for these sections on some routes.

Japan Regional Rail Passes

Regional JR companies also sell their own passes that cover only parts of the country. They often cover private lines in the covered area. So if you are spending several days in a particular area, it may pay to consider a regional pass.

Unlike the main Rail Pass, many of these can be purchased in the country at any major JR station, but they're still mostly limited to individuals with visitor visas.

Same as the main Rail Pass, Japan Regional Rail Passes also can be purchased online.

When you make any rail journey, even if you obtained a ticket using your Rail Pass, you will need to show the Rail Pass at the manned ticket barrier. This is inconvenient if there is a queue, but it is usually acceptable to flash your pass at the ticket taker as you slip past the other customers in line. Occasionally, there is no window, and you’ll have to jump the gate and show the pass to the security guard if they stop you.

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