Japan has many different types of rail passes available that give you unlimited train travel in certain areas. This has both its advantages and disadvantages…
Because there are so many passes to choose from across the different Japanese railway companies, it can be confusing and difficult to decide if you need a pass, and assuming you do, which one you should go for.
To help you get a rail pass that fits your specific needs, I’ve written a comprehensive guide to the main Japan Rail Pass, and all the regional rail passes, so you can decide which is best for your travel itinerary.
About the National JR Pass
The National JR Pass is the mother of all rail passes, giving you free use of all trains on the JR network in Japan. With it, you won’t need to buy any other tickets, unless you take local trains that are not on the JR network.
You can purchase Japan Rail Passes for 7, 14 or 21 days in two types – ordinary and green car. Green car passes let you access first class cars which have more comfortable and spacious seats.
About the Regional JR Passes
In addition to the country-wide National JR Pass, Japan Railways offers a range of regional JR Passes tailored to specific geographic areas within Japan. These regional passes are ideal if you plan plan to spend most of your time in a particular region and are looking for a more cost-effective option.
Regional passes often provide additional benefits, such as discounts on bus services, ferries, and entry to attractions within the region.
Is a JR Pass Worth It?
A JR Pass can be very cost-efficient for long-distance train travel across Japan, and also saves you time as you don’t need to spend time queuing for tickets at the station. If you’re planning an itinerary that takes you to many cities spread out over the country, buying a JR Pass is highly recommended.
However, there are a few other points to take into consideration:
- The JR Pass will not pay off if you’re only planning on staying within one city, and not traveling far on train.
- The JR Pass is not valid on Nozomi shinkansen trains (unless you upgrade your ticket). These are the fastest class of trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen that links cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
- If the areas you’re traveling between are more concentrated in a specific region instead of being spread out, a regional pass like the ones I introduce in the rest of the guide gives you more value for money.
If you choose not to purchase a JR Pass, you can of course still buy individual train tickets, which may be more cost effective when you’re not traveling that much.
1. The JR Pass can only be used by foreign tourists, and must be purchased outside of Japan. You can purchase it online via sites like Klook, or a travel agent outside Japan. You’ll receive a voucher which you’ll need to exchange for the actual JR Pass upon arriving in Japan, within 3 months of purchasing.
2. Once you’re in Japan, you can redeem your voucher at major JR stations throughout the country, including the JR stations at Narita airport and Kansai airport. Just hand your voucher and passport to the ticket counter staff.
3. To use your JR Pass, simply present your rail pass to the staff at the manned gates in the train stations. You can’t use the automatic ticket gates with your JR Pass. Keep your passport with you, as you may occasionally be asked to show it along with your pass.
Most of the time, you won’t need to make seat reservations. The majority of trains carry both reserved and non-reserved seating cars, and many trains don’t get booked out except for peak travel periods.
However, if you would like to make seat reservations for peace of mind, you can do so at any JR ticket office for free. If you’re planning to make long-distance train trips in bigger groups or during busy times, it may be wise to reserve your seats just to be sure.
JR East Passes
The JR East area is above all known for Tokyo, Japan’s global metropolis filled with cutting-edge technology, a diverse culinary scene, and a vibrant nightlife.
If you’re going to be traveling primarily in the eastern and northeastern parts of Japan, in areas such as Tokyo, Niigata, Nagano, or Fukushima, one of these 5 JR East Passes will be a good fit.
I recommend the Tokyo Wide JR Pass. It’s great for short trips from Tokyo to nearby areas, making it a good fit if you’re using Tokyo as your base and are looking to explore the Kanto region over a few days.
If however you want to explore the JR East area more extensively, there are passes for that as well…
Tohoku Area Pass
The Tohoku Area Pass gives you unlimited rides on JR East trains in Tohoku, and is a good choice if you’re traveling between areas like Tokyo and Aomori, Nikko, Sendai, Akita, or Fukushima.
The pass is also valid on the Narita Express, Tokyo Monorail, and shinkansen trains except the Tokaido shinkansen operated by JR Central. It’s valid for a period of any 5 days in a 14-day period, and can be purchased on Klook here.
Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
This pass gives you unlimited use of JR East trains in the Tohoku region and southern Hokkaido, covering areas such as Fukushima, Miyagi, Yamagata, Akita, Iwate, Aomori, Sendai, Hakodate and Sapporo in Hokkaido.
The pass also gives you access to shinkansen trains, and is valid for any 5 days in a 14-day period. You can purchase the Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass on Klook here.
Nagano Niigata Area Pass
The Nagano Niigata Area Pass covers JR trains and local JR buses in the Kanto area, Nagano and Niigana prefectures, and the Shonai region. It’s worth considering if you’re traveling between Tokyo and Nagano, Niigata, Karuizawa, or Gala Yuzawa resort.
The pass can be used on the shinkansen trains, Narita Express and Tokyo Monorail, and is valid for any 5 days in a 14-day period. You can purchase the pass on Klook here.
South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The coverage area for the South Hokkaido Rail Pass is similar to that of the Tohoku Area Pass, but extends past Aomori into the southern part of Hokkaido. It’s a good choice for taking the shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, where you can take another train all the way to Sapporo.
The pass gives you access to all the JR East and some JR Hokkaido trains including the shinkansen, except Tokaido Shinkansen, and can also be used on the Tokyo Monorail. It’s valid for any 6 days in a 14-day period, and can be purchased on Klook here.
JR West Passes
The JR West area is most known the cities Kyoto and Osaka. Kyoto being Japan’s historical center, famous for its traditional architecture and cultural richness. On the other hand Osaka offers a good blend of modern entertainment and historical significance.
If you’re planning to explore the JR West region in Japan, particularly areas like Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okayama, and the San’in region, one of these 14 JR West Passes will be a good fit.
Because there’s so much to see in the JR West region, I recommend the Kansai Wide Area Pass. It covers not only major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, but also less frequented interesting areas.
If however you don’t plan on exploring this area extensively, or if you want to explore other areas within the region, there are passes for that as well…
Kansai Area Pass
This is the most popular pass under JR West, which gives you unlimited train rides major destinations in the Kansai region such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and Wakayama. It also includes access to the Kansai Airport Haruka Express train, and can be picked up at Kansai Airport in Osaka.
The Kansai Area Pass comes in variations valid for 1, 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days. You can purchase a pass on Klook here.
Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
This pass covers destinations within Kansai such as Kansai Airport, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, as well as places on the route to Hiroshima such as Okayama, Kurashiki, Onomichi, Miyajima, Iwakuni and more.
The Kansai – Hiroshima Area Pass also gives you unlimited access to the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, as well as the JR West Miyajima ferry. It’s valid for a period of 5 consecutive days, and you can purchase it on Klook here.
Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass
The Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass covers destinations within Kansai such as Kansai Airport, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and also the route to the Hokuriku Area, which includes cities like Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui.
With this pass you can get unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama, as well as the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Joetsumyoko. The pass is valid for 7 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
Hokuriku Area Pass
The Hokuriku Area Pass gives you unlimited access to selected JR trains and bus lines in the Hokuriku region, which includes cities by the Sea of Japan coastline like Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama. It’s a good choice if you’re heading to destinations like Kanazawa, Kaga Onsen, Shirakawago, in the area.
The pass is valid for 4 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
Hokuriku Arch Pass
This pass connects Tokyo and Osaka, but via a route going through cities in the Hokuriku region like Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, and Nagano. This is a pass worth considering if you’re thinking of visiting major capitals like Tokyo and Osaka, but also smaller cities in the Hokuriku region.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is valid for 7 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
San’in-Okayama Area Pass
This pass covers train travel within the Okayama and San’in areas, which includes destinations such as Tottori, Shimane and Hagi.
Although shinkansen travel is not covered by this pass, you can also use it for the Loop Kirinjishi Bus and Gurutto Matsue Lake Line bus. This pass is valid for 4 days, and you can purchase it on Klook here.
Sanyo-San’in Area Pass
In addition to the Kansai area, the Sanyo-San’in Area Pass also covers the Sanyo area, which includes cities like Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, and the San’in area, which includes places like Tottori and Shimane.
You also have access to unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, as well as the JR West Miyajima ferry. The pass is valid for 7 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Pass
Released by JR West in partnership with JR Kyushu, this pass combines access to the Kansai, Sanyo and San’in regions of the previous Sanyo-San’in Area Pass, with access to the Northern area of Kyushu island.
With this pass, you can take unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, and the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kumamoto. This pass is valid for 7 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass
The Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass covers the train routes from the Hiroshima area to Yamaguchi and Hakata. The pass can be used on the Sanyo Shinkansen from Mihara to Hakata, as well as the JR West Miyajima ferry.
This pass is valid for 5 days, and you can purchase it from Klook here.
Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass
This pass expands on the coverage of the previous pass, covering the train routes from Okayama city to Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Hakata. With this pass, you can take the Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama to Hakata, and board the JR West Miyajima ferry as well.
This pass is valid for 5 days, and you can purchase it from Klook here.
Setouchi Area Pass
The Setouchi Area Pass is a slightly more unique pass, providing unlimited travel on JR trains, trams, buses and ferries in the area around the Seto Inland Sea. On land, it covers the areas from Kansai such as Osaka, Kyoto and Nara all the way to Hakata.
With this pass, you have access to the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. You can also use the pass on a number of ferries – to Miyajima, Shin-Okayama to Shodoshima, Hinase to Shodoshima, Takamatsu to Tonosho, and Hiroshima to Matsuyama.
This pass is valid for 4 days, and is available for purchase on Klook here.
JR Hokkaido Passes
Hokkaido is known for its wilderness, national parks, and outdoor winter sport activities, making it a popular destination for people that love nature and are into adventure.
If you’re going to be traveling in the Hokkaido region, visiting areas such as Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Abashiri, Kushiro, and Noboribetsu, one of these 3 JR Hokkaido Passses will be a good fit.
I recommend the Hokkaido Rail Pass. It’s ideal if you’re using Sapporo as your base and want to explore the region’s diverse landscapes and cultural sites.
JR Kyushu Passes
Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island, is known as the “Land of Fire” for its cluster of active volcanoes, including the famous Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world.
If you’re planning to travel in the Kyushu region, exploring cities and attractions such as Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Beppu, and Yufuin, one of these 2 JR Kyushu Passes will be a good fit.
JR Central Passes
The JR Central area is known for its iconic landmarks, including the majestic Mount Fuji, and the historical Nagoya Castle, a symbol of the region’s rich feudal history.
If you’re planning to travel in the central part of Japan, exploring areas like Mt. Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Nagoya, or the Kiso Valley, then one of the 3 JR Central Passes will be a good fit.
I recommend the Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Pass Mini. It’s perfect for experiencing the scenery in the region, exploring places such as Mt. Fuji and the Izu Peninsula’s hot springs.
If however you want to explore a different area within JR Central, there are passes for that as well…
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
This pass gives you unlimited travel on JR trains between Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama, and Osaka and Kanazawa, and also buses to the Shirakawago world heritage site.
The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is valid for 5 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
This pass gives you unlimited use of JR trains between Nagoya and Toyama, between Nagoya and Shinano-Omachi, and also access to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
The pass is valid for 5 days, and can be used from April 15 – November 10. You can purchase it on Klook here.
Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass
The Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass gives you unlimited access to JR trains between Nagoya, Osaka, Ise city, and the Kumano region which includes the Wakayama and Mie prefectures. The pass also includes rides on buses in the Kumano region.
This pass is valid for 5 days, and can be purchased on Klook here.
JR Shikoku Passes
Shikoku, which is Japan’s smallest island, is often seen as the “Heartland of Spiritual Japan” due to its famous 88-temple pilgrimage route, which encircles the island.
If you’re planning to explore Shikoku, focusing on places such as Matsuyama, Tokushima, Kochi, and Takamatsu, the All Shikoku JR Pass will be a good fit.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a large variety of rail passes in Japan, so no matter what your itinerary is, there is most likely a rail pass that will save you money.
In general, the main JR Pass only pays off if you’re planning a lot of intercity travel across the country. Otherwise, you may be better off getting one of the regional passes. Before you choose a rail pass, you should have a good idea of your itinerary first in order to get one that fits your needs.
Hope this guide helps you find the right rail pass for your travels in Japan!