IS IT WORTH BUYING THE JR PASS IN JAPAN?

The JR Pass, or Japan Rail Pass, is a special ticket available to foreign tourists visiting Japan. It offers unlimited travel on most trains operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group for a set period, typically 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The pass is a popular choice for travelers who plan to visit multiple cities in Japan, as it can provide significant savings compared to buying individual tickets for each journey. The JR Pass covers all JR Group trains, including the famous Shinkansen (bullet trains), with a few exceptions like the Nozomi and Mizuho services. It also includes some local JR buses and the JR ferry to Miyajima. There are two types of JR Passes—Ordinary and Green. The Green Pass provides access to the Green Cars, which are the equivalent of first-class seating with more spacious and comfortable seats. The JR Pass is only available to foreign tourists entering Japan under the "Temporary Visitor" status. It must be purchased before arriving in Japan, though it can sometimes be bought at selected locations within Japan at a higher cost. 

The JR Pass allows for flexible travel plans, as it can be used on almost any JR train without prior reservations, though seat reservations can be made for free. The price of the JR Pass varies depending on the duration and class (Ordinary or Green). The pass can provide great value for those planning to travel extensively across Japan, especially on long-distance routes. However, with the hike in price for the JR Pass, it may not be worth purchasing a JR Pass, it you don't intend on Traveling long distances and hopping from town to town. In this blog, I will go over in detail what the JR Pass covers and whether or not it is worth purchasing for your next visit.

What does the JR Pass Include

The JR Pass is a special ticket available to foreign tourists visiting Japan. It offers unlimited travel on most trains operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group for a set period, typically 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The pass is a popular choice for travelers who plan to visit multiple cities in Japan, as it can provide significant savings compared to buying individual tickets for each journey. The JR Pass covers all JR Group trains, including the famous Shinkansen (bullet trains), with a few exceptions like the Nozomi and Mizuho services. It also includes some local JR buses and the JR ferry to Miyajima.  There are two types of JR Passes—Ordinary and Green. The Green Pass provides access to the Green Cars, which are the equivalent of first-class seating with more spacious and comfortable seats. 

The JR Pass is only available to foreign tourists entering Japan under the "Temporary Visitor" status. It must be purchased before arriving in Japan, though it can sometimes be bought at selected locations within Japan at a higher cost. The JR Pass allows for flexible travel plans, as it can be used on almost any JR train without prior reservations, though seat reservations can be made for free. 

What does the JR Pass NOT Include

JR operates the large majority of train lines in Japan, including all Shinkansen lines; however, there are also numerous other railway operators. Most of them serve relatively small regional networks or even just single lines, and they are most prominent in the suburbs of Japan's largest cities. Furthermore, most subway lines in Japan are not operated by JR. The Japan Rail Pass is generally not valid on non-JR trains. Nozomi and Mizuho trains along the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen. A hefty supplement fee is required when riding the Nozomi, the fastest category along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen and the Mizuho, the fastest category along the Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen. The cost depends on the distance traveled and does not differ between seat types (unreserved, reserved and Green; only Green pass holders may use Green car seats). In order to ride Nozomi and Mizuho trains, pass holders will have to pay the supplement fee in the form of a "Nozomi Mizuho Ticket", which can be purchased at ticket offices at major JR stations across Japan. There are about a dozen JR trains that partially run on tracks owned by different railway companies. Japan Rail Pass holders will have to pay the fare for these non-JR sections. Please see our special page on JR trains using non-JR tracks for a list of these trains. 

The list below lists the supplement fees for some popular sections:

Tokyo - Nagoya: 4,180 yen

Tokyo - Kyoto: 4,960 yen

Tokyo - Shin-Osaka: 4,960 yen

Tokyo - Hiroshima: 6,500 yen

Tokyo - Hakata: 8,140 yen

Shin-Osaka - Hiroshima: 4,170 yen

Shin-Osaka - Hakata: 4,960 yen

Shin-Osaka - Kagoshima-Chuo: 9,460 yen

Hakata - Kagoshima-Chuo: 4,500 yen

There exist a few suburban "home liner" trains, which require a special "liner ticket" and are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. However, since these trains are targeted at suburban commuters, foreign tourists are unlikely to use them. Confusingly, there are also a few trains that contain "Liner" in their names, but do not require a liner ticket, such as the Marine Liner and Seaside Liner. These trains are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Special compartments, such as berths on night trains, are not fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. A supplement fee has to be paid. See our night train page for more details.

Cost of JR Pass

The Price of the JR Pass depends on whether you are purchasing the Ordinary or Green Class Pass, as well as how many days the pass is for, there is the option of 7, 14, or 21 Days. The Ordinary Class tickets cost $357 for 7 days, $571 for 14 days, and $714 for 21 days, while the first class Green Class Pass, it costs $500 for 7 days, $786 for 14 days, and $1000 for 21 days.

Ordinary vs Green Cars

The Green Pass gives access to Green Cars, which are first-class carriages on the JR trains. Green Cars typically have wider seats, more legroom, and larger reclining angles. There are usually 2 seats on each side of the aisle (2-2 seating).Green Cars are generally less crowded than ordinary cars, offering a more relaxed and quieter environment. Green Car passengers may enjoy extra services like blankets, footrests, and reading lights. Some trains also offer complimentary drink service in Green Cars. The Green Pass is more expensive than the Ordinary Pass due to the higher level of comfort and services. 

The Ordinary Pass allows travel in standard carriages, which are still comfortable and clean but do not offer the same premium services as Green Cars. Ordinary cars usually have 3 seats on one side of the aisle and 2 on the other (3-2 seating), with less space than Green Cars. On popular routes and during peak travel seasons, Ordinary cars may be more crowded. You can still reserve seats in the Ordinary class (free for JR Pass holders), but non-reserved cars might get busy. The Ordinary Pass is more affordable and still provides access to the majority of JR services, including Shinkansen, making it a great option for budget-conscious travelers.

Is it Worth Buying the JR Pass?

Whether the Japan Rail (JR) Pass is worth buying depends on your travel plans in Japan. Here are a few factors to consider: Long Distance Travel, Regional and local Travel, Travel Flexibility, Types of JR Pass, and New JR Pass Pricing. If you're traveling between cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and others, the JR Pass can save you a significant amount of money. A single round-trip ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka costs almost the same as the 7-day JR Pass, making it worth it if you're doing multiple trips. If your trip is mainly within one region (like only visiting Tokyo or Osaka), the JR Pass may not be necessary. Instead, regional JR passes or local transportation cards (like Suica or Pasmo) might be more economical. The JR Pass gives you flexibility in terms of how much you travel without needing to worry about purchasing tickets for each journey. If you're planning to hop between cities frequently, the convenience of the pass is beneficial. If you're traveling for a week and doing multiple trips between major cities, the 7-day pass is usually worth it. For longer trips, the 14-day or 21-day pass might be a better deal. There was a price increase in October 2023. If you’re considering buying the pass, take this into account, as it may impact how much you save.