Japan's modern transportation is often considered one of the best in the world. Carrying millions of passengers daily with incredible efficiency and few delays, a trip on the rails in Japan is a true delight. However, rail travel in Japan can be a costly endeavor. Luckily, several passes exist to help ease the burden of the cost of a train or metro ride, while also connecting riders quickly to the places they want to go.
Japan-wide
JR Pass
The Japan Rail Pass, or JR Pass, is arguably the most popular pass amongst foreign travelers to Japan.
Offered in lengths ranging from 1-3 weeks, the pass allows international visitors (or Japanese who can prove residency abroad) the chance to travel on all JR rail routes, with some exceptions. Aside from the Mizuho and Nozomi shinkansen, visitors can criss-crosss Japan – from Hokkaido to Kyushu – using a variety of trains and occasionally buses. Passes must be used on consecutive days.
The 7-day rail pass costs ¥29,100, the 14-day rail pass costs 46,390, and the 21-day rail pass costs 59,350. Prices are higher for those looking to utilize the slightly more upscale green car. At the moment, rail passes must be purchased outside of Japan, then exchanged for the official pass upon arrival in Japan.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 7-day Ordinary | ¥29,100 | ¥14,550 |
| 7-day Green | ¥38,880 | ¥19,440 |
| 14-day Ordinary | ¥46,390 | ¥23,190 |
| 14-day Green | ¥62,950 | ¥31,470 |
| 21-day Ordinary | ¥59,350 | ¥29,670 |
| 21-day Green | ¥81,870 | ¥40,930 |
Seishun 18
Seishun 18 permits unlimited rides on all local and rapid JR services (not reserved seats) in Japan – though doesn't include shinkansen.
However, the ticket provides great value with five days worth of train travel for just 2,370 yen each day. These 5 days can also be shared freely between up to 5 people.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Seishun 18 | ¥11,850 | ¥11,850 |
| Season | Validity | Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | July 20th–Sept 10th | July 1st–Aug 31st |
| Winter | Dec 10th–Jan 10th | Dec 1st–Dec 31s |
Hokkaido
JR East-South Hokkaido Pass
The JR East-South Hokkaido Pass allows users to travel on both all JR East routes and all JR Hokkaido trains, offering comprehensive options in two very distinct regions.
The pass also permits users to ride the recently opened shinkansen route linking Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate station in southern Hokkaido. Unlike the regular Japan Rail pass, this is a flexible pass that can be used on any six days out of a period of 14 days (two weeks).
The pass is for sale both inside and outside Japan. If purchased before arrival, the pass is ¥26,000. If purchased in Japan, the cost is ¥27,000.
| Flexible 6-day pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | ¥27,000 | ¥13,500 |
| International | ¥26,000 | ¥13,000 |
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass is an excellent choice for travelers looking to cover large areas of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.
The pass allows for travel on all JR Hokkaido trains and several JR bus routes. Travelers are not permitted, however, to use the pass on the new Hokkaido shinkansen. The Hokkaido Rail Pass comes in 3-Day, 5-Day and 7-Day options (all consecutive), as well as a flexible 4-Day Option, where users have a period of ten days to use the pass. The pass ranges in price from ¥16,500 to ¥24,000.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 3 day | ¥16,500 | ¥8,250 |
| 4 day (Flexi) | ¥22,000 | ¥11,000 |
| 5 day | ¥22,000 | ¥11,000 |
| 7 day | ¥24,000 | ¥12,000 |
More about JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
Tohoku
JR East Pass (Tohoku)
The JR East Pass (Tohoku) covers travel on JR trains in the northern regions of Japan.
Visitors can use the pass to reach Tokyo from either Haneda or Narita airport, then continue on to explore the Tohoku region. The pass can be used to explore the various summer festivals of Aomori and Akita, visit the onsen of Miyagi Prefecture, or explore the famous shrines and natural wonders of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikko.
The JR East Pass is a flexible pass that can be used for five days in a 14-day period. The pass can be purchased both abroad (¥19,000) and upon arrival in Japan (¥20,000).
| Flexible 5-day pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | ¥20,000 | ¥10,000 |
| International | ¥19,000 | ¥9,500 |
Sendai Area Pass (Miyagi)
The Sendai Area Pass covers travel on multiple lines within Miyagi's Sendai City and outlying regions.
Visitors can use the pass to travel around Sendai and popular attractions as far as Yamagata's Yamadera temple and Miyagi's Matsushima coastal area too. Besides affordable travel, the pass also provides the opportunity to get discounted entry to many popular attractions.
The Sendai Area Pass is available as a one day pass.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ¥1,300 | ¥650 |
Kanto
JR East Pass (Nagano/Niigata)
The JR East Pass for the Nagano and Niigata areas allows visitors to travel on all JR East trains in this resort-filled region of Japan.
Why not plan a wintry visit to the slopes with this flexible pass that can even be used on shinkansen from Tokyo. The pass even covers some travel in the neighboring Izu and Nikko regions, as well as the journey from either Narita or Haneda airport into central Tokyo. The JR East Pass is a flexible pass that can be used for five days in a 14-day period, and can be purchased both abroad (¥17,000) and upon arrival in Japan (¥18,000).
| Flexible 5-day pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | ¥18,000 | ¥9,000 |
| International | ¥17,000 | ¥8,500 |
More on JR East Pass (Nagano/Niigata)
Tokyo
Tokyo Wide Pass
The Tokyo Wide Pass is a useful option for visitors who aim to cover numerous destinations in the Tokyo region (Kanto area) over three consecutive days.
The pass allows for travel on a multitude of routes – from the JR East lines (including in unreserved cars of the shinkansen), the Izu Kyuko line, the Fujikyu Railway and several other private rail lines in and around Tokyo. The cost for the 3-day pass is ¥10,180.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ¥10,180 | ¥5,090 |
Tokyo Metro 24 Hour Ticket
Perfect for travelers aiming to maximize their time in Japan’s capital, this pass allows unlimited travel on the nine Tokyo Metro lines for a period of 24 hours.
Riders can range from the bustling streets of Asakusa to the glitz of Ginza, from the gardens of the Imperial Palace to the trendy boutiques of Shibuya, all for the bargain price of ¥600.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ¥600 | ¥300 |
Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway 1-Day Pass
This combination pass allows riders to travel on all 13 of the city’s subway lines – the nine lines of the Tokyo Metro company and the four lines of the Toei Metro Company.
On this 24-hour ticket, it’s easier than ever to visit the up-and-coming areas of eastern Tokyo, the refined glamor of Ginza, the perpetually-exciting neighborhoods of Shibuya and Shinjuku or the quiet escapes of the northern part of the city. The Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway 1-Day Pass costs ¥1000.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ¥1,000 | ¥500 |
Tokyo Combination Ticket 1-Day Pass
For those who don’t like to be tied to a single train company, this is the most comprehensive pass available for the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Users can travel on all Tokyo Metro and Toei subway trains as well as JR trains such as the Yamanote and Chuo lines. The ticket can also be used on the Toden streetcar and the Nippori-Toneri liner. The 1-day combination ticket costs ¥1590.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ¥1,590 | ¥800 |
Hakone
Hakone Free Pass
The Hakone Free Pass is sold by the Odakyu train company for travel to and around the Hakone region.
The pass covers the various forms of Odakyu-owned transportation around the Hakone area – trains, cable car, ropeway, lake cruise and bus routes – as well as provides discounts on certain sightseeing destinations.
The Hakone Free Pass is sold in increments of 2 days or 3 days and can be purchased from the Odakyu information counters in Shinjuku, Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| From Shinjuku (2 day) | ¥5,140 | ¥1,500 |
| From Shinjuku (3 day) | ¥5,640 | ¥1,750 |
| From Machida (2 day) | ¥4,820 | ¥1,420 |
| From Machida (3 day) | ¥5,320 | ¥1,670 |
| From Odawara (2 day) | ¥4,000 | ¥1,000 |
| From Odawara (3 day) | ¥4,500 | ¥1,250 |
Kansai
Kansai Thru Pass
The Kansai Thru Pass gives visitors comprehensive access to major sightseeing destinations in the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and even the mountaintop temple complex of Koyasan.
The pass can be used on nearly all public and private rail companies, as well as on subways and buses in the individual cities. The Kansai Thru Pass is offered in both 2 day (¥4000) and 3 day options (¥5200). Unlike many other rail passes, the Thru Pass does NOT have to be used consecutively. Purchasers will be given a set of dates within which they can use the pass.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 2 day | ¥4,000 | ¥2,000 |
| 3 day | ¥5,200 | ¥2,600 |
Kyoto
Kyoto Bus and Subway 1-Day and 2-Day pass
The Kyoto Bus and Subway pass is designed to be used on any Kyoto Bus and City Bus routes, as well as on Kyoto’s two municipal subway lines.
The pass carries certain geographical limitations, but covers the majority of Kyoto’s best-known sights. The pass is sold in 1-day (¥1200) and 2-day (¥2000) options.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | ¥1,200 | ¥600 |
| 2 day | ¥2,000 | ¥1,000 |
Hiroshima
1-Day Streetcar Pass
This pass can be used on Hiroshima’s streetcar system over a period of 24 hours.
Passes can be bought and used at a later date, as the validity is good for whatever date the user scratches off on the back of the card. The Hiroshima Streetcar connects many of Hiroshima’s major spots, from the JR train station to the Genbaku Dome (A-Bomb Dome). Passes can be purchased from the Hiroshima station, from many major hotels in the city, and from conductors onboard the streetcars themselves. The cost is ¥600.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | ¥600 | ¥300 |
1-Day Streetcar and Ferry Pass
This pass combines the regular streetcar pass – which is good for use on any of Hiroshima’s streetcar lines – with a round-trip ferry ticket to and from Miyajima.
The ticket must be used over one calendar day and does not apply for overnight stays on the island. The cost is ¥840.
| Type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | ¥840 | ¥420 |
