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Between cities · Travel · Trains, buses and passes

Japan Rail Pass and regional passes

Since the 2023 price rise, the nationwide pass only saves money for people making several long trips in a short time. A regional pass or single tickets are often cheaper. Add up your planned journeys before you buy.

Nationwide, 7 days
Roughly ¥50,000 for adults, ordinary class
Who can buy
Visitors on a temporary visitor stay
Not covered
Private railways and subways

The short answer

  • Add up the cost of your trips. A Tokyo to Osaka return trip is roughly ¥28,000 to ¥30,000, well under a 7-day pass.
  • A regional pass for the area you are visiting is often a better deal.
  • Passes do not cover private railways, subways or local buses.
  • Check the current price and rules on the official site, since they changed in 2023 and again in 2026.

What the nationwide pass costs

The Japan Rail Pass gives unlimited rides on JR trains, including most shinkansen, for 7, 14 or 21 days. Ordinary class prices are around ¥50,000, ¥80,000 and ¥100,000, with Green Car passes costing more. Prices rose sharply in October 2023, and from October 2026 passes bought through overseas agents cost a little more than before.

The pass is only for visitors on a temporary visitor stay. It does not cover private railways, most subways or many buses. The fastest shinkansen trains have restrictions, so check which services your pass allows.

Is it worth it?

Add up the single-ticket price of every long trip you plan, including reserved seats. A Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka trip with a return costs roughly ¥28,000 to ¥30,000 by shinkansen, so a 7-day pass does not pay off unless you add several more long journeys, such as a trip to Hiroshima or Kanazawa.

Passes make the most sense for people covering a lot of ground in one week, such as Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima and back. For slower trips they are rarely worth it, and you can book each leg when you need it.

Regional passes

Regional passes cover one area for less. The JR West Kansai Area Pass covers Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass adds Himeji and Hiroshima, and the Hokuriku Arch Pass links Tokyo, Kanazawa and Kansai. JR East, JR Hokkaido and JR Kyushu sell passes for their own regions.

The Tokyo Subway Ticket gives unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours, which suits a stay mostly in the city. Many cities sell one-day bus and subway tickets too.

Good to know

  • Passes still need seat reservations on many trains. They are free with a pass, but worth doing.
  • Buy online or at the airport. Some passes have to be exchanged at a JR office.
  • Compare the pass with the cost of tickets in an app before you decide.

Words you will see

ジャパン・レール・パス japan rēru pasu
Japan Rail Pass
周遊券 shūyūken
excursion pass
乗り放題 norihōdai
unlimited rides
払い戻し haraimodoshi
refund

Handy for your trip

Rail passes

If the numbers work for your route, these passes can be bought before you arrive.

Sponsored links. We may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See also

Next guide From the airport to the city

Prices as reported by the Japan National Tourism Organization and pass sellers. Check the official site for current prices. Fares and rules checked in November 2026. They change, so confirm current prices with the operator before you buy. Prices are rounded and given in yen. Rules differ between railway companies and regions.