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Getting around · Passes

The JR Pass, worth it or not?

Seven days of unlimited JR trains for 50,000 ¥: a good deal only if you cross the country several times that week.

Is your week of trains worth 50,000 ¥?

Round trip
TokyoKyoto
JR Passnot worth it

Returning from Osaka: 21,110 ¥ less than the pass.

In tickets28,890 ¥
A loop
TokyoHiroshima
JR Passnot worth it, just

Via Kyoto, then back to Tokyo. You are 4,130 ¥ of JR trips short (Nara, Miyajima…).

In tickets45,870 ¥
Round trip
TokyoHakata
JR Passnot worth it

Fukuoka and back, by Nozomi.

In tickets47,620 ¥
Two round trips
TokyoHakodate
JR Passworth it

To Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, plus Tokyo ⇄ Kyoto by Hikari: 26,100 ¥ saved.

In tickets76,100 ¥

Ticket-office fares, reserved Nozomi seats, October 2026. Each itinerary in this guide has its own calculation in its chapter.

From a travel agent abroad53,000 ¥ for 7 days; seats reserved only once in Japan
On the official website50,000 ¥ for 7 days, 80,000 ¥ for 14, 100,000 ¥ for 21; seats bookable before you leave
  • Included
  • JR trains: Shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho), express and local trains.
  • Seat reservations, free of charge.
  • The Haneda monorail and the JR ferry to Miyajima (plus a 100 ¥ visitor tax).
  • Not included
  • Nozomi and Mizuho: a special ticket for each trip, 4,960 ¥ Tokyo – Kyoto, 6,500 ¥ Tokyo – Hiroshima. Or take the Hikari.
  • Private railways and subways.
  • Highway buses.
The JR Pass on the official website
PlanJapanGetting around · JR Pass and regional passes
PlanJapan · Japan, the complete guide · 2026–20271
Passes · By region

A regional pass, often smarter

Cheaper and targeted, they cover one region, some with the Shinkansen. For foreign visitors only. Adult prices, October 2026, from north to south.

  1. Hokkaido Rail PassAll of Hokkaido, except the Shinkansen.5, 7 or 10 days: from 22,000 ¥
  2. JR EAST PASSTohoku, Nagano, Niigata, Nikko. Narita → Aomori in tickets: 52,000 ¥.5 days: 35,000 ¥ · 10 days: 50,000 ¥
  3. JR TOKYO Wide PassAround Tokyo: Nikko, Karuizawa, Kawaguchiko.3 days: 16,000 ¥
  4. Hokuriku Arch PassTokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto, Osaka. Buy it before you leave.7 days: 35,000 ¥
  5. Takayama-HokurikuFrom Osaka or Nagoya: Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa.5 days: 19,800 ¥
  6. Kansai WIDEKansai, Okayama, Kinosaki, HARUKA included.5 days: 12,000 ¥
  7. Kansai-HiroshimaKansai ⇄ Hiroshima, Miyajima ferry included.5 days: 17,000 ¥
  8. JR-WEST All AreaFrom Kansai to Hakata, Nozomi included.7 days: 26,000 ¥
  9. ALL SHIKOKU Rail PassShikoku's trains and trams.3 days: 12,000 ¥ · 7 days: 20,000 ¥
  10. JR Kyushu Rail PassAll of Kyushu, with its Shinkansen.3, 5 or 7 days: 22,000 to 26,000 ¥, 1,000 ¥ less online

In the city

Tokyo

Tokyo Subway Ticket: 1,000 ¥ for 24 hours, 2,000 ¥ for 72 hours, subway only.

See the Tokyo chapter

Osaka

OSAKA AMAZING PASS: 3,500 ¥ a day, transit and about forty attractions. Subway and bus: 820 ¥ (620 ¥ on weekends).

On your phone

Kyoto

Subway and bus day pass: 1,100 ¥. The bus-only pass no longer exists.

See the Kyoto chapter

JR East JR West JR Central JR Kyushu Osaka Amazing Pass
PlanJapanGetting around · JR Pass and regional passes
PlanJapan · Japan, the complete guide · 2026–20272