Various Types of JR Rail Passes
Japan Railways (JR), the largest railroad company in Japan, offers several types of rail passes and ticket deals for international visitors. The Japan Rail Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 days) might be the most popular, but there are many other convenient deals for each region of the country.
With a rail pass, you can take unlimited train rides in a certain area during your selected time frame. Read on to learn the features of each rail pass, including prices and area coverage.
Japan Rail Passes: Types and Prices
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1. JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a ticket deal for foreign visitors to Japan offered jointly by six JR groups (Hokkaido, East, Central, West, Shikoku, and Kyushu). It includes unlimited access to most JR trains, including shinkansen (bullet trains) and other express services, local buses, and ferries.
The Japan Rail Pass validity period varies from one to three weeks; you can choose from 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days of travel. While the pass can be purchased in Japan, it is cheaper to purchase it from JR-affiliated travel agencies located overseas.
The Japan Rail Pass for Whole Japan can also be booked online on Klook, a ticket and activity booking site.
Book the JR Pass for Whole Japan
Where to Buy
Outside of Japan
1. Online: https://japanrailpass.net/en/purchase/online/
2. JR-affiliated travel agencies
In Japan
The rail passes can be purchased from JR Ticket counters at major train stations throughout Japan. They are also available at JR travel agencies or major travel agencies in Japan. Counters are also available at Haneda, Narita, New Chitose, and Kansai airports. For more information on specific exchange locations, please the official JR Pass website.
Important: When purchasing a Japan Rail Pass, it is necessary to provide proof of being a tourist. Visitors entering the country through automated immigration procedures should remember to request an entry stamp or tourist visa sticker to be placed on their passports.
Special Ticket required for the NOZOMI and MIZUHO Bullet Trains
The NOZOMI and MIZUHO bullet trains are the fastest means of transportation in Japan. Japan Rail Pass holders need a special additional ticket in order to board these trains. Please refer to the official website for details.
Japan Rail Pass official website: https://japanrailpass.net/en/
Buy your Japan Rail Pass on Klook! The procedure is simple
Book the JR Pass for Whole Japan
2. JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (5, 7, or 10 Days)
The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass covers all areas in Hokkaido. It can be used for unlimited rides on JR Hokkaido trains, including reserved seats on a limited express, and some bus services operated by JR Hokkaido.
The validity period is five, seven, or ten days. The pass can be used anytime during the designated period, however, it must be used consecutively from the start date.
Buy your Hokkaido Rail Pass on Klook! The procedure is simple
Book the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (5, 7, or 10 Days)
JR East - South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR East - South Hokkaido Rail Pass is offered jointly by JR-EAST and JR Hokkaido; it covers the areas from south Hokkaido (Hakodate and Sapporo) to eastern Japan, including Tokyo.
It can be used on all JR trains, including standard reserved seats on bullet trains and limited express trains, which means that pass holders can ride the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Hakodate or Sapporo.
Travelers can also enjoy stopovers in the Tohoku Region (northeastern Japan) and around Tokyo and the entire eastern Japan area. This pass can be purchased in Japan or overseas at the same price.
The JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is recommended for those who:
1. Wish to travel from Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airport to Hokkaido (Sapporo/Hakodate) by bullet train.
2. Want to stop over at various destinations in northeastern Japan such as Zao in Yamagata, Shirakami in Akita, or Oirase in Aomori.
3. Wish to also explore areas in and around Tokyo.
Book the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (6 Days)
JR Tohoku - South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass covers areas from the Tohoku Region to southern Hokkaido (Hakodate and Sapporo). It can be used on all JR trains, including the standard reserved seats on the bullet trains and limited express.
This pass allows users to ride trains from New Chitose Airport to Hakodate or Sapporo, and travel around the Tohoku Region by bullet train.
Book the JR Tohoku - South Hokkaido Rail Pass (6 Days)
Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass (4 Days)
The Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass allows unlimited travel from Shin-Chitose Airport to Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu for four days on any type of JR train. It is the best ticket deal for enjoying the hot springs at Noboribetsu Onsen and exploring the area around Sapporo.
Book the JR Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass
JR Sapporo-Furano Area Pass
The Sapporo-Furano Area Pass allows unlimited rides between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa.
Book the JR Sapporo-Furano Area Pass
5. JR EAST Pass (Tohoku Area)
JR EAST Pass (Tohoku Area) offers unlimited access to all JR East trains and buses between Tokyo and the Tohoku region, including bullet trains and limited express trains.
In addition to Aomori, Morioka, Sendai, and Akita, the travel destinations near Tokyo (Kamakura, Izu, Karuizawa, and Yatsugatake) are all accessible with this pass!
Pass holders can also ride the Tokyo Monorail, Izu Kyuko, Aoimori Railway, Iwate Galaxy Railway, and Tobu Nikko/Kinugawa Line (limited express trains operated jointly by JR East and Tobu Railway). The pass can be purchased in Japan and overseas at the same price.
Book the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)
6. JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata Area)
The JR EAST Pass (Nagano, Niigata Area) offers unlimited access to all JR East trains and buses between Tokyo and the Nagano/Niigata area, including the shinkansen and limited express trains.
Cities such as Niigata, Echigo-Yuzawa, and Hakuba, as well as destinations near Tokyo (Kamakura, Izu, Karuizawa, and Yatsugatake), are covered by this pass.
It can also be used to ride the Tokyo Monorail, Izu Kyuko, Hokuetsu Express, and Tobu Nikko/Kinugawa Line (limited express trains operated jointly by JR East and Tobu Railway). The pass can be purchased in Japan or overseas at the same price.
Book the JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata Area)
7. JR Hokuriku Arch Pass (7 Days)
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is a JR East/JR West joint rail pass that can be used to visit the Hokuriku area (Kanazawa, Toyama) from Tokyo or Osaka. You can start from Tokyo and head for Osaka via the Hokuriku area, or vice versa!
The pass allows unlimited rides on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Tokyo and Kanazawa), JR East and JR West limited express, and local (including rapid/special rapid) services for a week. It can also be used for standard reserved seats on limited express trains.
Additionally, pass holders can enjoy unlimited rides on the Tokyo Monorail and Noto Railway (between Nanao and Wakura Onsen). Although available for purchase in Japan, travelers can save 1,000 yen per purchase through JR-affiliated travel agencies overseas.
Book the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass
8. JR-WEST Rail Passes for the Kansai Area (Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, etc.)
The JR-West Rail Passes cover a wide area centered around the Kansai region (western Japan).
There are 12 types, including the Kansai WIDE Area Pass (for Osaka, Kyoto, and Okayama) and Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass (for Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima/Miyajima). For details on each JR-West pass, please check the official website.
The following rail passes allow visitors to explore major cities in the Kansai region such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and others:
JR-West Kansai WIDE Area Pass
The JR-West Kansai WIDE Area Pass allows you to explore the most famous places in Kansai such as Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo (Kobe, Himeji), and Nara. It also covers areas like Kurashiki, Amanohashidate, Kinosaki Onsen, Tottori, Wakayama, and other areas.
Pass holders can enjoy unlimited rides in the non-reserved seats on limited express trains and bullet trains (shinkansen) within the covered area.
Book the JR-West Kansai WIDE Area Pass
JR-West Kansai Area Pass
This pass covers exciting travel destinations including Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Nara. The validity period varies from one to four days.
Additionally, it includes unlimited rides on local train lines operated by JR-WEST, including rapid/special rapid trains and buses (*this pass cannot be used to board bullet trains). Pass holders are also allowed access to the Kyoto City Subway, Keihan Electric Railway, and Hankyu Railway.
Pass holders can reserve seats on the Kansai Airport Express Haruka. Two-seat reservations are allowed.
Book the JR-West Kansai Area Pass
Other JR-West Rail Passes
In addition to the Kansai WIDE Area Pass and the simple Kansai Area Pass, JR-West also offers other convenient rail passes that allow you to explore western Japan conveniently. Please refer to the following list.
5. JR Kyushu Rail Pass for the Kyushu Region
The JR Kyushu Rail Pass allows travelers to tour the Kyushu region. There are three rail passes available. All Kyushu covers the entire region while Northern Kyushu includes Fukuoka, Beppu, Kumamoto, and Nagasaki. Southern Kyushu can be used to visit Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.
The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All Kyushu) allows unlimited access to the Kyushu bullet trains (Mizuho, Tsubame, and Sakura) from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo Station, including limited express and local lines. It can also be used to reserve seats.
JR Kyushu operates a variety of uniquely designed limited express trains. One of these is the Yufuin no Mori, which connects Hakata, Yufuin, and Beppu. Another notable train is the Umisachi Yamasachi, based in Miyazaki. This pass allows travelers to board these trains as well.
10. Other Convenient Rail Passes
The following are a pair of special JR passes; one pass allows travelers to visit destinations near Tokyo (Karuizawa and Nasu-Shiobara). The other is a special discounted ticket for the Narita Express.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass
The JR TOKYO Wide Pass is valid for three days and offers unlimited access to trains heading for tourist destinations near Tokyo such as Karuizawa, Gala Yuzawa, Nasu-Shiobara, and Izu.
It can also be used to ride all JR East trains including the shinkansen, Nikko/Kinugawa (limited express trains operated jointly by JR East and Tobu Railway), Fujikyu Railway, Izu Kyuko, Rinkai Line (Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Line), and the Tokyo Monorail.
N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket is a discounted fare ticket for a standard reserved seat on the Narita Express (N'EX). The limited express train conveniently departs from and arrives at Narita International Airport.
The train runs through major cities in the Kanto region including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Yokohama, and Omiya. With this ticket, travelers can save more than 2,000 yen on a ride to Tokyo or Shinagawa. Moreover, ticket holders will save more than 4,000 yen on a ride to Yokohama or Ofuna.
Users can ride all of the local JR East trains in the designated areas to other major spots, including Shibuya and Ikebukuro. Be sure not to exit the ticket gate when switching trains.
Take Advantage of Rail Passes for a Budget-Friendly Trip
There are many types of JR Rail Passes available in a wide range of travel areas and travel periods. Moreover, these discounted passes accommodate the travelers' length of stay and destination.
Choose a rail pass that best fits your travel itinerary and enjoy a budget-friendly trip!
