Japan Rail Pass

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?

The most important question first: Is the pass really worth it? I would say, “It depends.” Especially after the significant price increase of 70% in October 2023, I wouldn’t unequivocally recommend the pass anymore.

If you spend a lot of time in Tokyo, it’s not recommended. With the Rail Pass, you can only use JR lines in Tokyo, and you would need to pay separately for all Tokyo Metro lines. See also Subway travel in Tokyo

If you plan to travel long distances on the Shinkansen and use JR lines extensively, then I can recommend it. Long Shinkansen journeys can add up in cost. For instance, a one-way trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima averages around 20,000 yen. See also Traveling through Japan with the Shinkansen

Purchasing & Costs

Duration

The Japan Rail Pass is available for 7, 14, or 21 days. When ordering, keep in mind that the days must be used consecutively. Upon collection, the Rail Pass is activated and becomes valid from that point onward.

Regions

There isn’t just one Japan Rail Pass. In addition to the standard Japan Rail Pass, which covers all of Japan, there are also regional passes that are more cost-effective. For comparison, the standard Japan Rail Pass costs around 50,000 yen for 7 days. The Japan Rail East Pass costs approximately 30,000 yen, but is only valid for 5 days and only in the Tohoku region. The Japan Rail West Pass for the Kansai region costs 7,000 yen for 4 days.

Not everything is covered

Only trains and buses operated by Japan Rail companies are covered. For all other companies, a separate ticket is required. While most modes of transportation work with the Japan Rail Pass, there may be further restrictions in larger cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Additionally, the “NOZOMI” or “MIZUHO” express trains on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line cannot be used with the pass.

How to get the Japan Rail Pass?

If you have decided on the Rail Pass or opted for a regional pass, you should order it before your trip to Japan. You will need a credit card and your passport for this process.

Order online

Go to https://japanrailpass.net and purchase your pass there. You can order multiple passes in one account if you are traveling with several people. During the ordering process, you need to provide an approximate date, but the validity only starts when you pick up the Rail Pass in Japan.

Fun fact: Japanese websites sometimes have “business hours,” meaning you can only order online during regular business hours.

Registration

After ordering successfully, you will be prompted to register on the reservation portal. You will need this registration for seat reservations later, see also Traveling through Japan with the Shinkansen

After successful registration, you’ll receive a reservation number.

Pick up the Pass

On the day you want to activate the pass or even earlier, go to one of the JR Service centers listed there. You’ll need your reservation number and your passport.

Afterwards, you will receive your Japan Rail Pass as a physical ticket at the service center. Unfortunately, there is no digital version available, so be sure to keep it safe, as there is no replacement for lost passes.

How to use your Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is a regular ticket and operates as such at the platform gates.

See also Subway travel in Tokyo