Visiting Japan and trying to figure out how to cut back on expenses? You may want to consider buying the Japan Rail Pass. But is the JR Pass worth it? Let’s find out in this JR Pass review & guide!
The Japan Rail Pass can be an absolute money saver, depending on your itinerary and travel style. Especially if you’re planning to visit multiple cities in Japan, it can probably save you quite a bit of cash.
And since Japan isn’t the cheapest country to visit, it may be worth considering buying one. During our first trip to Japan, it saved us a few hundred pounds because we travelled to various cities. As you can read in my Japan budget breakdown, we spent around £2,000 per person in total, but it would’ve been way more without the JR Pass.
So, let’s take a look at what this pass is, how you can use it, how much money you could actually save, and where to buy it.
This article is from before the price increase in October 2023 – we’re working on an updated version of this guide including alternatives. Make sure to use the JR Pass Calculator to figure out whether or not the pass is worth it for your trip!
What’s in this guide?
No time to read the entire article and want to know the best options? Here are the best places to buy your JR Pass:
The Japan Rail Pass can be an absolute money saver, depending on your itinerary and travel style. Especially if you’re planning to visit multiple cities in Japan, it can probably save you quite a bit of cash.
And since Japan isn’t the cheapest country to visit, it may be worth considering buying one. During our first trip to Japan, it saved us a few hundred pounds because we travelled to various cities. As you can read in my Japan budget breakdown, we spent around £2,000 per person in total, but it would’ve been way more without the JR Pass.
So, let’s take a look at what this pass is, how you can use it, how much money you could actually save, and where to buy it.
This article is from before the price increase in October 2023 – we’re working on an updated version of this guide including alternatives. Make sure to use the JR Pass Calculator to figure out whether or not the pass is worth it for your trip!
What’s in this guide?
Overview – Cheapest JR Pass
No time to read the entire article and want to know the best options? Here are the best places to buy your JR Pass:
| Company | Price | Pros | Ships to… | Book/Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klook | From $201 / £161 / €187 |
| Worldwide | Buy your JR pass here |
| JRail Pass | From $208 / £167 / €194 |
| Worldwide delivery (including Japan) | Buy your JR pass here |
| JR Pass | From $210 / £166 / €196 |
|
[TD]Worldwide (but no free shipping)[/TD]
[TD]Buy your JR pass here[/TD]
Prices are accurate at the time of updating our guide.
What is the Japan Rail Pass?
The National Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a railway pass that’s available for foreign tourists who are visiting Japan. The pass is provided by the Japan Railways Group and lets you take unlimited train journeys on the JR lines (including some of the famous bullet trains!) during the duration of your pass.
Since trains can get quite expensive in Japan, it’s a perfect solution for visitors who are planning to visit multiple cities or want to cover longer distances on their trips.
The JR Pass is only available for tourists who are visiting Japan on holiday, and you can get them for one, two, or three weeks. Make sure to order them BEFORE you go to Japan though. You’ll receive a voucher in the post which you can exchange for the actual passes once you arrive in Japan and want to start using them. While you can order them for your hotel room in Japan, it may be a little risky in case there are any delays.
National or regional Japan Rail Pass?
There is a variety of Japan Rail Passes available. The one I mainly focus on in this article is the National Japan Rail Pass, as it covers the entire country and is often the best choice for people visiting Japan for a couple of weeks.
But if your trip to Japan is heavily focused on one area, it may be cheaper to buy a regional pass. It all depends on your trip.
Buy Regional Japan Rail Pass
Buy National Japan Rail Pass
How long is the Japan Rail Pass valid for?
You can buy a Japan Rail Pass that’s valid for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days, starting on the first day you use it.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to activate it on your first day in the country, so you can plan your Japan itinerary around making the most of your pass.
How much does the JR Pass cost?
Sounds good so far? Let’s take a look at the different options for the National JR Pass and the costs.
JR Pass prices in 2023
Here are the costs of the JR pass:
Adult (green) Child (green) Adult (standard) Child (standard) 7 days 39,600 YEN 19,800 YEN 29,650 YEN 14,820 YEN 14 days 64,120 YEN 32,060 YEN 47,250 YEN 23,620 YEN 21 days 83,390 YEN 41,690 YEN 60,450 YEN 30,220 YEN
Some sites that sell the JR Pass can give you a better deal in your local currency. Check the table above for our recommendations.
JR Pass price hike October 2023
In April 2023, the JR company released a press release showing their plans to increase the price of the JR Pass from October 2023 by almost 70%. As you can imagine, this was quite a shock to us. However, the cost of regular fares and tickets on the JR network will also go up in October.
If you are travelling to Japan later this year, it’s important to note that you can buy the JR Pass at its current price until September 30. Afterwards, the newly, increased prices will be introduced.
Remember that, if you buy your JR Pass with one of the vendors we listed, you have a 3-month activation window, as well as the date you will exchange your voucher for the pass in Japan. This means that if you buy the JR Pass on September 21st, you can still activate it until December 20th. If you’re travelling to Japan between October – December, you can still benefit from the current prices.
Using a JR Pass calculator is a great way to figure out how much the individual tickets will cost. You can then compare them to the increased prices of the JR Pass in the image below.
Green Pass or Standard Pass?
As you can see in the table above, there is a difference between the Green Pass and the Standard Pass. The Green Pass basically lets you travel on the Green Car (First Class). While it’s obviously slightly more comfortable and spacious, I don’t think the Green Pass is worth the extra money.
Trains in Japan are already very impressive, and if you’re looking to save some money by buying the JR Pass, stick with the standard ticket.
Japan Rail Pass discounts
Unfortunately, there aren’t many discounts for the Japan Rail Pass, but here they are:
- Children younger than 6 travel for free.
- Children aged 6–11 can get a 50% discount on the regular ticket price (see table above).
- No discount for seniors.
Is the JR Pass refundable?
Non-activated JR Passes may be refundable, depending on the individual policies of the company you buy them from. Every supplier has its own refund policies, so it’s important to read them before you buy a JR Pass.
That being said, most of them offer a refund if the pass hasn’t been activated. Keep in mind that there may be a 10-20% admin fee.
Remember that if stolen or lost, most companies don’t offer refunds. It’s best to ensure you have good travel insurance that could cover the losses.
Is JR Pass transferable?
No, the JR Pass is not transferable. Only the person whose name is on the pass gets to use it.
Where can I buy the JR Pass?
There are quite a few vendors to choose from when ordering your JR Pass. But since it’s quite an important (and, let’s be honest, expensive) purchase, you want to make sure you buy it from a reputable website.
During our first trip to Japan, we ordered our passes from JRail Pass and we had a great experience with them. The vouchers arrived within a few days (with free shipping) and the company has very competitive prices.
Best sites to buy the JR Pass
Here are the best sites to order your JR Pass from:
*Prices accurate at the time of writing.Company Price Pros Ships to… Book/Buy Klook From $201 / £161 / €187 – Free 5-day shipping
– Free JR Pass guideWorldwide Buy your JR pass here JRail Pass From $208 / £167 / €194 – Free Japan travel guide
– Free 24/48 hour delivery
– Ships to hotels in JapanWorldwide (including Japan) Buy your JR pass here JR Pass From $210 / £166 / €196 – Free JR Pass guide
– Ships to hotels in JapanWorldwide (but no free shipping) Buy your JR pass here
When should I buy the JR Pass?
You should order your JR Pass at least one or two weeks before your flights. While most vouchers arrive within a couple of days, it’s best not to risk it in case there are any delays with the post.
And since the vouchers are valid for three months, make sure to not order them more than three months before your trip.
When is the JR Pass not worth it?
While the JR Pass can be a fantastic money saver for your trip to Japan, it may not always be worth it. It completely depends on your itinerary, the places you want to visit, and for how long. You can use the JR Calculator to find out if it’s worth your trip, but it’s also worth reconsidering if:
- You like slow travel or are in Japan for a longer time. Since you have to use the pass for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days, it may not line up with your plans if you want to stay in certain places for a longer time. That said, you don’t have to activate your pass as soon as you arrive. It may be better for your itinerary to only use it for a portion of your trip.
- If you arrive in Tokyo and fly back from Osaka (or vice versa). The return train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto (or Osaka) is one of the main reasons why the JR Pass can save you tons of money because it’s expensive. If you only need a single ticket, because you’re flying back from the other side of the country, it may be cheaper to buy a single ticket.
- You want to explore a smaller part of Japan. If you’re not planning to cover a lot of distance, or only visit a couple of cities, buying individual tickets may be better. This is especially the case if you want to explore parts of Japan that aren’t covered by the JR Lines. Alternatively, you can look if there are regional passes to match your trip.
How to use the JR Pass
If you’re worried about buying or using the Japan Rail Pass, here are the steps you need to take.
How to buy a Japan Rail Pass
This is how you buy the JR Pass online:
- Create your Japan itinerary.
- Decide whether you need a 7-, 14-, or 21-day pass and order it from a trusted vendor. Make sure not to order it too far in advance, since the voucher is only valid for three months.
- You will receive a physical exchange voucher in the post. Make sure to bring this on our trip to Japan.
How to activate your JR Pass
This is how you activate your pass in Japan:
- When you want to start using your JR pass, find a JR Exchange Office (at all main train stations and airports).
- At the office, you can exchange your voucher for your Japan Rail Pass. Make sure you bring your passport!
- You’ll have to fill out a form with some personal details.
- You’ll have to choose a date on which you want the Japan Rail Pass to start. Bear in mind that you can be on a different date, but no further than 30 days in the future. You won’t be able to use the JR Pass until the starting date.
- You’ll receive your JR Pass
How to reserve seats with a JR Pass
Once you receive your pass, you can start using it. You can either get on the next train, or you can reserve a seat to make sure there’s a space for you. While you don’t have to reserve seats for every trip, I do recommend booking a seat for longer journeys (like Tokyo to Kyoto) or busy seasons (cherry blossom season). It’s completely free of charge, too!
- To make a reservation, visit the JR ticket office at a train station.
- Tell them where you want to go and what time (it’s best if you look up train times before going to the office, but the staff can also help you find the best journey).
- You’ll receive a seat reservation ticket, make sure to keep hold of it!
- Go to the platform. You’ll have to show your JR Pass at the ticket gate.
- Find the right car number and seats.
How to travel before/after using the JR Pass
If you’ve planned your itinerary around your JR Pass, you will need a different way of travelling through the cities before and after having used the JR Pass. Even if you are travelling with your JR Pass, you will sometimes not be able to use it.
All you need is a Suica/Pasmo/Icoco Card. The name varies depending on the region you buy the card in, but you can use them all across Japan.
This smartcard can be used to travel on most public transport (trains, metros, buses, etc.) across Japan. You can buy one of these cards and load money onto them at any train station, using either cash or a debit/credit card.
Besides using them to travel, the card also functions as a little electronic wallet. Use it to buy drinks or snacks in vending machines. And also to pay for taxis and locker storage at stations. For more information about these smart cards, please check out East Japan Railway’s website.
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Do I need a JR Pass?
Now you know what the Japan Rail Pass is and how much it costs. But let’s look at the big question:
Is the JR Pass worth it for your trip?
As mentioned before, it completely depends on your itinerary. But in most cases, if you’re visiting more than two cities, you’ll save some money.
To quickly figure out whether it’s worth it, use the Japan Rail Pass calculator. Simply add your planned train journeys into the tool, and it’ll automatically tell you which pass will pay off.
But considering that a return trip from Tokyo to Osaka almost costs as much as a 7-day Japan Rail Pass, it’s almost always worth your money.
How to save more money using the Jr Pass
Even though simply using the JR Pass instead of buying individual tickets can be a huge money-saver, there are some extra things you can do. Here are some tips on how to save even more money by using the JR Pass.
Plan your itinerary around the JR Pass
Since the price jump from a 7-day pass to a 14-day pass is quite big, you may want to adjust your itinerary to fit your JR Pass. Make sure that most of your big train journeys happen within seven consecutive days. That way, you only have to buy a 7-day pass.
During our first trip to Japan, we spent 16 days in the country and used the 7-day Japan Rail Pass. We didn’t activate our pass until we left Tokyo, and made sure that we got back to Tokyo before our pass expired. That way, we saved a couple of hundred pounds!
Before activating the pass and after it expired, we simply used the Suica card to travel around the city during our six days in Tokyo.
Use the Japan Rail Pass in cities
Once you have activated your JR Pass, keep it with you at all times and use it wherever possible. You can use it on ANY JR train line. That means you can use it for smaller journeys inside the cities, too.
Consider staying in JR hotels
There are quite a few hotels near JR stations, and some of them have teamed up to become the JR Hotel Group. Since they are located near the stations, it’s perfect for tourists travelling by train with the JR Pass. JR Pass holders can get a discounted rate for staying at these hotels.
Since discounts differ per hotel, it’s best to contact them directly and mention you’ll be using a JR Pass during your trip. You can find the list of hotels here.
Japan Rail Pass Tip: Sit on the right-hand side if you’re travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto to see Mount Fuji on a clear day
JR Pass review: Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
So, is the JR Pass worth it?
In most cases, yes, it is! While it depends on your itinerary, it’s usually cheaper to use the JR Pass if you plan accordingly. Make sure to use the JR calculator to find out whether it works for your trip.
If you’re not sure where to go in Japan, check out my three week Japan itinerary for some inspiration.