JR Pass Guide — Nippon Passage

What is the JR Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a unlimited travel pass for foreign tourists visiting Japan. It covers nearly all trains operated by Japan Railways (JR) Group, including most Shinkansen bullet trains, limited express trains, local trains, and even some JR buses and ferries. The pass must be purchased before arriving in Japan and activated within 3 months of purchase.

Whether the JR Pass saves you money depends on your itinerary. Use our JR Pass Calculator to find out.

Types & Prices

Prices as of 2025. Children (6-11) pay half price. Under 6 travels free.

Ordinary Car

Duration	Adult Price	Child Price
7-day	¥50,150	¥25,075
14-day	¥80,150	¥40,075
21-day	¥103,950	¥51,975

Green Car (First Class)

Duration	Adult Price	Child Price
7-day	¥66,950	¥33,475
14-day	¥106,550	¥53,275
21-day	¥137,700	¥68,850

Green Car offers wider seats, more legroom, and a quieter cabin. Available on most Shinkansen and limited express trains. Worth considering for journeys over 3 hours.

Where to Buy

The JR Pass must be purchased outside Japan through an authorized reseller. You will receive an Exchange Order (MCO), which you exchange for the actual pass at a JR Exchange Office in Japan.

Authorized resellers include:

JR Pass official website (japanrailpass.net)
Major travel agencies (JTB, HIS, etc.)
Online travel retailers

Important: You must exchange your voucher within 3 months of the issue date. Bring your passport — the pass is only available to foreign tourists on a temporary visitor visa.

How to Activate

Bring your Exchange Order and passport to any JR Exchange Office.
Major exchange locations: Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Tokyo Station, Shin-Osaka Station, and Sapporo Station.
Fill out a short application form.
Specify your activation date — it can be any date within 30 days.
Receive your JR Pass booklet and you're ready to travel.

Tip: Activate the pass on the day you start using it, not necessarily the day you arrive. Plan ahead to maximize the value.

What's Covered / Not Covered

✓ Covered

All JR trains (including most Shinkansen)
Hikari and Kodama on Tokaido Shinkansen
Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku Shinkansen
JR local and limited express trains
Tokyo Monorail (to Haneda Airport)
JR ferry to Miyajima
Some JR highway buses

✗ Not Covered

Nozomi and Mizuho on Tokaido Shinkansen
Private railway lines (Tokyo Metro, Keisei, etc.)
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Most highway buses
Subway systems in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto

Regional Passes

If your travel is concentrated in one region, a regional pass may offer better value.

Pass	Region	Duration	Price (Adult)
Hokkaido Rail Pass	Hokkaido	5-day / 7-day	¥22,000 / ¥24,500
JR East Pass	East Japan	5-day flexible	¥30,000
Kansai Area Pass	Kansai region	1-4 days	¥2,400 - ¥6,800
Kyushu Rail Pass	Kyushu	3-day / 5-day	¥18,000 / ¥22,000
San'in-Okayama Pass	Chugoku region	4-day	¥5,500

Is the JR Pass Worth It for Your Trip?

Use our calculator to compare pass prices with individual ticket costs.

Try the Calculator