The safe choice for your Japan Rail Pass

A Japan Rail Pass is a personal train ticket specifically designed for foreign travelers who wish to visit Japan.

WHAT DOES IT GIVE ACCESS TO?

It provides access to all train lines operated by Japan Railways (JR) throughout Japan (with the exception of some high-speed trains including the 'Nozomi' Shinkansen) for a period of 1, 2 or 3 weeks.
 

WHERE TO USE IT?

The Japanese railway network consists in more than 20 000 km of track. With this ticket you can reach the main attractions on the 4 main islands of the Japanese archipelago.
 

WHEN TO USE IT?

The Japan Rail Pass can be used 24/7, all year long, even if it is sometimes difficult to get a seat during the holiday periods:

• From December 28th to January 6th: New year holiday during which most Japanese go back to their hometowns
• From April 27th to May 6th: 'Golden week', time during which Japanese people travel in the country 
• Around August 15th: 'O-bon Festival', which brings families together.

The JR Pass allows unlimited use of JR trains, including bullet trains, for a certain period of time, and can save you money if you plan on taking multiple long-distance train journeys. If you are traveling to multiple cities in Japan and plan on using the bullet train (Shinkansen) or other long-distance trains (local, express or limited-express trains), then the JR Pass can be a cost-effective option.

In addition to the National Japan Rail Pass, other regional ones can be bought (JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR East Pass, JR Kansai area Pass, JR Sanyo area Pass and JR Kyushu Rail Pass) but are only valid for a specific region.

Japan Railways will be implementing price increases for their passes, according to a recent announcement. 

Below is the new pricing for the Japan Rail Pass: 

• 7-day pass: ¥50,000 per adult (¥25,000 for children)
• 14-day pass: ¥80,000 per adult (¥40,000 for children)
• 21-day pass: ¥100,000 per adult (¥50,000 for children)

These prices will come into effect from October 2023. If you're planning on visiting Japan after this date and want to use the JR Pass, you'll need to factor in the increased cost.

What does this mean for travelers?

The increase in JR Pass prices will undoubtedly make traveling around Japan more expensive for foreign tourists. However, it's essential to note that the JR Pass may still be a cost-effective option for some travelers, depending on their itinerary.

If you're planning on visiting multiple cities and using the shinkansen (bullet train), the JR Pass can still save you money, even with the increased prices. It is important to consider the length of your stay in Japan. If you're only staying in Japan for a week, the 7-day pass may be a more cost-effective option.

Plan ahead and get inspired from our travel tips in Japan. 

As of April 14th, JR has announced that the price of the Japan rail pass will increase by 70% in October 2023. 

If you're planning to travel to Japan between October and December 2023, it's a good idea to purchase your JR Pass before the prices go up. The physical voucher will be delivered to your home and can be exchanged in Japan within 3 months of the purchase date.

By buying the pass early, you can avoid any adjustment fees when you exchange it in Japan. For example, if you plan to travel from December 10th to 16th and start using your special train ticket from December 10th, you can purchase it at the current price starting from September 11th.