Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth it? + Top Tips for Maxing it Out

ByVictoria Philpott Last Updated:

Is theJR Pass worth it? Let’s take a look at how I managed to use it over three weeks, and what the costs would’ve been without it. Introducing, the Japanese Rail Pass…

I booked the Japan JR Rail Pass for three weeks knowing that after two weeks in Tokyo I’d be ready to explore more of what Japan had to offer for the rest of my time in the country.

I paid £314 for the three-week Japan rail pass, with Fed Ex next-day delivery (I’d left it to the last minute – standard).

Japan Rail Pass

Just to note you don’t need a Japanese rail pass if you’re planning on staying in Tokyo only. I so nearly bought one for that time too which would’ve been a horrible waste of money. Journeys on the Tokyo subway are around £1.50 so in that circumstance, the Japan Rail Pass would not be worth it.

You only need a Japan Rail Pass if you plan on exploring more of the country, beyond Tokyo. Staying in Tokyo? Check out my week itinerary for Tokyo for more inspiration.

Travelling by train in Japan

Japan may be the favoured holiday destination for many people, but the cost of travel is… not encouraging. With the island being long and lean, travelling across the country could cost a domestic flight – or even a week-long drive. Many opt for railway travel instead, but balk at the cost of a single bullet train ride. 

That’s where the Japan Rail Pass steps in, so we don’t have to limit our visit to a single city. While paying ticket by ticket will dent your wallet, the rail pass is a one-time purchase that offers unlimited usage.

japan rail pass prices

I love to look at how much I’m getting for my money so here’s what my time exploring wider Japan would’ve cost me if I hadn’t invested in the three week Japan Rail Pass. All prices are from the almighty hyperdia.com website which gives the train information for the whole of Japan .

Any week-long (or longer) travels through Japan proves how the pass is cost-for-value. I’ll be breaking down the cost of the Japan Rail Pass and how it compares to regular travel. 

Introducing Japan Railways (JR)

Before you panic over the sheer number (and names) of trainlines in Japan, the bolded ‘JR’ lines bring some relief. Short for Japan Railways Group, the JR network comprises of six regional operators to be the most prominent railway collective in the country. 

JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu and JR Hokkaido train lines allow comfortable cross-country travel, connecting major cities under a single system. JR also offers bus and ferry services.

Local trains cover every minor station, while Rapids and Express trains skip to major stations. Limited Express trains come second to the Shinkansen; the bullet train a staple in intercity and cross-country commute.  

What is a Japan Rail Pass?

Lucky for us, Japan Railways understands how costly travel can be! To help out travellers with small budgets, they offer a variety of railway passes that let you take JR trains at much cheaper cost. Think of it as a gift card – limited only by the number days you’ve paid for.  

Typically when people say ‘Japan Rail Pass’, or JR Pass, they’re referring to the nationwide pass. This pass allows unlimited travel on all JR trains across the country as well as select JR buses and the Miyajima ferry. Tokyo visitors will be glad to know that this includes the Narita Express airport train. 

is the jr pass worth it?

The Nozomi and Mizuho trains are exceptions, but you can easily substitute with the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen as they cover the same route. 

Note that the JR Pass can only be used on lines operated by the JR group! I suggest plotting out your routes using Hyperdia to see which trains are covered by the pass, or risk paying extra for the other train lines.

JR offers other rail passes, but I’ll mention them in a later section.

How & where to get a JR Pass

Generally, regional rail passes can be conveniently bought at several locations: JR-specific ticketing machines in every major station, in-station travel agencies, ticket windows for private trainlines, and from the Japan Travel Bureau (JTB). Some passes are also available online.

The comprehensive Japan Rail Pass however, has to be ordered online in advance. Since it’s specifically created for tourists, it can only be bought by foreign passport holders. You can’t buy it in Japan!

The steps to getting a JR Pass are simple:

  1. Visit their official website or affiliated agency sites such as Voyagin; apply there.
  2. An exchange voucher, Japan rail map and timetable booklet will be sent to you.
  3. Upon arrival, exchange this voucher at any JR ticket office or travel center; valid for 3 months after purchase.
  4. You’ll be asked to show your passport and fill out a form. The form records the date you’ll activate your pass on.
  5. You can now reserve seats for free! Just drop by any ticket office ahead of your Shinkansen travel.  

If you’re buying a regional pass instead of the nationwide one, I recommend getting your rail pass online in advance anyway. It’s cheaper than buying it in Japan.

My JR Pass journeys comparison

These Japan Rail Pass prices are from a few years ago, but they have gone up in parallel so the costs are still relevant if you’re working out if the JR pass is worth it.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for three weeks
  • Tokyo to Kyoto 8,210¥ | £45.67
  • Kyoto to Osaka 560¥ | £3.11
  • Osaka to Kyoto 560¥ | £3.11
  • Kyoto to Nara 620¥ | £3.45
  • Nara to Osaka 800¥ | £4.45
  • Wayamaka to Osaka 1240¥ | £6.90
  • Osaka to Tokyo 8750¥ | £48.68
  • Tokyo to Yamagata 6800¥ | £37.83
  • Yamagata to Hakodate 9830¥ | £54.68
  • Hakodate to Chitose 5070¥ | £28.20
  • Niseko to Sapporo 2160¥ | £12.02