tourist pass in japan

11 JR rail passes for foreign tourists visiting Japan

Tourists with foreign passports can explore Japan on a discount with these affordable train passes by JR

Photo: Shizuo/Photo AC

Travelling via train and shinkansen is a quintessential Japanese experience. However, train rides, especially on the shinkansen, can add up to be a costly expense – especially after the recent price hike . Lucikly for tourists,  Japan Railways has created a host of discount rail passes exclusively for foreign passport holders with short-term visit visas, all of which offer unlimited rides on trains and shinkansen across multiple days. (Psst... some of these JR passes are also available to foreign residents in Japan – more info here .) 

Aside from the popular Japan Rail Pass, which gives you access to most JR trains and shinkansen across the breadth of Japan, there are a number of other discount passes that could also save you a lot of money. To help you organise your travels, here's a list of all the current JR rail passes you can enjoy with your foreign passport as a temporary visitor in Japan. Just don't forget to bring your passport along with you when you go to purchase or collect your pass.

RECOMMENDED: The best JR rail passes for foreign residents in Japan

Japan Rail Pass

How much:  7-day ¥50,000 (children ¥25,000) ; 14-day  ¥80,000 (¥40,000) ; 21-day ¥100,000 (¥50,000)

What it includes:  A joint offering by all six JR companies in the country, the Japan Rail Pass is the ultimate pass to rule them all as it can be used for unlimited rides on almost all JR trains and shinkansen across the country from the north of Hokkaido to the south of Kyushu. The pass is available for seven, 14 or 21 consecutive days and is exclusively offered to foreign tourists from abroad who are visiting Japan as a temporary visitor. More information on the pass  here .

Where you can travel with the pass: As this pass can be used all over Japan, the possibilities are endless. To make the most of your time in Japan, you could travel all the way from Kyushu to Hokkaido, while stopping at other popular destinations in between, including Hiroshima, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, Tokyo and Aomori. 

JR Tokyo Wide Pass

How much: ¥15,000 (children ¥7,500)

What it includes: Three consecutive days of unlimited rides on shinkansen and limited express trains in the Kanto region. You can even hop on selected Joyful Trains (novelty and sightseeing trains) such as the steam locomotive SL Gunma . For details on lines covered by the pass, visit here . Where you can travel with the pass: Head north to Nikko, Utsunomiya or the picturesque Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki. For views of Mt Fuji, you can head inland to Lake Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi. You can also hit the ski slopes at Gala Yuzawa in Niigata, go hot spring bathing in Gunma’s Kusatsu Onsen town or travel down the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka for a beachside getaway.

JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass

How much: ¥27,000 (children ¥13,500)

What it includes: Five consecutive days of unlimited travel on trains, shinkansen and JR buses across Nagano and Niigata prefectures. For details on lines covered by the pass, visit here . 

Where you can travel with the pass: This pass will get you to the top destinations in Nagano and Niigata prefectures including Matsumoto, Karuizawa and Tokamachi. You’ll also be able to visit popular ski resorts like Hakuba, Echigo-Yuzawa and Gala Yuzawa.

JR East Tohoku Area Pass

How much: ¥30,000 (children ¥15,000)

What it includes: Unlimited rides for five consecutive days on local, rapid and limited express trains as well as shinkansen across the Tohoku region. Selected JR East bus services and Joyful Trains (including the Pokémon with You train ) are also included in the pass. For details on lines covered by the pass, visit here . 

Where you can travel with the pass: It allows for travel within Greater Tokyo and the Tohoku region: Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Fukushima, Yamagata, Akita, Iwate and Aomori prefectures.

JR West Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass

How much: ¥12,000 (children ¥6,000)

What it includes: Three consecutive days of unlimited rides including shinkansen and limited express trains in the Kansai region. The pass is valid for shinkansen trips between Shin-Osaka and Okayama, plus the JR West lines across Kansai as well as the Chizu Express. It can also be used on local JR West buses and the adorable pink Hello Kitty shinkansen that runs on the Kodama line from Shin-Osaka. More information  here . 

Where you can travel with the pass: Explore Western Japan including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo, Wakayama, Kobe and more.

JR Kyushu Rail Pass

How much: 3-day ¥20,000 (children ¥10,000); 5-day ¥22,500 (¥11,250); 7-day ¥25,000 (¥12,500)

What it includes:  The All Kyushu Area Pass includes unlimited rides on limited express and local trains across Kyushu as well as selected shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima or Nagasaki.

If you’re only concentrating on certain parts of Kyushu, consider the Northern Kyushu Area Pass (¥12,000 for three days) or the Southern Kyushu Area Pass (¥10,000 for three days). There’s also the Fukuoka Wide Pass (¥3,060 for two days) if you're only exploring the main tourist spots around Fukuoka prefecture. More details here . 

Where you can travel with the pass: The All Kyushu Area Pass can be used throughout Kyushu island including the hot spring capital of Beppu, foodie destination Fukuoka and the lush nature attractions around Kagoshima. The Northern Kyushu Area Pass gives you access from Fukuoka to Nagasaki, Hita and Beppu while the Southern Kyushu Area Pass will get you from Kagoshima to Ibusuki, Aoshima and Obi.

Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

How much: ¥19,800 (children ¥9,900)

What it includes: Five consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR local, limited express trains, buses and the Hokuriku shinkansen from Osaka and Nagoya towards Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. More details here .

Where you can travel with the pass: Visit the World Heritage sites in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, which are famed for their gassho-zukuri houses with steep, thatched roofs. You can also get to Kanazawa via the Nohi or Hokutetsu Bus from Toyama.

Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass

How much: ¥16,500 (children ¥8,250)

What it includes: Five consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR local, limited express trains, private railways and buses around Wakayama, Mie and Nara. More info here . 

Where you can travel with the pass: Travel from Osaka or Nagoya to the World Heritage site of Kumano Kodo in Wakayama. The route also covers the popular onsen and beachtown Shirahama and the gorgeous Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie prefecture.

Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini

How much: ¥6,500 (children ¥3,250)

What it includes: Three days of unlimited rides on JR Local trains, buses, private railways and even a ferry around Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, including the Mt Fuji area. More info here .

Where you can travel with the pass: Besides visiting Mt Fuji, you can tour the popular hot springs around Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, including Atami, Kanzanji Onsen and Shimobe Onsen. Prefer to do a bit of shopping? Check out the Gotemba Premium Outlets , which also offers an amazing view of Mt Fuji.

Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass

How much: ¥9,000 (children ¥4,500)

What it includes: Four consecutive days of unlimited rides between Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu. However, it does not cover the JR Hokkaido buses, the streetcars or the Sapporo subway lines. More details here . 

Where you can travel with the pass:  Visit Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, as well as the retro harbour town of Otaru and the hot springs in Noboribetsu.

Sapporo-Furano Area Pass

How much: ¥10,000 (children ¥5,000)

What it includes: Four consecutive days of unlimited travel between Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei and Ashikawa. However, it does not cover the JR Hokkaido buses, the streetcars or the Sapporo subway lines. More details here . 

Where you can travel with the pass: See more of Hokkaido with this travel pass, which includes access to the famous farmlands and flower fields of Furano and Biei, as well as Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu.

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Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)

Japan Rail Pass ( Click here to buy JR Pass ) is one of the best deals you can get your hands on if you are going to visit Japan. In this post I will explain why JR Pass is so good, how to choose the right one, and how to order it.

Why Japan Rail Pass is awesome

If you are planning your trip to Japan, it is very likely that you have already thought about how you are going to get around once you are there. You might even have heard about Shinkansen – the Japanese bullet trains which travel at up to 300km/h (186mph). There is no doubt that train is the best method of transportation in Japan as a tourist. The train network in Japan is huge, and the trains are precise, fast and comfortable.

Essentially the JR Pass is a travel pass that let’s you (foreign visitors) travel unlimited with JR Trains through out Japan. The only major exceptions are three super high speed commuter trains (Nozomi, Mizuho, Hayabusa), which the pass is not valid for. The same distances are however covered by other bullet trains which make a few more stops and therefor travel marginally slower. The pass exists in 7, 14 and 21 day versions and exists as standard class or “green car” class which is essentially first class.

So why is this so fantastic? Because taking the train in Japan is normally extremely expensive! A single return trip between Tokyo and Kyoto will pretty much make the JR Pass worth it. A 7-day JR Pass costs around $271 in 2018. A return ticket Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo costs $247 or Tokyo-Hiroshima-Tokyo $340.

Added bonus: the JR Pass also covers the Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo (and vice versa) and all local JR trains, including those inside Tokyo as well as trains to almost any destination you can imagine.

Most people like to visit a bit more than Tokyo when in Japan. The table below shows what your standard one week round trip will cost without the JR Pass  and how much you can save by choosing a JR Pass instead.

The right Japan Rail Pass for you

The JR Pass comes in 7, 14 and 21 day versions. You can also choose between standard class and Green Car. Green Car is like a first class cabin, so if you prefer to travel first class that might be for you. There are also passes for children at reduced prices.

Which pass you pick is up to you, but I can recommend to make a rough itinerary of your trip before buying the pass. Depending on your itinerary the 7 day pass might be sufficient for a 10 day trip, or the 14 day pass enough for a 18 day trip if you start or end your trip by staying inside a big city like Tokyo or Kyoto for a few days.

You choose when you activate your pass. It is only valid from the day you activate it at a JR office.

How to order a Japan Rail Pass

JR Pass can only be purchased from outside Japan! So you have to make your decision before you get there. The passes are sold online via foreign vendors. Once you have placed an order they will send you an exchange voucher by courier. This voucher you will have to bring to Japan and exchange for a JR Pass at  a JR Train Station.

For my last few orders I have used this vendor . They deliver quickly and the order process is simple. I always got my vouchers within 24 hours of ordering.

How to use a Japan Rail pass

Activation of jr pass.

As I mentioned earlier, you have to exchange your voucher at one of the major JR train stations when you arrive in Japan. You can find a list of those stations here  and a map of where to find the major exchange stations here . There are exchange offices at major airports too. At the exchange office you fill in some forms and go to the counter with your voucher, pass port and forms. You will then be issued your JR Pass and you are ready to go! It’s quite simple.

Note: on the forms you fill at the train station you can specify the first day of use for your pass. That is quite practical if you are near an exchange office, but won’t need the pass for another few days.

How to use JR Pass at station

Using the JR Pass is really easy. When you want to enter the train boarding area you walk through the manual ticket check counter instead of the automated one. Here you show your pass to the ticket inspector, and you are good to go. That’s it. Same procedure when you want to leave the gated area. The first time you use the pass it will usually be stamped.

Seat reservations

Most trains don’t require a seat reservation. On some trains it’s not possible, on some it’s optional and on a few it is mandatory (Narita Express, scenic trains and sleeper trains). As a JR Pass holder you get free seat reservations, so just head to the ticketing office before boarding your train to get a seat reservation. I can recommend to reserve the day before for long trips during rush hour. I also have a post on how to take the Shinkansen. That post covers reserved and unreserved seating.

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90 comments.

we plan to travel from kushu to hokaido for 21 days around this coming spring, 2019

That sounds like an amazing trip! You might be able to follow the cherry blossoms up through the country.

Hi , I have plans to go Japan for 7 days! I will go from narita to Tokyo , Tokyo to fuji, Fuji mountain to Nagoya, then Nagoya to Kyoto for 2 days then I go back to narita airport! Should I buy Jr pass for 7 days? Thanks

My wife & I plan a trip from Los Angeles to Japan Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima in ten days. We are thinking of flying round trip LA to Tokyo, back to LA. On arriving to Tokyo we are thinking to take the train to Hiroshima, spend 2-3 days in Hiroshima, then go to Kyoto spend 2-3 or three nights where we visit Osaka, and then go to Tokyo for 4-5 nights. Does that make sense

It sounds like a great and doable itinerary. Kyoto has a lot to offer, so 2 days is probably a minimum. You shouldn’t see any big challenges with your plan 🙂

I am flying to tokyo on 16 Nov and flying back from Osaka on 24 Nov, should I consider buying the JR Pass (tokyo-osaka-kyoto-osaka-nara-osaka)?

Unless you make some longer side trips, then it is not worth it for your itinerary.

We are planning to spend some couple of weeks in Japan as from May 2nd, visiting Tokio, Kyoto and Osaka. I wish to use some days to visit some ancient and tourist unspoiled location, where original japanese culture can be tasted.

What place would you advise as to comply with that desire?

Hi Eduardo! That sounds amazing. I’m sure you’ll have a really great trip. While especially Kyoto is very beautiful, it is also very well visited by tourists. I completely understand why you want to see some traditional Japan which hasn’t been turned into a tourist attraction. If you want to get away from the crowds, but still experience some unique culture and history, then I recommend you to travel to Shikoku. Shikoku is home the 88-temple (1200km) pilgrim route known as Shikoku-88. If your travel mode allows it, take a day to explore a stretch of this pilgrim route by foot, or by car. I can recommend the section near the city of Sakaide, which covers temples number 79, 80 and 81. An alternative to this could be exploring the Engyo-ji temple mountain near Himeji. See this article: https://www.touristinjapan.com/engyo-ji-temple-mount-shosha/ I hope this helps, and I wish you the best possible trip through wonderful Japan.

Thank you. I have the same question as Eduardo, but was wondering is such place could be found closer to the shore and in a 2/3 hours train ride from Osaka. Thank you,

Thanks for your question. If you enjoy a hike, then maybe you could consider walking a stretch of the ancient post-road. The stretch between the two towns of Magome and Tsumago (about 9km) is popular, and really beautiful. You will both experience some charming small towns, and the beautiful Japanese country side.

With the right timing you can get there from osaka in 2.5 hours by public transport (Shinkansen to Nagoya, Train to Nakatsugawa, short bus ride to Magome).

Alternatively you could explore the prefecture of Tottori and it’s coast to the north-west of Osaka. It. It is no commonly visited by foreign tourists.

We are visiting Tokyo and Kyoto next month for 7 days and was wondering which pass we should buy. Is it the JR EAST pass? I don’t see a JR tourist pass.

It sounds like a good plan for a 7 day stay! A standard single ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is around JPY 13710 ($120/€110) per person. That makes the round trip $240/€220. The price of a full 7-day Japan Rail Pass is $265/€230. With that in mind, if you plan to make any other trips on JR trains during your trip, then the additional $25/€10 may quickly be worth it. For instance a side trip to Nara or simply the local JR trains that run inside Tokyo.

Hi, Me & my wife coming to Japan for business & tourism purpose. We will land at Narita Airport on 5th March and will stay 2 nights at Tokyo then will go to Osaka by bullet train & we will stay 2 night there & then will come back to Nariat airport by bullet train from Osaka. Just for go & come from Tokyo to Osaka, which ticket is cheaper ? JR Pass or individual ticket ? Expecting you prompt suggestion.

Thanks for your question. With your short itinerary you can actually save a bit by getting a 7 day Japan Rail Pass instead of individual tickets.

The ticket from Tokyo to Osaka and back again will total 28900 YEN (USD 263 / EUR 232) per person. A return ticket on the Narita Express from the airport to Tokyo and back costs 4000 YEN (USD36 / EUR 32) per person. A 7 day JR pass costs USD 264 / EUR 233.

Since you travel to and from Narita within a week, the 7-day Japan Rail Pass will cover the Narita Express from the airport to Tokyo and back again.

Effectively you will save around 4000 YEN (USD36 / EUR 32) per person by getting a Japan Rail Pass .

can I use this JR pass within Tokyo train ? Will arrive in sapporo and stay couple of nights. then travel to Niigata, tokyo , osaka and back home in Singapore. will be about 12 days. Any recommendation. thanks

Hi Aziz, Thank you for your question. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR trains which run inside Tokyo. That means the Yamanote Line. Keihin-Tohoku Line, Chuo/Sobu Line and Saikyo Line. The lines of Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass .

Great post! Thank you for the information. By the way can I bring my luggage with JR/Shinkansen train? Is there any cabin where I can put my luggage because it’s quite big.

Hi Fina, Some Shinkansen trains have baggage racks or storage areas, but not all of them. Generally your baggage is expected to fit in the baggage rack above the seat. If you think your suitcase might be too big for that, then i recommend you simply ask at the JR ticket office prior to departure. They will definitily point you to the right car, or help you book a seat with some extra space (like and end-seat).

Hello! do you know if you are able to take your luggage on the JR train form Tokio to Kyoto? My brother and I are planning to visit Japan for the first time on October!

Yes you are able to bring your luggage on the Shinkansen. However, space for bags might be limited. On the Shinkansen you are allowed 2 bags of 30kg measuring 250cm (w+h+d).

hi, i saw your reply really do a big help for the first timer travelers like me Me and friends (6 in total) plan to go to Japan for 7 days on July, we would like to have a trip in some cities, how many cities do you think we could go and what is the best deals transportation we should choose? And do you have any recommendation a good city for summer trip in japan? Of course Tokyo is on our list ? I really need your prompt recommendation, thank you

Hi Nurul, thanks for your question. I think you and your friends will have a really great trip to Japan. Where to go depends a bit on how you like to travel. If you want to see many cities in 7 days, then you won’t get so much in depth with each. You could consider 3 days in Tokyo, 1 day in Hakone, 2 days in Kyoto and 1 day in either Nara, Osaka or Kobe. If you want to go out of the cities a bit, then maybe consider the Izu peninsula or Mt. Takao.

You could either buy JR passes – depending on your route it might be worth it, or rent a large car. I find that traveling by train is more efficient when having a shorter stay 🙂

Hi.. I plan to visit with my son on November . It will br 10 days trip and we plan to visit osaka and kyoto. Should we get the JR pass? Any recommendations for kyoto?

Thanks for your question. If you will only stay in Kyoto and Osaka, then the JR pass will not be worth it. You might consider then Kansai Thrupass instead. It’s great for Osaka and Kyoto.

You can find some inspiration for Kyoto here .

Hi, we will be arriving into Narita International and plan to spend a night in Tokyo, then to Hokkaido for 5 days, back to Tokyo for another night before flying out again via Narita International. Should we get the JR pass for our trip? Thank you.

Thanks for your question. If you are taking the train to from Tokyo to Hokkaido and back, then the JR pass will be well worth the price. If not, then it likely won’t be worth it.

Hi, We are planning a trip to Japan in September. The rough itinerary is: Tokyo two days Hakone two days Kyoto two days Hiroshima two days Kanazawa two days Takayama one day Akita two days Sapporo three days Fly back from Sapporo to Tokyo and depart… We would like to do the entire journey apart from the flight from Sapporo back to Tokyo by train, is that possible? Do you think this itinerary is too busy? Any advice welcome.

Great that you want to explore Japan. You have included some nice places in your itinerary. If it is too busy is maybe a bit subjective, and dependent on how you like to travel. I would probably add one day in Tokyo. Getting from Takayama to Akita by train is an all-day excursion of 8-9 hours, so I think that is quite ambitious. I would probably skip either Akita and/or Sapporo, and give yourself some more slack. There will be a lot of transport involved in this intinerary 🙂

Hi i wanted to get a train ticket ashikawa station but im working in japan for a 1 year visa am i allowed to get a japan rail pass ?

Hi! If you have a non-temporary visa, then you aren’t allowed to have Japan Railpas. That includes working visa and working holiday visa.

Hi, thankyou for so much information. Iam still a little confused. My itinerary is Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo,Sapporo, Hakone, Tokyo. I needed to know if a rail pass is needed for any of the cities, I live in dubai so how soon can I get a rail pass since iam travelling in a weeks time. Thankyou.

If you plan to travel between all these cities by train, then a Japan Rail Pass is worth the price. It gives you unlimited JR train ride for 7, 14 or 21 days. As for shipping, you should probably order immediately. Try contacting the vendor by phone or e-mail. Within the cities them selves you can get normal tickets from the machines or use an electronic card, like Pasmo or Suica. With a week to spare I’d recommend you to order quickly. Maybe contact

Hi! Planning a trip in early Oct. It will be my first time in Japan & will be arriving in NRT at night of the 1st day and leaving same airport in the aftenoon on the 9th day. I plan to spend a day in Disneysea, 2 days in Kyoto and maybe a day in either osaka/nara. Is it better for me to get the JR pass & since my stay is more than 7 days, when should i activate/start the use of pass? Also, is it better for me to spend the rest of the days in Tokyo or can you suggest some day trips to other cities?

Thanks for your questions. Regarding the value of the JR pass , you’d have to activate it on day 3 with the itinerary you describe above. Let’s break down the cost if you don’t get a JR pass, but travel on normal tickets without seat reservations (cheapest).

Tokyo Shinagawa -> Kyoto Station = ¥13,080 Kyoto -> Osaka = ¥560 (depending on the train you catch can be up to ¥1500) Osaka -> Kyoto = ¥560 (depending on the train you catch can be up to ¥1500) Kyoto Station -> Tokyo Shinagawa station = ¥13,080 Tokyo -> Narita airport = ¥1,130 (with slow local train. Up towards ¥5000 yen with fast trains)

total: ¥28,410 (€240 / $us266)

Todays price of 1 week JR pass: €245

So the difference is minimal – and that is assuming you don’t take any other transportation and always take the cheapest option. I think in your case the 7-day pass will be worth the extra couple of euros/dollars – it gives a lot of flexibility. It also gives you the option to make a nice side trip from Tokyo to Nikko, and covers transport on the JR trains within Tokyo (like the Yamanote circle line).

I hope it was of help.

Hi, i will be going to osaka jan (10days ) . I reach at night. What time train last stop. We also want to go to tokyo . So can advice how many day osaka to stay n tokyo follow by my back fly to osaka. Osaka for usj , skie & shopping buy arai helmet & ape. Which is cheaper & for jr train and plane to tokyo which is easier. We are 10 guest all.

Hi Juni. Thanks for your questions. To check the train schedule, you can head over to hyperdia or check on google maps. If you want to visit Osaka and Tokyo, then I recommend to split the time 50/50. Going to Tokyo from Osaka will be much faster and easier with the bullet train. The train takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes and takes you from the center of Osaka to the center of Tokyo. If you fly, you will waste a lot of time in the airports. Maybe 5 hours each way total, including waiting time.

The price of flight vs. train highly depends on date, time and luck. The price for the train doesn’t vary, but the price for a plane ticket greatly varies. The shinkansen train from Osaka to Tokyo costs 14650 yen each way. You might benefit from buying a JR Pass , which costs 29110 yen for 7 days (approximately the same as a return ticket). That way you can also explore other areas around Osaka.

If you want to buy individual train ticket, then you can do it at the station or in advance at govoyagin . Govoyagin will send the tickets to your hotel so they are ready when you arrive. They do charge a higher cost for this service, but it can give some peace of mind.

Hi! I’ll arrive on Narita on September 24 at 4pm then will be fly back home from NRT on October 1 at 5pm (8 days). Since the JR Pass only can be activate for 7days, my questions is: 1). When I should start activate the JR Pass? Itinerary plan: 24-26 Tokyo, 26-27 Hakone, 27-29 Kyoto, 29-1 Tokyo. 2). For the “excess” 1 day, what card should I use? Which is including the narita express. 3). Is that JR Pass can be use to Disney Sea? Thanks a lot for your help.

It sounds like a solid plan you have. I’m sure you will have a great trip.

1) I recommend that you activate your JR Pass on the second day of your trip (7 days before departure). You will arrive late in the day on the 24th, so you won’t have much benefit from the pass that day anyway. This way you also have freedom to change your plans towards the end of your trip. 2) The excess day I suggest to be the first day. I recommend that you read the guide to get from Narita airport to Tokyo . There are some good tips in there on how to save money. Narita Express is not the only option. The Skyliner is a very good choice too, for a single-ticket purchase. However you can do it even cheaper with the slower, local trains. 3) The JR pass covers the ride all the way to Maihama Station which is located right next to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney sea. The train lines are JR Keiyo and JR Musashino Lines. From there, you need to transfer to the Disney Resort Monorail Line, which is not covered by the JR Pass. It is however only 260 yen.

A little advertising: you can purchase your Disney Sea ticket through this link , and support my website 🙂

Also, here is a link for a suggested 2-day itinerary for the Kyoto part of your trip. Maybe you can get some more inspiration.


I wish you the best trip to wonderful Japan!

We plan a 8D 7 nites tour to Tokyo-Kurabe GOrge-Kanazawa-Shiragawago-Takayama-Nagoya-Tokyo. Shall I buy the 7D General pass of just a area pass is sufficent? Are all the above routes (either train or bus) covered by the 7D General Pass/Area Pass? Looking forward to your reply soon. Thanks.

Thanks for your questions. It sounds like a nice, but very packed itinerary you have planned.

– The JR Pass covers the stretch from Tokyo to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station (Shinkansen station). From there, you need to take a local, private train from the nearby Shin-Kurobe station to Unazukionsen (not to be confused with the previous two station names). At Unazukionsen you can take the sightseeing train, which is also not covered by the JR Pass. It is highly recommended to preorder tickets for the sightseeing train. You can do it through this link , if you want to support my website. – Next connection from Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station (Shinkansen station) to Kanazawa is covered by the JR Pass. – There is no train from Kanazawa to Shiragawago. You have to take a bus (1.5 hours / 2000 yen), which is not covered by the JR Pass. – There is no train between Shiragawa-go and Takayama, so you must take the bus (1 hour 20 minutes / 2600yen). The bus is not covered by the JR Pass. – From Takayama to Nagoya you can take the JR Hida train line (2 hours 30 minutes), which is covered by the JR Pass. – The train from Nagoya to Tokyo is also covered by the JR Pass.

Aproximate pricing for the stretches which are covered by JR: Tokyo – Kurobe-Unazukionsen: 12’000 yen Kurobe-Unazukionsen – Kanazawa: 4’220 yen Takayama – Nagoya: 6’230 yen Nagoya – Tokyo: 11’290 yen Total: 33’740 yen 7D JR Pass : 29’110 yen

So I would say that the JR Pass is probably worth it for your trip.

Hi everyone, A friend of mine and I are planning an 82 day trip to Japan next march-May. In our trip, we visit multiple sites around the country in the following format Place(Nm of Days) -> Place (Nm of days): Ishigaki 4 Yakushima 4 Kagoshima 2 Fukuoka & Nagasaki 2 Miyajima+Hiroshima+Onomichi 4 Omishima 2 Okunoshima 2 Imbari 2 88 Temple pilgrimage (around Takamatsu) 3 Takamatsu 2 Shōdoshima 2 Himeji 2 Osaka+Koyasan+Nara+Kyoto+Kumano Hungo Taisha 11 Kanazawa+Shirakawago+takayama 3 Kamicochi 2 Yamanouchi 2 Hatchmantai 2 Sapporo 2 Shiretoko 2 Tokyo 14

We also have 6 days to spare in between locations. We were trying to understand what pass is the right fit for us but got a little lost. Any recommendations?

Thanks for your message. It sounds like a nice and long trip which will bring you through a lot of Japanese culture. The JR Pass only exists in 7, 14 and 21 day versions . However, there are no rules which permit you from buying multiple passes to make a longer journey.

The passes have very little value when you are staying inside major cities, so for your 14 days in Tokyo you don’t need it. You also won’t need it for your first 8 days, as you are on small islands with no trains. You may also consider lining things up so you don’t have an active pass when you spend your 11 days in the Kyoto region.

Considering the above suggestions you might be able to arrange your schedule so you start out with a 21 day pass ( ¥59’350 ) which you activate when you leave Kagoshima. Then a 14 day pass ( ¥46’390 ) which you activate when you leave Kyoto.

It requires some calculations to see if the price is really worth it compared to buying single tickets instead. The total for such two passes would amount to ¥105’740. Google maps and Hyperdia can help you calculate the cost for each stretch.

If you have more questions, then don’t hesitate to ask. Otherwise I wish you a wonderful trip.

Hi Kindly advise whether getting a 7 days JR pass is worth it for my trip.(9 days)

Narita airport to Shibuya Shibuya to Matsumoto return Shibuya to Mt Fuji return Shibuya to Narita Airport

Thanks for your question. I think in your case the JR Pass is not worth it. It might be relevant if you decide to add an extra side trip, but if your schedule is fixed as above, then no.

I wish you a great trip

I will be visiting japan in 2020 29th jan(narita airport) to 2nd feb(narita airport) . My first trip to japan and most likely will be in tokyo for the entire trip, 4 of us.. Would like to go disneyland, factory outlet, night market, streetfood and shopping and strawberry farm..

Any suggestion on the jr pass? And area to stay. Do you think i can stay at tokyo and visit yokohama for day trip and return to tokyo?,

Kindly advise Thank! Regards Mama

You’ll have a great time in Tokyo I’m sure.

The JR pass is likely not worth it for you, if you stay in Tokyo for the entire trip.

You can easily take a day trip to Yokohama from Tokyo.

As for where to stay, it depends a lot on your budget. Staying near Shinjuku or Ueno are good choices, but maybe not the cheapest areas. Find hotels In Tokyo on booking.com (affiliate) .

Heya, awesome post with great details. I’m wondering if you could have a look at my rough itinerary and advise whether a JR pass would be worth it ?

Planning to fly into Tokyo next year, Unsure of which airport to fly into yet, any suggestions? We will be doing a 6 day hike near Iiyama which is 1 hr 45min on the Shinkansen from Tokyo. We will then go back to Tokyo after the hike to explore Tokyo and surrounding, likely 2-3 days in Hakone, and maybe Mt Takao as well. Still in early planning stage.

Total of approximately 4 weeks. Would you recommend to get. JR pass or it’s not really worth it for our trip ?

Thank you so much

Hi Wen! I’m glad to hear you found the post helpful. The trip from Tokyo to Iiyama is about 8’800yen each way, so a total of approximately 18’600yen for that side trip. Inside Tokyo the JR pass isn’t great value. Each day spent in Tokyo with an active JR pass is expensive. A trip from Tokyo to Hakone is approximately 4’300 yen each way, totaling 8’600. Tokyo to Takao is 1’000 yen or less each way. I would say that the JR pass isn’t worth it with your current itinerary. However, if you have a full 4 weeks then you will have time for a lot of other side trips, which might be worth it. There is however local verisons of the JR Pass. For instance, the “ 5-day JR East Pass Nagano and Niigata area ” which costs around 17’000 yen. This pass covers the stretch from Tokyo to Iiyama. So if your trip to Iiyama fits within 5 days, it could be worth it. If you enjoy the content of the website, then maybe you would consider booking your JR Pass , hotels or tours and tickets through our affiliate links. That way we make a small profit, at no extra cost for you.

Thank you so much for your detailed reply! Will definitely have a look at Hotel booking through your site ! Much appreciate your help !!

I’m happy I could help. Have a great trip 🙂

There are 4 of us travelling to osaka by plane, staying near Namba station for 3 nights. Plan to travel from osaka to tokyo by shinkansen, what kind of pass should we get and is it worthwhile buying a 7 days JR pass? As we will be in Tokyo for another 3-4 nights before taking plane to Furano.

Disclaimer: this text contains affiliate links. Hi Phyllis, Thanks for your question. It sounds like a great trip you are making. Osaka and Tokyo are both really cool destinations. As for the JR Pass, a standard 7-day JR Pass is approximately ¥29’650 . A one-way ticket with the Shinkansen Hikari from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo Station is around ¥13’870. So if that is the only major train ride you will make, then the 7-day pass is probably not worth it for you. Instead, I could recommend you to buy some local passes for the Kansai Area and the Tokyo area . Then buy a single, normal ticket for the shinkansen between Osaka and Kyoto. The JR-West Kansai Area Pass is a really good deal. It gives you unlimited rides for 1,2,3 or 4 days in the entire Kansai region . That includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji to mention the most popular destinations. It starts at just ¥2’300 for 1 day, and get’s cheaper per day if you buy the 3 or 4 day passes. For Tokyo there are some 24-Hour, 48-Hour, 72-Hour passes especially for visitors. They give access to unlimited rides on the Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway (not JR trains). I’m sure you will have an amazing trip in Japan! If you enjoy the content of the website, then maybe you would consider booking your JR Pass , hotels or tours and tickets through our affiliate links. That way we make a small profit, at no extra cost for you.

Hi, I found this information very useful but I want to ask that I’m going with a family of 3 me, my mom and my sister for 6 days. Would we have to buy 3 tickets? Also how do we know how much would it cost for a certain journey e.g. Shinjuku-Chiba. Is it possible to check the price of individual journeys on a website using JR pass. E.g. check how much it would cost from going shinjuku-Chiba

It’s a good question. There is a website, hyperdia.com which can help you calculate the cost of individual tickets. So if you know your itinerary, then you can calculate the cost. Google Maps also tells you the train prices in Japan, if you search for directions.

I hope you’ll have a great trip!

Hi, Useful info and great tips. my hubby and I are planning a trip to japan this february. We are arriving at Fukuoka from India on Jan 30th for 3nights – Hiroshima 2nights, we will be visiting miyajima island for a day from here – Kyoto 3 nights – Tokyo 3 nights. Will the JR pass cover this distance from Fukuoka to Tokyo?? How many days pass should i take for this trip??

Hi Ruhi, thanks for your message. It sounds like a great itinerary you have there. The JR pass will cover the long stretches of your journey, from Fukuoka over Hiroshima and Kyoto to Tokyo. You don’t really need the pass inside Fukuoka and Tokyo, so if you activate the pass on the day you leave Fukuoka, then a 7 day pass should be sufficient.

If you need inspiration for Fukuoka or Kyoto then I recommend that you check out the itineraries for those two cities:

Fukuoka 3 day itinerary Kyoto 3-day itinerary

I hope you’ll have a great stay in Japan!

Hi, I need some advise. My daughter and myself are arriving Tokyo Haneda airport on 28th Feb and will depart from Haneda airport on 9th March – 11 days. I am going to stay in Tokyo city from 28Feb – 2 March (3 nights) then visit Mt Fuji at Fujikawaguchiko on 2th March- 4 March and not sure what will be the next destination from 5-7 March. Any suggestion from you? I need to be in Nagoya on 8th – 10th March. And then travel back to Tokyo Haneda for my flight on 9th March. Can you advise if is worth to get a JR rail pass?

Thanks for your question. It sounds like a great trip you are making. Your itinerary is tricky with a JR Pass. First of all I would like to suggest that you spend the 5-7th March in Kyoto if you haven’t been there already. It’s really beautiful with all the ancient temples and shrines. You can find some itineraries here: 1-day itinerary , 2-day itinerary , 3-day itinerary .

As I can see, your itinerary looks like this: 28 Tokyo 29 Tokyo 1 Tokyo 2 Leave Tokyo 3 Fujikawa 4 Leave Fujikawa 5 ?? 6 ?? 7 Leave for Nagoya 8 Nagoya 9/10 Nagoya -> Tokyo (unclear)

You don’t really need the JR pass when you are inside Tokyo. Getting from Tokyo to Fujikawaguchiko is not so expensive (~3500yen), and only half of the stretch is covered by the JR Pass, so you may not need it on March 2nd either. If you should decide to include Kyoto in your itinerary, then your day’s with JR Pass would be 4th through 9/10th.

Is the JR Pass worth it for you? Fujikawaguchiko -> Otsuki Station 1’170 yen (not covered) Otsuki Station -> Kyoto Station 14,420 yen (covered) Kyoto Station -> Nagoya Station 5’170 yen (covered) Nagoya -> Tokyo 10’560 yen (covered) total: 30’150 + 1’170.

The 7-day JR Pass is around 29’650 yen, so it might just be worth it for you to get the JR Pass. It also gives you some freedom to change your plans. However, if you decide to go somewhere else than Kyoto, then it might not be worth it.

In any case, it would be smart of you to have your JR Pass issued whilst in Tokyo as small stations cant issue them. You can just write on the form which day will be the first day of use, and you will then have 7 days from that date.

I hope this helps you a bit. Once you decide for the empty days it will be more clear 🙂

Hi. Need help. I bought JR passes for me and my family to visit my daughter who is studying in Japan. Will be travelling fairly extensively to Ibaraki, Nagano, Osaka, Fujinomiya before ending the trip into Tokyo. I presume my daughter will need to buy individual ticket for those trips on all the routes. Questions: 1) what’s the best option for her to join us in terms of rail tickets? 2) I presume she will not be in the same rail car as ours. How different is the rail car? I was told it will be a different line querying too, is that correct? 3) Or can I still buy the seats in the JR pass car for her since we want to stay close all the time? 4) I take it, it’s best to buy those tickets a day earlier at the ticketing office? Is it available online too?

By the way, it’s my first time to Japan. Looking forward to your favorable reply.

Hi Shahrin,

It sounds like a great trip you have planned. I’m sure you and your family will love Japan! If your daughter has residency in Japan (she has a visa other than the 90day visa waiver), then she is not eligible for the JR Pass, just like you say. In that case she has to buy individual tickets.

1) Assuming she has a residency card and a visa, then more or less the only option is to buy individual tickets. This can be done online, or at the station at the ticket office or in a machine. All the machines have English options, but if in doubt just use the ticket counter. They are very helpful. 2) There are three types of rail cars on the shinkansen (bullet train). 1. Reserved standard seats. 2. Unreserved standard seats and 3. Green Car (1st class). I assume you have a JR Pass for the standard car, like most other people do. In that case you can choosen between all the standard cars. To get a reserved seat, you must go to the ticket counter and reserve a seat. It’s free with the JR pass. Alternatively you can just get on the “unreserved seat” cars. I’ve never had issues getting a seat on those. When your daughter buys her ticket she can specify if it should be a reserved seat or an unreserved seat (there is a small price difference). If you all do unreserved seats, then there is no problem going in the same car. If you all want reserved seats, then I recommend that, when you buy the ticket with your daughter, that you tell them at the counter that you also want XX reserved seats for your JR Passes in the same car. They will help you with that. 3) There is not a specific JR Pass car. As written above, there are reserved seat and unreserved seat cars. 4) You always have better chances of sitting together if you buy the tickets the day before 🙂

I wish you a great trip, and hope you will enjoy your stay in Japan!

I will be visiting Japan in March. My itinerary consist of arriving at Narita airport. I plan to take a bullet train to Tokyo from there and spend 2 days. After that, I plan to travel by train to Osaka & Kyoto. Will the JR rail pass be sufficient for my entire trip? If so, I will most definitely make a purchase. Thank you.

Thanks for your question. It depends on how long you stay inOsaka and Kyoto before returning to Tokyo. Or maybe you fly back from Osaka directly?

If your trip is a week or less, then it will be worthwhile with the 7-day pass. If you stay longer, it is probably too expensive, unless you plan on adding more destinations.

If you aren’t returning to Tokyo, then it won’t be worth it.

Thank you for the reply. My trip is only for 5 days. The first 2 in Tokyo then the last 3 in Osaka/Kyoto and returning back home on the 6th day. I will be returning home through the Kansai airport.

Hello Im travelling to Japan on Mar 17-30 arriving at the Narita Terminal 2 Mar 17, to see my nephew who is studying in Japan, our plans are kinda as follows, a couple days in Yokohama area then 2-3 days in Hiroshima area then 3-4 days in Kyoto area and finally 3-4 days in Tokyo area, wondering if this is a doable plan and if a 14 day JP Rail pass is worth it to buy. Thank you for your response.

Hi Cyril, Thanks for your question. It sounds like a really nice trip you are planning! There are three options , as I see it: (A) a 14-day and you are free to plan as you like (B) 7-day pass, and you manage to squeeze Hiroshima and Kyoto into a 7-day period, including getting to Hiroshima from Yokohama, and getting from Kyoto to Tokyo. (C) Buy individual tickets

Option A is slightly more expensive than option C, but gives you a lot of freedom. If you go with B, then you can save a lot of money, but may limit your time in Hiroshima and Kyoto.

Approximate cost breakdown without a JR Pass: Narita-Yokohama: ~¥1,800-4,370 (depending on which trains – read more ). Some of the Narita Express trains go all the way to Yokohama. Yokohama-Hiroshima: ¥18,050 Hiroshima-Kyoto: ¥10,770 Kyoto-Tokyo: ¥13,320 Tokyo-Narita: ~¥1,000-3,000 total: ¥44,940 best case.

Approximate JR Pass prices as of 17/01/2020: 7 days: ¥29,650 14 days: ¥47,250

Notes: – The JR Pass is rarely worthwhile within the large cities, so sometimes you can plan it so you only use it for long stretch travel. – The prices above are approximate and based on unreserved-seat, normal-car tickets.

hi, any recommendations which pass should we get if we’re travelling to Tokyo & Osaka?

Hi, It depends how long you are staying. The prices are approximately: 7 days: ¥29,650 14 days: ¥47,250

Hi. We are planning to travel to Japan on November 25-Dec3. Is it a good time for autumn foliage? Here is our itinerary. Day1 arrival in osaka Day2 USJ Day3 kyoto-nara tour Day4 osaka tour Day5 osaka-tokyo by bullet train, shibuya Day6 disney sea Day7 mt. Fuji Day8 tokyo tour Day9 flight home

Is it worth it to get a JR pass? If not, what can u suggest that we use? Thank you

Great itinerary you have made. I hope you will have fun visiting Japan! If you are lucky, you can catch the fall foliage. The timing changes a bit from year to year. Generally last half of November will be a good bet. I think in your case the JR Pass is not worth the price, because you will only be taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) one time. The Ticket from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo is only around 14,000 yen, as compared to the 29’000 yen of the JR Pass. The best thing you can do is to buy a single ticket at the station. You can also book it in advance from our partners at klook .

If you haven’t booked all your tickets and experiences yet, then maybe you will consider looking at our partner links? When using these links you support maintenance of this website at no additional cost.

Tokyo Disney Sea Tickets

Tokyo Private Guided Tour (6 hours)

I wish you a wonderful trip to Japan!

Hi. We are going to Osaka from Feb 17-20 and planned to go to Kyoto on our first day, Universal studios on the second, and explore what Osaka has to offer on the remaining days. And how do we get from Osaka to UKB airport. May we ask what pass should we get? Also, we will go to Tokyo from Feb 25-March 1. Can we use these passes to and from the airport as well? Your recommendations will be highly appreciated.

The itinerary of your trip is not entirely clear to me. There is a gap between 20th and 25th. Are you flying from Osaka to Tokyo?

If yes, then I don’t think the JR pass is worth it for you, compared to just being single tickets.

Hi, I am visiting Osaka > Hakuba (Nagano) > Takayama > Osaka. May I know which JR pass should I get? My travel date is 16 – 24 Feb, 2020.

Thank you for your question. It sounds like an interesting itinerary you have! In my opinion, the best you can do is to get a 7-day JR Pass , and activate it on either the 17th or the 18th, depending on the details of your schedule. The biggest cost by far will be the trip from Osaka to Hakuba and back, so make sure that part of the trip fits inside the 7-day window of the pass. It’s not worth it with the 14-day pass in your case. Also note that Shin-Osaka to Hakuba takes around 5 hours and 4 different trains.

I wish you a great trip and hope you’ll have a lot of good experiences in Japan.

We are so excited to visit Japan this April ( 8-24, 2020 ). We will arrive Narita on April 8, and need transfer to hotel (Dai Ichi) in Tokyo where we will meet our tour group for the period April 9 -20, ending in Kyoto. We plan to stay in Kyoto on the 20th, and go to Fuji (specifically Fujikawaguchiko-machi) for 3 days from the 21st – 23rd of April. Then on the 24th, we would return to Narita for a late afternoon flight home. Should we buy 2 short-term JR Passes, or 1 for the first day and a half before the rest of the tour group arrives and something else that gets us from Kyoto to Fuji, and then back to Narita? I’m not very sure of where the rail lines are, or who operates them. Can you help?

Hi Lynn, I understand why you are excited. Going to Japan is a big deal, and it will not disappoint you! So, for your first day and a half, you won’t need a JR Pass, as you only need to transfer to Tokyo. Inside Tokyo you don’t really need the JR Pass. To transfer from Narita to Tokyo, the most convenient way is to take either the Skyliner or the Narita Express .

You can get tickets for the Skyliner here , and for Narita Express here (affiliate links).

For your time with your group, I assume all transportation is taken care of, so you just have to think about the days from the 20th to the 24th. Getting from Kyoto to Fujikawaguchiko takes about 4 hours. The fastest way is probably to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Mishima Station and from there, take a bus to Fujikawaguchiko. It will cost around 11,000 yen per person. Further, from Fujikawaguchiko to Narita Airport will require a combination of trains and possibly busses, and takes around 3-4 hours. All in all the price is not likely to be higher than a 7-day JR Pass , so I’d say the JR Pass is probably not worth it in this case.

If you are looking for a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with a private onsen (hot spring) in Kawaguchiko , then I have a list you can read here . I also have some itinerary suggestions for Kyoto, if you want to do some exploration on your own: – Kyoto 3-day itinerary – Kyoto 2-day itinerary – Kyoto 1-day itinerary (central) – Kyoto 1-day itinerary (classic)

I hope you will have an amazing trip in Japan!

Very complete info. Thank you!

Hi, this Spring 2020 will be my first time to visit Japan. I am actually torn if I should buy the whole JR Pass or just selected areas. I have a rough itinerary planned for the trip. April 19 – arrival at Narita. Take train to Tokyo (Sumida City) for check in April 20 – Mt. Fuji Tour April 21 – TeamLab Borderless + Odaiba Tour April 22 – Asakusa Shrine + Sensoji Temple + One Piece Museum; train to Kyoto for check in April 23 – Kyoto City Tour + Nara Park April 24 – Train to Osaka for check in April 25 – USJ April 26 – Osaka Walking Tour – departure from KIX to Manila

It sounds like a great itinerary. I can see why you are torn between the full pass and some of the local ones. The 7-day full pass costs 29650 yen. ( buy here ) The most expensive part of your trip will be the train from Tokyo to Kyoto, which is just around 14000 yen (reserved seat). I doubt that you will exceed 29650 with the itinerary you have preseneted here, so the JR Pass might not be worth it, compared to buying individual tickets. You can buy them at the station, or in advance (for instance from our affiliate partner govoyagin ).

There are a few passes specific to the Kansai area (around Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) which you might find interesting: – 5-day Kansai Wide Area Pass – Kansai Thru Pass

If you are looking for a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with a private onsen (hot spring) near Mt. Fuji, then I have a list you can read here . I also have some itinerary suggestions for Kyoto, if you want to do some exploration on your own: – Kyoto 3-day itinerary – Kyoto 2-day itinerary – Kyoto 1-day itinerary (central) – Kyoto 1-day itinerary (classic)

I hope you will have an fantastic trip!

Hi, total of 4 to 5 of us planing to visit Japan for mount Fuji, mount Hoku and mount Tate hike. We also wanted to experience camping around Japan. We are planing to rent a RV (camper van) is that possible? Will it be too expensive compare to normal rent car with hotel around? Planing to be there for 2 to 3 weeks. Wanted to explore outskirts of Japan. What is your best advise with a good budget for this trip? Hope to hear from you. Thank you.

Hi Marble Tan,

Thanks for your question. Renting an RV (often called camp-car in japan) is possible. However doing so is much less common than in some western countries. Therefore the facilities are not optimal for it, and the size of the vehicles is considerably smaller than for example in Europe and North America.

People will often be parking for the night in public parking lots in the country side. While RV camp grounds do exist, they aren’t very common. You should ask the company you rent from where you are allowed to park overnight.

Af looking at the prices at some of the major rental companies in Japan, it seems that the pricing is in the range of 30’000 yen per day, so in the range of 400’000 yen for 2 weeks or 630’000 yen for 3 weeks. For comparison a JR pass costs (14 days) 47’250 yen per person or (21 days) 60’450 yen. Assuming the pricing for the RV is at 30’000 per day, then the JR pass will be considerably cheaper.

We are hoping to go to Japan in Nov for our honeymoon, we would be doing Osaka for 3 days with a day trip to Koyasan, then from osaka to takayama for two days, then on to tokyo for 11 days before returning to osaka. I originally was looking at the world heritage pass up until going to takayama, then getting a pass to tokyo and taking the bullet from japan back to Osaka.. would it be better to just get the JR pass? i feel i made things more difficult lol but this is all so new to me and i get lost online looking up everything

Hi Brittany,

The trip Osaka – Takayama – Tokyo – Osaka will cost in the area of 40’000 yen per person excluding possible busses. As the Japan Rail Pass is valid for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days you’d have to get a 14 day pass, and activate it on the morning you leave Osaka for Takayama. The 14 day pass costs around 50’000 yen, so it’s not given that you would save money. You would however be able to use the JR pass for all the JR lines inside Tokyo, which is quite convenient. The JR Pass also gives you great freedom to change your mind about where you want to go and what you want to see. You can buy the Japan Rail Pass here .

Hi I have a conference at Matsue, from 29th Aug to Sep 3rd. So, I will be flying from India on 27th and will likely reach Matsue on28th. On evening of Sep 3rd, I will be visiting Hiroshima and on 4th evening, I will be leaving for Tokyo. I am going to stay there for 3 days in which, I am going to span, Tokyo disneyland, Mt. Fuji and other nearby destinations. Then, on 8th morning, I am going to visit Kyoto. Next evening, I am going to visit Osaka and will stay there till 10th morning. Then, on 10th evening I will head to Izumo from where I will board my flight the next day. Now, I want to know if it is worth to buy JR pass for this itinerary?

Hi Jyoti, It sounds like an exciting trip you have planned, with some great destinations. There is a lot of transportation time I see. Price-wise the 7-day JR-pass is worthwhile for this itinerary. The pass is however valid from the day it is activated and 7 consecutive days thereafter. From what I can see you actually have 8 travel days, so you will have a day which is not covered by the pass, either the 3rd or the 10th. I don’t think it is worth getting the 14 day pass to cover this extra day. It will likely be cheaper to purchase an individual ticket for the first or last day.

Note, that especially in connection with Tokyo Disney and Mt Fuji, not all train lines are covered. The JR Pass only covers JR trains.

Can we purchase JR pass in Japan?

Hi! I’m in the midst of planning a 9 days trip to Japan. Plan to head straight from Narita to either Kyoto or Osaka and head to Tokyo on Day 4 or 5. Maybe even take the overnight train to Tokyo on the night of day 3 or 4 as I have a rather unhealthy obsession with trains. Will spend the remaining days exploring Tokyo with side trip to Hakone and if time permits, another area. My question is, if I purchase the 7 day JR pass, to go to Narita on day 9, I would have to purchase an individual ticket? And to travel within Tokyo on day 8, Suica is sufficient or would it be more cost effective to purchase the Tokyo subway 24 hour ticket?

Also another question, would it make more sense to stay in Osaka with day trips to Nara, Kyoto or would it be worthwhile to stay a night or 2 in Kyoto as well? Thank you in advance!

Hi Deandra,

Sounds like a great trip you are planning. With the itinerary you describe, the JR Pass would have expired when you reach day 8 and 9. Getting around Tokyo is not that expensive, and I think you’ll be fine with a Suica as it lets you use all modes of transportation across operators, as opposed to the subway 24h ticket. To go to Narita you’d need a separate ticket. There are several options to get to Narita Airport from Tokyo; Narita Express, Skyliner and Regular trains. You can save a few thousand yen if you take the (slower) regular train instead of the fast airport trains (Narita Express and Skyliner).

As for your second question, it’s really up to how much you mind moving around. Staying in one place is of course always easier when you travel with luggage. On the other hand Kyoto is a very nice city.

I hope you’ll have an amazing trip!

Hello. I am planning to visit Japan in October for first-time. Our rough itinerary is as follows: Arrive Tokyo (not sure Haneda or NRT yet). Stay in Tokyo 4 nights. Day trips to Nikko and Kamakura. Then to Kyoto for 5 nights. Day trips to Nara, Hiroshima/Miyajima and Osaka. Then to Hakone for 2 nights. Staying in Ryokan with private onsen. Back to Tokyo either for same day flight or possibly stay 1 night in Tokyo (depending on flight time). Does this sound Ok ? Best to get 14 day JR Pass ? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Your itinerary sounds perfect and well planned. Covering both Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day may be a bit of a stretch, but it depends on how much time you want to spend on the museums in Hiroshimam, and if you want to hike in Miyajima. Regarding the Japan Rail Pass , you’d need the 14 day pass to cover this itinerary. It looks like you’ll probably save a bit compared to buying individual tickets. If you are looking for Ryokans with private onsens and views of mount fuji, then check out this list: 16 Mt Fuji Ryokans with Private Outdoor Onsen I hope you’ll have an amazing trip.

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1. Date of the revised prices of the JAPAN RAIL PASS The price of Japan Rail pass will be revised from Sunday, October 1, 2023 (U.S. time). Please refer to the following for the details on the expansion of the product lineup.

2. expansion of products 1) sale of a special “[only with japan rail pass] nozomi mizuho ticket” we will start selling a special “[only with japan rail pass] nozomi mizuho ticket” (hereinafter “nozomi mizuho ticket”) for japan rail pass holders. this ticket can be used for “nozomi” trains that run on the tokaido and sanyo shinkansen lines and “mizuho” trains that run on the sanyo and kyushu shinkansen lines (hereinafter “nozomi, etc.”). please purchase one “nozomi mizuho ticket” per use of nozomi, etc. 2) discounts on the use of tourist facilities in japan starting from october 1, 2023, major tourist facilities in japan are planning to offer discounts and other services to japan rail pass holder. details will be updated on the website as soon as they become available., due to high volume of orders, if your departure date to japan is within 10 days, we might not able to process depends on the situation. please contact us immediately before placing your order. orders could take longer time for us to process and ship out than usual. thank you for your understanding. please make sure to place an order with your name matching with your passport. you must enter full name with full middle name. after you place an order, you will receive the email to finalize that ordered full name matching on your passport. once you have reconfirmed, please reply to us immediately. your exchange voucher will be sent out by fedex soon. please do not cut off the customer and exchange part of the jr pass voucher that will be sent to you. (please note that if the customer or exchange part on the voucher is cut off, it cannot be exchanged in japan.) * frequently asked questions * q. what is “start to use pass from” in the order a. the date you want to start using the pass from. this can be changed at the time of exchange the voucher in japan. you can select tentative date as long as it is within 3 months from today. q. how much is shipping fee a. overnight shipping: $30 ($35 for hawaii/alaska) and 2 days shipping: $20 ($25 for hawaii/alaska) please select overnight shipping if you are departing within 20 days from today. q. what is the process a. after jr pass order submission, you will receive an email from jtb. please reply to us with your reconfirmation of full name matching on your passport immediately. currently, we ship out on monday, friday at 10am(pt) only. if your departure date within 10 days, please contact us immediately. confirmed orders after 10am on shipping day will be shipped on next shipping day. please note that it may take longer time to process and ship out due to high volume of orders. if you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or call 800-223-6104., regional japan rail passes.

If you are traveling in only 1 specific area, you can opt to buy a Regional JR Pass for that particular area. Each Passes allow unlimited travel on designated JR trains, buses, and ferries.

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How to use JAPAN RAIL PASS?

• 1. Purchase an Exchange Order before you come to Japan You need to purchase a JR Pass Exchange Order from an authorized sales agent in the US prior to your arrival in Japan. JTB USA is one of a few authorized sales agents for Japan's National Railway Group and offers a full selection of rail pass options.

• 2. Present your Exchange Order and obtain your JR Pass after you arrive in Japan Upon arrival in Japan, you need to turn in the Exchange Order to receive your JR Pass at an applicable JAPAN RAIL station that has a JR Pass exchange office.

• 3.Let's use the JR Pass! JR Pass may be use on rail, buses and ferries operated by JR.

JAPAN RAIL PASS Delivery Options

US 48 states Fedex 2 Business Day Service $10.50 Fedex over night $17.50

Hawaii/Alaska Fedex 2 Business Day Service $18.50 Fedex over night $22.50

• All Fedex shipments will not require a signature by the receiver. ・If you prefer to have your Fed Ex shipment with signature, please contact us by email within 3 hours of receiving your Order confirmation, that you wish to have "signature required" for your Fed Ex shipment. ・Please be advised that we can not be held responsible in case of lost shipments. ・For orders we do not receive an email reply within 3 hours a signature will be required upon receiving the shipment. While we process orders Mon-Fri, we are unable to dispatch on public holidays. Also, deliveries over these periods are likely to be disrupted, and is unfortunately outside our control. Ship to US 50 states only. Cut-off time 12:00 noon (P.S.T.) Business day Fedex shipping cost in Hawaii area (Except for Oahu island) may be additional. Agent will contact with you after your order submitted. We are unable to ship to a P.O. Box address.

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Let’s travel around Japan by train!

JAPAN RAIL PASS is a ticket offered jointly by the six JR Group companies, and it is convenient and reasonably priced for traveling throughout Japan by train.

You can ride JR trains all over Japan as many times as you want! With a JAPAN RAIL PASS, enjoy your own railroad trip!

Reserved seats can be booked in advance only when purchased on the official website.

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※Go to JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation

The length of JR train lines in Japan amount to a total of over 19,000 km! You can travel to beautiful tourist sites all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Trains in Japan are safe and punctual, making it easy to maintain your original travel plans.

With JAPAN RAIL PASS, you can ride Shinkansen bullet trains and limited express trains! You can also book reserved seats on your own, so there is no need to stand in line at a crowded ticket office. This makes it easy to create a travel plan.

Purchasers of a JAPAN RAIL PASS can also purchase a special ticket to use the fastest "NOZOMI" and "MIZUHO" trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Lines! A maximum of 12 NOZOMI trains run between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka per hour, making your travel even more flexible!

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » How to use the Japan Rail Pass? Basic guide

How to use the Japan Rail Pass? Basic guide

July 31, 2023

Do you have doubts on how to use the Japan Rail Pass? Let our basic guide and video show you! The  Japan Rail Pass is a multi-use all-you-can-ride discounted rail ticket for foreigners visiting the country. It is the most practical way to travel all over Japan.

It provides unlimited access to all major Japan Railways National trains and also to the fast ‘Shinkansen’ bullet trains that connect most of the main cities, like Tokyo to Kyoto , in Japan and which will take you to the county’s biggest and best attractions.

In addition to the Shinkansen, you will have access to local trains and metro in Tokyo , Kyoto and Osaka , as well as other means of transportation like the JR Buses , JR Ferry, Monorails , and airport transfers  (such as Narita Express in Tokyo and Haruka Express in Kyoto).

How does the JR Pass work?

The JR Pass is available for 7, 14, and 21-day trips . It is only available for foreigners visiting Japan with a “Temporary Visitor” stamp (or Japanese nationals who have lived abroad for 10 years or more).

Once you have purchased your Japan Rail Pass, you will receive an exchange voucher by mail. You can receive the voucher at your home address or, alternatively, we can mail it to your hotel or most accommodation in Japan.

Upon arrival in Japan, and to be able to use your JR Pass, you must validate and exchange your order for the actual pass, which must be done a maximum of 90 days after your purchase. Therefore, you should buy your Japan Rail Pass a maximum of 90 days before you exchange your order for the actual Japan Rail Pass.

Once you arrive in Japan, you will need to go to a JR Exchange Office , which can be easily found at airports and main train stations . Not sure which JR Exchange office is closest? You can check the Japan Rail Pass guide that you have received along with your exchange order!

Book your Japan Rail Pass now

At the office, you will be required to fill out a form with your personal details and show your passport and the entry stamp. When exchanging your voucher, you will have to choose a starting date , or first day of use, for your Japan Rail Pass.

The starting date does not have to be the same day as the exchange date. However, it has to be within 30 days of the date in which the exchange is made. Please keep in mind that the date cannot be altered once your JR Pass is activated.

Once it is validated you will be able to use your pass starting on the date you have chosen for the consecutive number of days for which your pass is valid.

How to use the Japan Rail Pass: Video guide

Seat reservation.

With your JR Pass in hand you can start exploring Japan on the Shinkansen and extensive rail system!   You can go to any JR ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi), to make a seat reservation . There is no additional charge for making a seat reservation .

Once at the ticket office, you will be asked about your destination and preferred departure time, or you can also look up the train times in advance . Then one of the friendly staff members will help you find the best option for your trip.

Finally, when handed the reservation ticket you can head over to the train platform . You will be asked to show your Japan Rail Pass at the ticket gate and then you may proceed to go to your platform where there will be monitors that will guide you on where to go if you have a seat reservation (and which direction to go if you don’t.).

How to find your car and seat

Find your car number on your ticket and stand at the correct car point on the platform. Line up behind the white line and wait for your train. Enter the train and find your seat , seat numbers are indicated above the window (sit in any seat if an unreserved carriage)

Traveling in first class and other extras

Many long-distance trains also offer Green Cars (superior class). With a Green-type JR Pass you can use either the coach or the superior Green Car class cars, while with a standard JR Pass you can use only the standard coach class cars without paying an additional charge.

Please note that if you are intending to travel in a Green Car, you must reserve a seat for a specific departure time in advance (although this can be done on the same day as travel).

Also, if you wish to travel in a private compartment on a Shinkansen or a limited express train, you will be required to pay the limited express charge for the private compartment, as well as the Green Car charge if the private compartment is a Green Car accommodation. An extra charge is also required if you wish to travel in a sleeping car, a DX Green Car or Gran Class accommodation.

You can make reservations right up to train departures, although, during national holidays such as Golden Week , Obon or New Year, it is advisable to make them as early as you can .

Still have doubts? You can check out Frequently Asked Questions and our tutorial made by the lovely La Carmina in our YouTube channel .

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JAPAN TRAIN & BUS PASSES: What is the Best Pass for You?

If heaven had railways and highways, they’re probably run by the Japanese.

Japan has one of the most remarkable transportation systems in the world. They’re expansive, extensive, and impressive, bringing undeniable comfort to travelers. It’s easy to dismiss that costs are relatively high, especially by Asian standards, because it operates like clockwork. Buses are efficient, trains are on time, and everything is impeccably clean.

Not to mention that transportation companies, both public and private, are wildly competitive, constantly whipping out promos and lowering fares especially for foreign travelers. Almost every transport firm sells their own suite of tourist passes. Every city has its own offers. The Kansai region alone has over a dozen available passes! And it can be insanely confusing! Ever felt like you can’t make a choice because there are too many options? In travel, there are good problems and bad problems. This, my friend, is a good problem.

We know this because half of the inquiries we get from our readers planning a Japan trip are about tourist passes. And every time, I have to type what I think and explain over and over again. So I decided to compile all the major travel passes and arrange them per destination in just one post. This way, I have something to refer to every time I’m asked for my recommendations or opinion.

But first, some gentle reminders.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Japan Tourist Passes: Some Reminders

• Tourist passes are not the be-all and end-all of Japan travel. Most passes are only good if you’re taking multiple journeys within a specified period. In many cases, you might not even need a pass because some attractions lie close to each other and they can already fill a full day’s itinerary. A good example is Tokyo’s Shibuya area, which is where the Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku’s Takeshita Dori, and Shibuya crossing are located. You can see all these just by walking. Sometimes, you can get the best deal by NOT buying a pass at all.
• There are no perfect passes. All passes come with restrictions. Some are only accepted in one or two areas. Some are accepted only by one or a few specific railway companies. Example, in Kansai Region, the JR West Kansai Pass only works on JR lines, while the Kansai Thru Pass can be used for any line in the region except JR.
• These are merely suggestions. The right pass for your trip depends on your itinerary. The best thing to do is to check each stop, find the nearest stations, and check which pass is the most suitable. But if you don’t have time for that, here are the passes you will most likely need if you’re visiting the most usual attractions.
• Bring your passport when purchasing or claiming passes. Most passes are only available to foreign tourists so you will need to show your passport for verification.
• Book these passes in advance. These passes are more expensive when purchased in Japan because they’re really meant for foreign travelers. Fortunately, most of these are available on Klook so I’m also providing links to Klook below.
• Take note of the validity periods of the passes. You can maximize the pass by building an itinerary around it. You don’t have to use the pass on your first day in Japan. For example, for regional or nationwide passes, start using the pass on the day of your first long-distance travel then make sure that all the other long distance journeys are within the validity period. For example, let’s say you’re using a Nationwide JR Pass and you’re visiting Osaka, Tokyo, and Sapporo over a period of 10 days. If the first 3 days will be within Osaka or Kyoto only, don’t use the JR Pass yet. Use it on Day 4 when you decide to travel to Tokyo or Sapporo.
• These are just based on what I know. Of course, what I know is limited. (I don’t know everything!) Like I said, I’m creating this post so I have something to point to when I’m asked for my recommendations or opinion. So if you feel like you want to correct or add something, sound off in the comments section. But be nice. I’m very fragile. Hahaha. Jk.

Without further ado, here are our tourist pass suggestions!

If visiting OSAKA only

If you will be exploring Osaka only and not any other city, get the OSAKA AMAZING PASS!

The ultimate all-inclusive Osaka sightseeing pass, available in 1-day and 2-day versions! The 2-day variant must be used consecutively. It gives the holder unlimited use of the subway, tramway, and bus systems in Osaka. It also gives FREE access to certain attractions including the following:

• Osaka Castle Main Tower
• Umeda Building’s Floating Garden Observatory
• HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
• Natural Hot Spring Naniwa no Yu
• Tombori River Cruise
• Dotombori Tour

You can reserve one via Klook. However, know that there are two types on Klook, depending on where you wish to pick it up. Make sure you book the one that is more convenient for you.

If visiting OSAKA + KYOTO

If staying in osaka and doing a day trip of arashiyama, gion and kiyomizu-dera.

Get an OSAKA AMAZING PASS and a HANKYU TOURIST PASS .

If staying in Osaka and doing a day trip of Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gion and Kiyomizu-dera

Get an OSAKA AMAZING PASS and a KEIHAN KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS .

If you’re spending nights in both Osaka and Kyoto

Use an OSAKA AMAZING PASS for your stay in Osaka, either 1-DAY HANKYU TOURIST PASS or 1-DAY KEIHAN KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS on the day you transfer to Kyoto, and a KYOTO CITY SUBWAY & BUS PASS for the rest of your stay in Kyoto.

Whether you should buy a Hankyu Tourist Pass or Keihan Sightseeing Pass on the day you move from Osaka to Kyoto depends on what attractions you also want to see that day. Both of these passes can take you to Gion. But if Arashiyama is non-negotiable for you that day, take the Hankyu Tourist Pass. If Fushimi Inari Shrine is the one you wish to visit that day, purchase the Keihan Sightseeing Pass.

• Kyoto City Subway and Bus Pass . This allows unlimited access to all subway lines and City Bus lines operating within Kyoto, as well as access to some Kyoto Bus lines and some Keihan Bus lines. Note that this is limited to the Kyoto City area only. This costs ¥900 and ¥1700 for 1-day and 2-day passes respectively. It’s not yet available on Klook but you can purchase one at any subway station in Kyoto.

Then just take a bus back to Kansai Airport on your departure day.

If visiting OSAKA + KOBE

Get an OSAKA AMAZING PASS for your stay in Osaka and then purchase a HANSHIN TOURIST PASS to explore Kobe for a day. If you’re also visiting Mt. Rokko, get an additional ROKKOSAN TOURIST PASS .

If visiting OSAKA + KYOTO + NARA / KOBE

The most popular passes are the JR West Kansai Pass and Kansai Thru Pass but I find them a bit too expensive now. I used to purchase them too, but that was before I discovered individual city passes, which are significantly cheaper.

Kansai Thru Pass is also a good option, which is available in 2-day and 3-day variants. It’s much like the JR West Kansai Pass in terms of coverage (yep, including a connection to Kansai Airport), but the great thing about it is that you don’t need to use it on CONSECUTIVE DAYS. HOWEVER, the best way to maximize this pass is if you schedule the day trip to Kyoto or Nara on your Arrival or Departure Day, when you’re also using it to get to the airport on the same days. Otherwise, it’s still best to use a combo of Hankyu Tourist Pass and Osaka Amazing Pass.

Here’s how I would do it.

• If your trip is only 3 days and you’re allotting one day each for Osaka, Kyoto, and either Nara or Kobe, get a KANSAI THRU PASS. This assumes your entry and exit point is Kansai Airport.
• If your trip is only 4 days , get a KANSAI THRU PASS and use it on Arrival Day, Nara Day, and Departure Day. On that 1 day that you’re not covered by the Kansai Thru Pass, use a HANKYU TOURIST PASS and visit Kyoto or Kobe. Another option is to visit Kobe or Kyoto on either your first or last day, whichever has more time, and just use that non-covered day to explore Osaka and use an OSAKA AMAZING PASS.
• If your trip is 5 days or longer and you don’t want to schedule a day trip to another city on your first or last day, get individual city passes.

Here are more scenarios for trips longer than five days. Of all these cities, Nara is the most expensive to access. Yet, the majority of its key attractions are concentrated around Nara Park.

• If the only attraction you’re checking out in Nara is Nara Park and its deer, don’t get a pass for the Nara leg. Just buy a regular ticket to Kintetsu-Nara Station from Osaka. Then use Osaka Amazing Pass for the Osaka leg and either a Hankyu Tourist Pass or Keihan Sightseeing Pass for the Kyoto leg.
• If you’re visiting several attractions in Nara, get a 2-Day Kintetsu Rail Pass, which already covers Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. It also covers bus routes within Nara and within Kyoto, so you can also explore these cities more. Then, if you’re exploring more of Osaka in other days, use an Osaka Amazing Pass.

Here are the passes mentioned in this section:

If visiting OSAKA + KYOTO + NAGOYA

Use the following passes:

• Within Nagoya, use either Meguru 1-Day Bus Pass or the 1-Day Subway and Bus Pass . Most key attractions within the city like Nagoya Castle and Sakae Shopping District are along the Meguru Loop Bus. If you only have 1 day to explore, this should be enough to fill a day’s itinerary so get the Meguru 1-Day Loop Bus. But if your itinerary is a combination of attractions close to both SUBWAY and BUS stations, then get the 1-Day Subway and Bus Pass instead.

If visiting OSAKA + KYOTO + TOTTORI / OKAYAMA

Get the 5-Day JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass. Emphasis on WIDE. Not to be confused with JR Kansai Area Pass. So what’s the difference, the JR WIDE AREA Pass includes everything that the regular Kansai Area Pass covers but with additional areas including Okayama, Takamatsu, and Tottori. It covers the JR Sanyo Main Line, which is the major railway artery to Tottori.

If Tottori is part of your itinerary and you’re coming from Kansai Airport, you can order a JR Kansai WIDE AREA Pass via Klook.

If visiting OSAKA + KYOTO + HIROSHIMA

If your itinerary includes the Kansai Region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji) and Hiroshima, the pass to get is JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. It will allow you unlimited travel on select JR trains including non-reserved Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima), non-reserved express trains like Haruka, Thunderbird, Kuroshio, Kounotori and more, and rapid, special rapid and local trains on the JR West network. It also covers JR West Miyajima ferry.

This is an awesome deal. The shinkansen ride from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima alone is already almost ¥10,000, one way. But this pass costs only ¥13,500 and it gives you access to a lot more.

Price: ¥13,500 Validity: 5 days

If visiting OSAKA + KYOTO + TOKYO

Now this is a tricky one. Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo are too far apart and there are many ways to approach this, so it boils down to a lot of things.

If your entry point is different from your exit point

Example: Kansai Airport Entry, Narita exit; or Narita entry, Kansai exit. I recommend not using a pass. The most budget-friendly way is to take an overnight bus. The journey is comfortable anyway and it will allow you to save on a hotel night.

If for some reason you can’t take the bus — say, you’re traveling with kids or seniors and you want to travel fast — just fly or take the bullet train (shinkansen). No pass.

If your entry point is the same as your exit point

• Narita Airport > Tokyo > Kyoto > Osaka > then travel back to Narita Airport.
• Kansai Airport > Osaka > Kyoto > Tokyo > then travel back to Kansai Airport.

If you only have 7 days, I wouldn’t do it like this. I would just stay in one region. Say, if I only have 7 days, I would stay within Kansai Region or within Tokyo/Kanto area. Either of these has more than enough to fill a week’s itinerary. But if you insist or you have a few more days, then these passes might be useful:

If visiting TOKYO only

Many of the attractions in Tokyo stand close to each other and they can already fill a full day’s itinerary, so you might not even need a pass. A good example is Tokyo’s Shibuya area, which is where the Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku’s Takeshita Dori, and Shibuya crossing are located. You can see all these just by walking.

But if you don’t want to walk too much or you plan on visiting a lot of attractions in a day, the most convenient pass is the Tokyo Subway Ticket.

The Tokyo Subway Ticket grants you unlimited access to all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo metro, NOT JR). Cost: ¥800 for 24 hours, ¥1200 for 48 hours, and ¥1500 for 72 hours.

If visiting TOKYO + MT. FUJI + NAGOYA + OSAKA + KYOTO

Get a Nationwide JR Pass (Whole Japan Rail Pass) , which covers the entire JR network throughout the country. JR operates in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, and the areas surrounding Mt. Fuji. The pass is valid for 7 consecutive days.

Klook offers the cheapest JR Passes available. If you live in the Philippines, the pass will be delivered to you in 7 days.

If visiting TOKYO + MT. FUJI

If you’re planning to explore Tokyo and then see Mt. Fuji for a day or two, these are the passes you might want to consider.

If visiting TOKYO + SAPPORO / HOKKAIDO

My recommendation is to fly from Tokyo to Sapporo. Taking the train takes a lot of time and money.

But if you really want to travel by train, purchase a Nationwide JR Pass (Whole Japan Rail Pass) , which covers Tokyo and Hokkaido, among others. Without the JR Pass, the total fare (including seat fee) would cost you around ¥26,820 ($240, P12,000). That’s just one way!

The 7-Day JR Pass costs only ¥29,110 on Klook. If you live in the Philippines, the pass will be delivered to you in 7 days.

If visiting SAPPORO + Other Hokkaido Destinations

If you’re visiting multiple cities in Hokkaido (and no other destination outside the region, the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass is the right pass for you. It will give you unlimited access to the JR Hokkaido network which connects Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Furano, and other cities on the island. It can also be used on select JR buses. But it’s not accepted on Hokkaido Shinkansen.

There are four variants available depending on validity duration: 3 consecutive days, 5 consecutive days, 7 consecutive days, and 4 non-consecutive days within 10 days.

If visiting NAGOYA only

Here are some passes that you may avail of:

• Meguru 1-Day Pass. This pass will grant you unlimited rides on the Meguru Loop Bus for one day. Cost: ¥500.
• 1-Day Subway and Bus Pass. This is a special ticket that will allow you unlimited access to city buses and subway lines for a day. Cost: ¥850, adult; ￥430, child under 12. If you’re only interested in the subway and NOT the buses, here are the rates: ¥740, adult; ￥370, child under 12.
• Donichi Eco Kippu (Weekend Eco Ticket). This will enable you unlimited access to subway lines and city buses on weekends, holdays, and the 8th day of every month (Environmental Conservation Day). Cost: ¥600, adult; ￥300 for child under 12.

If visiting NAGOYA + SHIRAKAWAGO + TAKAYAMA

If you’ll be visiting multiple destinations across Central Japan, consider getting a SHORYUDO BUS PASS, which can get you a lot of savings!

Meitetsu offers various Shoryudo bus passes that allow unlimited travel to and from many of the region’s key destinations, including access to the Chubu Centrair International Airport. This means that if you have this pass, you can use it immediately upon your arrival at the airport.

There are three courses available but these two are the most popular!

• 3 Day Pass: Takayama-Shirakawago-Kanazawa Course. This bus pass enables unlimited travel on highway buses to and from the airport, Nagoya, Gifu City, Takayama City, Shirakawa-go and even as far as Kanazawa and Toyama. Price: ¥7500.
• 5 Day Pass: Wide Course. This ticket gives you unlimited access to both highway buses and route buses to and from major attractions like the Central Japan Airport, Gifu City, Gero City, Takayama, Gokayama, Shirakawago, and Shinhotaka. Aside from these, Toyama, Kanazawa, Matsumoto, and Takaoka are also covered.

Klook offers discounted rates for these bus passes!

If visiting FUKUOKA only

If you’re staying within Fukuoka City only and you’re taking public transportation multiple times a day, get one of the following passes:

• Fukuoka Tourist City Pass , which will enable you unlimited rides on buses, trains, and subways around the city (except Nishitetsu Train). Valid for 1 day. Price: ¥820 for adults and ¥410 for children.
• 1-Day Subway Pass , which will allow you unlimited rides on any Fukuoka City Subway routes (Kuko Line, Hakozaki Line, and Nanakuma Line). Subway only, buses excluded. Valid only for 1 day, on the day of purchase. Price: ¥620 for adults and ¥310 for children.
• 2-Day Subway Pass , which will allow you unlimited rides on any Fukuoka City Subway routes (Kuko Line, Hakozaki Line, and Nanakuma Line). Subway only, buses excluded. Valid for 2 days starting on the day of first use. Price: ¥720 for adults and ¥360 for children.

Note that these are not valid on JR lines.

If you think none of these passes are for you but you don’t want to fall in line or get a ticket each time you use public transportation, you can use HAYAKAKEN instead. HAYAKAKEN is an IC card similar to ICOCA, SUICA or PASMO. All you need to do is hover the card upon entry to the subway station or bus and you’re good to go.

All these passes are available at the following spots among others:

• Hakata Station Tourist Information Center
• Fukuoka Airport Bus Terminals and Information Desk
• Hakata Port International Terminal General Information Counter
• Tenjin Tourist Information Center

If visiting FUKUOKA + HIROSHIMA

If you plan on exploring multiple destinations with Hiroshima Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture and coming in via Fukuoka, consider the JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass. This will enable you to get unlimited access to designated JR trains (including shinkansen) and bus lines within Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. This also covers shinkansen rides to and from Fukuoka (Hakata) and ferry ride to Miyajima.

If your trip is only 5 days, this is a good deal. The shinkansen ride from Hakata Station (Fukuoka) to Hiroshima alone is already over ¥8000, one way. But this pass costs only ¥11,000 and it gives you much more.

Price: ¥11,000 Validity: 5 days

If visiting FUKUOKA + NAGASAKI / KUMAMOTO / KITAKYUSHU

Purchase a JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass , which covers the northern cities of the island. Available in 3-day and 5-day versions.

Klook sells this pass on their website too. Make sure to choose NORTH Kyushu Pass. Emphasis on Northern. They also sell SOUTH and ALL KYUSHU passes on the same page.

If visiting FUKUOKA + Other Cities in Kyushu

If you’re planning on setting foot in multiple cities throughout Kyushu Island, the pass to consider purchasing is the ALL KYUSHU RAIL PASS , which gives you unlimited access to the JR rail network within the island. Available in 3-day and 5-day versions.

Klook sells this pass on their website but make sure to pick the JR Kyushu Pass (without the North or South qualifier). There are three main types by covered area: North, South, and the ALL KYUSHU PASS, which is also called simply KYUSHU PASS (dropping the ALL tag). They’re all sold on the same page on Klook so be careful not to pick the wrong pass.

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Hi. I find your ‘Japan passes, what is the best?’ blog very informative. You are able to address my worries. I really am having confusion getting the best pass for my travel to Kansai region this week. My itinerary is to do Kyoto for 2 days, going directly there upon arrival from KIX. Then 3rd day Osaka, 4th day Nara, 5th day shopping. For the 2nd day Kyoto, I saw an article that cycling around the Eastern/Southeastern sites is possible. If this is so, then I won’t need a pass, right? Would you suggest I just buy a 1-day pass Kyoto, then bike my way around the area on the second day? I really wish I could do the laid-back sightseeing at my own pace. Thanks a lot and more power.

Hi Ellen, if you choose to explore by bike, yeah, you won’t need a pass. There are bike rental shops around Kyoto. :)

If you’re pushing through with the bike, you don’t need a pass on that day. But take a look also at Kansai Thru Pass for your Days 1, 3 and 4.

Hi! I hope you could help us. We will be coming from Centrair and would be staying at Nagoya for 4 days. Day 0 would be our Arrival at night time. Day 1 we will be touring Osaka from Nagoya. Day 2 Kyoto and Nara from Nagoya. Day 3 Tokyo from Nagoya or Nagoya tour. Day 4 Nagoya tour if Tokyo pushes through. I do not know which to get from JR pass or Kintetsu Railpass. Also, would I still be needing Osaka Amazing Pass, Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass, and 1-Day Subway and Bus Pass for Nagoya for the transportation within those areas and for the (free) admission for attractions?

Hi. we are arriving in Chubu on the 18th. I was planning on doing Nagoya on the 19th, Fuji on the 20th diretso Tokyo hanggang 21st, tapos punta sa Kobe on the 22nd and explore Kyoto and Osaka sa 23 and 24. Tapos bisita ng maaga dun sa Hiroshima on the 25th. Ano suggestion mo po? Thank you.

If you plan to take the train all the way, the JR Pass will be worth it for your itinerary.

Hi Elaine, based on your itinerary, I think the 7-Day Nationwide JR Pass will pay off and is the best pass for you since you’re also visiting Tokyo.

But are you sure this is the itinerary you want? It’s a bit hectic. But if this is final, then yeah, I think sulit na yung JR Pass.

First of all, your blog about “Japan Train and Bus Passes” are very helpful and informative. I just need to get your opinion cause me and my friends will visit Japan and our itinerary is Fukuoka > Hiroshima > Kyoto > Osaka. Do you think buying a JR Pass is worth it for our itinerary or would you recommend an alternative which would give us more savings? Thank you for your help! :)

What are your entry and exit points?

You can check if the JR Pass is worth it by entering your destinations in this online calculator: https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

hello! hope you could help us with our itineraries. Oct 6 – KIX Arrival at 4:10pm (entry) Oct 7 – (Kyoto + Nara) Fushimi Inari Shrine + Kiyomizu, Yasaka , etc and Nara Oct 8 – (Kyoto) Arashiyama + Other popular places Oct 9 – USJ Oct 10 – Osaka Amazing Pass ( 1 day) Oct 11 – Osaka 1/2 day tour Oct 11 – Shinkansen going to Tokyo Oct 11 to Oct 16 Tokyo (exit)

We’ll be staying staying in Osaka (Shinsaibashi area). 1. Which pass are we going to buy Kansai Thru Pass or JR West Kansai Pass?

I think Kansai Thru Pass is better here. It also gives you flexibility in case you want to switch the days within Kansai (pag umulan, etc.)

thank you po.

Hi, i’m planning a 10 days trip to Japan. I will enter Japan via Kansai Airport. Will be staying Osaka for 5 days and am planning to have day drips from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe (2 days to explore Osaka). After which i am planning to go to Tokyo from Osaka and will be staying in Tokyo for another 4 nights and will be making day trip to Mount Fuji and Nikko (rest of the 2 days to explore tokyo in general). Would you recommend me to get a JR whole region pass or would it be better to get a combination of passes eg Osaka amazing pass x 2 days, 3 days Kansai Thru pass, ICOCA card, & for Tokyo should i use JR pass to cover my tokyo and day trips? or is there any other itinary in tokyo that you would think its cheaper or more feasible? Thank you so much!

I suggest the following: OSAKA – 2-day Osaka Amazing Pass OTHER KANSAI CITIES – Kansai Thru Pass OSAKA TO TOKYO – Take the overnight bus TOKYO-FUJI-NIKKO – Get the Tokyo Wide Pass

But if you want to take the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo, then the JR Pass can be worth it if you’re also visiting Fuji and Nikko. Explore Osaka first before visiting other cities. Then use JR Pass from Days 4-10, including your Osaka-Tokyo transit.

Hello. we are planning to stay 2 nights/ 3 days in Kyoto (same day arrival from the airport) and 3 nights/4days in Osaka (possibly a day trip to Nara but not on departure day). what would be the best pass for us. thank you.

Hello. I’ve been following your page and reading your blog about japan tour. We are planning to visit Japan this coming january for a 7day tour. Our entry and exit point will be Narita and we plan to explore Tokyo with Mt. Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto/Nara (very hectic). What will be our best option for this travel? Will it be best to have a nationwide JR pass? Thank you.

Get a nationwide JR Pass.

This is a very helpful blog. Thank you so much the Poor Traveler Team! My only concern now is what is the best pass/es to get where we can save the most money ofcourse? Hihi

Here’s our planned IT for autumn this year.

We will be staying in Osaka and plans to do a DIY day trip to Kyoto (AM) and Nara (PM) before going back to Osaka in the evening.

OSAKA-KYOTO-NARA-OSAKA

For Kyoto, we only wanted to see the ff:

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and
• Fushimi Inari Taisha

Then for Nara, we will only be visiting Nara Park and plans to go on foot from there to explore the park grounds and its surrounding temples.

Im torn between the 2 (combo) passes:

• OSAKA AMAZING PASS + HANKYU TOURIST PASS, or
• KANSAI THRU PASS only since this pass already includes the OSAKA METRO lines

THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS! KUDOS!

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The 20 Best Places to Visit with the Japan Rail Pass (2023)

The Japan Rail Pass offers exceptional value for those traveling around Japan, especially when using long-distance trains like the notorious Japanese bullet train, the Shinkansen. Here we list out the best ways to use the Japan Rail Pass .

With most international travelers entering Japan through Tokyo, the below lists the best ways to use the pass based on Tokyo as the original departure point. However, we will also list travel times by train from other major or nearby cities, as each destination can link to another closer destination as part of your itinerary.

To ensure you find the lowest possible prices for the Japan Rail Pass , which are set by the Japan Rail Group, buy your pass through authorized sales agents like JRPass .

1. Kyoto: Japan’s Cultural Capital

There is no better place to start a list of the best uses for the Japan Rail Pass than Kyoto. The former capital of Japan is full of incredible temples, gardens, palaces, old architecture, and natural scenery. A must-visit for those looking to explore the more traditional side of Japan, Kyoto has plenty to fill an itinerary for over a week, though most visitors can see the key attractions in 2-4 days.

Travel Time From Key Cities

• Tokyo – 2.5 Hours
• Osaka – 15 Minutes
• Hiroshima – 1 Hour 40 Minutes

2. Osaka: Eat Until Stuffed in the Nation’s Kitchen

Japan’s third-largest city, though the second largest metropolitan area, Osaka has long held a counter-culture to the country’s capital. Osakans are considered more direct and louder than their Tokyo brethren. Historically, the city has been regarded as a merchant city and was the country’s rice-trading hub, where residents have a reputation as happily splurging on a night of eating and drinking to this day.

Worth 1-3 days as part of a Japan itinerary, it is possible to combine nights of street food and evening entertainment in Osaka with days of temple and garden visits in nearby Kyoto. Check out Dotomobori for the iconic Osaka food street, Osaka Castle for a bit of history, and Universal Studios Osaka for one of the country’s best theme parks.

• Tokyo – 2 Hours and 50 Minutes
• Kyoto – 15 Minutes
• Hiroshima – 1 Hour 30 Minutes

3. Nara: Visit the 8th Century Temples and Feed Deer From Your Hand

Long celebrated for its contributions to Japanese culture and history, Nara was Japan’s capital during the 8th century and has remained a fascinating city to visit over a millennia later. Nara makes for an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, with several of Japan’s most impressive temples and shrines clustered together in the small city.

Check out Todai-ji and Horyuji-ji temples Kasuga-taisha Shrine, and make a leisurely stop by Isuien Garden right next to Todai-ji. Don’t miss the deer in Nara Park, who are world-famous for bowing to visitors to receive some deer snacks sold around the park.

• Kyoto – 45 Minutes
• Osaka – 45 Minutes

4. Hiroshima: Understand the Impact of Nuclear Warfare

One of Japan’s more sobering cities to visit, Hiroshima, is well known along with Nagasaki as the two cities devastated by the atomic bombs during the Second World War. However, the city was entirely rebuilt following the war, and the Peace Park and Memorial Museum today provides one of the best educational experiences in the country, detailing the consequences of nuclear weapons.

The city offers more beyond the museum, with nearby Miyajima island containing one of the country’s most iconic shrines with a torii gate located in the shallow waters offshore. The Japan Rail Pass also covers the ferry out to Miyajima.

An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, Hiroshima is worth 1-2 days of a longer itinerary for those who have the time.

• Osaka – 1 Hour 30 Minutes
• Kyoto – 1 Hour 45 Minutes
• Fukuoka – 1 Hour

5. Himeji: Marvel at Japan’s Best Preserved Castle

Himeji is the perfect example of the Japan Rail Pass’s value for travelers. Its feature attraction Himeji Castle is located a couple of minutes by taxi or a long walk from the Shinkansen station.

Located between Hiroshima and Osaka on the Tokaido Shinkansen Railway Line, it’s possible to make a quick three-hour stop to see the castle or spend a day in the city for those who have more time.

• Osaka – 30 Minutes
• Hiroshima – 1 Hour

6. Kobe: Wander the Historic Port City and Sample Award Winning Steak

Only a short trip from Osaka or Kyoto on the Shinkansen, Kobe is great for a half-day to full-day visit for those with longer itineraries. The historic port city offers interesting European-style architecture, sake breweries, and most notably, plenty of restaurants offering the legendary marbled wagyu beef that’s become more famous globally than the city itself.

Consider combining a morning trip to see nearby Himeji and its castle with an afternoon wandering the streets of Kobe, enjoying a lunch or dinner at one of its many Japanese steakhouses.

• Kyoto – 30 Minutes
• Himeji – 30 Minutes

7. Nikko: Traditional Temples, Shrines, and Natural Scenery

One of the best day trips from Tokyo, Nikko is home to the Toshogu Shrine, one of Japan’s most famous shrines and the mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, a 17th-century ruler of Japan. In addition, the city offers several other notable temples, a historic bridge, and the broader area provides a stunning backdrop of natural scenery, with nearby Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Waterfall being essential parts of a visit.

Worth a day trip and providing excellent value to your Japan Rail Pass , it is also practical to extend to an overnight trip for those looking to explore the area in-depth.

• Tokyo – 1 Hour 40 Minutes

8. Kamakura: Big Mt. Fuji Views and a Big Buddha

The de facto capital of Japan for 150 years around the 13th century, Kamakura is full of historic temples and a laid-back atmosphere that contrasts with nearby fast-paced Tokyo. An easy day-trip from Tokyo, with local trains reaching the city in only 45 minutes, seaside Kamakura is home to one of the world’s largest seated buddhas. The over four-story bronze buddha is located at the Kotoku-in Temple.

The hillsides of the city and the beachfront offer views of Mt. Fuji on clear days, making the city an easy trip for those hoping to view the iconic mountain along with the city’s history.

• Tokyo – 45 Minutes

9. Fukuoka: A Launching Point for Touring Kyushu

The largest city on the island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a great starting point for those traveling around the seismically active island that is full of smoldering volcanos and some of Japan’s best hot spring towns. In addition, the city is culturally unique and popular amongst Japanese tourists for its distinct regional cuisine, shopping, and nightlife.

Due to its distance from other popular destinations, Fukuoka is better for longer itineraries such as the 14-Day or 21-Day rail passes.

• Tokyo – 6 Hours
• Kyoto – 3 Hours
• Osaka – 2 Hours 45 Minutes

10. Nagasaki: The First International City in Japan

Nagasaki was the first large city opened to foreigners when trade began with Dutch and Chinese there in 1641. To this day, the city continues to have a more international vibe compared to many Japanese cities, with Tokyo being the most apparent anomaly. Devastated by the atomic bomb during the Second World War, Nagasaki today offers a unique mix of attractions from temples to museums to mountain views.

An essential stop on a tour of Kyushu, Nagasaki is worth a day tour or overnight stay for those with time in their itinerary. The city’s laid-back atmosphere and proud local culture display the apparent differences between Japanese cities and prefectures.

• Fukuoka – 1 Hour 40 Minutes
• Nagasaki – 2 Hours

11. Hakodate: An Entry Point into Hokkaido

With the Hokkaido Shinkansen opening in 2018, Japan Rail Pass holders can finally reach Japan’s most northern island by high-speed train in just over 4 hours from Tokyo Station. Further line construction will have the Shinkansen extended to Hokkaido’s largest city, Sapporo, in 2030.

The port city of Hakodate and greater Hokkaido offers visitors access to explore the pristine scenery of its countryside and sample what is regarded as some of the country’s best produce, dairy, and seafood.

Those with longer itineraries can include a multi-day tour of Hokkaido, with regional trains covering the island and accessible from Hakodate.

• Tokyo – 4 Hours

12. Kagoshima: Beaches, Gardens, and Hot Springs

Located at the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima has a subtropical climate, including warm, clear waters and soft sand beaches that are as close as you’ll find to Okinawa in the main Japanese Islands. Surrounded by lush green scenery and home to palm trees that create a Hawaiian-like atmosphere, Kagoshima offers gardens, history, and art museums, with a view from any spot of the city of Sakurajima. This volcano juts out of Kagoshima Bay offshore, and is the most active one in japan, lately erupting over a thousand times a year.

Consider Kagoshima as a temporary base for tours around Kyushu, with ferries out to nearby islands offering great day trips and subtropical landscapes being a key attraction in the region.

13. Kanazawa: Edo-era Architecture and Japanese Gardens

Situated in Ishikawa Prefecture along the West Coast of Honshu, Kanazawa has some of the best-preserved Edo-era districts in Japan, with traditional wooden homes and shops lining stone slab streets that avoided the destruction of the Second World War.

Kenroku-en in Kanazawa is considered one of the three great gardens in Japan, with its development starting in the 1620s. The garden’s use of natural features and water elements has played a significant role in influencing Japanese garden design since.

Worth an overnight stay as part of a journey across Japan, Kanazawa is also possible to be visited in a day trip from major cities for those who can start early and finish late.

• Tokyo – 3 Hours
• Kyoto – 2 Hours 30 Minutes

14. Cherry Blossom Hunting in the Spring

The famed cherry blossoms of Japan, known locally as sakura, make spring a peak travel period for visitors looking to view the iconic pink-flowered trees. However, one challenge with planning a trip to see the cherry blossoms is the unpredictability of their weather-dependent peak blossom.

Booking for an exact week in Tokyo or Kyoto may find that you were a few weeks early or a few weeks late, with the peak blossom times ranging as far as a month apart.

Avoid the stress of trying to time your trip perfectly to see the perfect bloom of cherry blossoms by using your rail pass to hunt them down with the full season in the main islands of Japan starting from mid-March in the south to mid-May in Hokkaido.

Within a few days of arriving, you’ll be able to narrow in on where the full bloom will be during your trip. Leave flexible dates in your itinerary and get train tickets to the optimal cherry blossom locations when you arrive.

There are incredible viewing spots across the country, where you can see temples, shrines, rivers, or mountains complemented by the beautiful pink flowering trees. Jump on a train in the direction of the full bloom, taking full advantage of the flexibility of your Japan Rail Pass.

15. Hisatsu Line: Breathtaking Natural Scenery

Crossing a distance of 125 kilometers of Kyushu between Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures, the Hisatsu Line has some of the best train scenery in Japan, which says a lot for a country covered by railways. The journey winds its way through mountains and lush green valleys, giving one of the best perspectives of the Kyushu Landscape.

Those with longer itineraries or spending time on Kyushu will find that this line combines well with visits to Kumamoto and its castle and Kagoshima well for a couple of days in an itinerary.

16. Wide View Hida Express Train Scenery

Winding through lush green or snow-covered mountain scenery depending on the season, the Wide View Hida Express train is one of Japan’s top scenic railways included with the Japan Rail Pass . Connecting Nagoya to the south with Toyama to the north, the train’s name describes the wide windows, allowing for expansive views of Japan’s natural scenery.

The total journey takes 4 hours along the entire line, with Takayama and the nearby Hida Folk Village making for an unmissable stop to book in the middle of your railway journey.

Start your journey in either Nagoya or Toyama, with Shinkansen connections to both from Tokyo, or starting in Nagoya for those traveling from Osaka or Kyoto.

17. Beppu: Kyushu’s Top Onsen City

Easily accessible with the Japan Rail Pass , Beppu City on Kyushu takes full advantage of the island’s geothermal springs, with eight hot springs located within the city. Take a day trip through the city for hot spring visits, or make a quick stop as you tour through Kyushu with the ease of the Japan Rail Pass.

• Fukuoka – 1 Hour 30 Minutes
• Hiroshima – 2 Hours 10 Minutes

18. Yufuin Onsen: Mountain Views from an Onsen

Heading up into the mountains from Beppu, Yufuin is an onsen town that offers a different experience than what can be found downhill in the city. Yufuin offers several open-air hot springs with panoramic views of nearby Mount Yufu and the surrounding mountain landscape.

Worth making the extra journey from Beppu for those looking to dedicate time for relaxation in their itineraries, Yufuin is a great resort town to soothe the body and mind from hectic travel schedules.

• Beppu – 1 Hour
• Fukuoka – 2 Hours 30 Minutes

19. Dogo Onsen: An Onsen With History

One of Japan’s oldest onsen resorts, Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a must-visit for those touring Shikoku Island. Popular amongst Japanese tourists, the onsen dates back to 1894, with the area around it, including the tram station offering glimpses into Meiji-period western-style architecture from the late 19th century.

Relatively isolated from the typical tourist paths through Japan, Dogo Onsen and Shikoku’s natural scenery is entertaining for a couple of day detour through Japan’s least-visited main island.

• Osaka – 4 Hours 15 Minutes
• Kyoto – 4 Hours 30 Minutes

20. Sapporo: Japan’s Newest and Snowiest Big City

The most northern big city in Japan, Sapporo is famed for its high winter snowfall totals and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, where the city is turned into a winter wonderland with massive snow and ice sculptures.

Enjoyable to visit in any season, Sapporo is a relatively young city by Japanese standards, developing from the late 19th century. Famed for its seafood markets, brewery, ramen restaurants, American-style architecture, and easy access to other Hokkaido attractions, Sapporo is an essential destination for longer Japanese travel itineraries.

Until the Hokkaido Shinkansen reaches Sapporo in 2030, the city is most likely only practical for the 21-Day Japan Rail Pass due to the travel time to get to the city, though, for those who can find the time, it offers a unique Japanese city experience.

• Hakodate – 4 Hours
• Tokyo – 8 Hours

For more tips and travel advice for those considering a Japan Rail Pass , check out the other pages as part of the Wander and Experience JR Rail Pass guide.

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Expressway Passes

Driving is a great way to explore Japan at your own pace and is especially recommended in rural areas where public transport services are limited . E xpressway tolls can , however, add up quickly . That's why an expressway pass is a great way to save money while driving around the country. They allow for unlimited expressway use in a specific region for a set period of time.

Expressway passes use Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) cards that are issued by rental car companies, so drivers do not need to stop at toll gates. Please note that the prices below do not include the cost of a rental car or ETC card rental.

The Japan Expressway Pass (JEP) was a previously available expressway pass that covered expressways across Japan (excluding Hokkaido and some regional areas). The JEP  is no longer available. But here is a list of regional expressway passes that can provide discount access to areas across Japan:

Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP)

For use in Hokkaido Prefecture .

Eligibility

• This pass is only available for visitors to Japan with a non-Japanese passport, or Japanese citizens with permanent residency in another country.
• Must have a valid driver’s license (and an International Driving Permit).
• Passports and licenses will be checked at time of purchase.

Further information

Tohoku Expressway Pass (TEP)

For use in the Tohoku  region including:

• Akita Prefecture
• Aomori Prefecture
• Fukushima Prefecture
• Iwate Prefecture
• Miyagi Prefecture
• Yamagata Prefecture

Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP)

For use in central Japan including:

• Aichi Prefecture
• Fukui Prefecture
• Gifu Prefecture
• Ishikawa Prefecture
• Kanagawa Prefecture  (limited area, see map)
• Mie Prefecture
• Nagano Prefecture (limited area, see map)
• Shiga Prefecture
• Shizuoka Prefecture
• Toyama Prefecture
• Yamanashi Prefecture

Note: This pass also includes limited entry and exit access from Tokyo and Kyoto. Access is limited to western Kanagawa Prefecture and southern Nagano Prefecture. The Nagoya Expressway Pass (NEP) and Aichi Toll Road Pass (AIP) are optional extras that give access to additional areas in Aichi Prefecture. Check the map for full details.

*The Nagoya Expressway Pass (NEP) and Aichi Toll Road Pass (AIP) cannot be purchased individually, and can only be purchased with the Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP).

San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP)

For use in the San’in, Setouchi and Shikuku regions including:

• Ehime Prefecture
• Hiroshima Prefecture
• Hyogo Prefecture
• Kagawa Prefecture
• Kochi Prefecture
• Okayama Prefecture
• Shimane Prefecture
• Tokushima Prefecture
• Tottori Prefecture
• Yamaguchi Prefecture

Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP)

For use in Kyushu including:

• Fukuoka Prefecture
• Kagoshima Prefecture
• Kumamoto Prefecture
• Miyazaki Prefecture
• Nagasaki Prefecture
• Oita Prefecture
• Saga Prefecture

All information is based on data as of April 2024 and is subject to change without notice.

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7 JR passes that can be used by foreign residents of Japan

Many of Japan's best rail passes , including the Japan Rail Pass , are available only to oversea visitors and cannot be used by foreign residents of Japan. However, during the coronavirus pandemic , several regional rail passes by JR became available to foreign residents for a limited time, while a few others are available to them at all times.

Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass

Seems to have become a regular product 3 days: 10,000 yen

The Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass is a special version of the Kansai Wide Area Pass which covers JR trains in a wide area around Kyoto and Osaka . Its conditions are identical to those of the Kansai Area Pass, except that it is valid for only 3 days instead of 5 days and that it can be purchased only through online travel websites, such as Klook and Rakuten . Despite the difference in the validity period, the pass remains an excellent offer, unmatched by anything available to Japanese residents.

JR Shikoku Pass 3-Days

Offer ended in March 2023! 3 days: 11,000 yen

The JR Shikoku Pass 3-Days covers all JR trains in Shikoku (including non-reserved seats on limited express trains) plus the Tosa Kuroshio Railway and two local JR bus lines. It is a temporary offer available to non-Japanese passport holders. The pass can be used on three consecutive days between May 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 and is on sale until March 29 on websites such as Rakuten . The pass is a little more expensive than the All Shikoku Rail Pass (which is unavailable to residents of Japan) but also pays off easily.

Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass

Offer ended in March 2023! 4 days: 8,500 yen

The Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass is a convenient pass for a trip to Sapporo , Noboribetsu and Otaru . It can be purchased at Sapporo, New Chitose Airport and Noboribetsu stations.

Sapporo-Furano Area Pass

Offer ended in March 2023! 4 days: 9,500 yen

The Sapporo-Furano Area Pass is a convenient pass for a trip to Sapporo , Furano , Asahikawa and Otaru . It can be purchased at Sapporo, New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa stations.

Tokyo Wide Pass

Always available 3 days: 10,180 yen

The Tokyo Wide Pass covers most JR trains and selected non-JR trains in a wide area around Tokyo that stretches as far as Karuizawa , the Fuji Five Lakes and the Izu Peninsula . It is available year round to non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan and can be purchased at major JR stations in the greater Tokyo area.

JR East Tohoku Area Pass

Always available 5 days: 20,000 yen

The JR East Tohoku Area Pass covers JR trains in most of the Kanto and Tohoku regions. It is available year round to non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan and can be purchased through online services, such as Japan Experience and Rakuten , or at major JR stations in eastern Japan.

JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass

Always available 5 days: 18,000 yen

The JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass covers JR trains in most of the Kanto Region and Yamanashi , Nagano and Niigata prefectures, as well as the Shonai Region . It is available year round to non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan and can be purchased through online services, such as Japan Experience and Rakuten , or at major JR stations in eastern Japan.

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JR Passes for Foreign Residents

Only tourists are able to purchase the famous Japan Rail Pass , which allows travelers to flit around the country on the normally expensive Shinkansen. What you may not know, is that there are a few regional rail passes that foreign passport holders on any visa can purchase. That means you, foreign residents of Japan!

These passes are available indefinitely, but in the past there have also been passes available to foreign residents for limited periods of time. Oh, and there are even some rail passes that can be purchased by anyone, even Japanese citizens.

Overview of rail passes currently available

Tokyo wide pass, jr east passes, discount rail passes that anyone can use.

We’ve divided up the passes into two categories: The first is regional rail passes that are specifically for foreign residents — meaning you must have a foreign passport to be eligible to purchase the pass. Sometimes passes that are only intended for foreign tourists (meaning you entered Japan on a temporary “tourist” visa) become availble to foreign residents (in Japan on any visa), so watch this space!

The second category is rail passes that have no eligibility restrictions (though they may have black out dates), meaning even Japanse citizens can purchase them. Some of these are available only for a limited time.

Pro tip : Also consider these JR Pass alternatives , many of which are available to foreign residents.

Rail passes for foreign residents

The following JR regional rail passes are currently available to foreign passport holders on any visa:

deadline to purchase the pass is also the deadline to activate the pass . So for example, the last day to purchase and activate a 3-day Shikoku Pass is March 29 and the last day you can travel with the pass is March 31. -->

Passes without booking links must be purchased in-person at select train stations. See sections on individual passes for more details.

Rail passes that anyone can use

The following JR regional rail passes are currently available to anyone (regardless of visa or passport status). There is still some fine print, though, like blackout dates and purchase specifications. For example, the JR Kyūshū Hello! Freetime Net Pass (both the All Kyūshū and the Northern Kyūshū versions) must be purchased online via the JR East and JR Kyūshū portal sites (in Japanese; respectively) after setting up a (free) acccount.

Scroll to the bottom to read more about the individual passes and how to purchase them.

The excellent Tokyo Wide Pass gives you three days of consecutive travel in the Kantō area. That means excursions to Nikkō, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, and (in winter) ski resort Gala Yuzawa (among other places). Find out more about what you can do with the Tokyo Wide Pass .

The pass costs ¥ 15,000 and can be purchased here .

JR East has two passes that can be purchased by foreign passport holders of any visa status: the Nagano & Niigata Area Pass and the Tōhoku Area Pass. With the Nagano & Niigata Area Pass , you get Shinkansen travel in Niigata and Nagano — perfect for hitting the slopes or summer hiking trips.

The Tōhoku Area Pass , meanwhile, gives you some Shinkansen travel in Niigata and Nagano plus travel along the entire length of the Tōhoku Shinkansen. This pass is ideal for exploring this undervisited region in depth.

Both passes are good for five days of consecutive travel. The Nagano & Niigata Area Pass costs ¥ 27,000 and you can buy it here . The Tōhoku Area Pass costs ¥ 30,000 ; purchase it online here .

See our article on JR East regional rail passes for more details, plus ideas for where to travel.

Passes only available for a limited time

Kansai wide area excursion pass, 3-day jr shikoku pass, jr kyūshū passes, jr hokkaidō regional rail passes.

There are also discount travel schemes that have no eligibility requirements. These can be used by anyone, including Japanese citizens. Sadly none of them are as good of a deal as the passes created specifically for tourists — but they can still save you money.

Passes from JR East

Other passes.

guide to Hokkaidō rail passes .-->

Shikoku Free Ticket from JR Shikoku appears to be exactly the same as the 3-day JR Shikoku Pass for foreign passport holders (just more expensive). -->

JR Kyūshū has a 3-day pass — what it’s calling the Hello! Freetime Net Pass — that resembles the Kyūshū rail passes for foreign tourists . Except it costs more and you have create an online account with JR Kyūshū (in Japanese). Oh, and you have to be over 60 years old.

There’s also a discount scheme called something like “Expert Traveler Kyūshū to One’s Heart’s Content Ticket” (旅名人の九州満喫きっぷ) that gives you three non-consecutive days of travel (or one day for three people) on any local train in Kyūshū, JR or otherwise. It costs ¥ 11,000 and must be bought from a train station or travel agent in Kyūshū.

Finally, there’s always the famous Seishun 18 ticket , which gives you five non-consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR local and rapid trains. It costs ¥ 12,050 and can be bought from most JR train stations.

While we strive to make sure all details are correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in July 2022. Last updated October 2023.

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Tokyu Line Triangle Pass: Explore Shibuya, Jiyugaoka, Daikanyama, and More!

Explore Shibuya, Jiyugaoka, Daikanyama, and Nakameguro with the 470-yen Tokyu Line Triangle Pass. Discover crowd-favorite spots from desserts to unique cafes, bars, and stationery stores. Enjoy these stylish hotspot picks for a stress-free trip!

When it comes to exploring Tokyo, using a one-day pass might be the most cost-effective way to get around. Tokyu Railway offers the Triangle Pass for only 470 yen, allowing you to roam freely in elegant areas where tourists often spend their holidays.

Cozy cafes, unique stores, atmospheric bars, and more are all concentrated in this golden-triangle area!

About the Tokyu Line Triangle Pass

With a full fare of 470 yen and a half fare of 240 yen, the one-day Tokyu Line Triangle Pass allows unlimited rides for the day. It covers a total of 17 stations, spanning the Toyoko Line (between Shibuya and Jiyugaoka), the Den-en-toshi Line (between Shibuya and Futakotamagawa), and the Oimachi Line (between Jiyugaoka and Futakotamagawa).

Along the way, you'll pass through popular tourist spots like Daikanyama, Sangenjaya, and Nakameguro. Starting from Shibuya, we'll introduce some hidden gems known only to locals!

Shibuya Station

Despite having many department stores like Shibuya Scramble Square and Shibuya PARCO, or large electronics stores, there are numerous individually operated shops tucked away in the alleys waiting for you to discover!

CHAKAS: A Specialty Store for Japanese Tea and Rice Balls

The reason behind the owner's shift from working in the IT industry of large corporations to opening this store lies in the desire for people to taste delicious Japanese tea anytime, anywhere, without spending a lot of money.

The teas sold in the store are carefully selected Fukuoka Meicha "Yame Tea" strains by one of Japan's 39 certified Japanese tea connoisseurs. These teas, with their sweet aftertaste, offer a flavor that can't be found in convenience stores. I ordered an iced matcha latte and watched the owner skillfully whisking matcha right in front of me. The taste was truly unique and delightful!

There are 12 to 20 different flavors of rice balls, all freshly made and hand-rolled daily. Even if they are left out for a while, they remain soft as they are expertly crafted to ensure each grain is selected meticulously for a fragrant and chewy texture.

*There is also a branch in the Marui Department Store on the first floor in Omiya Station!

CHAKAS Co., Ltd.

The Whales of August: Transforming Movies into Cocktails at the Bar

Each cocktail at this bar is crafted after movies such as "The Godfather," "My Fair Lady," "Titanic," "Zootopia," "The Avengers," and more! These famous films are transformed into exquisite cocktails that anyone who hears about them would say, "I've watched that! I know that!"

Moreover, even if a movie-inspired special cocktail doesn't appear on the menu, you can always ask the bartender to create a custom cocktail based on a movie he has seen. Movie buffs should come and enjoy a movie-themed cocktail gathering!

Ikejiri-Ohashi Station

Although this is a residential area, many coffee stands and bakeries have opened up shop in recent years. Walking along the main shopping street, you'll often catch the aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread in the air.

Sekiguchi Bakery

Operating quietly yet attracting the attention of passersby, this bakery is a hidden gem. Surrounded by lush greenery, the entire building's entrance, which one must enter and exit carefully, resembles a forest cabin from a picture book.

With a wide variety of handmade bread, I purchased the sesame bread (108 Japanese yen). The solid yet tender texture and rich flavor made me regret not buying more to take home!

Bubbles Chill Coffee

The owner, who is a designer, incorporates his American lifestyle perspective into every corner of the coffee shop. The menu features hand-drip coffee, cinnamon lattes, and a series of Kyoto Uji matcha lattes. (The image shows a staff member.)

Sangenjaya Station

The Setagaya Line's tram passing through the station may contribute to the preservation of many retro Showa-style shops along its tracks. Due to nearby universities, it's common to see young people frequenting the area. Additionally, stylish coffee shops are quietly flourishing in the vicinity.

Ichibiko Strawberry Dessert Specialty Shop

This cafe offers desserts made with strawberries from the town of Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture, renowned as "jewels that can be savored with your taste buds." Regardless of the season, it's a place to enjoy fresh and sweet strawberry desserts anytime.

I ordered the strawberry sponge cake (550 Japanese yen) which was generously topped with berries, offering a sweet taste with just the right amount of acidity. The cream wasn't overly sweet, allowing for a guilt-free indulgence. Next to me, Japanese girls were happily savoring two different cakes with great enthusiasm.

Ichibiko Taishido Store

Umikai Donburi (Seafood Bowl)

This seafood bowl specialty shop receives fresh fish daily from Choshi Port in Chiba Prefecture. The bowl is generously filled with tender bonito and translucent salmon roe, making it a visually appealing and mouth-watering dish.

It offers three unique ways to enjoy it: 1. Drizzle with soy sauce, 2. Mix in a little wasabi, 3. Incorporate the "vinegar jelly" included with the rice, transforming it into a sushi rice flavor. It's definitely a must-try experience!

Umimachi Don Sangenjaya Main Store

Futakotamagawa Station

In this chic suburb close to the rive yet not overly crowded, Futakotamagawa is a standout location. The Takashimaya department store blends seamlessly into the local streets with low-rise buildings surrounded by greenery, creating just the right sense of privacy.

Ivy Electronics

Functioning as both a bookstore and an electronics store, Ivy Electronics encapsulates the concept of bringing lifestyle choices home. The placement of kitchen appliances like toasters and electric fans next to home electronics magazines creates a harmonious display that naturally invites a second glance.

Futakotamagawa Tsutaya Home Appliances

Antica Gelateria Bar

Since 1986, the pioneer of authentic Italian gelato in Japan has been quietly nestled within Takashimaya at Futakotamagawa. Using authentic Italian methods, textures, and food culture, the establishment not only offers a variety of gelato flavors but also serves reasonably priced espresso and hot cocoa. No wonder it attracts regular foreign customers living in the area.

I chose the nut flavor. Its rich, creamy texture and intense aroma explain why this place holds a special spot, captivating the taste buds of customers of all nationalities and ages.

Antica Gelateria Tamagawa Takashimaya

BOX & NEEDLE

This is the world's first store themed around boxes opened by an old Kyoto paper products shop. You don't have to go all the way to Kyoto since there's a branch right in the alleys of Futakotamagawa. They carefully select handmade papers from worldwide artisans, piecing them together to create colorful and intricate paper boxes.

These boxes can be used for makeup storage, stationery organization, gift packaging, and much more, allowing for unlimited possibilities.

Jiyugaoka Station

Jiyugaoka is one of the areas in Tokyo that locals often choose as their top pick for living. Known for its refined streets, Jiyugaoka is filled with dessert shops along with many lifestyle goods brands setting up shop here.

MONT-BLANC: Chestnut Mont Blanc

Established over 85 years ago, the flagship Mont-Blanc store exudes an elegant vintage decor that signifies its importance in the Japanese dessert world. Handmade Mont Blancs, free from any preservatives, have a delicate texture and can dry out easily. The signature cake features whole chestnuts in the layers, complemented by fresh cream, winning over many loyal enthusiasts.

Jiyugaoka / Futakotamagawa / Shimokitazawa

Yutenji Station

Stepping out of the station, you are greeted by a serene yet unassuming shopping street where you can discover unique stores offering jewelry, vintage clothing, eateries, and more, each quietly operating along the way.

Culinary Kinship at CAFE KEATS

An 86-year-old traditional house converted into a health-conscious cafe. The interior features an all-white theme, providing a comfortable dining space for engaging conversations. All dishes are prepared without additives, incorporating fermented foods. Even the coffee is sourced from organic coffee beans. This attracts health-conscious individuals and those looking for lighter options from the working crowd.

If you order a drink, it comes with a complimentary plate of nuts and dried fruits. I ordered a latte that was smooth and not overpowering, making it an easy to sip in the evening (Price: 550 Japanese yen).

Food homology CAFE KEATS

Nakameguro Station

During cherry blossom season, the spectacular sight of seasonal flowers blooming along the Meguro River attracts crowds reveling in the enchanting evenings. Since the construction of the Nakameguro Underpass, local businesses and those catering to travelers have been gradually setting up shop in the area.

TRAVELER'S FACTORY

The primary product offered here is the "TRAVELER'S notebook," which can be customized with various preferred inner pages. The design concept revolves around the idea that "life is a journey," creating products aimed to accompany travel enthusiasts on their journeys, ready to record whatever they wish. Visitors can also send postcards from the store, selecting English and numerical stamps to compose messages to send to loved ones.

Travelers Factory

PEANUTS Cafe

PEANUTS Cafe offers a variety of limited-edition Snoopy merchandise that can only be purchased by dining guests. From wall decorations to tableware and even food, you can find traces of Snoopy characters around the cafe, making it a dream come true for Snoopy enthusiasts!

PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro

Daikanyama Station

Elegantly existing at its own pace, you can see the sight of stylish people exuding grace while taking a stroll. The streets resemble a runway in the city.

LOG ROAD DAIKANYAMA

Photo from PIXTA

This former 220-meter railway track has been transformed into five commercial facilities, including cafes, doughnut shops, beer pubs, and lifestyle stores, creating a continuous stretch. You can also enjoy blooming flowers year-round. On a nice day, you can relax outdoors with a beer or iced coffee in hand, adding to the peaceful ambiance.

Log Road Daikanyama

Enjoy Exploring Tokyo

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Hakone: Nature, History, and Hot Springs with a View of Mt Fuji.

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

Hakone is a popular tourist destination for day trips from Tokyo. Mt Fuji, historic townscapes, and an abundance of hot springs, Hakone is full of attractions for foreign visitors to Japan.

Hakone Attractions

Spectacular view of mt fuji..

Hakone is a place where one can enjoy an up-close view of Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashinoko is particularly spectacular and attracts many tourists.

Rich Nature

Hakone offers an abundance of places to enjoy nature, including Lake Ashinoko, the Hakone Tozan Railway, and Owakudani Valley. There are also a variety of activities such as hiking, trekking, and boating.

History and Culture

Hakone has many historical spots, such as Hakone Sekisho, which retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, and Hakone Shrine. In addition, the hot spring resorts of Hakone-Yumoto and Gora are lined with quaint inns and stores, and visitors can enjoy strolling through their elegant streets.

Hakone Round Trip Pass: Great value ticket to enjoy Hakone to the fullest

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Useful information for access

How to get to Hakone from Tokyo by public transportation

When using the Shinkansen and Hakone Tozan Railway

Board the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station. The tour takes about 30 minutes. The Shinkansen has both non-reserved and reserved seats. It is recommended to reserve reserved seats in advance. Board the Hakone Tozan Railway from Odawara Station Transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to reach Hakone-Yumoto Station. The trip takes about 20 minutes. Travel Time and Fees The total travel time from Tokyo Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station is approximately 1 hour. The fare is the total of the Shinkansen and Hakone Tozan Railway tickets.

When using Odakyu Romancecar

Board the Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku Station From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Romance Car to Hakone-Yumoto Station. The tour takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Odakyu Romance Car has only reserved seats, so make a reservation before boarding. Travel Time and Fees The total travel time from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Onsen and Ryokan in Hakone

Hakone is home to 17 different types of hot springs, each with different benefits. You can enjoy various types of hot springs, including guest rooms with open-air baths and private baths. There is also a wide variety of accommodations, from long-established ryokan to resort hotels, so you can choose according to your budget and preferences.

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There’s no need to tip in Japan. Here’s what else travelers should know.

The Land of the Rising Sun has fascinated travelers for centuries, and this summer is no exception. 

Tokyo is among the top five international cities Americans are visiting this summer, according to Expedia and Google Flights. And with the exchange rate currently so strongly in Americans’ favor, it’s an especially good time to visit if you can take the hot and humid weather .

Before you book your flight though, there are some things you should know. From cultural customs to customs and immigration, here are 10 things to do when visiting Japan.

1. Learn basic Japanese

Some people, particularly in Tokyo, may speak English, but it’s best to learn a few basic phrases in Japanese like “hello,” “excuse me,” “where is the restroom?” and “thank you.” There are free tutorials available across social media and language apps like Duolingo or Babbel. 

You’ll also want to download a free translation app like Google Translate that can handle both verbal and written translation.

2. Fill out the Visit Japan Web form 

U.S. citizens don’t need a visa to visit Japan for stays under 90 days, but you will need to fill out a Visit Japan Web immigration and customs form . Save time by doing this in advance online instead of at the airport when you arrive.

What to know about Tokyo Disney Resort: Why Disney fans will travel all the way to Japan for its theme parks

3. Get a transit card 

A prepaid Suica or PASMO transit card isn’t just for public transportation. It can also be used to pay for things at vending machines, convenience stores and some shops. 

You can download a digital version through Apple Wallet or get a physical card once you arrive in Japan. Just keep it loaded with as much money as you want to spend.

4. Keep cash on hand

Cash is still king in some places, including food stalls and small shops that may not accept credit cards or digital payments. 

You can withdraw cash for low fees and fair exchange rates from ATMs at Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven. A Suica or PASMO card can tide you over until you can get to an ATM.

5. Skip the tip

There’s no tipping culture in Japan. In fact, some servers have been known to follow customers out and return tips like they were accidentally left behind. Instead of tipping at restaurants, offer thanks. 

Before eating, it’s customary to say “ itadakimasu ” like a quick prayer to show appreciation for the food and those who grew it. When you leave, you can say “ gochisousama deshita ” to staff to show gratitude for the meal.

6. Stand aside on escalators

In Tokyo, people stand to the left of escalators and keep the right side open for others walking up or down the moving steps. In Kyoto, like in most U.S. cities, people stand on the right. Don’t worry about trying to remember which side to stand on. It will be immediately clear once you’re there. Just do what everyone else is doing and don’t block foot traffic.

7. Keep the noise down on trains

It’s considered rude to talk on your cell phone or play music or videos out loud on subways and trains. You may hear some small groups of friends chatting, but many commuters keep quietly to themselves.

8. Wear or carry socks

Some places, like temples or restaurants with tatami mats, may require you to remove your shoes. If you’re not wearing socks, you may want to carry a clean pair with you, just in case.

9. Prepare to bare all at onsens

If you’re not comfortable sporting your birthday suit around others, you may want to skip public hot springs. Swimsuits and other garments aren’t allowed in the communal water. Some onsens may also bar tattoos or ask guests to cover them up with a patch. However, there are some tattoo-friendly onsens as well as private onsens available.

Additionally, it’s customary to shower before entering the springs to keep the water clean.

10. You’ll have to wait to open some souvenirs

If you plan to load up on Japanese beauty products, snacks and other consumables to take home, you can buy them tax-free at stores like Don Quixote, but they’ll seal them in a bag indicating they were purchased without paying tax. You can’t open the bag until you leave Japan. 

Bonus: Eat all the things, including at convenience stores or vending machines

From egg salad sandwiches to fresh onigiri rice balls, there’s so much good, affordable food in Japan. Don’t miss the delicious and cheap treats at Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart. The same goes for the wide variety of readily available vending machines selling cold and hot drinks, depending on the season. 

More foreign tourists in Japan take road less traveled

A new survey shows that more foreign tourists in Japan are leaving the beaten track to visit less well-known places.

Information spread through social networks is contributing to sudden surges in visitor numbers in unexpected areas.

Tokyo-based IT firm, Navitime Japan, has developed a tourism app for travelers from abroad. The company has ranked municipalities with high year-on-year growth rates in tourists for the March-to-May period, based on GPS location data.

Minamiashigara City in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, topped the list, with a 32-fold increase. That was driven by the number of people visiting a park to view a local variety of early-blooming cherry blossom.

Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture ranked second, with a 24-fold rise. Popular local tourist sites include a huge Buddha statue known as Echizen Daibutsu.

Suzuka City in Mie Prefecture came in third, with visitor numbers up about seven times compared to a year earlier.

Navitime says the growing number of repeat tourists to Japan has led to more people wanting to visit lesser -known places. It says social-network postings are amplifying the surge in visitor numbers.

Ryukoku University Professor Abe Daisuke, who specializes in city planning, says the rapid increase in foreign visitors tends to be concentrated in certain localities. He says not all areas are benefiting from the tourism boom, because of factors including labor shortages.

He says it is important for local stakeholders including residents to discuss how to welcome visitors and decide on a tourism strategy.

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Why it feels like everyone in the world is heading to Japan right now

Japan has never seen so many tourists flood into the country so quickly.

More than 14.5 million people arrived in the country in the first five months of this year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization’s latest figures. That’s 70% up on the same period last year, and on track to beat 2019’s record 31 million visitors.

The island nation — popular among tourists for its dining, cleanliness and mix of futuristic and traditional experiences — currently feels more like a low-cost travel haven than one of the world’s most advanced economies, thanks to extraordinary currency exchange rates. The yen has been stuck at a three-decade low in recent months, making everything from an omakase sushi lunch to premium A5 wagyu steak much more affordable for foreign visitors.

Here are six ways to unpack Japan’s unprecedented travel boom.

Lasting momentum

Japan welcomed more than 3 million visitors for a third straight month in May, with the majority coming from South Korea, China and Taiwan. More than 1 million Americans made the long-haul trip from the U.S. in the first five months of the year — a 50% jump on the same period in 2019.

Tourist numbers from 19 markets — including all Group of Seven nations — this year broke their records for May. Chinese tourists have lagged their global counterparts since the beginning of the year, although the gap is closing. Japan has proved to be the top pick for Chinese tourists this summer.

Based on a Bloomberg Intelligence analysis, Japan is set to receive a record 34 million visitors this year, beating by a year a government target for exceeding 2019 visitor numbers. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stuck by a longer-term goal of 60 million inbound visitors a year by 2030.

In contrast, a lack of overseas purchasing power has discouraged Japanese travelers, and the number heading abroad has still only reached about 60% of its pre-COVID-19 peak.

Spending surge

As the number of visitors increases, so too does the amount of cash they’re spending on their travels. The tourist dollar is going that much further thanks to the weak yen, which has slumped to the lowest level since 1986, and people haven’t been afraid of opening their wallets to snap up bargains from hotels and luxury goods to theme park trips.

Tourists spent a record ¥1.75 trillion in the first quarter of the year, and that figure is likely to surge as the number of Chinese visitors rises. They spend twice as much as the average tourist, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

Hotel prices

Hotel prices in Japan are rising, but they’re still cheaper than their global peers.

The weak yen and the hugely popular cherry blossom season lifted national hotel prices to a near-three decade high in March. The average daily room rate was about ¥20,986 ($136), the highest level since 1997, according to CoStar Group

While Tokyo’s rate was higher, sitting at an average of $177 for the year ending March 2024, the city was a bargain compared to the likes of New York, where the average room cost more than $300 a night, or Singapore, where rates exceeded $250.

Flight demand

More tourists means more transport. Some 37 million flights are scheduled to take off globally this year, according to industry data compiled by BloombergNEF. And 1 million of those are expected to have landed in Japan by the end of 2024. That’s not been all good news for Japan, with the spiraling number of tourists putting a major strain on local transport and infrastructure.

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Japan’s tourism is a victim of its own success

Faced with the arrival of 33 million travelers taking advantage of the weak yen, the country is taking measures to curb visitor numbers.

In a far cry from the isolationist Samurai era, the Land of the Rising Sun has become a victim of its own success when it comes to receiving visitors. A destination that was once considered off the map for the majority of tourists due to its remoteness and the language barrier, Japan has managed to multiply its tourist figures in 2023, making a quantum leap from three to 25 million tourists compared to 2022, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). And this tourist tsunami is expected to become even more overwhelming in 2024: the country has already welcomed around 12 million visitors and expects this figure to reach 33 million by December, surpassing 2019′s record of 32 million.

Admiring views of Mount Fuji through the mist or taking a selfie in Kyoto’s geisha district are among the country’s top tourist attractions. Now, however, if visitors try to take the iconic roadside photo of the mountain, their view will be obscured by 1.8-meter fencing that was recently installed by the Ministry of Transportation and Tourism to prevent the flood of visitors to the mountain village of Kawaguchi from collapsing the road. Now, if they want to climb the mountain, they have to pay a tax of 2,000 yen (€11.78 or $12.64).

The sudden uptick in tourist numbers is undoubtedly a consequence of the strategy announced by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to push tourist numbers to 60 million annual visitors by 2030. Although more than half the arrivals to Japan have been from other Asian countries, the most considerable increase has been from Mexico, up 104% from before the pandemic, followed by U.S. travelers (47.3%) and Middle Eastern visitors (44.6%), according to the JNTO. The influx of tourists, bolstered by an attractive dollar-yen exchange rate, contributed 5.3 trillion yen (€31.4 billion or $33.7 billion) to the Japanese economy in 2023. In May, the yen hit its lowest level since 1990, at 160 to the dollar, following the Bank of Japan’s historic reversal of its negative interest rate policy in March.

Despite the success of the Prime Minister’s tourist strategy, local areas, burdened by labor shortages, have begun to experience the hidden cost of mass tourism. More than half of Japanese companies say they do not have enough employees, according to a recent survey by Teikoku Databank, a credit research firm. The lack of staff has led to a record number of corporate bankruptcies: 1,016 bankruptcies were recorded in May, with the service and transportation sectors among the hardest hit.

New measures

Famous for its omotenashi or hospitality culture, Japan has had to take sweeping measures, targeting tourism everywhere from Tokyo to the most remote islands. In Shibuya, for example, the capital’s trending district, the authorities have curbed nightlife due to noise and bad behavior. Japan’s islands have also begun to feel the aftershocks of this tourist boom . The surge of foreigners to some remote islands in the Okinawa region has prompted several local governments to impose an entry tax on travelers. Miyajima Island, off the coast of Japan, began to charge 100 yen (€0.59 or $0.63) to foreigners arriving by boat to visit Itsukushima Shrine last October. This may seem negligible, but the local government expects to earn 250 million yen (€1.4 million or $1.5 million) from the fee this year, according to the Japanese media.

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