The Japan Rail Pass: Is it worth buying? (2023)
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, one thing that you should definitely consider is whether or not to buy the Japan Rail Pass! Depending on your travel itinerary it can save you a significant amount of transportation costs and help you to see more of Japan. However, there are also situations where NOT buying a rail pass can end up being more cost-effective and suitable for your travel needs.
We’ll go over all the details of the Japan Rail Pass so you can make your decision!
Basic overview of the Japan Rail Pass:
Japan Rail Pass, also known as the JR pass, was implemented by the Japan Railways group to boost tourism in Japan. With these passes you can ride an unlimited number of JR trains, which includes local and long distance trains all across Japan. They come in either 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day options. In Japan, the most common and scenic way to get around is by trains. Other transportation methods like buses and planes can either be expensive or uncomfortable.
Who is eligible:
In order to be eligible to buy a Japan Rail Pass, you must be a foreign national who is coming to Japan on a tourist visa. This visa allows foreigners to enter Japan for up to 90 days. If you are coming to Japan on a long-term visa (student visa, permanent residents, military entry, etc… ), you’re unfortunately not eligible.
In the case of Japanese passport holders who live outside of Japan, it is possible to obtain a JR pass. However, you must show proof that you’ve been an overseas resident for at least 10 years. Proof can include a permanent resident card (for US, Brazil, and Canadian residents), Overseas Residential Registration, or a certificate of Overseas Residence.
How to buy a Japan Rail Pass:
Buying a Japan Rail Pass can be more complicated than other rail passes. In the past, the only way to get one was by purchasing before arrival to Japan. However, this has changed and now there are three ways to purchase a JR pass.
- Buy from an official vendor before arriving in Japan. You will then have to exchange a voucher for the actual pass at a ticket office. This is the one I recommend, prices are usually cheaper.
- JR is doing a test run of selling passes in Japan. However, the price is much higher if you buy in Japan. You can see where to buy them here https://japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html Only non-Japanese passport holders are eligible.
- Order online from their official website reservation system. These passes are still more expensive than ordering from a vendor before arrival to Japan. You’ll have to pick it up from the ticket office upon arrival. https://www.japanrailpass-reservation.net
If you are buying online from a vendor:
I think the cheapest option is to buy online from a vendor before you come to Japan. There are many vendors that are selling JR passes and it can be confusing! After doing some research, I have realised that the official Japan Rail Pass website is https://japanrailpass.net There are many other websites that look like an official site so be careful.
I would recommend using a vendor that is listed here https://japanrailpass.net/en/purchase.html#anchor01
You’ll notice they have the addresses and phone numbers of official vendors. I’d also purchase the pass from a notable Japanese travel company that has been in the business for a long time like JTB, IACE, or HIS. In the U.S. the one I would recommend would be JTB. You can use other vendors but if something goes wrong you’ll probably have better customer service.
Note: If you order from a vendor before coming to Japan, you will have to get your Rail Pass voucher shipped to you in the mail. Make sure to leave enough time before your trip to do this! The voucher will then be exchanged for the Rail Pass when you arrive in Japan at a ticket office.
Ordering and activating:
If you order online, you’ll receive a voucher in the mail. This voucher must be exchanged when you arrive in Japan at a ticket office within three months of the issue date of the voucher.
When you are at the ticket office to exchange the voucher, you’ll be able to choose the date that the JR pass is activated. You can choose any date within a month of going to exchange the voucher.
If you buy it in Japan or you use the reservation system, all you have to do is pick it up.
Prices of Japan Rail Pass:
Price of buying the Japan Rail Pass from an online vendor:
As an example, I used JTB usa. Price as of 9/27/2023 and doesn’t include shipping fee. Price will likely change from October 1st, 2023.
Ordinary Coach Class
7-day $214
14-day $341
21-day $436
Price of buying the Japan Rail Pass in Japan or through their website reservation system:
Price starting October 1st, 2023 on their website. https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/JRP_pressrelease_en_230802.pdf
Ordinary Coach Class
7- day 50,000 yen (~ $334,38)
14-day 80,000 yen (~ $535,02)
21-day 100,000 yen(~ $668,77)
How does it work and what is included:
How to use the pass:
Once you have the Japan Rail Pass and it is active, you can show the pass to the worker at the train turnstile. Be prepared to also show your passport if asked. When seat reservations are possible, you can book a seat on a train for free using the JR ticket office. Most local trains do not need reservations.
Making seat reservations:
Making seat reservations is highly recommended whenever possible. During busy travel seasons in Japan, long distance trains could already be full. With the JR pass, you can make a seat reservation a month in advance of when the train departs. The best way to reserve this is by going to the ticket office called midori no madoguchi. If you’ve already mapped out how you’re planning to travel and which trains you will use, you can go ahead and get your train tickets before the pass is activated.
What is included:
When the JR pass is active you can enjoy unlimited travel with Japan Railways (JR). This includes local and express JR trains, local JR Shinkansen Bullet Trains except Nozomi and Mizuho, many JR buses, and the JR ferry to Miyajima.
What’s not included:
I highly recommend to check the full list of what is covered here: https://japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html#anchor04
The most important thing to know is that transportation outside of the JR company is not included. Also, the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen bullet trains are not included. In some cases you may have to pay the full fare for train lines that are not owned by JR.
Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass?
After going through all the details, you may be wondering about whether it is worth buying the Japan Rail Pass.
Who should buy it:
I recommend only buying the Japan Rail Pass if you know that you’ll be making enough long-distance train rides that it would be cheaper to buy the pass. There are handy ways of calculating this.
https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/ has a nice system on their site that lets you input possible itineraries so you can check if it’s cheaper with a Japan Rail Pass. For example, using this website you can see that if you go from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka on a round trip, you still won’t save money by using a rail pass. You’ll have to add additional locations. If you go somewhere like Sapporo from Tokyo, you’ll already save money by using the Rail Pass.
In this way, this pass is ideal for travellers who like to go to multiple different places or very long distances.
Who shouldn’t buy it:
Don’t buy the rail pass if you like to travel slow or you just want to save money on local trains. The JR pass is most beneficial when used on long-distance trains like the bullet trains!
Slow travelers might not like the pressure of having to make a certain amount of trips to save money. If you like to stay in one place for longer you might end up not using the pass as much.
Final thoughts on the Japan Rail Pass:
I’ve used this pass myself, and have really enjoyed the way you can easily hop onto trains! However, make sure that you do your own research and plan to make sure you’re actually saving money by using the pass. Even if you’ve used a JR pass before, you should make sure to check the current policies and prices as they can change. As of October 1st, 2023 they are hiking up the prices for the JR Pass. This makes it much more likely that a JR pass may not be worth it for you. Make sure to double check your entire itinerary cost.
I hope that this article can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to buy the Japan Rail Pass for travelling in Japan! If you’d like more Japan travel blog articles be sure to check out Top 10 Ghibli Tourist Spots in Japan or Earthquakes and Tsunami in Japan: Tips to stay safe
~ Tanuki