Guide to plan your trip. Fare Calculation

dentaku calculatorFare table
2010.08.29
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This website shows you a lot of the train passes. But some of you plan to buy a regular ticket. Even if you will use the rail pass, you may have to compare the price of the pass and the regular fare to make sure that you can get the worth of it or not.

In this post, I would like to share the information about the fare calculation with you.

Hyperdia

You can get a fare very easily. (click to view larger image)
You can get a fare very easily. (click to view larger image)

This is the easiest way to get the fare and the timetable of most trains in Japan. Please refer the link below to learn more:

Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
If you want to build your itinerary by yourself, Hyperdia will help you a lot. This site is transportation search engine. You can search the timetables and routes of all trains, flights and airport shuttle bus. But this site is a bit tricky and too many functions and options to you. This guide will help you to find the way to use this site.
jprail.com
2013.11.26

Google map

Google map can show you the train and the public bus routes. It also shows you the fare.

JR’s rule on passenger’s ticket

JR companies have the biggest train network in Japan. If you travel between major cities, you will take JR train in most cases.

The fare rule is so difficult to understand for the tourists from overseas. Even some travel agents in Japan do not understand the rule completely.

I wrote about this rule as simple as possible in the post below. You can learn the rule of purchasing and using a regular ticket.

For non JR pass travellers. Guide to use JR single ticket, basic rules, validity and stopover
The train ticket rule is very complicated in Japan. But you may have to use the regular fare ticket because it is cheaper than the rail pass. This post explains you the basic ticket rule as easy as possible.
jprail.com
2013.07.04

JR company’s official site

Some JR companies have the timetable and fare search engine in their official sites.

JR Hokkaido official website

This website offers you the fare and timetable search of most JR trains.

JR West English website

This website offers you the fare and timetable search of most JR trains.

JR Shikoku English website

This website shows you the fare table of most of JR Shikoku lines.

Comments

  1. sum says:
    May 18, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san,

    I have a question on basic ticket fare:

    I will be landing in Narita and will purchase a base fare from Narita till Kansai from where i will be departing 4 days later.

    I will be taking express surcharge tickets for NEX, Shinkansen ( Tokyo -> Osaka) and for Haruka ( Shin-Osaka -> Kansai airport) along with base ticket.

    Does this mean that when i am not using the NEX, Haruka or Shinkansen, only the base fare ticket is sufficient to travel around within Tokyo and Osaka railway lines and i dont need to purchase any other tickets ( suppose i travel locally within Tokyo on the Yamanote line).

    Will i need some additional ticket/SUICA card only when i transfer from JR to a private subway line?
    If the source and destination is within the JR line, there is no additional ticket other than the base ticket ( except for Shinkansen and Haruka). Is this correct understanding?

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      May 18, 2015 at 11:27 pm

      Hi Sum san,

      When you use single fare ticket, you can make stopovers as many as you want other than departure point city and arrival point city. So you can make a stopover in Tokyo and Osaka. But you cannot go back and you have to proceed on route. For example, if you make a stopover at Tokyo station, you cannot go back and visit other stations in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ueno. You can proceed to Shinagawa because it’s located on the route to Osaka.

      So you have to have other ticket, such as single ticket, day pass, Suica or ICOCA to travel in the cities, like Tokyo and Osaka. It does not give you unlimited ride. You have to proceed to Kansai airport direction from Narita airport. Please find some more info at the link below:

      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • sum says:
        May 19, 2015 at 1:58 am

        Hello takeshi-san,

        Thanks for the quick reply.

        Based on your reply, what would be the advantage in taking a base fare ticket+express surcharge as required compared to seperate NEX ( at narita), Shinkansen( Shinagawa-> Shin-Osaka) and Haruka train ( Shin-Osaka-> Kansai) and using prepaid card within Tokyo/Osaka regions? My worry is not to lose the base fare ticket due to using a wrong station in the way without knowledge.

        My requirement is to get down at Shinjuku station and head to Shin-Okubo ( using JR transfer gate) to my hotel and then carry ahead towards Kansai in coming days after travelling around Tokyo.
        Would the base ticket be useful in this case as i am not sure if Shin-Okubo is treated as path of Narita-> Kansai.

        Also, for Osaka region, could you suggest the cheapest day pass if i wanted to cover Osaka and Nara ( using subway/JR )?

  2. Eva says:
    May 11, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Hello Takeshi
    I m planning to visit Mt Fuji and Gotemba. As for viewing of Mt Fuji I am probably viewing from the lake closer to Gotemba.
    Does it make sense to visit the place twice? I won’t be staying at the hotels near Mt Fuji.

    Thanks
    Eva

  3. Bee says:
    May 10, 2015 at 6:42 am

    hello sir,

    I am planning to go from Hiroshima to the Cruises port in Yokohama. ( Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal ) and would like to take the train. Any suggestions on how best to go? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

  4. Rachel says:
    May 7, 2015 at 12:59 am

    Hi There,

    II’ll be arrived KIX airport Osaka, my plan going to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe from 17th to 19th Jun

    Can you please advise which pass will suitable Kanku Tokuwari and Kintetsu 2 days pass

    Thank you

    Kind Regards
    Diep

  5. E says:
    May 6, 2015 at 10:02 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Would like to ask if you will recommend me to buy a 3 day Hokkaido Rail Pass for the itinerary below:

    I will only be in Hokkaido for 3 short days.

    Day 1: New Chitose Airport to Sapporo (Hotel Kaiko Sapporo Nakajimakoen). Explore Otaru area and visit Shiroi Koibito factory, then back to hotel.

    Day 2: Sapporo to Noboribetsu. Will stay 1 night there.

    Day 3: Noboribetsu back to Sapporo (Hotel Kaiko Sapporo) in the morning to check-in my luggage since it is huge. Note that it is a different hotel from Day 1, although I am not too sure how far are they from each other or where exactly are the hotels yet. Will travel to Furano and back to Sapporo. It will be just a day trip.

    Day 4: Take morning train to New Chitose Airport. (Is this covered under the rail pass?)

    Thank you!!

  6. Eva says:
    May 3, 2015 at 1:02 am

    Hello Takeshi-san,
    I am travelling with my family in late Nov to early Dec 2015, I have came out with the below more concrete itinerary, so would appreciate if you can let me know when I should or even I should get the JR Pass.
    My family consist of myself, spouse, 1 13 y/o son and 1 11y/o daughter.

    My planned itinerary is as follows:
    Day 1: Arrive at Haneda Airport – Check in to Hotel Sun Route Plaza Shinjuku – Explore Shinjuku areas ie Takashimaya, Isetan, Yodobashi and finally Tokyo Tower
    Day 2 and Day 3 Mt Fuji and explore Gotemba premium outlets. Even thinking if going Onsen in the nearby hotel [if available] Back to Hotel Sun Route Plaza Shinjuku
    Qn : Do you think this 3 places can be feasible achieve within 1 day?
    Day 4: 1 day in DisneySea, hoping to also get the after 6 tickets to Disneyland – Back to Hotel Sun Route Plaza
    Day 5: Visit to Tsukiji Fish Market in the morning before checking out hotel
    Day 5: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto.
    Day 5: Check in Hotel Ibis Styles Kyoto Station. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishi-hongan-ji and Higashi-hongan-ji temples
    Day 6: Nishiki Market, Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple and Togetsukyo Bridge
    Day 7: Check out Kyoto to Osaka. Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka – Staying at Hotel Granvia Osaka
    Day 7: Hankyu Department Store, Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai
    Day 8: Dotonbori, Osaka Aquarium, Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, Den Den town
    Day 9: Check out Hotel. Shinkansen from Osaka to Narita Airport
    Qn: I think you have previously told me to use the JRPass in the last 7 days, do I still do the same with this planned trip?

    Let me know.

    thanks
    Eva

  7. Themyla says:
    April 17, 2015 at 2:11 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    First of all, congrats and thanks for all the detailed information posted! I would like to know your recommendation for my trip next week. Which tickets/passes would you suggest me to buy?
    Day 1: Arrival KIX airport. Will travel from KIX to Kyoto.
    Day 2 to day 7: Explore Kyoto plus one day trip to Nara.
    Day 8: From Kyoto to Wakayama.
    Day 9: From Wakayama to Shin – Osaka.
    Day 10: From Shin- Osaka to KIX airport.
    Many thanks in advance. best regards!
    Themm.

  8. Rick Johnson says:
    April 17, 2015 at 1:37 am

    I will be arriving in Maizuru port on April 30th and want to catch the bullet train to Tokyo. How do I do this please.

  9. Lubi says:
    April 15, 2015 at 6:28 am

    Hi

    I will be spending 9 days in Japan, i.e. Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo.
    I have tried to make sense of what tickets and fares that I need for my trip but I am hitting a brick wall. Could I kindly ask for advice what tickets I should get for trains and subways

    Below is a breakdown of my planned itinerary for my stay in Japan

    I will be flying into Osaka Kansai Airport on Monday night arriving at 22.25pm. I will be staying near Shinokubo metro stop. At that time of the night, the only viable option will be catching a limousine bus from the Airport to Herbis plaza in Umeda, then a short taxi ride to Shinokubo stop area where we have booked an apartment for 5 nights. We are hoping to cover Osaka and Kyoto with Osaka being our base.

    Day 1 – Tuesday – Osaka

    – Osaka Museum of Housing and living
    – Osaka castle
    – Osaka Park Gardens
    – Shitenooji Temple
    – Abeno Harukas
    – Sunset at Umeda sky building floating gardens

    Day 2 – Wednesday – Osaka

    – Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine
    – Namba Parks
    – Shinsabashi Arcade
    – Amerikamura
    – Dotonbori Area into the evening

    Day 3 – Thursday – Kyoto

    – Kyoto Imperial Palace
    – Ginkaku-ji Temple
    – Do the philisophers walk
    – Nanzen-ji temple
    – Pontocho area and whats around Gion corner

    Day 4 – Friday – Kyoto

    – Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    – Nijo Castle
    – Kinkaku-ji Temple
    – Arashiyama, hopefull walk around the bamboo groves

    Day 5 – Saturday – Osaka/ Tokyo

    – Couple of hours at the Osaka Aquarium
    – Catch the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo just before midday
    – Spend the rest of the day exploring Yurakucho and Ginza when we get to Tokyo.

    We have booked an apartment 10 minutes’ walk north of Shinjuku station

    Day 6 – Sunday – Tokyo

    – Meiji Jingu
    – Harajuku
    – Shinjuku/ Goldern Gai

    Day 7 – Monday – Tokyo

    – Mid morning at Tsukiji Market
    – Hamarikyu gardens
    – Imperial Palace

    Day 8 – Tuesday – Tokyo

    – Full day at Tokyo Disney land

    Day 9 – Wednesday – Tokyo

    – Asakusa
    – Tokyo skytree
    – Shin okubo area

    Will be flying out of japan late evening from Haneda airport on Wednesday.

    Thanks in advance.

    Lubi

  10. Manal says:
    April 12, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Hi Takeshi

    My friend and I will be traveling in Japan next week for 2 weeks (18 april-1 may), and we are still very confused as to if we should buy a 7 days JR Rail pass or not.

    Our plans are:

    19.4: Narita Airport to Tokyo
    20.4: Explorer Tokyo
    21.4: Tokyo and surrounding area Nikko
    22.4: Tokyo and surrounding area Hakone, Izu or Fuji (we haven’t decided yet)
    23.4: Tokyo to Kyoto
    24.4: Explorer Kyoto
    25.4: Kyoto to Osaka
    26.4: Kyoto to Kobe
    27.4: Fly to Sapporo
    28.4: Explorer Sapporo
    29.4: Sapporo and surrounding area
    30.4: Sapporo and surrounding area

    Based on this, do you think it is worthwhile buying a JR Rail Pass, and when is it best to activate it?

    Thank you so much for you help.
    Manal

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