Guide to plan your trip. Fare Calculation

dentaku calculatorFare table
2010.08.29
a0002_003051

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. Keng says:
    April 9, 2017 at 12:15 am

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    I would like your advice.

    6 May: Reaching Osaka
    7 May: Day Trip to Nara
    8 May: Day Trip to Hiroshima
    9 May: Osaka to Kanazawa (via Thunderbird)
    10 May: Kanazawa to Shirakawago and then to Takayama
    11 May: Takayama (town tour or Shinhotaka)
    12 May: Takayama to Kanazawa
    13 May: Kanazawa to Kyoto (via Thunderbird)
    14 May: Kyoto tour
    15 May: Aoi Matsuri
    16 May: back to Kansai airport.

    Which type of JR pass should I get?

    Thank you so much.

    Warmest regards,
    Keng

  2. SIT says:
    March 30, 2017 at 2:06 am

    Hi Sirs,

    I would like to get your advice on planning how to choose a train pass for my travel to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara & Kobe because I feel there is many railway in Kansai.

    Day 1 – Arrive Kansai Airport direct to visit Kyoto and overnight in Kyoto
    Day 2 – Visit Kyoto & overnight in Kyoto
    Day 3 – Visit Kyoto & overnight in Kyoto
    Day 4 – Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka & overnight in Osaka
    Day 5 – Visit Osaka & overnight in Osaka
    Day 6 – Visit Nara & overnight in Osaka
    Day 7 – Visit Kobe & overnight in Osaka
    Day 8 – Visit Osaka & overnight in Osaka
    Day 9 – Visit Osaka & overnight in Osaka
    Day 10 – Flight back to Malaysia

    I wish you could get me some advice on this.

    Thank you very much
    SIT~Malaysia

  3. Kath says:
    March 28, 2017 at 7:46 am

    Hi Mr. Takeshi,
    My family (2 adults and 1 child) will be travelling to Japan and I would like to ask for your advice on the appropriate pass to suit our plan.
    Our itinerary is as follows:
    Day 1 Arrival at Narita Airport
    Transfer to Hotel Mystays Maihama
    Day 2 Disneyland
    Day 3 Disneysea
    Day 4 Disneyland/sea
    Day 5 Leave for Osaka
    – Hotel Keihan Universal Tower
    – Explore Shinsaibashi
    – Explore Dotonbori
    Day 6 USJ
    Day 7 USJ
    Day 8 Day trip to Kyoto
    – Fushimi Inari Shrine
    – Nijo Castle
    – Nishiki Market
    Day 9 to Kansai Airport

    Thank you in advance!

  4. Danny N. says:
    March 27, 2017 at 10:22 am

    Hi Mr Takashi,
    I would like to have your advice please!

    My plan is as follows:

    April 29: Arrive in NRT airport
    – Train to Nippori Station (hotel)
    – Explore Kabukicho, Shibuya Crossing
    Apirl 30:
    – Explore Tsukiji fish Market, Hachiko Statue, Ueno Park, Sky tree
    May 1:
    – Explore Meji Shrine
    – Day trip to Nikko
    May 2:
    – Leave Tokyo to go to Kusatsu Onsen Kiyoshigekan 
    May 3: Leave Kiyoshigekan to go to Kyoto
    – Explore Gion and higashiyama district
    May 4:
    – Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kifune Shrine, Monkey Park Iwatayama
    May 5:
    – Explore Bamboo forest and Golden Pavillion
    May 6: Leave Kyoto and go to Osaka
    – explore Nara Park, Kyomizo-dera, Dotonburi, and Umeda Sky building
    May 7:
    – Visit Osaka Castle
    May 8: Day trip to Nachi Falls
    May 9: Leave Osaka and go to Tokyo
    May 10 & 11: Stay around Tokyo and Relax
    May 12: Leave Tokyo to NRT airport

    My girlfriend and I plan to buy the 7 day JR pass to use from May 2 to May 9. Would this be reasonable?

    Also, could you inform me with me cost of training or bussing around Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo?

    Thank you very much!

  5. Jasmin Kiegerl says:
    March 17, 2017 at 9:17 am

    Dear Takeshi,
    this is my detailed plan. My accomodations are mostly very close to JR stations so I planned to get a 21 day Japan Rail Pass. Do you think it suits my plan?

    13 July – arriving in Tokyo – Narita at night and driving to the city center

    14 July – Tokyo sightseeing

    15 July – Tokyo sightseeing

    16 July – Tokyo sightseeing + shinkansen to Nagoya in the evening

    17 July – Festival Nagoya

    18 July – Waterpark

    19 July – Sightseeing

    20 July – Driving to Kyoto in the morning

    21 July – Daytrip to Nara (back to Kyoto in the evening)

    22 July – Kyoto and driving to Osaka in the evening

    23 July – Osaka and driving to Arima Ryokan in the evening

    24 July – Kobe and driving to Hiroshima in the evening

    25 July – Hiroshima

    26 July – Bunny Island and spending the night in Onomichi

    27 July – Onomichi and driving back to Nagoya in the evening

    28 July – Nagoya

    29 July – 2nd festival Nagoya

    30 July – back to Tokyo

    31 July – shopping Tokyo

    01 August – swimming in Kamakura

    02 August – shopping Tokyo

    03 August – back to Narita Airport

    thank you very much!

  6. kate says:
    March 16, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Hello Mr Takeshi,

    Can I please ask for your guidance on the passes/tickets I should purchase for my journey in May.

    01May – Arrive in New Chitose Airport, take train to Asahikawa

    02May – daytrip train to Furano to flower fields

    03May – train from Asahikawa to Sapporo

    04May – Sapporo sightseeing

    05May – daytrip train to Toya Station, bus to Toyako Onsen

    06May – train from Sapporo to Hakodate (I plan to stopover at Noboribetsu for couple hours as I have the next 2days to spend in Hakodate, however this could be cancelled if it’s not convenient)

    07-08May – Hakodate sightseeing

    09May – train from Hakodate to Tokyo

    10May – Tokyo sightseeing

    11May – express bus Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko station), overnight

    12May – express bus back to Tokyo

    13May – Tokyo sightseeing

    14May – daytrip to Nikko

    15May – train from Tokyo to Kyoto

    16May – Kyoto sightseeing (Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji)

    17May – daytrip to Arashiyama

    18May – train from Kyoto to Osaka, continue to Koyasan, overnight

    19May – Koyasan back to Osaka

    20May – daytrip to Nara

    21May – Osaka sightseeing (possibly Universal Studio)

    22May – Osaka sightseeing and fly out at night from Kansai Airport

    I plan to purchase 21-day JR Pass and single ticket to Kansai Airport. I’m not sure if this is the best option or various combinations of local rail passes as I notice that I wouldn’t use the value that much on some days (i.e. get Hokkaido pass from 01-08May; 14-day JR Pass from 09-22May). 

    I’m also aware although I have JR Pass, I would still need to purchase local city transport cards (Pasmo card in Tokyo, Nara 1-day buss pass, Icoca in Kyoto).

    Thank you in advance for your advice!

    Regards,

    Kate

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 17, 2017 at 6:41 am

      Hi Kate,

      You may use 21 days JR Pass. It’s only 13,000 yen difference between 14 days pass and 21 days pass. This is much smaller than Hokkaido rail pass. You cannot get any extra benefit by using both JR pass and Hokkaido rail pass. Even if you don’t use JR pass in many days during your trip period. JR Pass will be cheaper than single fare ticket. In my rough calculation, it’s not significantly cheaper than single fares. Your cost for train trips will be around 65000 yen to 70000 yen. But there is no other available deals which is better than 21 days pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Shona says:
    March 16, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Hi,

    I would like to seek your expertise and advice on the type of passes I should (or should not) get for my trip to Japan.

    26/3/17 – Kansai Airport to Koyasan. Arrival at airport ~6:30am, overnight stay. Will explore Koyasan during available daytime, likely taking buses.

    27/3/17 – Koyasan to Kyoto. Staying till 31/3/17. Day trips to Arashiyama region, Fushima-Inari-Taisha, Ginkajuji Temple.

    31/3/17 – Kyoto to Kinosaki Onsen. Overnight stay.

    1/4/17 – Kinosaki Onsen to Osaka.

    2/4/17 – Osaka to Kansai Airport, departure from Japan.

    I was thinking of getting a Kansai Thru Pass of 2 days for 26-27/3/17, and Kansai Wide Area Pass for 29/3-2/4/17, what would your opinion on this be?

    Thanks in advance!

    Best Regards,
    Shona

  8. CH Choi says:
    March 9, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Hi Mr Takeshi,

    We would visit Kyushu at end March and hope you would advise us on how to purchase JR pass in a more economical way.

    24 March: Kagoshima

    26 March: Kagoshima to Kumamoto (please also advise whether there is any public transport to get to 丸岡公園 to see cherry blossom at Osumiyokogawa station ?)

    27 March: Kumamoto to Yufu (if we take
    the 12:01 Sakura 402 train to Kurume, can we catch up the 14:45 Yufu3 train to Yufu ?)

    28 March: Yufu/Beppu (a friend may give us a ride to Beppu) to Hakata

    30 March: Hakata to Kagoshima
    As we are new in using JR pass, is there anything we need to pay attention to ?

    Many thanks

    Cynthia

  9. Rob Portch says:
    March 7, 2017 at 7:51 am

    Mr. Takeshi,
    I will be traveling to Hiroshima with my wife and mother at the end of May this year. We are looking at possibly buying the JR West Kansai-Hiroshima Pass. I see that it enables us to go to Osaka on the Bullet train as well as the ferry to Myajima. My thoughts were to visit Kyoto for a day and Myajima as well. I would like your opinion on the savings the JR Pass will afford me and if you know what the additional ticket would be for the trip from Osaka to Kyoto as well?
    Thank you so much,
    Rob

  10. Zoe says:
    March 4, 2017 at 8:27 pm

    Hi Mr Takeshi
    I need your advice please.
    We arrive on 17 March Narita and have 2 nights in Tokyo
    19 March: Tokyo to Kobe and stay 2 nights
    21 March:Kobe to Takamatsu
    22 March: Takamatsu to Naoshima (ferry)
    23 March: Naoshima to Takamatsu (ferry)
    24 March: Takamatsu to Hiroshima
    25 March: Hirohsima to Miyajima
    26 March: Miyajima to Osaka
    27 March: Osaka to Nara return
    29 March: Osaka to Koyasan
    30 March: Koyasan to Kyoto
    1 April: Kyoto to Tokyo
    3 April: Tokyo to Narita.
    We were thinking of getting 14 day JR pass which we will use from 19 March and then get individual tickets for Narita and within Tokyo. We would also get Kansai Through Pass for Koyasan. Is that the best way.
    Many thanks
    Zoe

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