For non JR pass travellers. Guide to use JR single ticket, basic rules, validity and stopover

Fare table
This is not a regular JR ticket but a typical JR train ticket looks like this.

I have received many inquiries about Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka one way trip. I always recommend to use a regular ticket for this one way long distance train ride, such as from Tokyo to Kyoto, from Osaka to Tokyo. Because this one way trip is not enough to get the worth of JR Pass 7-day. I have written the post about the fare calculation before.

But I think this post was not enough to explain the fare rule. JR single ticket rule is very complicated for the tourists from oversea. But you do not need to know everything. If you understand some basic rules, single ticket is more useful and it gives you a trip at more affordable rate.

In this post, I will show you some basic rules of the regular ticket for the long distance train ride and how to use and purchase it.

How to purchase it

Simply you can purchase it at the station. If you make a short distance trip in the city or city to just outside city, you can purchase a ticket at the vending machine.

e.g.
Ueno to Tokyo (inside city)
Tokyo to Yokohama (city to just outside place)
Osaka to Universal City (inside city)
Osaka to Kyoto (city to outside place)

If you make a long distance trip, you still can buy a ticket at the vending machine. But the ticket window may be easier to purchase a long distance ticket for the foreign travelers. Especially if you intend to make a stopover on the way, you have to buy a ticket at the ticket window. Because you have to explain your trip plan.

If you want to take a limited express train, you have to purchase a limited express surcharge ticket too. Even if you want to take a non reserved seat on a limited express train, you have to purchase it. You can purchase both a reserved and a non reserved ticket for a limited express (the Shinkansen as well) at “Midori no Madoguchi”. Midori no Madoguchi is the name of JR reservation ticket window. You can purchase a base fare ticket at Midori no Madoguchi too. Please get the detail about reservation at the post below.

In the case of purchasing both base fare ticket and limited express surcharge ticket, you can purchase it in advance. An express surcharge ticket is on sale one month prior to a departure date.

e.g.
Tokyo to Kyoto travel on Dec 1
You can purchase the tickets after Nov 1.

You also can purchase the tickets at any JR stations if you buy both base fare and limited express surcharge at same time. For example, if you start to travel from Tokyo station, you can purchase it at Narita airport station on the day of arrival.

Base fare ticket can be purchased at any JR stations where station staff is on duty. There are many station without station staffs in remote area. In major cities and major stations, there are station staff. Even if you take a train at the station without station staff, you can purchase it from the conductor in the train.

How to get a fare

You can use Hyperdia to get the fare quite easily.

Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.

As you see above capture image of Hyperdia, you can get base fare and seat fare (includes surcharge). In this image, total fare is the following:

Base fare – 9560 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi (Tokyo – Shin-Osaka) – 5740 yen (reserved seat)
Ltd Exp Haruka (Shin-Osaka – Kansai airport) – 820 yen (reserved seat)
Total – 16120 yen

*The above image was captured in 2013. The fare was raised in April l, 2014 because of consumer tax was increased to 8% from 5%. The actual fare is different from the fare in the image above.

The price of Japan Rail Pass 7 days ordinary is 28300 yen. (New price is 29110 yen.) Total single fare is more than 10000 yen cheaper than 7 days pass price. This is the reason why I recommend to use single fare for Tokyo – Osaka one way transfer.

Validity

Please see the above capture image of Hyperdia again. You also can find a distance at Hyperdia. This is a key to use single ticket. Actually long distance ticket can be used in multiple days.

DistanceValid days
101 – 200 km2 days
201 – 400 km3 days
401 – 600 km4 days
601 – 800 km5 days
801 – 1000 km6 days
  • From 1001 km and up, add 1 day every 200 km.
  • If you travel more than 101 km but it is in Tokyo or Osaka zone only, ticket valid in one day only.

So in above capture image, distance is 613.4km. This ticket valid in 5 days.

Stopover

You can stopover as many as you want. Of course you cannot go back. Once you start to travel, you have to go forward. You have to care only one thing. When you depart/arrive to travel at the following areas, you cannot stopover in same areas.

  • Sapporo
  • Sendai
  • Tokyo 23 wards
  • Tokyo Yamanote line
  • Yokohana
  • Nagoya
  • Kyoto
  • Osaka
  • Kobe
  • Hiroshima
  • Kitakyushu
  • Fukuoka

These areas are same as city limit. I show you some examples.

1. Above ticket (Tokyo – Kansai Airport)
You can NOT – Stopover at anywhere in Tokyo 23 wards. For example, after you start to travel from Tokyo, you cannot stopover at Shinagawa.
You can – Stopover at Kyoto, Osaka and anywhere outside of Tokyo 23 wards.
By the way, you can start to travel from anywhere in Tokyo 23 wards.

2. Ticket from Narita airport to Osaka
You can NOT – Stopover at anywhere in Osaka city. For example, you cannot stopover at Shin-Osaka. Once you exit at any stations in Osaka city, your ticket will be expired right away.
You can – Stopover at Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and anywhere outside of Osaka city.
By the way, when you travel through Tokyo downtown core, ticket will be calculated by the shortest route. For example, most typical route from Narita to Osaka via Tokyo, via Tokyo station and Shinagawa station. But if you want to go to Osaka via Akihabara and Shinjuku, you can take this route and stopover.

But in case of using limited express, you have to purchase limited express surcharge ticket for each segments.
ex) Tokyo – Osaka trip, stopover at Nagoya.
You have to purchase two Shinkansen tickets, Tokyo – Nagoya Shinkansen surcharge ticket and Ngoya – Shin-Osaka surcharge ticket.

Sample ideas

Please see above capture image of Hyperdia again. If you use this ticket, you can do the following itinerary.

Day 1 Tokyo – Kyoto (Stopover at Kyoto)
Day 2 Kyoto (no use single ticket)
Day 3 Kyoto – Osaka (Stopover at Osaka)
Day 4 One day trip to Kobe (purchase another single ticket.)
Day 5 Osaka – Kansai airport

When you arrive in Tokyo, you can use other deals, such as Suica & N’ex. And you have 5 days after you finish to see Tokyo. If you add Suica & N’ex one way ticket, total amount is 19620 yen. It is about 9000 yen cheaper than JR Pass 7 days.

I believe this is the perfect solution for Tokyo – Osaka one way travellers.

Comments

  1. Mitch says:

    Hi takeshi,
    Thank you for the write up. I’m planning a trip in April. Narita>tokyo>kyoto>Osaka>kansai airport for 9 days. I have a few quick questions.
    1. Do I need a jr pass? Or kansai wide pass? Or amazing pass?
    2. The one way ticket mentioned about only applies for 5 days? And I can’t stop over at Osaka?

    Thank you for your advice.

  2. Sy says:

    Hi,

    I will travel to Japan from 15th April(from narita) to 1st may(fly back through kix). Plan to spend first 4 days at Tokyo and have no idea how should I travel along the way and finally reach Osaka to fly back to Singapore. Can you give me some suggestion ?

    • Hi Sy,

      Most of travelers make stops at Hakone, Fuji, Kyoto, Nara. But there are too many choices to tell you. Especially you have two weeks. You can visit most part of Japan if you like.

      I recommend you to read Japan Guide.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/

      You have to pick which place you want to go and how you want to stay. You can go anywhere and visit many places if you are okay with busy trip. If you stay in one place and want to relax, you still can pick up several places.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Gwen K says:

    Hi Takeshi
    Your posts are so helpful. Thank you.
    6/9 Arrive KIX Osaka
    6/10 Osaka to Kyoto Haruka LEX to Kyoto
    6/12 Kyoto to Kinosaki 5 LEX
    6/13 Kinosaki to Osaka
    6/15 Osaka to Tokyo
    6/19 Depart Haneda

  4. Joy Arifianto says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Really need you help here..

    We’ll be traveling next week to Japan, the family of 6 adults and 2 children. The itinerary:
    Day 1. Kansai airport to Kyoto (staying in Kyoto for 3 days)
    Day 4 Kyoto to Tokyo (staying in Tokyo for 3 days – will visit Disneyland for 1 day for myself and my son)
    Day 7 Tokyo to Osaka (staying in Osaka for 1 day)
    Day 8 Departure from Kansai Airport.

    Is it worth it to buy JR pass for the whole family, I know that in Kansai/Osaka and Kyoto we could bu Icoca or haruka train ticket for use in Osaka and Kyoto area.
    My son does love and want to go on Shinkansen train though…

    so desperately need your advise on this one..

    Thank you

  5. May says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I enjoy reading your posts and have learnt many things about traveling in Japan 🙂

    I want to visit Tateyama this June. May I buy a one-way Tokyo to Kyoto train ticket and make the following stops for Day 1, 2 & 4?

    My upcoming traveling plan is as follows:
    Day 1 From Tokyo -> Shinano Omachi
    Day 2 Tateyama Alpine route (using the Tateyame Option ticket) ending route at Toyoma. I will travel to Kanazawa (overnight)
    Day 3 Kanazawa -> Shirakawago -> Takayama -> Kanazawa
    Day 4. Kanazawa -> Kyoto

    If it is possible to use the one-way ticket, may I know how should I purchase the Shinkansen seat ticket for each segment?

    Thanks in advance for your valued advice 🙂

    May

    • Hi May,

      You cannot use one way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto because you will not take JR trains between Shinano-Omachi and Toyama. You can purchase single ticket to Shinano-Omachi. But you can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass after arrival Toyama.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html

      It covers train trips from Toyama to Kyoto via Kanazawa and also bus to Shiraawago and Takayama. This pass is cheaper than all fares after arrival Toyama.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • May sim says:

      Hi Takeshi,

      Thanks for your fast response 🙂 I’ll do as you suggested.

      Just to clarify for a better understanding of one way ticket use,, if I don’t travel the Tateyama Alpine route, I could in fact make use of the one way Tokyo-Kyoto ticket via Omachi, Toyama and Kanazawa? If so, what are the Shinkansen seat ticket segments that I would have needed?

      May

      • Hi May,

        If you don’t take Alpine route, you can use one way ticket. In this case, you need to buy one way base fare ticket, limited express surcharge ticket for Tokyo-Toyama, Toyama-Kanazawa and Kanazawa-Kyoto. Forget about Shinano-Omachi. You don’t need to visit there if you don’t go to Alpine route.

        And also, if you don’t take alpine route, Hokuriku Arch Pass is considerable. Total fares are almost equal to this pass price.
        https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-osaka-hokuriku-arch-pass-user-guide-clarify-valid-trains-coverage-area-and-compare-single-fare-and-pass.html

        Cheers,

        Takeshi / JPRail.com

        • May says:

          Hi Takashi,

          In addition to my planned trip to travel from Toyama to Kanazawa using the Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Area Pass, I would like to make the following stops on route to Kyoto:

          1) Awaraonsen to visit Tojinbo and
          2) Lake Biwako – is Tsuruga the nearest JR station that is covered by the Area Pass? Please advise.

          Thanks in advance 🙂
          May

          • Hi May,

            1. You can drop by Awaraonsen. But please remember that this pass does not cover any bus services to Tojinbo.

            2. It depends on which part of Lake Biwa are you going to. Lake Biwa is the biggest lake in Japan. There are many stations to access to many places at Lake Biwa. But Tsuruga is not the nearest station. You need to get off Limited Express Thunderbird at Tsuruga or Kyoto and then take local train to access to the place near Lake Biwa where you want to go.
            You can get off at either Tsuruga or Kyoto to access to Lake Biwa by this pass. And also if you take JR local train after Kyoto or Tsuruga, it’s covered too.

            Cheers,

            Takeshi / JPRail.com

            • May says:

              Hi Takeshi,

              Following your kind advice, My traveling plan is updated as follows:

              Tokyo to Nagano – single trip Shinkansen, then use the Tateyama area pass for Alpine route
              1 Toyama to Kanazawa – use Takayama Hokuriku area pass
              2 Kanazawa to Shirakawao/Takayama to Toyama to Kanazawa
              3 Kanazawa to Fukui
              4 Fukui to Nagayama to Maibara for Hikone then to Kyoto
              5 Kyoto to Hneizan-Sakamoto station (round trip)

              Can I confirm that the Takayama Hokuriku Pass covers the JR trains from Toyama onwards point 1 to 5?

              Thanks in advance for your valuable insights 🙂
              May

              • Hi May,

                You have to pay extra for the part of 4. Please see the map in the link below:
                http://touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku/

                JR Kosei line goes along west side of Lake Biwa. This pass covers this line only. Nagahama, Maibara and Hikone are located at east side of Lake Biwa. So you have to pay extra for Tsuruga-Kyoto segment.

                Cheers,

                Takeshi / JPRail.com

                • May says:

                  Hi Takeshi,

                  Thank you for your timely reply 🙂

                  After reading your post on Hokuriku Area Pass, I have added the Kurobe Gorge Train into my itinerary:

                  Tokyo to Nagano – single trip Shinkansen, then use the Tateyama area pass for Alpine route, stay in Toyama

                  1 Toyama to Unazuki (use Hokuriku Area Pass) for Kurobe Gorge Train (round trip), * need to pay for Kurobe Gorge train.
                  Toyama to Kanazawa
                  2 Kanazawa to Shirakawao (pay bus 1850 yen)
                  Shirakawago to Takayama (2470yen)
                  Takayama to Toyama (2840yen, unreserved seat)
                  Toyama to Kanazawa
                  3 Kanazawa to Fukui (bus to Tojinbo – read that some discounts under Hokuriku Pass may apply?)
                  4 Fukui Tsuruga
                  Tsuruga to Nagayama to Maibara to Kyoto (pay extra)

                  Does this plan look feasible? Should I be concerned about using reserved seat instead of unreserved seat even though my travel in June is supposed to be low season?

                  Thank you very much for you advice 🙂 I wish you a great week ahead!
                  May

  6. Teresa says:

    Hi Mr Takeshi

    Kindly advise what pass should I buy?
    Mt Fuji kawaguchiko to Kanazawa 3 nights
    Kanazawa to Namba osaka 2 nights
    Namba osaka to Miyajima (ferry) 1 night
    Miyajima to Namba osaka 1 night

    I am considering for 7days JR pass. Any better advice for cost savings?

    Appreciate your reply and thanks.

  7. James says:

    This will be my first time in Japan… need a little clarification on which tickets to buy and whether this is possible

    Day 1: Narita Airport –> Tokyo
    – Taking limo bus as it drops me off right outside by hotel

    Day 2-4 Tokyo
    – Subway (Using Suica Card)

    Day 5-6 Kyoto, Day 7 Osaka / Kansai Airport
    – Using subway to travel around Kyoto

    To save on money, what is the best way to from Tokyo D4 –> Kyoto D5-6 –> Osaka –>Kansai airport D7?
    – Is it possible to do one-way JR fare from Tokyo to Kansai with allowable stopovers at Kyoto, Osaka, then Kansai airport? Is there anything I need to do extra or is the ticket automatically valid for 5 days?

  8. Teresa says:

    Hi Takeshi

    Please advise if my trip is worth to take 7days JR pass?

    Namba station to Kyoto station
    Kyoto to Hiroshima guchi station to Miyajima (ferry ride)
    Miyajima to Namba Station

    Thank you.

  9. Linda says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I love this site. It is really helpful. After reading the article I feel like it’s not worth getting the JR pass for my 7night/8 day trip in April. I added the single pass fares and they seem a lot less than the JR pass. Here’s my quick literary & single fare calculation based on HyperDia.

    Day 1: Arriving at Narita Airport: Narita – Tokyo = 1140 yen
    (Staying in Tokyo for 3 nights. Haven’t figures out all the itinerary in Tyoto and how much local transportation will cost yet ).
    Day 4: Tokyo – Odawara = 1490 yen.
    (then buying separate pass/ticket to Hakone)
    Day 5: Odawara – Kyoto = 7020

    (two nights in Kyoto)

    Day 7: Kyoto – Osaka = 560

    Day 8: Osaka – Kansai airport = 1190

    Total 11400 < JR pass 29110

    Could you help me take a quick look at my price research to make sure I didn't miss anything? Thank you!

    Linda

  10. Lisa D says:

    Hi Takeshi

    We arrive at KIX for one day and night in Osaka. Then to Kyoto for for 3 nights then to Hakone for 2 nights, then to Tokyo for 4 nights, then to Narita for outbound flight. We realize we probably need the JR pass and know we need the Freepass in Hakone. Where should we start our 7 day pass and which single ticket should we buy? Also, we are looking at the green car. This is all in April, 2017

Copied title and URL