This pass is eligible for the railway, bus and ferry services that are provided by Japan Railways Group with few exceptions. I explained these exceptions at Validity page.

In my opinion, Japan Rail Pass offer you the most unbeatable deal. There are many kinds of rail passes in Japan, such as JR East Pass, JR Hokkaido Pass, JR Kyushu Pass and many more. But Japan Rail Pass is only rail pass that cover throughout Japan and cover even both Tokyo and Kyoto. But if you need the detail information about other passes, please access to the category, Other Rail Passes. I wrote about many kinds of rail passes too in this website.

Do you know the price of basic 7 days pass is cheaper than round trip fare and Limited Express surcharge to Kyoto from Narita airport station? You can never find like this deal in Japan. Domestic travellers really envy this pass. This is the advantage for the travellers from outside of Japan only! If you need some more ideas about price comparison, please see “Compare to regular fare”. You will see some example.

Type and Price

Type	7 days	14 days	21 days
Ordinary	28300yen	45100en	57700yen
Green (1st class)	37800yen	61200yen	79600yen

Child (6yrs to 11yrs) rate is 50% off.

What is the difference between Green and Ordinary.

Green Class is like business class seat. It was the first class in all Japan Railway’s trains. But since Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa was started to operate, Green class became the second highest seat in all JR trains. Because Hayabusa introduced newly high end seat that is called “Gran Class”. By the way, if you take Gran Class by Japan Rail Pass, both Ordinary pass and Green pass cover only basic fare. You need to pay Limited Express surcharge and Gran Class fee. Please see the post, Japan Rail Pass can be used for Hayabusa to get details.

Basically Green Class seat is more spacious and quieter than ordinary seat. Shinkansen and most of Limited Express have this class. Even some local trains, such as Rapid trains in greater Tokyo area have Green Class seat too. Please read one of my post, Worthwhile buying Japan Rail Pass Green Pass?. I explained the details about Green class seat in this post. I hope it may help you to decide which pass you purchase.

By the way Green surcharge is calculated based on distance. But the rate differs with types of train and companies. For example, Green class surcharge is 2000 yen for Narita Express from Narita airport to Greater Tokyo area, 5150 yen for Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka. So if you have a round trip from Narita airport to Kyoto, Green pass still give you greater value.

If you really care about the budget, Ordinary class is fine. I am sure you will be satisfied with that. It is way better than economy seat on the flight. My height is 6’1″ (184 cm). But I have never had a problem with the leg space.

61 Comments to “Types and Prices”

1. yuri says:

   April 15, 2012 at 8:05 am

   Hello again,

   I just wrote something 5 minutes ago but let me replace that one with this more detailed one :

   KIX-Shinjuku
   Shinjuku-Shibuya-Akihabara-Harajuku-Roponggi-Ginza (not really in that order)
   Shinjuku-KIX

   Will my JR Pass covers those tracks ? I’m planning on staying in Tokyo area 5 nights total. I’ve read that people keep saying JR Pass is the way to go but i need to make sure that i destination is covered.

   Please help, thanks !!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 15, 2012 at 10:22 am

     Hi Yuri,
     Everything will be covered by Japan Rail Pass between KIX and Shinjuku. Only Roppongi is a bit away from JR station. But it is not a big issue. You can take a subway to get Roppongi from Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo and many more places in Tokyo. It costs a few hundred yen. Please see the following posts about using Japan Rail Pass in Tokyo and getting on subway:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
     http://jprail.com/destinations/subway-in-tokyo.html
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • yuri says:

       April 15, 2012 at 6:54 pm

       AWESOMENESS !! Thanks for your clarification.

       Also, i just found an issue with my schedule. My flight back to Indonesia is at 9:40AM. If the train starts at 5AM, and it takes app. 4 hours to get to KIX, i won’t be able to catch my flight, correct ?

       Or am i reading it wrong .. ? If yes, your suggestion (that i can think of) is :

       1. Leave Shinjuku late night and spend the night at the airport couches.

       2. Leave Shinjuku a day before and spend the night at Osaka.

       3. Or maybe you have alternative i don’t know about *hoping

       Please help, and thanks a tons !!

       Reply
       • JPRail says:

         April 15, 2012 at 8:29 pm

         Hi Yuri,
         The first Hikari from Tokyo to Shin Osaka departs from Tokyo at 6:26 and arrive at Shin Osaka at 9:30. It’s not in time. Actually this is the earliest transfer from Tokyo by Japan Rail Pass. So basically you need to transfer to Osaka a day before.
         We have an overnight transfer that is covered by Japan Rail Pass. So you can try to book after you arrive in Japan.
         http://jprail.com/destinations/overnight-transfer-between-tokyo-and-kyotoosaka.html
         But if you cannot make it, you need to make an adjustment your schedule and may need to book an accommodation.
         Cheers,
         Takeshi / JP Rail

         Reply
2. Ben Cokayne says:

   April 13, 2012 at 12:55 pm

   Hi,

   I am travelling to Tokyo from London on 28th July. Our flight lands at 04:55. We are staying at hotel villa fontaine ueno and are trying to work out how we get the trains there as the cab fare is expensive! Luckily the trains are starting at 5:28 so we can get into town easily. What time do the trains in central tokyo start?I know we get the monorail but after that do we get the JR line towards Takeshiba?
   Also wanted to know if you can get a day pass for travelling around central tokyo on all train lines?

   Thank you.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 13, 2012 at 4:12 pm

     Hi Ben,
     Don’t worry. Most of trains are starting around 5:30 am. Even Shinkansen is starting at 6:00 am.
     So after 5:30 am, you can go anywhere.
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
3. KC says:

   March 30, 2012 at 3:03 am

   Dear Sir,

   For I am planning to go to East Japan for around 18 days, I appreciate for your information for those questions as follows:

   1. What’s the different between JR EAST PASS and JR RAIL PASS?
   PASS DAYS FEES (EUR)
   JR EAST 10+5 320+200
   JR RAIL 21 537

   For the table above, the JR RAIL PASS is more cheaper (valid 6 days more) than the JR EAST PASS. Why? I think nobody will buy the JR EAST PASS.

   2. The most important thing I would like to know, to confirm the information from the web for the coverage of the pass:

   JR EAST: all JR Lines at the EAST (include shinkansen, limited exp. and exp. train, and tokyo monorail)
   JR RAIL: all JR Lines (include shinkansen)

   >>Question: Does JR RAIL cover all limited exp. and exp. train, and tokyo monorail??

   3. Does the JR RAIL PASS cover the JR line or resort line from
   3.1 aomori to wespatsubakiyama
   3.2 aomori to hirosaki
   3.3 aomori to hachinohe
   3.4 wespatsubakiyama to hachinohe

   I am getting confuse for those JR PASS information on the web and I appreciate for your kind assistance.

   Thanks a lot.

   KC

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 30, 2012 at 10:42 pm

     Hi KC,
     I answer your questions as follows:

     1. You are right. JR Pass is cheaper, more convenient and more useful. I understand you are wondering why. I don’t know the reason why. But I guess the price of Japan Rail Pass was held at reasonable rate by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. I think every single JR companies don’t want to sell Japan Rail Pass. It is too complicated to share the profit amount 6 JR companies.
     Anyway, JR East pass may be suitable someone who travel in only east side of Japan and stay for a short period. However most of tourist want to use Japan Rail Pass.

     2. Japan Rail Pass cover all trains except Nozomi of Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen, Mizuho on Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen, and some train goes through non JR lines. Tokyo Monorail is under JR East now. It is covered by JR pass.

     3. All trains are covered by Japan Rail Pass.

     Did you read this following post?
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-choose-rail-pass-to-travel-japan-summary-of-most-of-rail-passes-in-japan.html
     It may help you to understand rail passes more.

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
4. kelly says:

   February 13, 2012 at 8:16 pm

   Hi,
   is there possible to buy one day JR pass from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto and Kyoto to Shin-Osaka???
   Kelly

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     February 13, 2012 at 9:12 pm

     Hi Kelly,
     No, you cannot. 7 days pass is minimum.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
5. ryan says:

   February 5, 2012 at 6:39 am

   Hi JP Rail,

   your website is amazing!

   I have some question to consult you.

   I will reach Tokyo 9th Mar 2300. I think it is too late to travel to Kyoto. So is it a good idea to hang around in the airport and leave the earliest possible time to Kyoto? Am I able to use the JR pass if i order online from the JR Pass website ( Do i need to exchange since you mentioned it is like a voucher?)

   Can you advise me how to get to Kyoto via JR Pass the most efficient way?

   Also, Kyoto to Osaka and possible to go Mt Fuji and back Toyko all via the JR Pass

   Your help is much appreciated!

   Ryan

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     February 5, 2012 at 9:30 am

     Hi Ryan,
     As you thought, 2300 is too late to take a train to Kyoto. And you cannot activate your pass anyway on arrival day.
     If you order the pass online, they mail a voucher to your address. You need to exchange actual pass before you start to use. Otherwise you cannot use it.
     So I recommend you to stay around Tokyo station or Shinagawa station. If you arrive at Haneda airport, Shinagawa is closer and easier to get.
     http://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
     You have to activate your pass when you go to Kyoto. You can activate your pass at both Shinagawa and Tokyo.
     http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en009.html
     As you see the link above, the exchange place at Tokyo is open earlier than Shinagawa. So if you want to go to Kyoto as earlier as possible, stay around Tokyo.

     And Mt. Fuji, you cannot go there by only Japan Rail Pass. Please see the link below:
     http://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
     You need to take a bus or private railway that are not covered by Japan Rail Pass.

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
6. Kraven says:

   January 29, 2012 at 10:42 pm

   Hi,

   My girlfriend and I will be heading over to tokyo on 22nd march for 10 nights, will arrive at 2230. I don’t know if i should stay a night at tokyo and spend a day in tokyo first before i take a night coach/bullet train to osaka(so that i can save a night of accommodation). I intend to go osaka first then to kyoto for 5 nights and back to tokyo for 4 nights. Should i go to kobe while i am at osaka and kyoto, is it worth the time? Also I want to go nikko for a day. Is the JR 7 days pass worth it? Or should i take a night coach which cost about 5000 to go to osaka and a bullet train back from kyoto to tokyo? Also want to go Universal Studios in Osaka and Disneyland in Tokyo. Any nice attractions to recommend?

   Thanks!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 29, 2012 at 11:17 pm

     Hi Kraven,
     Unfortunately it is too late to take overnight transfer to Osaka. Please see the following links:
     http://jprail.com/destinations/overnight-transfer-between-tokyo-and-kyotoosaka.html
     Bus timetable http://www.jrbuskanto.co.jp/bus_route_e/cotimep01.cfm?pa=2&pb=1&pc=j0020201&pd=0&st=1
     The last bus service depart from Tokyo station at 23:10. You cannot complete custom and immigration, baggage pick up and then transfer to Tokyo station in 40 minutes.
     So you have to stay in Tokyo on arrival day anyway.
     Regarding Kobe, I think Kobe is nicer than Osaka. This city is very similar to Yokohama. If you have a plan to go to Yokohama when you stay in Tokyo, you don’t need to go.
     I checked where you want to go. I recommend you to stay in Tokyo first. When you stay in Tokyo, don’t use Japan Rail Pass. Please see the post below:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
     When you leave from Tokyo, start to use Japan Rail Pass. You can use unlimited 7 days rail travel for Osaka, Kyoto and maybe Kobe. You can use Japan Rail Pass to go to Nikko too. Please see the following post:
     http://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-get-nikko.html
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply