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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.

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172 Comments to “Types and Prices”

1. Vee says:

   June 8, 2013 at 11:21 pm

   I am going to a meeting in Kyoto in the next two week and plan to visit Tokyo for 3 days. My need for JR pass would be:
   One way Shinkansen Kyoto-Tokyo
   Daily trips in Tokyo for 3 days
   Airport link Tokyo to Haneda Airport
   Which JR pass should I take?Two tickets needed,will travel together the whole time.
   Thank you very much.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     June 8, 2013 at 11:58 pm

     Hi Vee,

     There is no pass available for Kyoto-Tokyo one way trip. Single ticket will be your choice.

     Regarding exploring in Tokyo, there are several passes available.
     http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/subway-in-tokyo.html
     But single ticket may be cheaper if you take subway or train a few time a day. It depends on your itinerary.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. Geraldine says:

   May 26, 2013 at 7:59 am

   Hi Takeshi!

   I will be traveling to Japan in two weeks’ time. I am just trying to find out if JR Pass (Ordinary) covers both the base fare and the limited express/shinkansen surcharge? Or it is just the base fare and I have to top up the surcharge?

   And what kind of Travel Pass (JR West or Kansai Thru) should I purchase that would be best for me if I plan to explore around Osaka?

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     May 26, 2013 at 11:19 am

     Hi Geraldine,

     JR Pass covers most of trains, such as Limited Express and Shinkansen. There are some exception. Please see the following link:
     http://jprail.com/validity-of-japan-rail-pass

     Regarding Kansai thru pass or Kansai area pass, I cannot say anything before I see the detailed itinerary. The following link gives you some idea to decide which pass it will be suitable for your trip:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
3. Andrew Wong says:

   May 22, 2013 at 6:53 pm

   Hi Tracie,

   Me and my wife will be arriving New Chitose Airport around 3:30pm on 25/5/2013. Our first 2 nights stay hotel is Hotel Grantia Hakodate Ekimae, Wakamatsu-cho. We will stay at another Hotel in Sapporo city centre from 27/5 to 1/6. It will be total of 8 days 7 nights in hokkaido. I sincerely seek your advice on following matter:

   1) What kind of JR PASS should I purchase that will be the biggest saver for us? IF we need to travel down to Hakodate immediately upon arrival at airport, then just moving around Hokodate the next 2 days before moving to Sapporo city.

   For the next 6 days in Sapporo city, we shall moving around different places in Hokkaido in the round trip and day trip basic.

   2) How long is the journey from airport to our hotel in Hakodate and how to go about it in term of difficulty to reach our Hotel?

   Thank you for your kind advice, we look forward to your quick respond.

   Thank you
   Andrew Wong

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     May 22, 2013 at 9:04 pm

     Hi Andrew,

     1. Hokkaido Rail Pass is your choice. You can purchase it at New Chitose Airport station. There are several types. Please see the following link:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/hokkaido-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-hokkaido-for-oversea-visitors.html
     I think Flex 4 days or 7 days will be suitable for your trip. But it depends on how much pass you will use when you stay in Sapporo. You will not have many chances to use the pass when you stay in Hakdate. So if you use Flex type, you can save your pass when you stay in Hakodate.

     2. You can catch Limited Express Hokuto at Minami-Chitose station that is one station away from New Chitose Airport station. It takes only 5 minutes. And you will spend another 3 hours to get Hakodate from Minami-Chitose by Hokuto.
     I had a trip from New Chitose to Hakodate 2 years ago. I wrote this trip at the following post:
     http://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/my-trip-from-sapporo-to-otaru-and-hakodate-on-march-20-2012-by-rapid-airport-and-limited-express-hokuto.html

     PS. Tracie is one of the readers.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
4. Tracie says:

   April 1, 2013 at 9:24 pm

   Hi! I am just trying to find out the round-trip price from Nagoya toTakayama. Also, how to get from Nagoya airport to the train in Nagoya.

   Thank you!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 1, 2013 at 9:42 pm

     Hi Tracie,

     You can find the fare for Nagoya-Takaama at Hyperdia.
     http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

     I explain how to use this site at the following link:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/japan-railways-timetables.html

     You can use Meitetsu train from Chubu international airport to Nagoya.
     http://www.centrair.jp/en/to_and_from/access/train.html

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • Tak says:

       April 2, 2013 at 4:11 am

       Hi Tracie and Takeshi,

       If you are making a return trip from Nagoya to Takayama within 3 days, this ticket gives a good value. The return train ticket comes with 6000yen taxi voucher, but the price is almost same. I hope it’s useful for you.
       http://english.jr-central.co.jp/tickets/value/hidaji/

       Reply
       • JPRail says:

         April 2, 2013 at 9:33 pm

         Hi Takuji san,

         Thanks for adding info.

         Cheers,

         Takeshi / JP Rail

         Reply