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
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:
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.
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
hi, we wish to fly return/ to Osaka on may 3o arriving 31 May, we wish to go Shirakawa-go houses and visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route, I know I can buy 5 days Takayama-Hokuriku tourist pass but it does not cover shinkansen. it take me extra 2 hrs Osaka to Tateyama and to Nagoya.
Could you please suggest a pass that can best used for my travel plan? Does JR pass 7 days cover all? but if I only use for this part seems not worthwhile, how about JR pass west combines with regular ticket?
Can I pass ticket on shinkasen for Osaka to Tateyama from Osaka train station? then I only activste my tourist pass when I return t to kanazawa from Tateyama?
Hi Cindy,
First of all, Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass does not cover Tateyama. Even the segment between Kanazawa and Toyama is not cover by this pass. You can use this pass for getting Kanazawa and Shirakawago from Osaka. But you cannot use it to get Tateyama from Kanazawa.
JR Pass 7 days is way too much for your trip. Tateyama Hokuriku pass + single fare is much better choice. As you know, Shirakawago can be accessed from both Takayama (via Nagoya) and Kanazawa. In trip time, Kanazawa route is much shorter than Nagoya-Takayama route. If you want to go to Nagoya, I understand you want to take Shinkansen. But if you want to go to Shirakawago and Tateyama, Nagoya is not important.
If you can complete Osaka-Shirakawago-Tateyama/Kurobe-Osaka in 5 days, you can use Takayama-Hokuriku pass and adding single fare for Kanazawa-Toyama-Tateyama/Kurobe. This is the best option for you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
We are 2 adults and 2 kids travelling from Narita Airport – Nagano – Tokyo – Narita.
The whole trip is 7 days however we’re thinking of purchasing the 5 days JR EAST rail pass and just to use it to cover the shinkansen Narita-Nagano, Nagano-Tokyo, Tokyo- Narita, and the other 2 days use it for Disneyland and just general sightseeing around Tokyo. It will cost me AUD1000 for all of us with the JR EAST as one of my kids is 12 years old and considered as an adult.
My question is, is it worthwhile to get the JR EAST or would it be cheaper to get individual tickets?
Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Ellyn,
If you use single fare for Tokyo-Natano return and N’ex Tokyo Round trip ticket, all costs around 20000 yen. So it’s cheaper than JR East pass at 22000 yen. But JR East pass is more flexible and you can use this for getting Tokyo Disney Land and sightseeing in Tokyo. So all costs will be almost same and I recommend you to use the pass because it’s much easier to handle and flexible.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I’m planning to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka…
The plan is
1. Tokyo 4 days
2. Shinkansen to Osaka
3. Day trip Kyoto.
4. Day trip Nara
5. Depart from Osaka Airport.
Is it more worhthile to get the JR pass? or i can save more taking single trips?
JR pass covers the metro trains within tokyo, kyoto and Osaka?
Thanks
Hi Ernest,
JR Pass does not work for your trip. Single fare (Tokyo-Osaka) and local deals for the perfect choice for you. Please see the links below to get the details:
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
In Osaka, you can find info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi
My family (2 adults + 2 children) will be traveling to JP during Easter holiday. Need some advice on traveling by rail please, and if it is worthwhile buying JP Rail passes.
Our plans are
1) 4 days in Tokyo – will like to do a day tour, Disney land, some city based sight seeing and maybe a day tour to Mt Fuji
2) 2 days in Kyoto and surrounding areas
3) 2 days in Osaka and surrounding areas
4) 2 days in Nagoya and surrounding areas, could move the Mt Fuji day tour here from Tokyo
5) back to Tokyo
Thanks in advance.
Hi Raymond,
You can use 7 days JR pass for Tokyo to Tokyo. The round trip fare between Tokyo and Osaka by Shinkansen is slightly cheaper than JR pass, But JR Pass is more convenient and flexible.
If you intend to visit Lake Kawaguchi, try to included this trip in 7 days of JR pass coverage. I recommend you to visit there from Tokyo as day trip. If you visit from Nagoya by JR pass, you have to get Tokyo first anyway. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, Takeshi.
I will be travelling to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo next month. Can you kindly advise whether it would be practical for me to get a JR Pass? My itinerary is as below:
1. Day 1 – arrive Kansai Airport, Osaka Tour
2. Days 2 to 3 – go around Kyoto
3. Day 4 – Shinkansen to Tokyo
4. Days 5 – travel to Mt Fuji
5. Day 6 – Travel to Hakone
6. Day 7 – Travel to Tateyama Kurobe
7. Day 8 – Disneysea
8. Day 9 – Go around Tokyo
9. Day 10 – Narita express to Narita Airport.
Thank you so much for your help.
– Amika
Hi Amika,
If you do this itinerary, JR Pass gives you a great deal. But I have a few things to mention to you.
1. Fuji and Hakone.
You can visit these places as day trip from Tokyo. But these places can be combined as 1 night 2 days trip. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
As you see the link above, Fuji Hakone Pass is the best deal. JR Pass covers a part of the trip. But you need to pay bus and other transportation anyway. This deal is better.
Or if you just want to see Fuji, you can see it from Hakone too. In this case, you can use JR pass to get Odawara and use Hakone Free Pass.
2. Tateyama Kurobe
It’s very very hard to do as day trip. There is only one direct train to get Shinano-Omachi from Shinjuku. That departs at 7:30 and arrive Shinano-Omachi at 11:00. And then you start to visit Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route. I think it’s not feasible.
But if you remove Tateyama Kurobe from your plan, JR Pass does not work. In my opinion, the best option is remove one of Hakone or Fuji and make overnight trip to Tateyama Kurobe.
If you use JR pass, use last 7 days. you can use ICOCA and Haruka for arrival day and other local deals in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, Takeshi.
I will be travelling to Tokyo and Osaka next month. Can you kindly advise whether it would be practical for me to get a JR Pass? My itinerary is below:
1. Day 1 – arrive Haneda airport
2. Days 2 to 5 – go around Tokyo
3. Day 6 – Shinkansen to Osaka
4. Days 7 and 8 – travel to Nara and Kyoto
5. Day 9 – Shinkansen to Tokyo
I need to go back to Tokyo from Osaka since my exit flight is from Haneda.
Thanks in advance.
Hi MiraNova,
You can use JR pass 7 days for the last 7 days of you trip. (day 3 to 9)
You may use single fare or local deals in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
In Kyoto, many places cannot be accessed by JR pass. You may need to add subway or bus pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Takeshi-san:
We have hotel reservations in Kanazawa 2-5 May. I know this is “Golden Week” so everything will be very busy and crowded. However, we want to buy 2 tickets on the new Hokuriku Line departing from and returning to Tokyo Station. Questions:
(1) Do we have to wait until 2 April before we can buy tickets?
(2) What would you recommend is the best way to get the tickets?
(3) We will be arriving in Okinawa on 23 April—questions:
(a) Because it is Golden Week do you think that is too late to wait to buy tickets?
(b) Can we buy tickets for the shinkansen while we are in Okinawa??
Your answers to these questions will be most helpful. Thank you—Mr. Robert
Hi Robert san,
1) Yes. Tickets will be on sale one month before.
2) Just try to book it as soon as possible.
3a) It’s hard to say. Especially Hokuriku Shinkansen will be popular just after open. Usually Shinkansen is not hard to book even for golden week.
3b) There are only two places in Okinawa, JR Kyushu Okinawa branch and Nippon Travel Agency Okinawa branch. You can find the location in google map below:
https://goo.gl/maps/mR5J5
https://goo.gl/maps/8Y0dB
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I will be staying near Oshiage Station, from Friday til Tuesday (depart to Narita Airport Terminal 2). For the few days, I will be planning to go to places like Ueno Park, Skytree, and surrounding area in Tokyo to check out sakura. We are travelling 2 young children. Will it be good to buy JR Pass or daily ticket or per trip ticket.
Thank you.
Hi Wai Yee,
Subway pass is enough to visit the places in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I have been reading your posts to plan my trip to Japan in 2 months, but I am still really confused as to if I should purchase a JR Rail Pass.
Day 1 – Arrive in Japan -> Travel to/ stay in Ginza Tokyo
Day 2 – Explore Ginza & Akihabara
Day 3 – Gotemba -> Hakone Yumoto
Day 4 – Hakone Yumoto -> Shinjuku
Day 5 – 13 Will most likely explore places in Tokyo for the rest of the trip
Based on this, do you think a JR Rail Pass is necessary?
As this is my first time to Japan is there any suggestions/changes you would make to the itinerary?
Thank you so much for you help.
-Yuki
Hi Yuki,
Are you arriving in Narita? If so, JR Pass is way too much for your trip. You need deal to get downtown Tokyo and Hakone Free Pass.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
You may need subway pass or Tokunai pass in Tokyo. But single ticket seems to be cheaper than these deals. If you take subway or train more than 5 times a day, these passes may be cheaper.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your response.
I will look in to the links you have provided.
I will be arriving at the Haneda Airport to get to Ginza on the first night.
If I were to throw in a visit to Kyoto from Day 5 – Day 13, would that make the JR Rail pass worth it to buy?
Thank you again for your help.
– Yuki
Hi Yuki,
Round trip fare by Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto is slightly cheaper than JR Pass 7 days. But you will have a chance to use JR pass when you are in Kyoto. So it will pay off, but it won’t be a big saving.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi
Greetings to you and hope you are doing well. I will be travelling to Japan next month and I would like to seek your advice whether should I buy the 7 day JR Rail pass or single tickets.
My itinerary is as follow :
22/3/15 – Osaka
23/3/15 & 24/3/15 – Kyoto
25/3/15 – Takayama (to visit Shirakawago by joining a half day tour)
26/3/15 to 28/3/15 – Tokyo
29/3/15 – Narita
30/3/15 – Home
If I get the JR Rail pass, I will only activate it on 23/3/2015. I am a bit worried about travelling from Kyoto to Takayama and from Takayama to Tokyo as it involves changing trains at different towns/stations with limited window period to rush for the connecting trains. I will only be reaching Tokyo late at night and I still need to find my way to my lodging in Asakusa. I have also checked alternative transport (by bus) which is cheaper and less complicated but I not sure on their reliability and the traffic involved. Do you think I should get any other pass for the 2 days I will be travelling around Tokyo?
Hope you can advise me on this, appreciate it very much.
Thank you.
Regrds
Fong
Hi Fong,
If you use JR Pass for Kyoto-Takayama, Takayama-Tokyo and Tokyo-Narita, single ticket is slightly cheaper. I estimate that the difference is 2000 to 3000 yen. But I still recommend to use JR Pass. Because you can use JR Pass when you are in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. It’s much more flexible and easier to use.
I have never taken bus from Kyoto to Takayama. But train is more reliable because no traffic congestion.
In Tokyo, you may need subway pass. It depends on your plan. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Cheers.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi
Thank you very much for your prompt reply and the link. I have taken note of your advice and will be getting the 7 day JR Rail pass. As you have highlighted, it is more convenient and easy to use.
Thanks again and take care.
Warmest Regards
Fong
No problem, Fong.
Hope you have a great trip!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
i’ll be travelling to Hokkaido in May for a week.
Would it be better for me to buy the 4-day flexible JR pass or to purchase single trip tickets.
Day 1 – New Chitose Airport to Sapporo on the first day.
Day 5 – Toya to Hakodate (JR)
Day 7 – Hakodate to Sapporo
Day 9 – Sapporo to New Chitose Airpore
Hi Denise,
Single fare is slightly cheaper than 4 days flex pass. But the difference is roughly 2000 yen. If you want to have easy trip, flex pass is much easier to handle. If you are very sensitive with budget, go for single tickets.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail