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 Takeshi, I am taking a holiday in December. My travel plans are:
Day 1: Narita Airport to Damion station
Day 2: Damion station to Tokyo station to catch Shinkasen to Kyoto
Day 3: move around Kyoto
Day 4: Kyoto to Osaka to Himeiji then back to Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto to Kobe and back to Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto to Tokyo
Am I able to use JR Pass for all these trips?
Thanks for your advice
Hi Edwin,
You can use JR pass 7 days. When you travel to Daimon station from Narita, you can get off JR Hamamatsucho station. It’s different names but it’s same location.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
(a) Can i use JR pass to cover these trip?
(b) Can i exchange my exchange order for JR pass in Toyama?
(c) If i buy ordinary pass and i want to take reserved seat, is there any additional charge?
Hi Astrid,
a) I don’t see your trip schedule.
b) Yes, you can. You can find the list of exchange place at the lunk below:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html
c) You can take it without any extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi , I wanna go Japan 14 days . I find out transportation really something bothering me .I am not sure to buy 7 days pass or Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass ? I checked from Hyperdia . There is total and basic fare ? Which is the amount I shall look into it ? Below are my itinerary
23/12 – Reach Haneda 10:30 pm , Get Tokyo Metro 3 day 1500 yen ( it’s good to cover ? I am staying Itabashi area)
24/12 – Tokyo (Shibuya, Harajuku, & Shinjuku and Christmas eve Celebration )
25/12 – Tokyo (Tsuji Market , Akihabara, Tokyo University , Tokyo Tower )
26/12 – Tokyo (Ghibli museum , free and easy )
27/12 – Nikko/ Mount Fuji area * depends weather* go Nagano “stay Yamanouchi region ) get JF pass for 1st day JR PASS activation / I buy individual fare to place I wish to go ?
28/12 – Nagano ( snow monkey , onsen , old street touring does it required a lot of transport transferring ? )
Is Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass cover below area I wish to visit ?
29/12 – Morning train to Toyama/Kanazawa ( Kenrokuen , visit local Stay a night
30/12 & 31/12 – Takayama & Hida Furukawa /shiragawa (Stay Takayama)
1/12 – Nagoya ( Touring around and have some Unagi don perhaps??Stay Nagoya)
2/12 – 5/12 – Kyoto ( I would like to visit some unique temple and touring around , Suggestion besides temple ?) JR 7 pass /Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass expired 2/1
5/12 Osaka – Half day tour (Not sure if I want spend 2 days here or rather in Kyoto ? Osaka see to be another City
4:55pm afternoon Flight back home
I do hope you can help on above
Hi Christina,
First of all, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass does not work. Because you cannot get Kyoto from Nagoya directly by this pass. If you use this pass to get Kyoto from Nagoya, you have to go back to Kanazawa and go to Kyoto. It’s a big detour and not realistic option.
On the other hand, JR pass suit your plan if you get Nikko or Mt. Fuji. If you don’t go either places, JR pass will be more expensive than even single fares. If you are not sure you go or not, but you want some flexibility, your choice is JR pass 7 days. You cannot see Mt. Fuji in rainy day. But you can get Nikko in either rain or shine.
Metro pass is a good choice. You may get subway/bus pass in Kyoto too.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
On the last day to KIX, you may use Kansai area pass one day.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot ! Just wonder which area will be worth to spend more during winter time that I shall consider to spend more time and also attraction that I miss out for those region to include in my current itinerary .
Hi Christina,
I love north side in winter time, like Nagano, Kanazawa and Takayama. The scenery with snow is gorgeous.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
I’m going to japan (Tokyo > Fuji > Osaka in Nov 2015 for 11days,
5 days in Tokyo (12-16 Nov) -Haneda >Shinjuku (base) >Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome, Meiji Shrine, Sensoji, Tsukiji fish market, will it be too tight to include a day trip to Hiroshma and day trip to Kamakura?
3 days in Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko (16-18 Nov), is ropeway service suspended?
5 days in Osaka > day trip to USJ > Osaka Castle > Osaka Aquarium > Tempozan Ferris Wheel > Sanko Shrine > Umeda Sky Building > Shiteno-ji
> full day shopping at Grand Front Osaka
I am wondering can i just buy Odakyu Railways pass to access these areas and only to pay single trip fare in central Tokyo;
From Fuji, can we use Odakyu Railway pass to go Osaka?
Hope to have your advise and have a great day.
cheers
Damien
Hi Damien,
If you go to Lake Kawaguchi, Odakyu Railway is not your choice. Please find more info and access 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
Hakone ropeway is suspended but ropeway at Lake Kawaguchi is open.
If you want to go to Hiroshima, you should go there from Osaka. Tokyo is too far to do as day trip. Please find more info at the link about day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
You can use 7 days JR pass if you can include Tokyo-Fuji-Tokyo, Tokyo-Osaka and day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka in 7 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I thought Odakyu Electric Railway goes to lake kawaguchi?
Which day should I activate the 7 day JR East pass ?
Regards
Damien
Hi Damien,
Odakyu goes to Hakone only.
You can start to use JR pass (not JR East pass. It’s different). As I mentioned, you have to complete round trip to Fuji, Tokyo to Osaka and trip to Hiroshima as day trip from Osaka in 7 days. As long as you include these trips, you can start using JR pass 7 days anytime.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
want to check what is the train fares from Sapporo to Takikawa, Takikawa to Furano, Furano to Nakafurano since I have to change 3 trains line. any round trip fare?
Thank you
Hi Rosalind,
You can find it at Hyperdia. You can use one base fare ticket for these three segments:
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
Round trip discount is not applied to your trip because it’s too short.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
I will be in Japan next week and will base myself in Nagoya most of my trip. However, I will be travelling on the 15th Oct 15 from Nagoya to Kanazawa and then from Kanazawa to Takayama on the 16th Oct for the day before returning to Nagoya.
I will also need to use the train to and from Nagoya airport. Can you kindly advise whether the 7 day JR pass more economical for me?
Many thanks,
Kimmie
Hi Kimmie,
JR pass is way more expensive than even single fare.
There is no deal between Chubu (Nagoya) airport and the station. Single fare is your choice anyway.
If you are okay with going through Takayama to access to Kanazawa, you may use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
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
You can take Nagoya-Takayama-Shirakawago-Kanazawa or Nagoya-Takayama-Toyama-Kanazawa route only. You cannot take any other route by this pass. If you intend to visit Shirakawago, the bus that goes there is covered by this pass.
This is only deal available for your trip. Otherwise single fare is your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, we look forward to yr advice on the rail pass to buy.
We are planning the following travel plan and would like to know which rail pass to buy.
nov 13 : landed at Tokyo Narita airport and take JR to Osaka
Nov 13 to 17 : travel to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, within the cities including Osaka
Nov 17 to 18 : take JR from Osaka to Tokyo
Nov 19 : fly out of Tokyo Narita airport
Is it better to
(A) buy JR west single ticket from Tokyo to Osaka and also from Osaka to Tokyo, and
(B) buy Kansai Thru Pass for travel to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and within the cities including Osaka?
Tks
Hi John,
JR Pass 7 days is the best choice for you anyway. Even if you use this pass for Narita to Osaka, Osaka to Tokyo and Tokyo to Narita, it’s paid off.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
You may add subway pass in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo as you need because JR pass does not cover.
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
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there, you are amazing! We plan to fly to Kansai then head to Amami Nanten on 21 Oct for one night then leave to Kyoto the next day on 22 Oct and take train back to Kansai on 25 Oct. Please advise what ticket I should get for 3 ways of train. Thank you in advance!
Hi Zoe,
Where is Amami Nanten? I have never heard that.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your help! We are travelling to Japan for just over 2 weeks with our 1 year old, leaving in less than a week! Do you think we should use a JR Pass?
Here is out itinerary:
Osaka- 2 nights
Naoshima- 3 nights
Kyoto- 6 nights- (perhaps a day trip to Nara)
Tokyo- 5 nights
Thanks so much for your help!
Cheers, Ellie
Hi Ellie,
Total fare is not much different from 7 days pass. But you cannot complete your trip in 7 days. At this point, Kansai Wide Area Pass is your choice for Osaka-Naoshima-Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
You may start using this pass when you leave Osaka and you may include trip to Nara in this 5 days coverage. Nara can be accessed by JR train from Osaka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/subway/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
There are some deals from KIX to Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
You may add subway or local bus deal as you need in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Single fare is your choice for the rest of your trip.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
That’s fantastic. Thanks so much for your help Takeshi!
No problem, Ellie.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi,
i’m going to japan in nov2015 for 11days.
below is roughly how im going with my plan.
Osaka > Fukuoka ( Castle Ruins) > Hiroshima ( Miyajima Torii gate + Matsuyama castle ) > Osaka
Osaka > Kyoto ( Arashiyama + Fushimi Inari + Kinkaku ji + Eikando + Gion ) > Osaka
Osaka > Takayama > Shirakawa go > Takayama
Takayama > Nagoya > Tokyo
Tokyo > Mt Fuji > Tokyo Tower
Sendai >> Tokyo >> Odaiba
Kamakura >> Yokohama > Tokyo Asakusa Sky Tree > Harajuku > Shibuya > Shinjuku + Akibahara
Tokyo > Hokkaido > Tokyo
i might be taking flight for Hokaido-tokyo
so i am wondering can i just buy the 7days pass or would it be more cheaper if i just bought the 14days pass?
i am following a group of my friends, they are taking 14days pass as they’ll be in japan longer than me. & most of our accom is nearby the JR station.
thanks in advance!
Hi Nurul,
If you can complete from Osaka to Tokyo in 7 days (until Sendai+Odaiba), 7 days pass will work.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com