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 san,
I will be travelling with my husband to Japan from 2 May to 15 May. Our itinerary is as follows:
2 May: Arrive at Kansai Airport
3 May: Osaka >> Kyoto
4 May: Kyoto >> Nara >> Kyoto
5 May: Kyoto >> Hiroshima
6 May: Hiroshima ferry to Miyajima
7 May: Miyajima >> Kyoto
10 May: Kyoto >> Hakone
11 May: Hakone >> Tokyo
15 May: Depart from Narita Airport
What would be the most cost effective option for us- the 14 day JR pass? We are also aware we will be travelling a lot during Golden Week so will try to reserve our seats when we arrive in Japan!
Thanks so much for your help.
Julie
Hi Julie san,
7 days JR pass is enough for 5 May to 11 May. I recommend ICOCA and Haruka for arrival day transfer, Osaka to Kyoto and trip to Nara.
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
1500 yen is not enough to cover Osaka-Kyoto and round trip to Nara. You may add some more fund into ICOCA card. You may get the info about how to use ICOCA at the link below:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/pdf/ICOCA_en.pdf
You need to add Hakone free pass at Odawara. JR Pass does not cover the center of Hakone.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
In Tokyo, subway pass or other deals is available.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
My wife and myself will be arriving in Tokyo on the 23rd of March at Narita airport and we would like to take a train from there to Osaka for 2 days and back to shinjuku area for the rest of our journey.. please advance us on what’s the best way of travelling… thanks. ..
Hi Kelvin san,
JR Pass 7 days is recommended.
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
JR Pass covers Narita Express from Narita to Tokyo and Shinkansen to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! my whole family will be having vacation in tokyo n osaka on march 21 for 7 days. we’re planning to visit mt fuji. can we use our jr pass in going to mt. fuji from tokyo?
betty
Hi Betty,
Please see 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 / JPRail.com
Hi,
These are our itinerary:
1st day-no plan because we arrive late already
2nd day-walk along osaka and shop
3rd day-go to universal studios (whole day)
4th day-will go to kyoto (anywhere there to see some attractions)
5th day-will go to Nara (just to see some attractions
6th day-will go to Kobe
7th day-depart Japan
Please check if its cheaper to buy train tickets daily or its better to buy JR Pass.Hope you can help me decide.Thanks,
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna,
Please see the link below. You will find all info that you need there:
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 / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san!
We will arrive at 13Apr and Leave 16Apr. We plan to stay in Shinjuku. Would it be cheaper to get single ticket for JR Yamanote Line? We plan to go to shibuya, ebisu and sights near the line.
Hi Ish san,
Tokunai pass may be suitable. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi I’m wondering if you can help. My wife and I will be in Japan from April 10th to April 22nd. We Arrive in Osaka, then…
– Osaka to Tokyo on first day
– 4 full days visitng around Tokyo
– Possible day trip to northern Japan from Tokyo
– Tokyo to Kinosakionsen on the 15th
– Kinosakionsen to Kyoto on the 16th
– Day/2day trip from Kyoto to Kiroshima/Miyajima
– Visiting around Kyoto until 21st
– On 21st, back to Osaka from Kyoto
– Fly home on 22nd
Will it be worth it to get the 14 day JR Pass?
Hi Justin,
Yes. 14 days pass is recommended. Even if you don’t go anywhere in northern Japan from Tokyo, 14 days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I am due to arrive in Tokyo on 8/2/16 and I will be travelling to kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. Is the Jr rail pass the cheapest.
Many thanks.
Hi Ben,
If you come back to Tokyo after visiting Osaka, Kyoto and Nara in 7 days, JR pass is cheaper. Otherwise please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello!
My family and I will be travelling in the Tokyo area (2 adults, 2 children).
Our plan is:
Within a 7 day period, we will explore Tokyo and go to Ghibli Museum, Edo Wonderland, and Hakone for 2 days.
I don’t know whether to buy the JR pass or single tickets for each destination?
Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
JR pass is too expensive.
Tokyo Wide Pass is most affordable choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-wide-pass-is-newer-version-of-kanto-area-pass-nikko-fuji-gala-yuzawa-and-odaiba-are-covered-by-this-pass.html
But this pass does not cover the heart of Hakone. You may add Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
In Tokyo, subway pass is okay.
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 / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San!
I will be arriving and departing @ Narita airport for my upcoming trip. My intended itinerary is – Narita -> Osaka -> Kinosaki Onsen -> Kyoto -> Nara -> Mount Fuji – > Tokyo -> Narita
Can you suggest the most convenient JR pass? Is it better to buy a single ticket from Narita to Osaka? Thanks!
Hi Faith san,
It depends on how many days you spend. If you complete 7 days, JR pass 7 days will suit. But 14 days is too expensive. You don’t need to include Tokyo and Fuji-Tokyo. If you can get Fuji from Narita in 7 days, it will work.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I will like to have your advice if the Tokyo – Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass will be the best option for my trip next April with the following itinerary,
28Mar: Arrival at Narita Airport
29-30Mar: Kawaguchiko
31Mar-3Apr: Tokyo
4Apr: Shirakawago
5-8Apr: Kyoto
9Apr: Osaka
10Apr: Departure Kansai Airport
I’m thinking if the pass is useful for the travel from Tokyo to Shirakawago to Kyoto or should I just single way tickets.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Alanmanda san,
Actually single ticket is much cheaper. If you use this pass, you can use it for Tokyo-Kanazawa (Shirakawago)-Kyoto-Osaka only. Single ticket is around 20000 yen for this segment.
You can use one long distance ticket for this segment. You can make a stopover at Kanazawa.
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