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,
We will be flying into HND and will be staying near Yoyogi in Tokyo the first couple days. Our itinerary is below:
Day 1-2: Arrive at Haneda – Tokyo
Day 3: Take Romance car or JR to Hakone
Day 4-6: Kyoto
Day 7-9: Osaka, day trip to Nara
Day 10-15: Tokyo
My questions:
1. Would it make sense to get a 7-Day JR Pass or pay for individual tickets? Or, would another pass work better?
2. If we get the JR pass, should we start the pass on our trip from Tokyo to Hakone or Hakone to Kyoto? Or, would it be better to take the Romance car to Hakone and start using the pass on our trip to Kyoto? Not sure if the pass starts and ends at a specific time from when you use it or just the day.
3. Should I get a Hakone Pass pass as well? Is it worth it? I read it can be used in combination with the ticket to Hakone.
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Hi Daisy,
You may use 7 days JR pass from day 4 to 10, Hakone-Kyoto-Osaka-Nara-Tokyo.
You can use single fare to Hakone on Odakyu railway Romancecar. You may add Hakone Free Pass after you arrive in Hakone.
You can use other deal for staying in Tokyo. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your rapid response and for your advice!
Sorry, I’m a bit confused by the Hakone free pass. You mentioned that I should purchase after I arrive at Hakone, but I thought the pass would be used in combination with the base fare to travel to Hakone (add 890 yen to pass). I must have misunderstood your post here: https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-tokyo-hakone-kyoto-and-osaka-classic-route-in-7-days.html#Day_3_Tokyo_to_Hakone. Can you please kindly clarify for me?
Sorry for asking more questions, but can you also recommend the best way to get to Naka Gora station from Hakone-Yumoto?
Thanks!
Hi Daisy,
If you use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku, it includes round trip fare between Odawara and Shinjuku. But you will leave for Kyoto from Hakone. You don’t need to have round trip. You need only one way. That is why you can use Hakone Free Pass from Odawara and add single fare for Shinjuku to Odawara. This way is slightly cheaper than Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku. But if you want to take easier way, you can use Hakone Free Pass from Shinuku and give up one way from Odawara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I have the following Itinerary Sept 28-Oct 8:
Day 1: Kansai airport – Okayama
Day 2: Naoshima Day trip (from Okayama)
Day 3: Kurashiki day trip (from Okayama)
Day 4: Okayama to Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto to Tokyo (Asakusa)
Day 8: Tokyo (Kamakura day trip)
Day 9: Tokyo (Fuji day trip)
Day 10: Tokyo
Day 11: Tokyo – Narita airport
My research say the best combination is JR west Kansai Wide pass for the first 5 days then individual tickets after that. Can you please confirm, or advise a better pass?
Thank you,
Zed
Hi Zed,
Your choice is the right. You may use Platt Kodama for Kyoto to Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Please see the links below to find the info for day 8 to 11.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.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
Thankyou for the links and the fast reply 🙂
– Zed
No worries, Zed.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
This is my itenary plan, to go with my wife and kids in next month trip:
Day 1 : arrive at Narita in the evening, stay somewhere in Tokyo
Day 2~4 : Tokyo – Nagano – Kurobe to Tateyama (Apline Route) – Toyama – Takayama – Shirakawa~Go – Kanazawa – Kyoto
Day 4 : Kyoto
Day 5 : Osaka (USJ)
Day 6 : Osaka – Tokyo
Day 7 ~ 10 : Tokyo area sightseeing
Day 11 : Tokyo – Depart from Narita
My question :
a. What is the best ticket combination should I take?
b. In where should I spent a night on the first day, so I can catch up easily on early morning train the next day?
c. If I choose to have a one day trip to Nikko in someday around the day 7~10, any other ticket option do you recommend?
Thank you for your advise..
Hi Isn san,
1. JR Pass is your choice. You can use 7 days pass for the first 7 day. But some part of your trip in this 7 days are not covered by JR pass. Please see the link below to find more info:
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
2. It depends on your plan. Do you want to see some places in Nagano? Or can you access to Alpine route on day 2? If you want to see Nagano, you need to stay there on day 2. If you go to Alpine route right away, you can do so on day 2 and stay in Toyama. You can even go to Kanazawa on day 2.
3. You should go to Nikko on day 7. You can use JR pass to save your cost.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello! I will be traveling to Japan from Oct 17-28. Coming in from Narita anf exiting in Kansai airport. I will be staying in Saitama (Asakadai). My plan is to visit Tokyo from Oct 17-23 and then travel to Osaka. I will be visiting Osaka/Kyoto/Nara from Oct 23-28. Is JR pass recommended for this trip? Or should i just avail Tokyo Metro Pass? What should i purchase when i’m in Osaka?
Hi Kath,
Even though you stay in Saitama, you can follow my sample itinerary in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-make-the-itinerary-of-tokyo-osaka-one-way-trip.html
You can add single fare to take Tobu Railway Tojo line from Asakadai to Ikebukuro. This is the easiest way to get downtown Tokyo. You may add Suica or Pasmo instead of purchasing single ticket one by one:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html?src=gnavi
http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thanks for your feedback. I’ve checked your sample itinerary. Based from it, it’s not recommended to purchase JR pass since we’ll be on a Tokyo in, Osaka out trip right? Best option is to combine Tokyo Metro Pass & Suica correct?
Hi Kath san,
That is right. JR pass is too expensive. Suica and subway pass are okay in Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I am arriving Kansai airport 7.30 am then going to Nara and back to Nippombashi station in the evening. Would you please suggest the best way and fare for this trip? I dont have JR ticket.
Thanks
Vickie
Hi Vickie,
You may use Kansai area pass. Please see the links below:
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
You can find the route in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html#JR_trains
Nippombashi is not JR stations. Tsuruhashi is the closest. You can take Kintetsu railway from Tsuruhashi to Nippombashi by single fare ticket. You can find the fare at hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for the info here – extremely helpful! We are traveling to Japan in September – flying in/out of Nagoya but plan to spend most of our time around Osaka/Kyoto. Here is our planned itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Nagoya Airport, train directly to Osaka
Day 2-4: Osaka and day trip to Himeji
Day 5: Train from Osaka to Kyoto
Day 5-8: Kyoto and day trip to Nara
Day 8: Train from Kyoto to Nagoya
Day 8-9: Nagoya
Day 10: Fly home
Is there a rail pass that makes sense for us or are we better off buying individual tickets based on our itinerary?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Hi Ellie,
Single ticket is your choice for arrival day. But you can use Platt Kodama on the way back to Nagoya from Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
You have to purchase this by one day before trip day. That is why you cannot use it for arrival day.
You can use Kansai thru pass 3 days for trip to Himeji, Osaka to Kyoto and trip to Nara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
For sightseeing in Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/SUBWAY/TRP0001067.htm
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/chubu-ngo/chubu-nagoya-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-airport-station-and-access-to-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be staying near Nishitanabe Station and will go to Kyoto for a day trip, would JR West Kansai day pass, Hankyu Tourist day pass or Kintetsu Rail pass be better? Would be visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and the Bamboo Groves.
Also from Nishitanabe Station to Universal Studios, which train to use and is it better to buy a day pass or pay for single trips to and from. We are most likely to spend the day there.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Vivienne,
I recommend you to use JR West Kansai area pass one day. But Nishitanabe is subway station and subway is not covered by Kansai area pass. You need to get Tennoji by subway Midousuji line. It costs around 200 yen one way. Once you get Tennoji, you can take limited express Haruka to get Kyoto by this pass. It’s covered fully.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama can be accessed by JR local train from Kyoto.
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
For trip to USJ, single fare is okay. You can take subway to get Tennoji and then take JR Osaka Kanjo line to Nishikujo, and then transfer to JR Yumesaki line to Universal city station.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi for your reply, much appreciated.
For trip to Nara, to see the famous deer park, would single trips to and from be sufficient. I think some of the attractions in Nara are within walkable distance like the Todaji Temple. Thanks.
Hi Vivienne,
Single fare is okay to get Nara. You can take Yamatoji rapid train from Tennoji.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-get-nara-from-osaka-yamatoji-rapid-service.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I will travel from sapporo to hakodate by limited express train on 9/10/17.
Do i need to purchase ticket in advance ?
If yes, how many days in advance?
If not necessary, can just buy tickets at train station when i’m in sapporo or on the day of departure ?
Thank you
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
You can purchase it on the day of your trip at Sapporo station. You can purchase it in advance at Sapporo station too. And also you can purchase it online. Ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date. But if you use online, you need to pick up a ticket by one day before trip date.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Im going to Osaka next week. I will only be in Kansai region. Is thr JR West rail pass helpful.? Or I do not need it at all. And Im also a bit confused. When the line on the map says JR, are passengers without JR pass allowed?
Hi RR,
Before choosing the deal, please build the detailed trip plan. The following may help you to build the plan and learn about train network in Kansai region:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
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
I have a question on the JR Rail ticket.
If I am from SAPPORO(JR) and to HAKODATE (JR).
Total:¥ 8,830(TicketFare:¥ 5,720 Seat Fee:¥ 3,110)
Which mean i only need to pay ¥ 5,720? Then what is ¥ 3,110 for?
The Unreserved seat is ¥ 2590 and reserved seat is ¥ 3,110.
If i take the Unreserved seat, what is the total cost for Sapporo to Hakodate?
Thanks
Hi Chee Wai,
If you take limited express train, you need to pay both. If you take non reserved seat, seat fee is usually 500 yen cheaper than reserved seat fee. It’s varied by the season. When you check the fare at hyperdia, you can check unreserved seat fee too. When you see “Seat Fee” section. it’s drop down menu. You can choose unreserved seat fee and find the seat fee.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com