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 there
We will be visiting Japan for two weeks in April, partly to visit our son in Kanazawa.
My plan is to stay 3 nights in Tokyo, then take the train to Kanazawa on the Sunday, and return to Tokyo on the following Saturday.
We also want to visit Osaka and Kyoto as day trips from Kanazawa, by train – is it worth getting the JR Pass? Our son will have to pay for the day trips, will that be very expensive?
Many thanks
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
If you are sure to go to Kyoto and Osaka from Kanazawa, 7 days pass is cheaper than total fare (Return ticket from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto via Kanazawa). If you have only return trip to Kanazwawa from Tokyo, don’t buy the pass. Single fare is cheaper.
Return fare from Kanazawa to Osaka is around 15000 yen. Please see the following post to get more details:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/compare-japan-rail-pass-with-regular-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Kon’nichiwa sir..
My name is Hakiki, from indonesia, me and my family are planning to explore Japan on April.
We are planning to arrive in Tokyo, Haneda on April, 12th 2013, around 23:00.
The places we want to explore:
Day1 – to Fukuoka (stay overnight)
Day2 – to Hiroshima (stay overnight)
Day3 – to Fukuyama/Okayama continue to Osaka
(Fukuyama/Okayama can be skip if there is not enough time)
Day4 – Osaka/Kyoto (stay overnight)
Day5 – Osaka/Kyoto (stay overnight)
Day6 – Nagoya (stay overnight)
Day7 – Fuji (stay overnight)
Day8 – to Tokyo
Day9 – Tokyo
Day10 – Tokyo
Day11 – Tokyo
Day12 – Tokyo Jakarta
It’s a reverse of your sample itineraries.
Will the schedule of 7 days of JR pass will be fit to what we plan ?
Or if there any one of the places that I have mention above is not really necessary to visit during our tour to Japan. Please give us some advise.
Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu,
Hakiki
Hi Hakiki
7 days pass will be fine for your trip. Day 8 will not be covered. But Mt. FUji is not much far from Tokyo.
I just want to mention some points to you.
1. It will be long trip from Tokyo to Fukuoka. It takes 6 hours or more. I don’t know what you want to see at Fukuoka. But if I were you, I will expand one more night in Kyushu, Kumamoto or Nagasaki. There are lots of places in Kyushu. May be you can skip Fukuyama and Okayama. You can drop by one of these places on the way to Osaka from Hiroshima.
2. Nagoya is considerable. How about Takayama or Kanazawa? For me, these places are more attractive than Nagoya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you very much for your suggestions.
it is really helpful. Will plan our journey from Nagasaki – Kyushu (is it Kitakyushu?) – Hiroshima – Osaka/Kyoto – Kanazawa or Takayama – end up in Tokyo.
Any suggest links that I should open to make our journey easier, sir? That would be great. Thanks again.
Hakiki
Hi Hakiki,
How about this?
http://japan-guide.com/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks again sir
Hi Hakiki,
I have a few tips for you also about what to do in the places you will visit.
If you visit Nagasaki, you should definitely visit “Gunkanjima”, and old coal mining island that has been abandoned to the elements for 40 years. You can make the reservation over the phone (in Japanese) or at Nagasaki port.
I don’t know a lot about Kitakyushu City (the main station is Kokura), but nearby is Mojiko station, which is a lovely old station building and is quite famous.
Normally, between Takayama and Kanazawa, I would choose Takayama. However if you time your travel (i.e. around 2nd week of April), Kanazawa will be in Sakura (cherry blossom) season. Kenrokuen Garden is a very famous garden, one of Japan’s “Top Three” and will be spectacular if you can visit in this week, but only that week. Otherwise I would choose Takayama, especially if you can visit Shirakawa-go (I suggest you look up these places on Japan Guide that Takeshi suggested).
Enjoy your trip,
Jonathan Ayre
Thanks a lot Jonathan
Hi I am planning the following atm from 12 – 23 april, can you please advise
12: arv Osaka (base here til 15th morning)
13: explore Kyoto
14: explore Kobe
15: fly to Sapporo from Osaka (with Peach)
15 -16: stay at Ryokan somewhere away from Sapporo, probably more southern
17 – 21: travel around Hokkaido but based at Sapporo
22: fly to Tokyo ( i chose flying b/c it’s faster and it’s reasonable price within Qantas / JAL Express)
24: fly back home to Australia
Questions:
1) Is it cheaper to purchase individual tickets while I am in Osaka (going to Kyoto and Kobe
2) When I am in Hokkaido, I want to get the 7 days JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, can i use it on all the trains. I read somewhere that it can use on all the trains, but is there any limitation like the JR East Pass that you can’t travel on certain trains?
3) I have been to Tokyo a few times, but I just want to venture out to Sugamo and adjacent stations on the Yamanote line.. so i just get the individual ticket.. is there another option so i don’t have to get a new ticket everytime i hop on and off the stations on the Yamanote line?
thanks
edward
Hi Edward,
If you stay in Umeda or Shin-Osaka area in Osaka, ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket is the best.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
1) You can use ICOCA e-money for excursion in Osaka. You can ride the train without purchasing ticket every time. Even if you stay in Namba area, ICOCA and Haruka may be considerable. You can use Haruka express train to just Tennoji and need to transfer the local train. However the price at 4000 yen is almost same as round trip fare between Tennoji and KIX. This ticket includes 1500 yen e-money. It is the best and perfect deal.
2) It covers all trains in Hokkaido. See the following post:
https://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
3) How about Suica and N’ex or Suica and Monorail?
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-monorail/index.html
It is same type ticket as ICOCA and Haruka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi
thanks for your great help. i will look at the links you posted and put them into my plan
ed
Hi,
I’ve planned the following for travel later this month,
24th – Tokyo
25th – Tokyo
26th – Mt Fuji (Self-drive)
27th – Self drive to Shizuoka and take the Tokaido line to Kyoto
28th – Kyoto (and maybe Osaka)
29th – Tokyo
30th – Tokyo – Maihama
I’ve been looking at the JR pass for the past few days and must admit is getting confused with how much I can use them within Tokyo, on what’s included and not. It’s gonna be my first time in Japan… .
Hopefully you can help me out if the JR pass is worth while?
Cheers
Lionel
Hi Lionel,
Yes. Japan Rail Pass 7 days meets your trip. You can use the pass to go to Maihama (maybe TDL?) See the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
And also you can use it for access to Heneda or Narita too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
A group of friends and I (total 6 people) are planning on coming to Japan for a week near the end of May.
This is our tentative itinerary
21: Arrive in Tokyo; either fly to Osaka or take the shinkansen to Osaka
22: Go to Himeji (day trip) from Osaka
23: Go to kyoto (day trip) from Osaka or possible overnight stay at a ryokan
24: Go to Mt. fuji area, possible overnight stay around the fujigoko area at a ryokan if we did not stay at one in kyoto
25: Go to tokyo from mt. fuji area
26: tokyo
27: depart from tokyo/airport near tokyo
Do you think it will be worth it to get the JR 7-day pass? If we take the shinkansen to and from Osaka from tokyo, it looks like it’s a good deal to me already.
I think we can also get a Pasmo or Suica card for other transportation while we are in Tokyo
Thank you!
Hi Michael,
As you think, if you have a round trip to Osaka from Tokyo, JR pass 7 days is a good deal. If you take a flight, you cannot make worth of it.
Please see the following links to get more details about your questions:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/compare-japan-rail-pass-with-regular-fare.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/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi!
I am going to Japan from 19-30 April. So my plan is:
19th-22nd: Tokyo
23rd-27th: Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima
27th : take a night train to Hokkaido
29th: take a night train from Hokkaido to Tokyo
30th: back to Germany ( my flight will be at 12 AM 30.4 from Tokyo Narita airport)
Therefore I plan to purchase a 7-day JR pass and active this JRP from 23rd.
Do you think that would be enough to purchase a 7-day JR pass?
Thank you very much
Hi Thuung,
Yes. You can make the worth of 7 days pass easily.
But I am wondering you have any plan to book overnight train. It is very hard to book from outside of Japan by yourself.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I am visiting Japan at the beginning of April for two weeks as follows:-
Day 1 Flight arrives in Osaka
Day 2 Mount Koya (day trip – return to Osaka)
Day 3 Nara (day trip – return to Osaka)
Day 4 Kyoto
Day 5 Kyoto
Day 6 Takayama
Day 7 Takayama
Day 8 Tokyo – explore Asakusa and Odaiba
Day 9 Tokyo – explore Western Tokyo
Day 10 Kamakura (to attend a wedding)
Day 11 Kamakura
Day 12 Tokyo
Day 13 Tokyo
Please can you advise whether it is worth getting a 14 day pass
Thanks
Hi J Hau,
Actually, both JR Pass 7 days and 14 days are not suitable for your trip. As I checked your itinerary, only Kyoto-Takayama-Tokyo part is a long transfer. But it costs about 20000 to 21000 yen. You know JR Pass 7 days is 28300 yen. Yes, you will use the pass in Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo and Kamakura. But most of short trips will be less than 1000 yen. Even if you use 7 days pass for your trip day 5 to 11, it will be not enough.
If you go back to Osaka after staying in Tokyo, JR Pass is considerable. But if you leave Japan from Tokyo, it is not enough.
So, you may think about some rail passes or discount tickets in Osaka and Tokyo. And purchase single ticket from Kyoto to Takayama and Takayama to Tokyo. See the following links to get more details about pass in Osaka or Tokyo.
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/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-kansai-airport-to-downtown-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-narita-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/subway-in-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi – My husband and I plan to visit Japan in the spring for two weeks. Is it better to buy a 2 week Japan Rail ticket or buy the tickets for each segment when we get to Japan? Here is our current itinerary:
Days 1-3: Tokyo
Days 4-5: Takayama
Days 6 – 8: Nagano
Days 9-11: Kyoto
Day 12: Tokyo
Thank you.
Hi Catherine,
14 days pass is too expensive. If you can squeeze Takayama, Nagano and Kyoto in 7 days, that is the best and cheapest way. If you cannot, put Nagano in the last part of your trip before you come back to Tokyo. Because Nagano is the closer to Tokyo than Kyoto and Takayama.
Start to use JR Pass 7 days on day 4
Day4-5 Takayama
Day6-8 Kyoto
Day9-11 Nagano
You need to pay a single fare to Tokyo from Nagano. You can find an exact fare at Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi!
My family wants to travel in Japan in April as follows:
Plan A
Day 1: Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Disney Sea
Day 4: Mt. Fuji
Day 5: Osaka
Day 6: Osaka
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto
Day 9: Takayama
Day 10: Tokyo
Plan B
Day 1: Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo
Day 3: Disney Sea
Day 4: Mt. Fuji
Day 5: Osaka
Day 6: Osaka
Day 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto
Day 9: Takayama
Day 10: Nagano: Ski
Day 11: Nagano: Ski
Day 12: Nagano: Ski
Day 13: Not sure yet
Day 14: Not sure yet
Day 15: Tokyo
Day 16:Tokyo
Should we buy 7-day JR pass for Plan A and 14-day JR pass for plan B? Would it be the cheapest way to travel?
Thank you very much.
Hi Mai Panc,
If you take plan A, I recommend you to use 7 days pass for Day 4 to 10. If you take plan B, I still recommend you to use 7 days pass for Day 4 to 10. Don’t purchase 14 days pass. It is too much. Simply purchase a single ticket from Nagano to Tokyo. This way is cheaper than 14 days pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Sonja,
We are travelling into Osaka this Sat (8 Dec) arriving Kansai airport at 7am, we have booked hotel in Shin osaka for 7 nights. We plan to buy the Icoca & Haruka package so that we have return trip covered from KIX to Shin Osaka.
Here’s our itineary:
Day 1 & 2: Osaka ( we plan to get the Osaka Unlimited 2 days Pass)
Day 3 &4: Osaka – Kyoto – Osaka
Day 5: Osaka – Nara – Osaka
Day 6: Osaka – Kobe – Osaka
Day 7: Osaka/Namba
Day 8: KIX morning 10am flight.
May I know what is the best rail pass & most worthwhile pass we should be getting for Day 3 – 6 please?
thank you very much.
Hi wm,
First of all, please see the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
As long as you travel among Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe, single ticket is cheaper than any types of pass. You may purchase Kyoto city pass for subway and bus. But if you take bus/subway less than 5 times, single ticket may be cheaper. You can use ICOCA for the trip to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe.
P.S. Sonja is just one of the visitors. 🙂
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail