I have received many inquiries about Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka one way trip. I always recommend to use a regular ticket for this one way long distance train ride, such as from Tokyo to Kyoto, from Osaka to Tokyo. Because this one way trip is not enough to get the worth of JR Pass 7-day. I have written the post about the fare calculation before.
But I think this post was not enough to explain the fare rule. JR single ticket rule is very complicated for the tourists from oversea. But you do not need to know everything. If you understand some basic rules, single ticket is more useful and it gives you a trip at more affordable rate.
In this post, I will show you some basic rules of the regular ticket for the long distance train ride and how to use and purchase it.
How to purchase it
Simply you can purchase it at the station. If you make a short distance trip in the city or city to just outside city, you can purchase a ticket at the vending machine.
e.g.
Ueno to Tokyo (inside city)
Tokyo to Yokohama (city to just outside place)
Osaka to Universal City (inside city)
Osaka to Kyoto (city to outside place)
If you make a long distance trip, you still can buy a ticket at the vending machine. But the ticket window may be easier to purchase a long distance ticket for the foreign travelers. Especially if you intend to make a stopover on the way, you have to buy a ticket at the ticket window. Because you have to explain your trip plan.
If you want to take a limited express train, you have to purchase a limited express surcharge ticket too. Even if you want to take a non reserved seat on a limited express train, you have to purchase it. You can purchase both a reserved and a non reserved ticket for a limited express (the Shinkansen as well) at “Midori no Madoguchi”. Midori no Madoguchi is the name of JR reservation ticket window. You can purchase a base fare ticket at Midori no Madoguchi too. Please get the detail about reservation at the post below.
In the case of purchasing both base fare ticket and limited express surcharge ticket, you can purchase it in advance. An express surcharge ticket is on sale one month prior to a departure date.
e.g.
Tokyo to Kyoto travel on Dec 1
You can purchase the tickets after Nov 1.
You also can purchase the tickets at any JR stations if you buy both base fare and limited express surcharge at same time. For example, if you start to travel from Tokyo station, you can purchase it at Narita airport station on the day of arrival.
Base fare ticket can be purchased at any JR stations where station staff is on duty. There are many station without station staffs in remote area. In major cities and major stations, there are station staff. Even if you take a train at the station without station staff, you can purchase it from the conductor in the train.
How to get a fare
You can use Hyperdia to get the fare quite easily.
As you see above capture image of Hyperdia, you can get base fare and seat fare (includes surcharge). In this image, total fare is the following:
Base fare – 9560 yen
Shinkansen Nozomi (Tokyo – Shin-Osaka) – 5740 yen (reserved seat)
Ltd Exp Haruka (Shin-Osaka – Kansai airport) – 820 yen (reserved seat)
Total – 16120 yen
*The above image was captured in 2013. The fare was raised in April l, 2014 because of consumer tax was increased to 8% from 5%. The actual fare is different from the fare in the image above.
The price of Japan Rail Pass 7 days ordinary is 28300 yen. (New price is 29110 yen.) Total single fare is more than 10000 yen cheaper than 7 days pass price. This is the reason why I recommend to use single fare for Tokyo – Osaka one way transfer.
Validity
Please see the above capture image of Hyperdia again. You also can find a distance at Hyperdia. This is a key to use single ticket. Actually long distance ticket can be used in multiple days.
| Distance | Valid days |
|---|---|
| 101 – 200 km | 2 days |
| 201 – 400 km | 3 days |
| 401 – 600 km | 4 days |
| 601 – 800 km | 5 days |
| 801 – 1000 km | 6 days |
- From 1001 km and up, add 1 day every 200 km.
- If you travel more than 101 km but it is in Tokyo or Osaka zone only, ticket valid in one day only.
So in above capture image, distance is 613.4km. This ticket valid in 5 days.
Stopover
You can stopover as many as you want. Of course you cannot go back. Once you start to travel, you have to go forward. You have to care only one thing. When you depart/arrive to travel at the following areas, you cannot stopover in same areas.
- Sapporo
- Sendai
- Tokyo 23 wards
- Tokyo Yamanote line
- Yokohana
- Nagoya
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Kobe
- Hiroshima
- Kitakyushu
- Fukuoka
These areas are same as city limit. I show you some examples.
1. Above ticket (Tokyo – Kansai Airport)
You can NOT – Stopover at anywhere in Tokyo 23 wards. For example, after you start to travel from Tokyo, you cannot stopover at Shinagawa.
You can – Stopover at Kyoto, Osaka and anywhere outside of Tokyo 23 wards.
By the way, you can start to travel from anywhere in Tokyo 23 wards.
2. Ticket from Narita airport to Osaka
You can NOT – Stopover at anywhere in Osaka city. For example, you cannot stopover at Shin-Osaka. Once you exit at any stations in Osaka city, your ticket will be expired right away.
You can – Stopover at Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and anywhere outside of Osaka city.
By the way, when you travel through Tokyo downtown core, ticket will be calculated by the shortest route. For example, most typical route from Narita to Osaka via Tokyo, via Tokyo station and Shinagawa station. But if you want to go to Osaka via Akihabara and Shinjuku, you can take this route and stopover.
But in case of using limited express, you have to purchase limited express surcharge ticket for each segments.
ex) Tokyo – Osaka trip, stopover at Nagoya.
You have to purchase two Shinkansen tickets, Tokyo – Nagoya Shinkansen surcharge ticket and Ngoya – Shin-Osaka surcharge ticket.
Sample ideas
Please see above capture image of Hyperdia again. If you use this ticket, you can do the following itinerary.
Day 1 Tokyo – Kyoto (Stopover at Kyoto)
Day 2 Kyoto (no use single ticket)
Day 3 Kyoto – Osaka (Stopover at Osaka)
Day 4 One day trip to Kobe (purchase another single ticket.)
Day 5 Osaka – Kansai airport
When you arrive in Tokyo, you can use other deals, such as Suica & N’ex. And you have 5 days after you finish to see Tokyo. If you add Suica & N’ex one way ticket, total amount is 19620 yen. It is about 9000 yen cheaper than JR Pass 7 days.
I believe this is the perfect solution for Tokyo – Osaka one way travellers.
Comments
Hi Takeshi
I like to enquire if I can make the stopovers for my route shown below.
Kyoto > Tokyo base fare
Stopover 1 Nagoya
Stopover 2 Nagano
Kyoto > Nagoya Shinkansen
Nagoya > Nagano Tokkyu Shinano
Nagano > Tokyo
Also, I intend to go to Yudanaka from Nagano. Will I be able to use the base fare ticket for Nagano>Yudanaka? If not, do I have to exit Nagano station and then re-enter with suica card? Or there is a way without exiting Nagano station?
Thanks
Kelvin
Hi Kelvin,
If you complete your trip in 5 days, you can do it. When you purchase a ticket, don’t forget to mention to the staff that you want to take the route from Kyoto to Tokyo via Nagoya and Nagano. Otherwise you will get Kyoto to Tokyo direct route which you cannot go to Nagano.
You have to exit at Nagano station because it’s different railway, Nagano Railway. Suica cannot be used for this train. Please refer the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/nagano-station-guide-how-to-catch-the-bus-to-the-tourist-spots-how-to-change-between-hokuriku-shinkansen-and-other-local-trains.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Japan in April 2018.
I would like to know if the JR pass is worth it. Quite confusing to understand…
Day 1 Narita Airport
Day 2 Tokyo
Day 3 Tokyo
Day 4 Hakone
Day 5 Hakone to Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto
Day 7 Kyoto
Day 8 Kyoto to Osaka
Day 9 Osaka to Tokyo
Day 10 Tokyo
Day 11 Narita Airport
Thanks so much!
Hi Diana,
You may use JR pass 7 days for day 5 to 11.
You can use other deal for Narita arrival and staying in Tokyo. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
You may take Odakyu railway from Shinjuku to Hakone. It’s easier and more convenience.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
You can purchase just single ticket from Shinjuku to Odawara, and use Hakone Free Pass from Odawara. You may purchase both at Odakyu railway Shinjuku station.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
After that, you can use JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Will this information be valid for my trip in November 2017? I want to go from Tokyo to Kyoto with a 1 night stopover In Hakone. When I buy my ticket for the Hikari train, I will buy the base fare ticket for Tokyo-Kyoto and pay the Shinkansen surcharge for Tokyo-Odawara and then Odawara-Kyoto? Can all this be done in the ticket machine at Tokyo station or do I need to go to the booth? Thank you for your help.
Hi Liana,
It works. But you need to buy all tickets in the window. You cannot purchase one base fare ticket for Tokyo to Kyoto with stopover at Odawara and two separated Shinkansen tickets at the vending machine.
By the way, if you start your trip in west side of downtown Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Odakyu railway is better choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
In this case, you can use single ticket for trip to Hakone by Odakyu railway and use other JR ticket for Odawara to Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for the confirmation and clarification Takeshi! I considered Odakyu Railway to get to Hakone but we are staying very close to Tokyo station and in the interest of time (and a very active toddler), a faster and shorter route is preferred.
After reviewing my itinerary, I realize I am heading from Kyoto to Osaka on Day 5 (but flying out of KIX on Day 6 so cannot do Tokyo-Kansai). Originally I had planned to take the Hankyu railway from Karasuma to Umeda as a cheaper alternative into Osaka. Do you agree with this or will it be cheaper to buy Tokyo-Osaka with three different surcharge tickets e.g Tokyo-Odawara, Odawara-Kyoto, Kyoto-Osaka? Thank you.
Hi Liana,
It depends on the location to stay in Kyoto. If you stay near station of Hankyu railway, such as Karasuma, Kawaramachi, use single ticket to take Hankyu railway. It’s cheaper and faster. If you stay near JR Kyoto station, you may think about using one base fare ticket to Osaka. Trip from Kyoto to Osaka is only 30 minutes by commute rapid train. You don’t need to pay surcharge.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/rapid-service/special-rapid-service.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI there,
Can I please confirm that this ticket option would be suitable from Tokyo – Osaka (2 nights) – Hiroshima?
Where can I pre-purchase tickets from?
Hi Lauren,
You can use single ticket for your trip. Please see the first chapter “How to purchase it” in the post above. You can find how you can purchase your ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thankyou so much for this article! All the information online is always about the JR weekly pass, and I was struggling to understand how to get a basic one way ticket!
No worries, Andrew.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Good day to you.
Would wish to enquiry if this manner of travel is possible:
(Seishun 18 + Shinkansen tochuu ge sha)
Day 1 : Tokyo to Nagano (SS1)
Day 3: Nagano to Matsumoto (SS2), Matsumoto to Takayama (Bus)
Day 6: Takayama to Kyoto (SS3)
Day 7: Kyoto (SS4)
Day 9: Kyoto to Nagoya (Kyoto to Mishima (TCHE 1)
Day 11: Nagoya to Mishima (TCHE 3), Stopover Shizuoka for e.g. lunch, Mishima to Tokyo (SS5)
Not sure if this works, or if i am understanding your article correctly.
Thank you.
Patty
Hi Patty,
I think you meant that you will use Seishun 18 kippu for day 1, 3, 6 and 7. You will use regular ticket for day 9 and 11. Is this correct?
If so, your itinerary is feasible. I have a few things to mention.
1. When you go to Nagano from Tokyo, you have to take Tokyo-Shinjuku-Matsumoto-Nagano route. This is the fastest route by Seishun 18. You cannot go directly to Nagano from Tokyo.
2. You need to have Shinkansen ticket for each segment, Kyoto to Nagoya, Nagoya to Mishima and Mishima to Tokyo. I think you still have one more day left of Seishun 18. You can use it for either Kyoto to Nagoya or Mishima to Tokyo. You can even use for both and stop using it for day 7. It may give you more worth.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thank you for your reply. That’s really a good tip there to use Seishun as connection between the 2 segments from Kyoto to Tokyo. I didnt thought of that combination.
I was checking out hyperdia for local/ rapid train from Kyoto to Tokyo… It seems that there is a very high chance to miss a connection in the day, and to mess up the ride. May I please enquiry further on which part of the Kyoto to Tokyo along the Seishun 18 will be better to add in 1 leg of Kodama ride to smooth the ride. I am thinking of Tohayashi to Mishmi? Not sure which station – station will be able to strike a decent balance between cost and time.
Thank you for your help.
Patty
Hi Patty,
Toyohashi to Mishima is the best. Train runs more frequently between Kyoto and Nagoya/Toyohashi, and between Mishima and Tokyo than Toyohashi to Mishima.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
Thanks for your help.
Just a question: i was checking out this
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html
However, I am unsure if December 2017 pass is available for foreigners. It seems like only the japanese webpage updated. Will I be able to get the ticket at Haneda International?
Thanks.
Hi Patty,
I’m not sure it will be available at Haneda or not. But this pass is available for everybody. Even if you cannot get it at Haneda, you can purchase it at other JR stations, like Shinagawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Firstly i would like to thank you for your help. I have just returned from my solo travel using the 18 kippu and was blew away by the scenery during the train journey. I survived the local transfers from, Tokyo to Matsumoto, Kanazawa to Kyoto as well as from Kyoto to Tokyo. Although there are numerous train transfers in Japan, the stations are nicely layout to faciliate them.
Secondly, i would wish to answer own question for the benefit of the readers. Yes, you can buy the 18 kippu at Haneda at the travel service centre next to the monorail station. Feel free to try the challenge, you will meet nice people along the travel 🙂
Finally once again, thank you for your work in maintaining this webpage. Really appreciate your travel advice.
Patty
Hi Patty,
Thank you for sharing your experience. Your comment encourages many travelers to make a trip by local trains!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We are planning to travel as following schedule:
10 Nov Arrival in Kansai Airport at 10.30pm
11 Nov Osaka/ Kobe
12 Nov Nara
13 Nov Osaka – Kyoto (JR)
14 Nov Kyoto
15 Nov Kyoto
16 Nov Kyoto -Tokyo (JR)
17 Nov Tokyo
18 Nov Tokyo
19 Nov Departure from Narita
A few quick questions:
1. Are there still buses/ trains to Namba at 11.30pm from Kansai?
2. I have 2 inter-city travel from Osaka to Kyoto and Kyoto to Tokyo. Does it make sense to get the JR Pass?
3. Should I get 2 single tickets instead for inter-city route?
Thank you.
Hi Karen,
1. You can catch a bus to Namba.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/NB
You may be able to catch Nankai railway’s last train to Namba. It depart at 23:55.
2. JR pass is too much. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-and-tokyo-in-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
This is very great article!
I found this when planning my last trip and I think I’m ready to try this single-ticket scheme for my next trip 🙂
I’m planning to go to Japan this October. I want to do a day trip to Hitachi Park from Tokyo then go to Matsumoto on the next day (via Kofu), stay there for 1 night then go to Alpine Route the next day.
I checked Hyperdia and it’s 397.4 km between Katsuta Stn and Shinano-Omachi Stn so the ticket is valid for 3 days, right? But can I make stopovers at Kofu, Tokyo and Matsumoto?
Appreciate your help with this 🙂
Thanks!
Irena
Hi Irena,
You can use single ticket from Katsuta to Shinano-Omachi with some stopovers. However where you will go after alpine route? I’m thinking JR East Pass Niigata Nagano may be better choice if you go back to Tokyo after alpine route.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-niigata-and-nagano-flex-5-days-pass-in-14-days-period-to-cover-kanto-region-nagano-and-niigata.html
Cheers.
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your reply.
I’m going to finish the Alpine Route trip at Toyama, stay there for 1 night then go back to Tokyo. But I don’t think the JR East Pass Niigata Nagano covers up until Toyama?
Cheers,
Irena
Hi Irena,
JR East pass does not cover Toyama. You need to add single fare and Shinkansen surcharge for Toyama to Joetsu-Myoko. Joetsu-Myoko is a border station. It costs about 5,000 yen. But even if you add this extra fare, JR East pass may be better choice. If you purchase a ticket for Katsuta-Kofu-Matsumoto-Shinano-Omachi and Toyama to Tokyo, it is slightly cheaper than JR East pass + extra. However you may take train from Tokyo to Katsuta. If you add this fare, JR East pass + extra is cheaper. And also you have one or two days of JR East pass still. You can use it for other trip, like airport to Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Right! That makes sense. I guess I can spend the extra day for a trip to Nikko. I heard it’d be beautiful in autumn 🙂
If I combine the JR East Pass with the single ticket, do I have to get off at Joetsumyoko? Can I reserve the same seat all the way from Toyama to Tokyo?
Cheers,
Irena
Hi Irena,
No. You can keep on riding train from Toyama to Joetsu-Myoko.
When you get JR East pass, you can purchase and book a ticket for Toyama to Joetsu-Myoko too. You can get same seat from Toyama to Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Awesome! I’ll go and adjust my itinerary a bit to fully benefit from the pass.
Thanks a lot for your help . So excited about the trip 🙂
Cheers,
Irena
No worries, Irena.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Would appreciate if you could kindly advise which passes would be most suitable for my trip.
9 DAYS 8 NIGHTS – TOKYO-KYOTO-OSAKA
Tokyo – staying at Shinjuku-ku, Hyakunincho
Day 1 – West side of Tokyo
Day 2 – East side of Tokyo
Kyoto – staying at Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Station
Day 3 – Higashiyama sightseeing district
Day 4 – Arashiyama sightseeing district
Day 5 – Kurama and Kibune, Northern Higashiyama
Osaka – staying at Kita-ku Sonezaki
Day 6 – Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
Day 7 – Minami District and Tennoji
Hi Amy,
If you leave from Kansai airport, 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
Thank you Takeshi San.
That means I buy Shinkasen base fare ticket and limited express ticket and I can only use them when I transfer from Tokyo to Kyoto, and from Kyoto to Osaka?
Hi Amy san,
You need to purchase a ticket for Tokyo to Kyoto and Kyoto to Osaka separately. Even if you can use one base fare ticket from Tokyo to Osaka with stopover in Kyoto, total fare is not much different from purchasing separately.
You need Shinkansen ticket for Tokyo to Kyoto. For Kyoto to Osaka, it’s only 30 minutes ride by commuter train. You need only base fare ticket.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/rapid-service/special-rapid-service.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks again Takeshi san.
Do I have to purchase the Shinkansen ticket in advance or I can buy it on the day of transfer from tokyonto Kyoto itself?
Also is reserved seat advised?
Hi Amy,
I recommend you to reserve your seat in advance. Especially if you travel with someone, advanced reservation is highly recommended to get the seat side by side.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi san
The bullet train I am taking from Tokyo to Kyoto is Hikari on the Tokaido Shinkansen line?
Hi Amy san,
You can take either Nozomi. It’s faster than Hikari.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Which fare is cheaper for a single trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, Shinkasen or Nozomi?
Hi Amy,
Nozomi is one of Shinkansen trains which is faster than Hikari. The fare is a bit higher than Hikari. 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 this great page, I didn’t know that single tickets are valid for more than 1 day until I read this site 🙂
I still hope to seek your advise on the below as I am not 100% sure if my understanding is correct:
1. Is it possible to use a single ticket for Osaka to Yokohama (535.5km) with stopover at Mishima?
13 Oct – board train from Osaka station
13 Oct – stopover at Mishima station as stopover
16 Oct – continue from Mishima to Yokohama
2. There are options on HyperDia with 1-3 transfers for Osaka to Yokohama. Can I still use a single trip ticket for a stopover at Mishima if there are more than 1 transfer in the route?
3. I want to visit the Fuji 5 lakes during the 3 days stopover at Mishima. Read about ‘Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini’ pass and the Fuji Hakone Pass. Would the Fuji Hakone pass be better as it covers Ropeway?
4. I don’t however, see Mishima in the map for the Fuji Hakone pass so am not sure if it is the appropriate pass to get to travel from Mishima, or are bus trips from Mishima covered by the Fuji Hakone pass too?
Thank you in advance for your time and guidance.
Hi Lycia,
1. You can use one base fare ticket for this trip. It’s valid for 4 days.
2. You can change and make stopovers as many as you want.
3,4. Fuji Hakone Pass is a good choice but you cannot purchase it at Mishima. You need to get Odawara. And also bus from Mishima to Lake Kawaguchi is not covered. Even if you have this pass, you need to get Hakone from Mishima first. And then you can take other bus to get Lake Kawaguchi. Please see the link below:
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/fujihakone/pdf/map-freepass_fujihakone-en.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com