For non JR pass travellers. Guide to use JR single ticket, basic rules, validity and stopover

Fare table
2013.07.04
This is not a regular JR ticket but a typical JR train ticket looks like this.

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.

Guide to plan your trip. Fare Calculation
This post explains you the information about the fare calculation of the trains in Japan.
jprail.com
2010.08.29

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.

How to reserve a seat of Japan Railway trains at the station and online
Japanese train seat reservation is a bit tricky. The online reservation is very limited and you have to book it in most cases. This post explains you how to manage the booking.
jprail.com
2009.12.30

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.

Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
If you want to build your itinerary by yourself, Hyperdia will help you a lot. This site is transportation search engine. You can search the timetables and routes of all trains, flights and airport shuttle bus. But this site is a bit tricky and too many functions and options to you. This guide will help you to find the way to use this site.
jprail.com
2013.11.26
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.

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.

DistanceValid days
101 – 200 km2 days
201 – 400 km3 days
401 – 600 km4 days
601 – 800 km5 days
801 – 1000 km6 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

  1. Scott says:
    January 7, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    I have been using your guide to decide on a route from Hakkodate to Tokyo (Ueno) with stops in Nagaoka as we will be staying three nights in Urasa.

    As you suggested, using the single ticket option should work out to be a money saver as opposed to buying the East rail pass (+ add ons).

    What I would really thank you for is if you could simply point out any error in my plan if you spot it, and/or confirm that this plan meets the requirements you have explained in detail on your page.

    We would purchase a one-way ticket on Feb. 3 Hakkodate – Ueno. The distance is 949.7 Km so that would give us 5 or 6 days of flexibility. We would stop on Feb. 3 in Nagaoka and buy our own separate return ticket Nagaoka – Urasa. Then on Feb. 6 we would return to Nagaoka and continue our travel to Ueno to arrive on 6 Feb.

    It certainly appears to be less than the JP East rail pass for 5 days and we are quite sure we would want to try this out.

    Should you spot any errors in judgement please let me know. I suppose that to get the fares online now for this trip we would need to make an advance purchase.

    Thank you in advance

    Scott

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      January 7, 2015 at 11:30 pm

      Hi Scott,

      You are right. Single ticket and separate express surcharge is cheaper than JR East Pass + add on. But I recommend you to use JR East pass because it’s not different so much. If you use single fare for Hakodate – Ueno via Nagaoka, the total of base fare and express surcharge is 23930 yen. I include limited express surcharge for all segments except Nagaoka – Urasa. If you take Shinkansen for this segment, you have to pay another 860 yen for one way at least. So total fare will be more than 25000 yen.

      On the other hand, if you use JR East Pass, you have to pay extra for Hakodate – Kanita segment. Kanita is the fast station in JR East area when you reach from Hokkaido side. This extra charge is 4470 yen for base fare and express surcharge. Total is 26470 yen.

      And also trip time is quite different. If you use single fare, you have to take Hakodate – Aomori- Akita – Niigata – Nagaoka route. If you take 7:24 Hakodate departure, you will be Nagaoka at 17:07. You need to be on board for 10 hours plus transfer three times at Aomori, Akita and Niigata.

      If you use JR East pass, you can take Shinkansen route, Hakodate – Shinaomori – Omiya – Nagaoka. The distance is actually longer than the route above. But Shinkansen is so much faster than conventional trains. If you take 7:24 Hakodate departure, you will be Nagaoka at 14:12.

      How about it? In my opinion, extra a few thousand yen is worth paying to get 3 hours.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  2. Albert says:
    January 3, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Hello Takeshi!
    First of all, congratulations to the great job you’re doing here with your comments for all kinds of folks who are scared of the complexity of the Japan railway system.
    Me, I will be visiting Japan (first time ever in my life) in the beginning of July 2015. I will arrive to Osaka (Kansai) and I want to spend 1 day in Kobe, 2-3 days in Kyoto, 2 days in Osaka (incl. a day trip to Nara) and several days in the Tokyo/Yokohama area (incl. one day devoted to Fuji and one day to Nikko).
    According to your many comments, I guess the JR travel pass is not a big option for me, especially as I plan to take one trip (perhaps the return trip from Tokyo to Osaka?) by an overnight bus (as I also saves me the cost of one hotel night). Thus, I was wondering how to best use the one-way Shinkansen ticket (from the Kansai area to Tokyo), so as to include as many Kansai cities during the period of validity (5 days, correct?). Can I start the trip in Kyoto and make a stopover in either Kobe or Osaka when going to Tokyo, or it is not allowed since those two cities are not on the way?
    Another issue for me is the reservation of seats. Do I have do make a separate reservation of a particular seat for a particular train (I still mean the Shinkansens, of course)? If I interrupt my journey (cut it into several smaller journeys), it means I am taking different trains each time. Or it is not necessary to make a reservation of a particular seat (you just board the train and sit whenever a free seat is available)?
    Another question is the availability of places. If I am not mistaken, it is not possible to purchase the Shinkansen tickets online in advance (i.e. in Europe where I’m based it is a common practice – you just print them at home)? Can I be sure that when I arrive to Japan, I will be able to buy the tickets for any train that I want to use? What about the price, is it always fixed and it does not depend on how much in advance you buy the ticket? Sorry for those questions but I’m just referring to what I know as a common rule in many countries in Europe. Generally, the sooner you buy, the lower the price (even by 50-80%!), and sometimes if you want to buy a ticket just on the departure day, you might not get any (all’s already sold out!). That’s why I ask all my questions.
    Thank you in advance and all the best in 2015!
    Albert

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      January 3, 2015 at 11:00 am

      Hi Albert,

      You can use single ticket and drop by Kyoto and Osaka. But you can’t include Kobe. Because Kobe is not located on the way to Tokyo. You have to purchase another ticket.
      If you can fix your schedule when you purchase the ticket, you can book and purchase Shinkansen ticket when you purchase base fare ticket. But you don’t need tosy take Shinkansen other than Kyoto-Tokyo. If you want to have a flexibility, you can purchase non reserved seat ticket. You can take any Shinkansen trains. But the seat is not secured. It’s not happen other than super busy period, like New Years holidays, but if the seat is full, you have to be standing passenger otherwise you have to wait for next train.

      It’s easy to book Shinkansen. You may not be able to purchase the ticket for the train that you want to use. But there are so many trains. If you can take next train, it will be fine. Shinkansen runs almost every 10 minutes. If you take next train, it will not be a big issue. I put Shinkansen timetable at the below:
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf

      At last, if you are okay to see Mt. Fuji from Hakone, you can drop by there on the way to Tokyo. I have a sample itinerary. It’s reverse plan. But you may get some idea to build your plan.
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-tokyo-hakone-kyoto-and-osaka-classic-route-in-7-days.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Albert says:
        January 4, 2015 at 2:12 am

        Thank you, Takeshi. I’ll have a close look at what you’ve advised me to do and in case, I’ll need some further help, I’ll post my questions again. All the best!

  3. Jenny says:
    December 19, 2014 at 6:31 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have plan go to Japan Spring 2015 (aroung end of march or early April). my itinerary is same as your sample Tokyo-Osaka 1 way travelers.
    my itinerary as below
    Day 1 Tokyo – downtown
    Day 2 Tokyo – Asakusa temple
    Day 3 Kyoto
    Day 4 Kyoto
    Day 5 Osaka – Kobe
    Day 6 Osaka

    I have some question to ask as below
    – So this same ticket (JR single ticket) I can stay 2 night in Kyoto and 1 day sightseeing in Kobe then arrive in Osaka?
    – Please advise how to go from Narita or Haneda Airport to Ikebukuro station? I plan to use single fare ticket to sightseeing in downtown.
    – Could you inform how to go to Asakusa temple? because I just know the circle of Yamamoto line
    – This JR single ticket could be purchase in “Midori no Madoguchi (みどりの窓口)” on Tokyo Station, may I know where I can find it if I will stay near Ikebukuro station? I’m prefer to buy on the spot (day 2 in Tokyo). is that ok?
    – in your others article, ICOCA & Haruka is very useful in Osaka and ICOCA could be used in Kyoto, so according to you in Kyoto I need to buy ICOCA & Haruka because I reach Kyoto first then Osaka?
    I’m sorry for my stupid question, thanks in advance for your help.

    Regards,
    Jenny

  4. Evelyn says:
    December 10, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    Just to clarify on the usage of JR rail pass on tyoko metro, does it cover free use of all the lines under the tyoko metro map for eg: Ginza line / Chiyoda Line / Asakusa Line etc or only the faint grey lines?

    Do i need to purchase a new ticket to take the colored lines?

    thanks

  5. Evelyn says:
    December 10, 2014 at 1:19 am

    Hi Takeshi

    Can i check whether children of age 7 and 5 years old are required to buy the JP Rail pass too?
    Are there any senior discounts?

    If my itinerary require me to return to tokyo to take the return flight, is JP rail necessary then?
    Itinerary as follows –

    day 1 arrive narita/ tokyo
    day 2 disneysea
    day 3 nikko
    day 4 mt fuji
    day5-6 kyoto
    day 7 return to narita for departure.

    is the above itineray too tight?

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 10, 2014 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Evelyn,

      Only 7 years old is required JR Pass. 5 years old is free but one of you have to share the seat with 5 years old child. You can’t book the seat for this child.
      I have 5 years old daughter and I purchased the pass for my daughter because she was too big to share the seat with us.

      Your itinerary is okay. But in my opinion, Nikko is not recommended for children. You will visit Kyoto and Nikko has similar things to Kyoto. If I were you, I spend one more day for disney or visit Osaka.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. sapna says:
    December 4, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    Hi Sir

    This is Sapna from INDIA. I will be in Japan on 10 DEC 2014. as I am coming to OSAKA airport, from there I would like to go to KYOTO then FUKUOKA. I would like to travel by train but don’t want to purchase a rail pass.

    Please tell me, is there any web site from which I could be able to purchase train tickets in advance while sitting in INDIA as well?????

    Thanks
    Sapna

    S

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 4, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Hi Sapna,

      You cannot purchase a ticket online. And you don’t need to. There are lots of trains from Airport to Kyoto and between Kyoto and Hakata (Fukuoka). You can book and purchase on the spot. You can book and purchase all tickets at Kansai airport station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. Louisa says:
    November 25, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    Hi, I will be travelling japan for the 1st time soon and will be going for a 12 days free-and-easy trip. I find your website very informative but was a bit overwhelmed by so much information. I’m still confused on which is the cheapest combination of train tickets to buy. My itinerary is as follow:

    Day 1: Tokyo
    Day 2: Tokyo
    Day 3: Tokyo (Day trip to Nikko)
    Day 4: Tokyo
    Day 5: Tokyo
    Day 6: Kyoto
    Day 7: Kyoto
    Day 8: Osaka
    Day 9: Osaka (Day trip to Nara)
    Day 10: Osaka (Day trip to Kobe)
    Day 11: Osaka
    Day 12: Osaka

    Appreciate your kind advice on this.

  8. Mel Min says:
    November 17, 2014 at 6:34 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have been following yr posts which have been very informative. However, I am still unclear and wish to seek yr advice. My itinerary as follows:

    Day 1- Arrive Chubu airport. Overnight Nagoya. (Meitetsu Inn Nishiki near Hisayaodori station)
    Day 2 – Nagoya to Kyoto. (Khaosan kyoto theater near Kyoto station)
    Day 3 – Explore Kyoto
    Day 4 – Kyoto to Osaka (Hotel Misono near Namba station)
    Day 5 to 6 – Osaka city tour
    Day 7 – Day trip to Kobe
    Day 8 – Osaka to Tokyo (Sakura hostel Asakusa near Asakusa metro station)
    Day 9 – Day trip to Mt Fuji/Hakone
    Day 10 – Tokyo to Narita airport.

    Is it advisable to buy JR 7 Day Pass? If not which is the best package to buy? Thanks.

  9. Gee says:
    October 15, 2014 at 10:58 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have to say this website is wonderful and you’re extremely helpful. We’re planing a trip to Japan. My itinerary is as follows:

    Nov 21 – Arrive at Haneda Airport. Head to hotel in Tokyo

    Nov 22 – Sightseeing in Tokyo

    Nov 23 – Sightseeing & shopping in Tokyo

    Nov 24 – Head to Hakone

    Nov 25 – Kyoto

    Nov 26 – Nara

    Nov 27 – Kyoto

    Nov 28 – Osaka

    Nov 29 – KIX

    I understand it would be advisable to buy a one way ticket but since we’re going to be staying for almost nine days what would be our best option. I’m extremely confused and I’m hoping you’ll help me.

    Thank you so much

    Gee

  10. May says:
    October 15, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Hi Takeshi

    Reading this site really helps me in planning my travel in December 2014, thanks 🙂
    My current travel plan:

    12/12: Arrive Osaka Kansai Airport in the morning.
    13-14/12: In-bound tour to Shirakawago, kanazawa, takayama
    15-16/12: Explore Osaka
    17/12: Depart to Kyoto from Osaka by rail in the morning
    18/12: Explore Kyoto
    19/12: Depart to Tokyo from Kyoto by rail in the morning
    20/12: Explore Tokyo
    21/12: Day trip to Mt Fuji / Hakone from Tokyo
    22/12: Explore Tokyo
    23/12: Flying off from Haneda airport in the morning

    Please advise on the transport on rail for this itinerary, thanks in advance.

    May

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