All Shikoku Rail Pass. The best deal to visit Shikoku and covers all train services in Shikoku.

Anpanman trainRail pass for visitors
At Matsuyama castle. Plum trees were blooming.

All Shikoku Rail Pass is only deals that is provided by JR Shikoku. It covers all railway services in Shikoku. If you plan to visit Shikoku but JR pass is too much, this deals may be your perfect choice.

In this post, I would like to share the information about All Shikoku Rail Pass.

Prices and valid period

PassPurchase outside JapanPurchase in Japan
AdultChildAdultChild
3 days9,0004,5009,5004,750
4 days10,0005,00010,5005,250
5 days11,0005,50011,5005,750
7 days13,0006,50013,5006,750

Child rate is applied to 6 to 11 years old. Child who is 5 years old and younger is free but basically you have to share the seat with child.

One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. Even if you start using the pass at 23:00. you will spend one full day for just one hour. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.

How to purchase All Shikoku Rail Pass

If you want to save your cost, try to purchase it at the local travel agency. You can find the list of travel agencies at the official site:
JR Shikoku Rail Pass official site

Online purchase is not available. If you cannot purchase it from the travel agency before you come to Shikoku, you have to purchase in Japan. The price is slightly higher than the oversea purchase price. You can purchase this pass at the major stations in Shikoku or JR Shikoku Umeda branch in Osaka. Please see the official site in the link above to find the sales location.

You also can find some benefit of All Shikoku Rail Pass in the link above.

Coverage Area

Oboke gorge

This pass covers four prefectures in Shikoku. Those are Kagawa, Ehime, Tokushima and Kochi. Those following major spots are in the coverage area.

  • Takamatsu
  • Tokushima
  • Naruto
  • Oboke
  • Kochi
  • Matsuyama
  • Uwajima
  • Kotohira
  • Marugame

In March, 2018, Shodoshima island is included in the coverage area. You can take the ferry between Takamatsu port and Tonosho port in Shodoshima island. You also can take all route of Shodoshima Olive Bus lines.

Valid trains and lines

Ordinary class interior of Limited Express Shiokaze and Ishizuchi running between Takamatsu/Okayama and Matsuyama

All Shikoku Rail Pass covers all train services in Shikoku. This pass covers only non reserved seat on all JR trains in Shikoku. Reserved seat fee is not covered by this pass. And All Shikoku Rail Pass covers even Non JR train services in Shikoku and as I mentioned above, the ferry service to Shodoshima island and local bus in Shodoshima island are covered.

The following Non JR train, the ferry and the bus services are covered by this pass:

  • Kotoden line (Takamatsu city, Kotohira)
  • Iyotetsu line (Matsuyama city, Dogo Onsen)
  • Tosaden traffic (Tram service in Kochi city)
  • Tosa Kuroshio Railway, Nakamura-Sukumo line (Kubokawa – Sukumo)
  • Tosa Kuroshio Railway, Gomen-Nahari line (Gomen – Nahari)
  • Asa Kaigan Railway, Asato line (Kaifu – Kannoura)
  • Shodoshima Ferry (Takamatsu – Tonosho)
  • Shodoshima Olive Bus (all bus route by this bus company in Shodoshima island)
Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Matsuyama
Hotels in Kochi
Hotels in Takamatsu
Hotels in Tokushima

Tosaden Traffic operates tram service in Kochi city.

Shikoku is connected with mainland of Japan by Seto-Ohashi bridge. The border station is Kojima that is located in Okayama prefecture at mainland side. All part of Seto-Ohashi bridge is in coverage area of All Shikoku Rail Pass.

Compare single fare and All Shikoku Rail Pass

Limited Express trains at Kochi station

When you think about purchasing this deal, you need to know that it is worth using in your plan. I show you some sample rates. If total fares in your plan reach 7,400 yen, you can go for 2 days pass.
*All rates are based on base fare and reserved seat limited express supplement in regular season.

From Takamatsu

DestinationTotal fare
Matsuyama5,670
Imabari4,880
Kochi4,910
Oboke2,990
Tokushima2,640
Uwajima7,620

From Matsuyama

DestinationTotal fare
Takamatsu5,670
Imabari1,470
Uwajima2,940

From Kochi

DestinationTotal fare
Takamatsu4,910
Oboke2,460

From Tokushima

DestinationTotal fare
Takamatsu2,640
Naruto360
Local train
Awa-Ikeda2,820

Fares for Kotoden Railway line

Base fare is from 190 yen to 700 yen by distance.

Fares for Iyotetsu Railway line

Base fare is from 160 yen to 620 yen by distance.

Fares for Tosaden Traffic

Base fare is from 190 yen to 700 yen by distance.

Fares for Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari line

Base fare is from 210 yen to 1,070 yen by distance.

Fares for Asa Kaigan Railway, Asato line

Base fare is from 210 yen to 270 yen by distance.

Fares for Shodoshima Ferry

Base fare is 640 yen for one way.

Fares for Shodoshima Olive Bus

Base fare is from 150 yen to 300 yen by distance.

Use All Shikoku Rail Pass with other JR West deals

If you fly in and out by flight in Shikoku directly, you can use this pass only. But if you take train via Okayama and Kojima through Seto Ohashi bridge, you may use Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass with All Shikoku Rail Pass. You can get the coverage to Kojima by these deals from Osaka, Hiroshima and/or Hakata.
Kansai Wide Area Pass
Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
Sanyo Sanin Area Pass

Assessment

If you are sure that you will visit either Matsuyama or Kochi, you can get the worth of 3 days pass. Please see the fare table above. One way fare to Matsuyama from Takamatsu is 5,670 yen. One way fare to Kochi is 4,910 yen. It is almost equal value of 3 days pass.

Please try to find the best deal for your trip and save your cost to stay in Japan!

Comments

  1. Kai sang Wong says:

    1. I understand that seat reservations are not covered by ALL SHIKOKU RAIL PASS. How can I make seat reservations and how much do I need to pay.
    2. I am travelling from hiroshima to matsuyama on my day one journey by ferry. Is there any discount for pass holders?

  2. Shun says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    On day 1 of my trip, I will be travelling from Okayama to Takamatsu. I will be using a 7 Day All Shikoku Rail Pass from Day 2 to Day 7 of my upcoming trip. On Day 7 late afternoon, I’m planning to travel from Matsuyama Station to Himeji Station. May I check if I can activate Kansai Wide Area Pass on Day 7 of my trip to cover the portion from Kojima Station to Himeji Station when the All Shikoku Rail Pass is active till Day 8? Was wondering because I’m not sure if the period of use for these passes can overlap.

    Please advise. Thanks!

    • Hi Shun san,

      Yes, you may. I have used these two passes same way before. I used 5-day Shikoku rail pass. And I purchased Kansai Wide Area Pass before I went to Shikoku. I picked the date to start using Kansai Wide Area Pass when I left Shikoku.

      So in your case, you may exchange/purchase Kansai Wide Area Pass at Okayama station:
      https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/shop/pdf/JRW_EN.PDF

      Before you go to Shikoku, you can purchase/exchange the pass there and pick the date when you leave Shikoku. It doesn’t matter that these two passes are overlapped.

      And Shikoku Rail Pass is sold in Osaka too. If you will be in Osaka before you go to Shikoku, you can buy it and use on day 1. You will have to pay for Okayama to Kojima. But you can cover the trip from Kojima to Takamatsu on day 1. If you will not be in Osaka, just pay the regular fare to get Takayama as you plan now.
      https://shikoku-railwaytrip.com/railpass.html#shikoku03

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Shun says:

        Hi Takeshi san,

        Thank you for your reply!

        Glad to hear that these passes can overlap! I will also be purchasing 2 of Kansai Wide Area Pass outside of Japan where I read online that the period of use cannot overlap. (and in the first place there is no reason to overlap?) That’s why I was wondering what about the case for different regional passes.

        I am travelling to Japan next week for 3 weeks starting from Hiroshima Airport and going to Takamatsu via Okayama on the first day. WIll be paying regular fares and exchange the Kansai Wide Area pass at Okayama as advised.

        I have also calculated and unfortunately the 5 days Setouchi Area Pass will not pay off for the places where I want to go for the first 5 days. Will be traveling to Takamatsu, Imabari and Matsuyama area then onward to Hyogo and Shiga. Hopefully I’ll catch some nice autumn views along the way.

        Thanks again!

  3. Rosie says:

    Thank you for your very useful site! If i have a nationwide JR Pass, does it include the All Shikoku Rail Pass so that i can use the Non JR Lines that you have listed eg Kotoden? I have not been able to find this information anywhere so iwould be very glad if you know the answer. Thank you

  4. Dwayne says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thinking of trying catch both the Iyonada Monogatari and Shiman Torokko on the same weekend, in July. Do you think it is possible. Start Matsuyama to Yawatahama on Saturday, train to Uwajima, then Uwajima to Kubokawa on the Sunday?

    • Hi Dwayne,

      You can make it easily. The only issue is Iyonada’s popularity. It is very popular and it may be hard to get a seat. There is no ways to book online before you reach Japan. You have to make it after you arrive in Japan.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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