What is a JR Pass? What are the types of JR Pass? - A Breakdown of Types, Usages, and Prices

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JR Nozomi Shiknansen @ Hiroshima Station

Travelers to Japan might have heard of Japan Rail Pass, or in short - JR Pass.
It's basically the most useful pass if you're traveling long distances in Japan via Japan Railway.

"But, there are so many JR Passes, which should I choose?"

This has been a question among many first-time travelers to Japan.

Today I'm writing so you will know a bit more about the various types of JR Pass, and hope it'll be helpful for you to choose the right pass!

It's cheaper to buy them before going to Japan, so I'm listing prices that are purchased in your home country. The exchange rate varies on the agencies you buy them from.

I'm putting these up to different categories so hopefully, it will be easier to read.

Long list ahead!

*UPDATE: Price has changed since Oct 1 due to new taxes.

1. JR Pass - Nationwide


☆ This pass is basically a pass that can be used throughout the entire Japan.
☆ There are some restrictions: You can't board a NOZOMI or MIZUHO train models.
☆ Other than NOZOMI and MIZUHO, you can board any other JR trains and Shinkansen.
☆ This pass must be used continuously.
☆ If you are going to only Tokyo/ Osaka/ Kansai region/ Fukuoka and not going to other cities, high chances you wouldn't be needing this pass (I'll explain in later of the post).
☆ Each day of the pass ends when the date changes.
☆ Unlike the Tokyo Subway Ticket, this pass doesn't run on hourly basis.
☆ This pass has to be purchased before travel in any authorized travel agencies in your home country. (e.g.: H.I.S. Travel, JTB...).
☆ There are two types of Nationwide JR Pass: Ordinary and Green (more comfortable and spacious).
  1. Price for Ordinary Pass 
    • 7 days: 29,650 JPY per adult, 14,820 JPY per child
    • 14 days: 47,250 JPY per adult, 23,620 JPY per child
    • 21 days: 60,450 JPY per adult, 30,220 JPY per child
  2. Price for Green Pass
    • 7 days: 39,600 JPY per adult, 19,800 JPY per child
    • 14 days: 64,120 JPY per adult, 21,060 JPY per child
    • 21 days: 83,390 JPY per adult, 41,690 JPY per child

1A: Hokuriku Arch Pass (Official site here)

☆ A cheaper alternative of JR Nationwide if you are only traveling between Tokyo-Osaka (not via direct train to Odawara/ Shin-Fuji/ Nagoya.
☆ Although cheaper, it takes longer to travel from Tokyo to Osaka as you'll need to do a transfer in Kanazawa.
☆ However, this pass can be pretty helpful if you wish to visit Kanazawa, and could just purchase a bus ticket to Shirakawa-go (from Toyama/ Kanazawa/ Takaoka) too.
☆ Karuizawa is also a good spot for shopping, nature, and architecture.
☆ Price is: 24,440 JPY per adult, 12,220 JPY per child.

2. JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (Official site here)


☆ This pass would be helpful if you are traveling in Hokkaido only.
☆ It'd generally be helpful if you are traveling long distances within Hokkaido, such as traveling from Sapporo to Asahikawa/ Furano/ Hakodate/ Noboribestu/ Tomamu/ Shiretoko, etc.
☆ If you are only going to Sapporo, this pass is not necessary (will explain why in later of the post)
☆ There are 4 types of JR Hokkaido Pass: 3 days, 4 days (flexible), 5 days, and 7 days).
☆ For 3, 5 and 7 days Hokkaido Rail pass, they must be used on continuous days. You can choose the starting date of your pass upon exchange.
☆ However, for 4 days flexible pass, you can choose any 4 days within the activation period of 10 days, and you cannot choose starting date of the pass. The first day of your 4 days flexible pass is the day you exchange the pass.
☆ Prices of JR Hokkaido Rail Pass:
  • 3 days: 17,400 JPY per adult; 8,700 JPY per child
  • 4 days flexible: 23,480 JPY per adult, 11,740 JPY per child
  • 5 days: 23,480 JPY per adult, 11,740 JPY per child
  • 7 days: 25,710 JPY per adult, 12,850 JPY per child

3. JR East-Hokkaido Pass (Official site here)


☆ There are two passes that JR East and JR Hokkaido have created:
  • JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (visit here); and
  • JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (visit here).
☆ The difference between East-South Hokkaido and Tohoku-South Hokkaido is that, the former allows visits to Tokyo for a 6 days out of 14 days, and the latter doesn't, and only for 5 days out of 14 days.
☆ This pass can only used for southern parts of Hokkaido - until Shin-Chitose Airport and Sapporo.
☆ For regions outside of South Hokkaido and Tohoku, additional fare applies.
☆ You can select any 5 or 6 days in the 14-day period. The 14 day starts from the day of exchange.
☆ Example: If you exchange on 1 Jan 2020, you can use the pass for any 5 days from 1 Jan until 14 Jan 2020.
☆ If you didn't want to visit Hokkaido but only the Tohoku + Tokyo region, check here.
☆ The prices of JR East-Hokkaido Rail Pass:
  • JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass - 26,900 JPY per adult, 13,450 JPY per child
  • JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass - 19,750 JPY per adult, 9,870 JPY per child

4. JR East Pass (Official site here)

☆ I've written a post on JR East Tohoku Area Pass before, but the Tohoku Area Pass isn't the only pass available for JR East.
☆ There are three popular types of JR East Pass:

  • JR East Tohoku Area Pass (visit here)

    • This pass is greatly helpful for travels up to the Tohoku region in Japan by Shinkansen (refer my post here)
    • It's a 5-day pass but like the JR East Hokkaido passes, you can use it for any 5 days in the 14 day period for the valid regions.
    • Otherwise if you visiting small places without using shinkansen, you can consider this pass.

  • JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass (visit here)

    • This pass is greatly helpful for travels up to the Nagano and Niigata region in Japan by Shinkansen (refer my post here).
    • Besides, Nagano and Niigata itself has quite some local buses so you don't really need to use the pass every day. It's a good pass for long period travels too.
    • It's a 5-day pass but like the JR East Hokkaido passes, you can use it for any 5 days in the 14 day period for the valid regions.

  • JR East Tokyo Wide Pass (visit here) 

    • This pass is great if you're visiting Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Karuizawa, Nikko or Ibaraki.
    • However, if you're visiting Tokyo only, this pass is not recommended.
    • It's a pass that you can use for 3 consecutive days in Japan for 10,000 JPY.
    • This is the only pass that is required to be purchase in Japan only (as per my knowledge).
☆ Important Notes

  • One thing about JR East Pass is that, you cannot purchase two JR East Pass of the same type.
  • You cannot buy two JR East Tohoku Area Pass or JR East Nagano Niigata Pass and activate them within the same 14-day period. 
    • Example: If you purchase 2 Tohoku Area Pass and exchange one of the passes on 1 April 2020, you cannot exchange another Tohoku Area Pass between 1-14 April 2020. You can exchange another Tohoku Area Pass from 15 April 2020 onward. 
  • However, if you buy 1 JR East Tohoku Area Pass + 1 JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass, you can activate them within the same 14-day period. 
  • Prices
    • JR East Tohoku Area Pass: 19,350 JPY per adult, 9,670 JPY per child
    • JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass: 17,310 JPY per adult, 8,650 JPY per child
    • Tokyo Wide Pass: 10,180 JPY per adult, 5,090 JPY per child

5. JR Central Pass (Official site here)

☆ JR Central is the region for prefectures such as: Aichi, Gifu, Fukui, Ishikawa, Nagano, Shizuoka, Toyama and Yamanashi.
☆ Though the regions for Nagano and Niigata has a pass under JR East, the other regions has a regional JR Pass under JR Central. The passes are:

  • Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass (visit here)

    • This pass is perfect if you are entering Japan via Osaka, and would love to visit Shirakawa-go, one of the UNESCO heritage sites in Japan. 5 days is definitely enough to visit the essentials!

  • Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass (visit here)

    • This pass would be perfect if you are going to Nagoya and would like to go to Toyama, Takayama, Gero, and the Alpine route (opens in mid-April). With 1 day used in the alpine route, you have 4 more days to explore around and this 5-day pass a money-saver for sure!
    • Sales are of limited timing for this particular pass as the Alpine Route is not open for the whole year.

  • Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Pass (visit here)

    • This 5-day pass is great if you land in Nagoya or Osaka, especially when you can go to Ise, Toba, Shingu, Wakayama and Shingu - all of them offers beautiful landscapes!
    • You can even use Mie Kotsu bus to go around the eligible areas, which is definitely convenient if you're in Ise and Toba.

  • Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini (visit here)

    • You can take a Ferry from Toi Port (Toi Onsen) to Shimizu Port while also using the pass to go around Mt Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Atami and even Hamamatsu, for 3 consecutive days!
    • A good pass to use if you are staying overnight in this region - shoppers can even enjoy shopping using this pass to Gotemba!
☆ Prices are as follow:
  • Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass: 14,000 JPY per adult, 7,000 JPY per child
  • Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass: 17,500 JPY per adult, 8,750 JPY per child
  • Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Pass: 11,000 JPY per adult, 5,500 JPY per child
  • Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini: 4,500 JPY per adult, 2,250 JPY per child

6. JR West Pass (Official site here)

☆ JR West Pass is probably one of the more famous JR Regional Passes in Japan, as it covers major sightseeing areas such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, etc.
☆ With JR West, you can actually use some of their passes to go to Chugoku and even to Hakata of Kyushu!
☆ Types of passes are as below:

  • Kansai Area Pass (1/2/3/4 days) - visit here

    • This pass covers the regions of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama and Kobe. Detailed route map here.
    • They have different passes, of either 1 day to 4 days.
    • It's a great pass if you are going to Kyoto from KIX because there's a Haruka train that departs between Kyoto-Osaka-KIX without transfers (timetable here).
    • The cons of this pass? No bullet train rides.

  • Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5 days) - visit here

    • Basically covers the region of Kansai Area Pass (see above), plus Okayama. Detail route map here.
    • Kurashiki + Okayama is a good day trip from Osaka. Besides, you get to ride Nozomi (between Shin-Osaka and Okayama only) compared (plus point compared to Nationwide that wouldn't allow you to board Nozomi).
    • You can also board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass within the valid regions, until September 2019! (Unreserved seats only, timetable here).
    • You can use this pass to see Lake Biwa - the largest lake in Japan.
    • If you are a fan of Detective Conan, you can use this pass to go to Tottori.
    • If you wanted to see one of the three best views in Japan, you can use this pass to go to Amanohashidate.
    • If you love onsen (hot spring) villages, Kinosakionsen is a place to go!
    • If you wanted to see the beach side in Japan, go for Shirahama with this pass.

  • Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass (5 days) - visit here

    • This pass covers the regions of Kansai WIDE Area Pass (see above), plus Hiroshima and Iwakuni of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Detailed route map here.
    • Same as above, you can board the Nozomi shinkansen (unreserved seat only) between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. 
    • You can also board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass within the valid regions, until September 2019! (Unreserved seats only, timetable here).
    • Same as above, you can visit Tottori, Shirahama, and Amanohashidate with this pass. 
    • You can go to Miyajima using the JR ferry for free by showing this pass.
    • You can use this pass to board JR West buses in Hiroshima and Kure.

  • Sanyo-San'in Area Pass (7 days) - visit here

    • Different from the above JR West passes, Sanyo-San'in does not cover areas of Amanohashidate, Miyazu, Ayabe, Nishi-maizuru, Obama, Fukuchiyama. Detail route map here, recommended to use PC to read the map.
    • However, you can use the Nozomi from Shin-Osaka to Shin-Yamaguchi station.
    • You can reserve seats on Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass in Midori no Madoguchi counters, within the valid regions. (Check timetable here).
    • You can use this pass on certain Chugoku JR buses in Yamaguchi, Hagi, Hiroshima and Kure.

  • Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass (7 days) - visit here

    • Like Kansai WIDE Area Pass, you can use it to cover the regions included in Kansai WIDE Area Pass, plus the Hokuriku areas: e.g.: Toyama, Itoigawa, Kanazawa, Warukaonsen, Nanao, Takaoka Joetsumyoko, Fukui, Kuzuryuko and Johana. Detailed route map here.
    • If you purchase an additional bus ticket, you can go to Shirakawa-go from Johana, Kanazawa, Takaoka/ Shin-Takaoka or Toyama. 
    • You can also board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass, within the valid regions until September 2019! (Unreserved seats only, timetable here).

  • Hokuriku Area Pass (4 days) - visit here

    • Like Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass, except that this pass doesn't cover the Kansai region: Only from Obama until Kurobe Unazuki Onsen station.
    • Could be a great pass to use if you're flying domestically to Toyama airport or Komatsu airport - Ishikawa is a good place to spend for a week for their beef, onsen, and rice.
    • You can't board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass.

  • San'in Okayama Area Pass (4-days) - visit here

    • Like the Sanyo-San'in Pass, except that you visit regions between Kamigori and Kurashiki (including Okayama), going up from Kurashiki to Hoki-Daisen, and between Hamasaka - Hagi (including Tottori, Matsue, Izumo), and smaller areas such as Miyoshi, Sayo, Tsuyama and Chizu). Check detailed route map here.  
    • I'd say that this pass could be helpful if you're visiting Matsue or Tottori since it also covers the local loop buses, so it's a good place to do day trips too, besides, Izumo Taisha is beautiful - definitely not to skip if you have the extra time near the San'in region!
    • You can't board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass.

  • Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass (5 days) - visit here

    • The perfect pass if you are landing in Fukuoka and wants to visit Hiroshima!
    • This pass allows you to transfer between Hakata and Mihara of Hiroshima, while you can also visit Yamaguchi's Hagi, Masuda, Shimonoseki and Iwakuni. Detail route map here.
    • p/s: Onomichi Ramen is my personal favorite - worth a day trip if you love ramen, cats and temples! If you fancy cycling to Shikoku definitely stop by Onomichi and look at JR Shikoku Pass (will write them in the next subsection).
    • You can board the same buses allowed in Sanyo-San'in Pass.
    • You can also board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass, within the valid regions until September 2019! (Unreserved seats only, timetable here).

  • Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass (5-days) - visit here

    • Similar to Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Pass, but has Okayama, and even Takamatsu of Shikoku included! A good way to use this pass if you're starting/ ending your trip in Shikoku or Hakata for sure! Detail route map here. 
    • You can also board Hello Kitty Shinkansen with this pass,  within the valid regions until September 2019! (Unreserved seats only, timetable here).
    • You can also show your pass to board JR Ferry to Miyajima. For the floating Torii gate, it is under renovation since June 2019 until further notice.
☆ Prices are as below: 

  • Kansai Area Pass 
    • 1-day: 2,300 JPY per adult, 1,150 JPY per child
    • 2-day: 4,600 JPY per adult, 2,300 JPY per child
    • 3-day: 5,600 JPY per adult, 2,800 JPY per child
    • 4-day: 6,600 JPY per adult, 3,300 JPY per child
  • Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5 days): 9,200 JPY per adult, 4,600 JPY per child
  • Sanyo-San'in Area Pass (7 days): 19,400 JPY per adult, 9,700 JPY per child
  • Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass (7 days): 15,270 JPY per adult, 7,630 JPY per child
  • Hokuriku Area Pass (4 days): 5,090 JPY per adult, 2,540 JPY per child
  • San'in Okayama Area Pass (4-days): 4,580 JPY per adult, 2,290 JPY per child
  • Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass (5 days): 11,200 JPY per adult, 5,600 JPY per child
  • Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass (5-days): 13,700 JPY per adult, 6,850 JPY per child

7. JR Shikoku Pass (Official site here)


☆ Shikoku is a region that not many tourists are going, but it offers a lot of undiscovered gems, landscapes, and views. It's made of 4 prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Tokushima and Kochi.
☆ With JR Shikoku pass, you are allowed to board the JR Shikoku Line, Iyotetsu Line, Tosaden Kotsu-Line, Tosa-Kuroshio Tetsudo Line, Asa Kaigan Tetsudo Line, Kotoden-Line, Shodoshima Ferry and Shodoshima Olive Bus with this pass (map here).
☆ There are 4 types of JR Shikoku Pass: 3 day, 4 day, 5 days and 7 days.
☆ You can exchange it for a Pass at Takamatsu*, Matsuyama, Tokushima, or Kōchi Station, or at one of those stations' Warp branches, Sakaide Station Warp Plaza, the Warp Umeda branch, or the Kotohira Station Information Counter.
☆ Prices of the passes are as below:
  • 3-day Shikoku Rail Pass: 9,000 JPY per adult, 4500 JPY per child
  • 4-day Shikoku Rail Pass: 10,000 JPY per adult, 5,000 JPY per child
  • 5-day Shikoku Rail Pass: 11,000 JPY per adult, 5,500 JPY per child
  • 7-day Shikoku Rail Pass: 13,000 JPY per adult, 6,500 JPY per child
  • Kagawa Mini Rail & Ferry Pass: 4,000 JPY per adult, 2,000 JPY per child

8. JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Official site here)

☆ JR Kyushu is pretty simple. There are two parts: Northern and Southern Kyushu.
☆ Kyushu would be a great place to go if you are landing in Fukuoka Airport, or if you are interested for more nature, I'd recommend going to Kagoshima, Ibusuki (still Kagoshima lol), Tanegashima and Yakushima!
☆ Onsen lovers can definitely check out Yufuin, Beppu and Oita.
☆ Train lovers could rejoice with this pass because there are a lot of beautiful trains offered by JR Kyushu! (Check here!)
☆ There are mainly three types of JR Kyushu Rail Pass:
  • Northern Kyushu Rail Pass (3/5 days)
    • Perfect to visit to famous places such as Hakata, Nagasaki, Beppu, Yufuin (Try the Yufuin no Mori train!), Huis Ten Bosch, Amakusa and Kumamoto.
    • You can board the Mickey Mouse Shinkansen between Hakata-Kumamoto  until early November 2019, and within validity period of your pass (JR official site here)!
  • Southern Kyushu Rail Pass (3 days)
    • Starting from Kumamoto, it's a good pass to explore the southern parts of Kyushu: Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Ibusuki, Hitoyoshi, etc. 
    • You can board the Mickey Mouse Shinkansen between Kagoshima-Chuo and Kumamoto until early November 2019, and within validity period of your pass (JR official site here)!
  • All Kyushu Rail Pass (3/5 days)
    • This pass includes areas that are covered by both the Northern and Southern Kyushu Rail Pass
    • You can board the Mickey Mouse Shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo  until early November 2019, and within validity period of your pass (JR official site here)!
☆ Prices are as below:
  • Northern Kyushu Rail Pass
    • 3 days: 8,660 JPY per adult, 4,330 JPY per child
    • 5 days: 10,190 JPY per adult, 5,090 JPY per child
  • Southern Kyushu Rail Pass
    • 3 days: 7,500 JPY per adult, 3,750 JPY per child
  • All Kyushu Rail Pass
    • 3 days: 15,280 JPY per adult, 7,640 JPY per child
    • 5 days: 18,330 JPY per adult, 9,160 JPY per child

8A. Sanyo-San'in Northern Kyushu Pass (Official site here)

☆ This pass is a combination of the Sanyo-San'in Area Pass AND the Northern Kyushu Area Pass.
☆ You get access to the valid areas from Osaka to Kumamoto and Oita of Kyushu. 
☆ You can board the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen in the valid areas!
☆ You can board the pretty train (A-train) between Amakusa and Misumi! Good alternative since 7-star train is costing my lifetime savings (lol).
☆ Price: 22,400 JPY per adult, 11,200 JPY per child

9. Seishun 18 Kippu (Official site here)

☆ Seishun Kippu is a unique pass and it's seasonal-only.
☆ You can use it for 5 days as a single person, or split it among 2-5 person (all travelers must travel together)!
☆ You can use it on unlimited rides on local and rapid JR trains/ Zairaisen (excluding reserved seats)  throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and also JR Ferry to Miyajima - imagine JR Nationwide, but without all the fast trains.
☆ It's a great pass if you are traveling leisurely and not rushing for time, because you cannot board any shinkansen, limited express, express train or sleeper cars.
☆ You can also use it on BRTs in Japan.
☆ Like many other JR Passes, you need to go through the manual gate for this pass.
☆ This pass isn't valid for autumn season, and only valid for Spring, Summer and Winter. Please check this site for the selling period.
☆ Price: 12,050 JPY per person. (Adult and child same price)




* To purchase, go to your nearest authorized travel agency and provide a passport copy. Your name is very important for the issuance of exchange order as it must be the same as your passport!
* Child fare are 6-11 years old, your age depends on the date of birth.
* Information are updated as of 10 June 2019.


In my next post,Update: I'll write about how you can check timetables online and also to determine if you should get a JR Pass. Read it here!

If you think I've missed out a piece of information, feel free to let me know!

Hope the above information helps!

Until next time!

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