Should you get a Japan Rail Pass (JR Rail Pass)? Is it worth it? Will it save you money? And if you want one, where can you buy it? Read on for our complete guide.
Japan Rail Passes © fletcherjcm
The Takeaway:
- The Japan Rail Pass can save you a LOT of money. See below for details.
- Prices for the Japan Rail Pass will be increased by about 70% in October 2023. All the figures quoted on this page are the present figures. The calculations and savings of a rail pass will change significantly after the price hike.
- You can buy the Japan Rail Pass online at an official partner of JR Rail. Once you purchase the pass online, an Exchange Voucher will be sent to you by post, which you then exchange for the Rail Pass itself on arrival in Japan at the airport or at any JR Rail station.
- You can also buy a Japan Rail Pass online direct from JR.
- If you just make one round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto on the shinkansen (bullet train) and use the pass to travel between Narita and Tokyo, you’ve already saved money with the pass. See below for details.
- You can only use a Japan Rail Pass with a tourist visa (people on longer-term visas like work visas, student visas and permanent residence visas cannot use Japan Rail Passes).
- Japan Rail Passes can be used on JR trains across Japan, including shinkansen (bullet trains). The passes can also be used on certain JR buses and ferries.
- Note that the pass cannot be used for private train lines or subways within cities.
- For a more thorough guide to the Japan Rail Pass, see Japan Rail Pass: How to Make the Most of It.
Osaka Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Osaka: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Osaka.
- Things To Do In Osaka: Check this overview of Osaka activities with links to all the key information.
- Flights To Osaka: Find the cheapest flights to Osaka and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Osaka Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Japan.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
How Much Does a Japan Rail Pass Cost?
Note that the “Green” pass below is the equivalent of the first-class pass. It entitles you to ride green (first-class) cars on all JR trains that have them.
Here are the prices for a Japan Rail Pass purchased online from JR or at a JR station inside Japan:
Type:
|
Green
|
Ordinary
|
||
Duration
|
Adult
|
Child
|
Adult
|
Child
|
7-day
|
44,810 YEN
|
22,400 YEN
|
33,610 YEN
|
16,800 YEN
|
14-day
|
72,310 YEN
|
36,150 YEN
|
52,960 YEN
|
26,480 YEN
|
21-day
|
91,670 YEN
|
45,830 YEN
|
66,200 YEN
|
33,100 YEN
|
Here are the prices for a Japan Rail Pass purchased from a third-party vendor outside Japan:
Type:
|
Green
|
Ordinary
|
||
Duration
|
Adult
|
Child
|
Adult
|
Child
|
7-day
|
39,600 YEN
|
19,800 YEN
|
29,650 YEN
|
14,820 YEN
|
14-day
|
64,120 YEN
|
32,060 YEN
|
47,250 YEN
|
23,620 YEN
|
21-day
|
83,390 YEN
|
41,690 YEN
|
60,450 YEN
|
30,220 YEN
|
Will a Japan Rail Pass Save You Money?
Note that the cost of a normal one-way shinkansen (bullet train) ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥13,320 and the roundtrip fare is ¥26,640. An ordinary one-week pass is ¥29,650. A one-way trip on the JR N’EX (Narita Express from Narita International Airport into Tokyo) costs ¥3,070. Thus, if you use the pass to travel from Narita to Tokyo, then on to Kyoto and back, you’ve already saved money. You can also use the pass to get from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto. Thus, for most people, the pass will save them money.
What Are The Advantages of Buying a Japan Rail Pass?
Obviously, saving money is the money is the main reason to buy a Japan Rail Pass, but the advantages don’t stop there. The pass is very easy to use: it’s valid on all JR lines and covers the shinkansen (bullet train). With the pass, you don’t have to worry about buying tickets and fishing for change in your pocket/wallet each time you take a trip: you just show the pass to the attendant at the turnstiles and you board the next available train. Just keep in mind that the pass does not cover the Nozomi shinkansen (the very fastest class of bullet train) but it covers the Hikari shinkansen, which is nearly as fast. The speed difference between these trains is minimal: usually just a few minutes for the trip between Tokyo and Kyoto.
Where To Buy The Japan Rail Pass
There are numerous places online where you can purchase a Japan Rail Pass. buy the Japan Rail Pass online before you go to Japan. Once you purchase the pass online, you will be sent an Exchange Voucher by post, which you then exchange for the Rail Pass itself on arrival in Japan at the airport or at any JR Rail station.
You can also buy a Japan Rail Pass online direct from JR. Finally, you can also buy Japan Rail Passes inside Japan at major JR stations.
Further general information about the Japan Rail Pass is also available on the official site
Should You Buy a Green Pass or Ordinary Pass?
See Japan Rail: Green Cars vs Ordinary Cars on my other site InsideKyoto.com for a complete breakdown of the pros and cons of a Green Pass versus Ordinary Pass.

Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Osaka's Kansai International Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with the Japan Rail Pass – here's why it's worth it
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world