Anyone planning a trip to Japan would undoubtedly encounter some information about using the Japan Rail Pass on the Shinkansen bullet trains as the best way to get around. In fact, many travellers push for it and encourage buying it, perhaps because they might earn an affiliate commission from your purchase (note: affiliate income is a decent way to earn passive income, and I do use it too, but my priority is to keep things real and share honest insights).
The reality is, the JR pass isn’t exactly affordable. It’s also not always the most valid transportation option, especially if you’re not moving between cities that much, or if you’re doing the classic Japan itinerary and can take regular trains without sacrificing too much travel time.
So, is the Japan Rail Pass worth it, and when does it make sense to purchase it? Below is a complete breakdown, including explanations, types of JR passes, and what routes to use it for.
The Japan Rail Pass, commonly called the JR Pass, is a physical ticket that allows you to travel via public transportation for a fixed, unlimited duration in Japan. You have to order it online; it’s not possible to buy it in Japan.
This is how the JR Pass works:
Note: It’s really important to not displace or lose the physical voucher, as you won’t be able to purchase it in Japan, and digital scans aren’t accepted.
The JR Pass is also sometimes called the tourist train, because it’s only available to foreign tourists in Japan. This already suggests that the JR Pass might not be the most cost-effective option if locals can use alternative public transport for the same routes. But let’s break it down further.
The JR passes are pretty straightforward. There are two types of JP Passes and three durations.
Two types of JR Passes:
Both types of passes can be purchased for the duration of:
Here’s the price breakdown of the JR Pass
Note: these are the prices at the time of writing, which are subject to change.
The JR pass offers unlimited rides on public transportation for a fixed duration, and the goal is to allow temporary visitors to travel through Japan with more ease, without having to purchase multiple passes or navigate the ticket-buying logistics.
The Japan Rail Pass is often used on the Shinkansen bullet trains (more details below), but it can also be used on multiple other transport modes.
The JR pass can be used on:
The Japan Rail Pass can’t be used on:
Find more conditions on the official website.
Shinkansen bullet trains are high-speed trains that offer a fast and convenient way to explore Japan by land. The rides are smooth and stable, almost like you’re gliding, so it’s unlikely for people to get dizzy or experience motion sickness. The trains have a speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), and cover 9 lines in various directions across Japan.
Insider tip: It’s recommended to reserve your seats on the Shinkansen trains, though not always mandatory.
Prices for the Japan Rail Pass have drastically increased since October 2023, though to be honest, it was already a bit pricey prior to the increase.
The Japan Rail Pass is worth it if:
However, in most cases, you can also take the regular local trains. You can also purchase Shinkansen tickets in Japan as needed.
Taking regular trains will increase travel time, though not always by much, depending on the route. For instance, to get from Osaka to Kyoto, I used the Hankyu Kyoto line rather than the Shinkansen, and it was only 30 minutes longer and much more affordable. However, from Kyoto to Mt Fuji, taking the Shinkansen bullet train would save hours of travel time, and you can just purchase a Shinkansen ticket there; you don’t need a JR Pass.
Calculate whether it’s worth it for your planned trip here.
The Japan Rail Pass is NOT worth it if you’re doing the classic first-time visitor route detailed here, hitting the main spots (Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka), as you can easily travel between these places via regular local train, and you can’t use the JR Pass on the metro in those cities.
The JR Pass is also not worth it if you’re planning to travel slowly and only explore a few cities, or explore cities closely connected that you can easily reach by local transport.
It’s not possible to buy the JR pass in Japan. You have to buy it online from its official website. However, you can purchase individual tickets for the Shinkansen and regular JR trains in Japan at any JR train station.
No, you don’t need the JR Pass to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo; you can just buy an individual Shinkansen ticket, as even a round-trip Shinkansen ticket will be cheaper than a 7-day JR Pass. You also don’t need to travel by Shinkansen and can instead take local trains or an overnight bus, though the travel journey will be longer.
You can buy bullet train tickets in Japan at train stations or online. However, if you intend to use the bullet trains a lot in a relatively short period of time, it might be best to get the JR Pass, and this you’ll have to buy online and receive the voucher by post prior to your Japan trip, as the JR Pass isn’t sold in Japan anymore.
The cost of the JR Pass varies depending on the duration (7, 14, and 21 days), and whether you choose First or Standard class. At the time of writing, the most affordable JR Pass (7 days, Standard Class) costs about €289 per adult.
Yes, the JR Pass can be refunded up to 1 year after purchase, and you’ll incur a refund fee unless you purchased yours with order production, in which case the refund will be free.
