Okay.. must admit.. I’m writing this post out of pure laziness as I get this question all the time.
So I just wanted something to say the same spiel without having to type it out again.
And I get why everyone wonders this… because, the first time you see those JR Rail pass prices … it’s a major shock. I get it. It’s not cheap.
And, you know what? It might not be the cheapest option for you , depending on your itinerary. So make sure you plan ahead.
So… a JR pass is a national rail pass sold at a discounted rate for either 7 days , 14 days or 21 days.
A JR pass is only available for tourists.
When you first look at the price of a JR pass you may be shocked but it can save you a fortune longer term if you’re planning to travel to other parts of Japan. It also includes travel on the local JR trains (not the subways and private lines). See here for even more information on what is and isn’t included with a JR pass.
It will save you a lot of money if you plan on getting on and off several bullet trains throughout your trip.
Back in the days when we were tourists in Japan, we would travel like crazy during our JR Pass selected period of time and then do the local sightseeing on the other days (at the start of end of our trip.) Here is some more info on the JR Pass system.
Please note that the JR Pass will increase in price significantly from October 2023.
Should you buy a JR pass now before the prices increase? No (unless you are purchasing in Aug or Sept) as the order must be exchanged for a voucher within 3 months of the date of issue – and if you can’t use it quickly it will be wasting your money.
SHOULD I BUY A JR PASS BEFORE LEAVING MY HOME COUNTRY?
No. As of Oct 1, 2023 a JR Pass is no longer available to purchase once you have arrived in Japan.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE CAN I BUY MY JR PASS?
The official JR site will let you book one month in advance and you can also reserve seats online here ( please don’t stress too much about reserving seats before you arrive in Japan though – unless you are travelling during Golden Week.)
Other sites let you purchase up to 3 months in advance but you cannot reserve seats until you have made it to Japan and have picked up your physical JR pass.
CAN I BUY BULLET TRAIN TICKETS ONLINE WITHOUT HAVING JR PASS AT ALL?
Yes,see here on how to reserve bullet train tickets with and without a JR pass.
WHERE TO BUY A JR PASS IF YOU NEED TO BUY ONE AFTER YOU HAVE ARRIVED IN JAPAN
Here is where you can purchase a JR pass once you have arrived in Japan. (Hint: the table is slightly confusing at first. O = yes, available , X = no, not available.)
HOW DO I WORK OUT IF IT IS WORTH GETTING A JR PASS FOR MY HOLIDAY?
The best reason to get a rail pass is to save you a lot of money on bullet train (shinkansen) travel if your travel costs will exceed the price of the JR Pass.
But in order to check, use the Jorudan app or website to do a personal price comparison (and I also find google maps to often be equally as helpful.). Grab a calculator and map out your big trips you will do within a 7 , 14 or 21 day period. Is the cost more than that of the JR Pass? There is also a site here with a JR Pass calculator. Then … yes …time to order a JR pass online or with a local travel agent.
*My Aussie friends: with the dollar so weak right now – you might need to really check to see if a JR Pass is worth it for you right now – depending on how much you plan on travelling, of course.
DO SMALL CHILDREN NEED A JR PASS?
Children do not need a JR Pass until they are 6 years old. Child Passes are for children aged between 6 -11 years of age. From 12- they will need an Adult Pass.
Please note that children who are no old enough for a JR Pass are not guaranteed a seat. They are expected to sit on their Parents/Guardian’s laps ( although if there is a seat available, they are welcome to use it, of course.) We have never had a problem with this -but if the idea stresses you out? You are welcome to buy a Child Pass for a child younger than 6 years old – for peace of mind.
HOW DOES IT WORK IF I’VE PRE-PURCHASED A JR PASS? HOW DO I ACTIVATE MY JR PASS?
You take your JR pass exchange order to one of these locations in Japan to activate your JR pass and select your starting date. (Warning: once you have selected that start date, it’s not possible to change that start date again so please plan accordingly. )
BULLET TRAIN TRAVEL
Bullet trains are pretty awesome. But in terms of prices, it’s pretty much easier to think of the prices like a plane. A plane that doesn’t mean you have to check in one hour prior to departure. A plane that …if you miss it… you can just get on the next one less than 10 minutes later…. See here to see shinkansen ( bullet train) times in real time.
See here if you would like some assistance for reserving bullet train seats.
Thinking of taking kids on the bullet train? Here are my tips to make it easier for you and also explain some of that lovely shinkansen ettiquette so you know what to expect.
GREEN PASS VS NORMAL PASS?
Personally, I think booking ‘green car’ tickets isn’t really special enough to warrant green car prices – but that’s just me. This is my personal opinion. If work ever wants to pay for me to ride the green car? I’m in ! But out of my own pocket… I just don’t think it’s that great.
The bullet trains are already efficient, clean and safe enough in the normal carriages.
IT SAYS I CAN’T USE THE FASTEST BULLET TRAIN? DOES THAT MEAN I WON’T GET THE FULL SHINKANSEN EXPERIENCE?
Definitely not. It is the difference of just a few minutes and that is because it stops at fewer stations, really. Read here for the difference between the Nozomi and it’s only slightly slower friend, Hikari.
USING THE JR PASS
When my visitors arrive and use their JR Rail Passes I always joke that they are like FBI passes to flash at the ticket gates.
(Don’t even think about dodging the system – the rules might seem relaxed but there was a lady arrested last year for using a JR Pass that wasn’t her own.)
I, honestly, don’t know many people that find its cheaper to NOT use a Japan Rail pass as tourists – but if you’re focusing on just one area on this trip? Might be best to do a comparison and some research yourself or look into some other localized rail passes instead?
TIP: A clever way to use the JR Pass is to only buy a 7 day pass and travel the most during that time ( for example, stay in Tokyo for 3 days, then start the pass when you need to travel to Kyoto, return within 7 days and do a bit more of Tokyo.
Extra TIP !Please be aware that you don’t HAVE to start it the moment you arrive at the airport. Everyone will be cranky and tired after the flight and then getting through immigration etc. THE LINES ARE ALWAYS SO LONG AT THE AIRPORT TO DO THIS AT HIGH SEASON. IT CAN LITERALLY TAKE HOURS! Just wanted to put it out there and suggest maybe starting your pass the next day ?
Kyoto Tip!
Did you know that there are now JR Buses that are free for JR Pass holders?
On this bus you can get to Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto Aquarium, Kyoto Railway Museum, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Ninnaji Temple, Jinguji Temple, Kosanji Temple.
Here is a list of rail passes available if you are a foreign resident of Japan.
Read here for information on Tokyo Subway passes and travel cards for Japan.
