Is JR Pass Worth it? | Japan Rail Pass Review & Prices in 2024

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Up until recently, I would’ve definitely said that buying a JR Pass was worth it as it was an affordable way to travel around Japan by train. However, in October 2023, the price was raised by 70%, which now means it’s not worth buying a JR Pass unless your visit to Japan will include extensive train travel.

Yet, there are still benefits to the Japan Rail Pass, and it may well be worth getting one, depending on your plans. In this guide, I’m going to take you through these benefits, the downsides (apart from the price), and the different pricing options.

Benefits of the National Japan Rail Pass

Before we get into the benefits, it’s important to note that the JR Pass is only available to people who are not residents of Japan. You have to prove that you’re a resident of another country by sending a copy of your passport and tourist visa (if you need one to enter Japan) to Japan Rail.

Make sure that you carry your passport with you when you travel with your pass because it will be checked (perhaps it’s worth investing in a travel wallet, too).

Great for Long-Distance Travel

If you’re traveling long distances (more than 100 km) or wish to visit multiple cities in one day, this pass usually works out cheaper than standard individual tickets. This is still the case even with the massive price increases that occurred in 2023.

If you’re only planning to make short train journeys during your visit, from Tokyo to Kyoto for example, then a JR Rail Pass isn’t going to save you any money.

You Can Use It For The Shinkansen

Another perk of using the JR pass is that it includes rides on the Shinkansen (bullet train in English), including the Hikari and Sakura services. Unfortunately, you can’t ride the Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines with a JR Pass, unless you pay a large additional fee.

Still, individual tickets for bullet trains can be more than 100 USD depending on your route. So, it may still be cheaper to purchase a pass if you plan on using the bullet trains regularly.

You Can Buy A JR Pass For Different Time Periods

One of the best things about the JR Pass is that you can buy a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day pass. This gives you plenty of flexibility and saves you the time and hassle of having to buy individual tickets for every journey.

With the recent price hike, the cost of a 7-day JR Pass is now 50,000 yen which works out at around 337 USD. While this is still way more expensive than the old Japan Rail Pass (199 USD for 7 days), if you take a lot of train journeys during that time period, you’ll definitely end up saving money.

It Gives You Access To Multiple Services

So, exactly which services is the Japan Rail Pass valid for? Well, the good news is that it’s a lot!

It’s valid on the majority of the trains operated by JR which means you can travel on most of the country’s major national train lines. This includes local trains, limited express trains, and rapid trains, as well as the previously mentioned bullet train.

You can also use the pass for the Tokyo Monorail to and from Haneda Airport and on the JR Ferry to Miyajima.

Plus, the pass can be used if you need to ride certain non-JR trains to access isolated JR lines. These trains are:

• The IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata which is used to gain access to the JR Nanao Line to the Noto Peninsula.
• The Aimori Railway between Aomori, Noheji, and Hachinohe which is used to access the JR Ominato Line to the Shimokita Peninsula.
• The Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka which is used to access the JR Himi Line and JR Johana Line.

Another benefit of the pass is that it allows you to use certain local buses. These are the bus routes you can use when you buy a pass:

• JR local bus to Kusatsu Onsen
• JR tourist loop bus in Hiroshima
• JR city buses around Sapporo
• Kanazawa Station – Kenrokuen
• Yamaguchi – Hagi
• Tokyo Station – Tokyo Big Sight
• JR buses to Lake Towada
• Kyoto Station – Ryoanji – Takao

You Can Buy Regional Passes

If you plan on traveling around a certain region of Japan, then you don’t need to buy a full JR Pass that covers the entire country. Instead, you can buy a pass that gives you unlimited train journeys within that specific region.

From the snow-covered mountains of Hokkaido to the lively coastlines of Kyushu and the traditional villages like Shirakawago, there is a regional rail pass to suit your trip.

To check the JR regional pass prices for each region, I recommend checking this page.

Discounted Tourist Sites and Services

It may only be a small perk, but your pass also entitles you to small discounts at certain shops and sightseeing spots. These discounts are usually around 10%, and you can ask for more information about them when you purchase your pass.

The Downsides of the National Japan Train Pass

Of course, the biggest downside of the JR Pass is the huge price increase, which has made traveling around Japan on a budget more difficult than it used to be.

If you do still decide that it’s worth buying one, there are a number of other small negatives that you should be aware of.

You’re Not Guaranteed a Seat

One slight downside of these train tickets is that you are never really guaranteed a seat on a train. However, you can make a seat reservation beforehand at a JR ticket office or ticket machine for free.

Just remember, trains in Japan get very busy. So, it can be tricky to make a seat reservation. If you want to avoid worrying about this altogether, take an early train outside of peak times. The earliest JR trains run from 4:30 am, and the earlier you travel, the more seats will be available.

The Pass Isn’t Valid On Lots Of Rail Lines

As mentioned, the pass is mainly for use on JR trains, and while they are the biggest operator in the country, they’re certainly not the only one. This means there are many trains that you won’t be able to ride by purchasing a pass.

Also, if your JR train passes through another company’s railway system on your trip, you will need to pay an extra fee for the non-JR part of the ride.

Some of the specific exclusions from the train pass are as follows:

• Green car trains (unless you specifically buy a green car pass)
• Any trains that are not on the JR Group railway system (apart from the ones I mentioned earlier)
• Most city subway systems (including the Tokyo metro)

What Are the JR Pass Price Options?

The first thing to bear in mind is that there are two different types of passes. These are the Ordinary pass and the Green pass, which allows you to ride in the Green Cars on the trains (First Class). As you’d imagine, the Green pass is a lot pricier than the Ordinary pass.

The current prices for a Japan Rail Pass are:

• 7-Day Ordinary Pass: 50,000 yen (337 USD)
• 14-Day Ordinary Pass: 80,000 yen (539 USD)
• 21-Day Ordinary Pass: 100,000 yen (674 USD)
• 7-Day Green Pass: 70,000 yen (472 USD)
• 14-Day Green Pass: 110,000 yen (741 USD)
• 21-Day Green Pass: 140,000 yen (944 USD)

Note: USD prices are approximate.

Kids aged 6 to 11 get a 50% discount on their Japan Rail Passes, and children under 6 can travel for free with an accompanying adult who has a pass. Unfortunately, there are no discount options for senior citizens.

Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It? – Final Comments

One of the top travel tips for Rome is to do as the Romans do, and when it comes to Japan, I’d say do as the Japanese do and take the train.

Japan is a beautiful country with a rich history of train use, and taking big train journeys is an experience in itself. The locals love this fast and reliable mode of transport and as a tourist, so should you.

However, due to the 2023 increase in JR Pass prices, it’s only worth buying one if you’re planning to take a Japan trip mostly via rail. If not, unfortunately, I’d have to say that JR Passes are no longer worth the cost.