The Japanese transportation system is efficient and convenient, but costs can quickly escalate for
the visitor who wants to stop at many places. Different companies offer bus or rail transportation
so that purchasing several ticket options becomes both confusing and time consuming.
Fortunately, some useful transportation tickets are now available. Take a moment to learn about
the Japanese transportation system and make the experience enjoyable and easy!
In Japan, there are many varieties of rail passes to
choose from; there is unlimited travel in specified
areas, round-trips plus unlimited travel within given
regions. A choice of the very best available passes are
introduced below:
Eligibility requirements for these Special Passes *1)
1: A foreign tourist from abroad visiting Japan for sight-seeing
under the entry status of "temporary visitor *2)".
2: A Japanese national presently residing in a foreign country.
(a) who is qualified to permanently live in that country, or
(b) who is married to a non-Japanese residing outside Japan.
*1) Other conditions may apply to each pass.
Check for more details on the website at www.japanrailpass.net.
*2) According to Japanese Immigration Law, "Temporary Visitor" entry status allows for a 15 or 90 day "sight-seeing, etc."
stay. The visitor entering Japan who applies for 'sight-seeing stay' will have a "Temporary Visitor" stamp applied to their
passport and the purchase and use of the JR EAST PASS is only available to visitors with this stamp.
Effective area for each special pass
JR Pass (Throughout the Country)
The JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass) is the most economical method for traveling by rail in Japan.
However, the user is advised to consider some of the restrictions that apply. The pass is NOT
valid for 'Nozomi' trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. There are two types of
passes: Green and Ordinary. Each of these types is available as a 7-day, 14-day or 21-day Pass.
Price (Adult:Ordinary Car) 7-day: 28,300 JY, 14-day: 45,100 JY, 21-day: 57,700 JY How to obtain JR PASS - Purchased outside Japan -
1) An Exchange Order can be purchased before leaving for Japan from travel agents .
2) Your Exchange Order needs to be exchanged for a JR PASS after arrival in Japan.
*3) The actual cost in local currency is calculated at the time the Exchange Order is issued. Note that the purchase
exchange rate may differ from the exchange rate in effect when you actually visit Japan.
This pass offers unrestricted travel on JR East trains in the Kanto, Koshinetsu and Tohoku
regions. This includes Shinkansens, limited express trains and local trains, but does not
include the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansens. Tickets are available as 5 or 10 consecutive
days, or 4 flexible days to be used within one month.
*Only foreign tourists visiting Japan with "Temporary Visitor" visas are eligible.
Price 5-day: 20,000 JY, 10-day: 32,000 JY, flexible 4-day: 20,000 JY How to obtain JR EAST PASS
- Purchased outside Japan -
An Exchange Order can be
purchased before leaving
for Japan from travel agents
with the GDS (Global
Distribution Systems), or
now available online at JR East Official Site.
- Purchased inside Japan -
To qualify, buyers must show a valid passport and return air ticket. To purchase this pass
inside Japan, your passport must show a "Temporary Visitor" entry stamp, plus you must
show your return air ticket at the time of purchase. Visitors cannot purchase this pass
unless the above conditions are met. Your return air ticket is necessary to purchase a JR
EAST PASS as it is only sold on the condition of "one PASS per person, per visit to Japan." More Info : JR East Pass Features
Hokkaido Rail Pass
West Rail Pass (Kansai area pass)
This pass, exclusive to foreign visitors to
Japan, provides unlimited access to JR
Hokkaido Lines (including limited express
trains) and most JR bus service in Hokkaido.
This pass is available for 3 or 5 consecutive
days, or 4 flexible days.
Price 3-day: 15,000 JY, Flexible 4-day: 19,500 JY, 5-day: 19,500 JY More Info : JR Hokkaido Official Site
A one to four-day Kansai area rail pass
providing unlimited travel on local JR trains
and the 'Haruka' limited express train in the
Kansai region near and around Osaka,
Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
Price 1-day: 2,000 JY, 2-day: 4,000 JY 3-day: 5,000 JY, 4-day: 6,000 JY More Info : JR West Official Site
West Rail Pass (Sanyo area pass)
Kyushu Rail Pass
A four or eight consecutive day Sanyo area
rail pass providing unlimited travel on local
JR trains (Shinkansen included) serving the
Sanyo Coast between Osaka and Kyushu.
A 3-day or 5-day JR Kyushu rail pass
providing unlimited travel on Kyushu
Shinkansen and limited express trains on
Kyushu Island, with the exception of the
Sanyo Shinkansen.
-- JR Train -- Subway --Private Railway -- Bus -- City Train -- Other Transportation
Type of trains (cars) Futsu-Densha (Local) : Trains stop at every station. Kaisoku-Densha (Rapid) :
Train stops at selected stations on
identical route as local trains. Kyuko-Densha (Express) :
Train stop at fewer selected stations than
those of Rapid trains. Tokkyu-Densha (Limited Express) :
Train stop only at main stations.
JR Do Nichi Kippu (Kanto Area)
Kansai Thru Pass (Kansai Area)
A rail pass that allows unlimited travel on
non-reserved seats in regular cars of JR East
trains, including Shinkansen (except
Tokaido Shinkansen), limited express trains
and part of the Izukyu Line and Hokuestu
Express Line. Tickets are only valid on
weekends (Saturday and Sunday), excluding
peak seasons.
Unlimited travel on non-JR trains,
subways and buses in the Kansai region,
including Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. It also
includes excursions to Nara, Wakayama
and Koyasan. Two and three day passes
are available to visitors; the two day ticket
allows for usage for any two days within
the validity period, while the three day
ticket must be used on consecutive days.
A consecutive three day, unlimited
use ticket for all JR trains and limited
express trains in Shikoku, as well as part of
the Tosa-Kuroshio Railway between
Kubokawa and Wakai. It can also be used
on JR Buses, excluding highway routes.
A ticket offering unlimited travel all day on JR
East Lines (local and rapid-service trains) and
the "Tokyo Metro" that also allows access to
subways of the Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. It also
includes subways, trams and buses
(excluding late night buses) operated by the
Bureau of Transportation of the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government. This ticket can be
purchased at any JR East
"Midori-no-madoguchi" (Reservation Ticket
Office) or "View Plaza" (Travel Service Center)
conveniently located within the area.
This ticket is valid for
unlimited, same-day
trips on Osaka
subways, the New
Tram, and buses
(except for
sightseeing buses and direct bus service to
Universal Studio Japan). This ticket is
extremely useful to tourists, shoppers and
business people who travel several times in
the course of the day through busy
Osaka. This convenient ticket is available
from ticket machines, kiosks and season
ticket issuing centers at any subway and
New Tram station, as well as at the
Information Corner and City
Transportation Access Guide in Namba.
On valid days, special discounts are
offered to One-Day Pass ticket holders to
historic Osaka Castle and other popular
sightseeing sites.
A convenient transportation card that
allows visitors unlimited travel on the city
bus, subway line and within one section
of the Kyoto Bus Route (with some
exceptions). This reasonably priced ticket
may be purchased at machines located
in subway stations and must be used
within two consecutive days.
Great regional metropolitan cities such as Sapporo, Sendai, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Hiroshima
and Fukuoka offer visitors unlimited urban transportation passes for specified durations and price.
It is an easy and economical way to tour popular sightseeing sites with this convenient pass.
A 3-day, ticket providing round-trip
service to Mt Fuji region via Okakyu
Railways and Fujikyu highway bus with
unlimited use of designated trains,
cable cars, ropeways, boats and buses
in Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes region
valid for 3 days.
A 2-day ticket, round-trip to
Kamakura via local train and
unlimited travel on Enoden trains
(between Kamakura and Fujisawa),
Shonan Monorail (between Ofuna and
Shonan-Enoshima) and JR trains
between Kamakura, Ofuna and Fujisawa
is available at major travel agencies and
JR Stations; prices vary between start
and end station.
Price Adult: 1,970 JY Children: 1,000 JY (from Tokyo area)
Tobu Nikko Free Pass (World's heritage site)
Miyajima Free Pass
Three types of free passes are available
including the World Heritage Pass /
Kinugawa Theme Park Pass and All Nikko
Pass. All consist of:
1) a round-trip to Nikko by Tobu train
2) unlimited travel (within a given 'free area')
on Tobu buses and trains around Nikko
3) discounts at selected tourist facilities
and souvenir shops
World Heritage Pass / Kinugawa Theme
Park Pass = valid for 2 days,
All Nikko Pass = valid for 4 days
This 2-day ticket allows for unlimited use of
all trams in Hiroshima City, the ferry to
Miyajima, as well as the Miyajima Ropeway.
It is a great way to visit the Miyajima World
Heritage Sites.
Price Adult: 2,000 JY Children: 1,000 JY
* the word 'Free' used here doesn't mean 'free of charge'. * Price and regulations may change witout notice.
Convenient Rail Passes in Japan
The Japanese transportation system is efficient and convenient, but costs can quickly escalate for
the visitor who wants to stop at many places. Different companies offer bus or rail transportation
so that purchasing several ticket options becomes both confusing and time consuming.
Fortunately, some useful transportation tickets are now available. Take a moment to learn about
the Japanese transportation system and make the experience enjoyable and easy!
-- JR Train
-- Subway
--Private Railway
-- Bus
-- City Train
-- Other Transportation
A rail pass that allows unlimited travel on
non-reserved seats in regular cars of JR East
trains, including Shinkansen (except
Tokaido Shinkansen), limited express trains
and part of the Izukyu Line and Hokuestu
Express Line. Tickets are only valid on
weekends (Saturday and Sunday), excluding
peak seasons.
This ticket is valid for
unlimited, same-day
trips on Osaka
subways, the New
Tram, and buses
(except for
sightseeing buses and direct bus service to
Universal Studio Japan). This ticket is
extremely useful to tourists, shoppers and
business people who travel several times in
the course of the day through busy
Osaka. This convenient ticket is available
from ticket machines, kiosks and season
ticket issuing centers at any subway and
New Tram station, as well as at the
Information Corner and City
Transportation Access Guide in Namba.
On valid days, special discounts are
offered to One-Day Pass ticket holders to
historic Osaka Castle and other popular
sightseeing sites. 
A 3-day, ticket providing round-trip
service to Mt Fuji region via Okakyu
Railways and Fujikyu highway bus with
unlimited use of designated trains,
cable cars, ropeways, boats and buses
in Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes region
valid for 3 days.