Japan, a country that is renowned for its juxtaposition of modernism and traditional culture, is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Visitors come from every corner of the world to marvel at its beauty and unique cultural heritage. After years of travelling around Japan and spending some of my life there, I am always blown away by how efficient and punctual its train system is. That is why I’ve always purchased a Japan Rail Pass, until now. But in 2025, is the JR Pass still worth it?
In 2023, the Japan Railways Group permanently increased the prices of the Japan Rail Pass. It was the first time that the company had raised the prices for its pass in 40 years, and potential tourists were outraged. This Japan Rail Pass Review article will explain what exactly the JR Pass is, where and how you can use it, how much it will cost you, and if it is still worth getting for your Japan trip in 2025.
What is the Japan Rail Pass?
We should probably start with the basics. If you’re reading this article, you are probably deep into planning your upcoming trip to Japan. Whether it is your first time or tenth time in Japan, you’re in for a life-changing experience.
The Japan Rail Pass is a special commuter pass that is only available to foreign tourists in Japan. It offers nearly unlimited travel on most trains, buses, and boats operated by the Japan Railways Group, often referred to as the JR Group. For tourists, this includes commuter trains, express trains, the Shinkansen bullet trains, and most ferries. As long as they are operated by the JR Group, the pass can be used to ride them freely without limit.
As you might expect, the JR Pass has been extremely popular among visitors to Japan. That is, until the massive price increase in October 2023. The rates were increased for every pass, some by as much as 70% over the previous rates. With this price increase in mind, let’s examine if the JR Pass is still a must-have accessory for your trip to Japan.
Types of Japan Rail Passes
There are a couple of different things to consider when purchasing the Japan Rail Pass. The first is the class of travel of the JR Pass. You can get an Ordinary Pass or the iconic Green Car Pass. The Green Car is first-class seating on the Shinkansen bullet train. These seats will cost a premium, but you get the advantage of a more spacious seating area, a quieter train, and are generally less crowded.
The second thing to consider when purchasing your Japan Rail Pass is the duration of the pass. JR Passes are available for 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day periods. These periods apply to both the Ordinary JR Pass and the Green Car Pass.
All Japan Rail Passes are valid for the period from the day they are activated at a JR office. You can choose to activate it anytime within 90 days of its issuance. Once on your trip to Japan, you can activate it at any time as long as it is within those 90 days. This means you can activate it at the airport as soon as you land if you want to take the Narita Express or other train into Tokyo.
Once activated, the pass needs to be used on consecutive days until the pass runs out. For a 7-day pass, you can use it for seven consecutive days, including the day you activated it.
What Does the Japan Rail Pass Cover?
The most important part of the Japan Rail Pass is what the pass covers. This will go a long way in determining if buying the pass for your trip to Japan is worth the cost. As a general rule of thumb, the JR pass covers any vehicles owned and operated by the Japan Rail Group company. In any station in Japan, the JR lines are clearly marked and usually easy to find. Here is a comprehensive list of the types of transportation that the Japan Rail Pass covers:
JR Pass Transportation Methods Covered:
- All JR-operated trains. These are mostly the commuter and express trains you see at most major Japanese stations. Examples include the Yamanote Line, the Osaka Loop Line, and the Chuo Main Line.
- Shinkansen bullet trains. The Japan Rail Pass allows you to board any Shinkansen even if you do not have a reserved seat ticket. You must sit in the non-reserved cars if you walk on with the Japan Rail Pass.
- Note: The JR pass can not be used to walk onto a Nozomi or Mizuho Shinkansen. You can purchase a separate Nozomi or Mizhuo ticket, which is an additional charge that can be used with the pass.
- JR Buses (not all routes)
- JR Ferries (Ferry to Miyajima Island in Hiroshima)
- Narita Express (N’EX) train from Narita Airport to Tokyo
One of the more confusing things for first-time visitors to Japan is how many different train operators there are. The JR Group is just one of many train line operators in Japan, which means there are plenty of other train lines that the JR Pass will not work with.
The JR Pass cannot be used on any subway lines in any city across the country. It also cannot be used with private train operators like Keio Corporation, Hanshin Railway, Hankyu Railway, Tobu Railway, Kintetsu Railway, and Odakyu Railway, just to name a few.
How Much Does the JR Pass Cost in 2025?
In October 2023, the Japan Railways Group significantly raised the prices of all of its JR passes. As mentioned earlier, it was the biggest price increase in 40 years and nearly doubled the price of all passes. The impact has been noticeable. JR Group has reported a steep drop in Japan Rail Pass purchases by visiting tourists. While the prices are much higher, if you utilize the pass to its full potential, it can still be a great value.
The prices of the JR passes are set in Japanese Yen, so depending on the exchange rate, the price in your home currency can fluctuate. Here are the prices of the JR passes as of May 2025.
| Type | Ordinary Pass | Green Car Pass | ||
| Duration | Adult | Child | Adult | Child |
| 7-day | 50,000 Yen | 25,000 Yen | 70,000 Yen | 35,000 Yen |
| 14-day | 80,000 Yen | 40,000 Yen | 110,000 Yen | 55,000 Yen |
| 21-day | 100,000 Yen | 50,000 Yen | 140,000 Yen | 70,000 Yen |
The Adult rate applies to anyone who is 12 years of age or older at the time the JR pass is used. The Child rate applies to anyone who is between the ages of 6 and 11. Children who are younger than the age of six can ride most trains for free in Japan.
How to Purchase the Japan Rail Pass in 2025?
The Japan Rail Pass must be purchased before arriving in Japan. You can purchase the Japan Rail Pass online at this site. To purchase the JR pass, you will need to create an account and then pick up your pass at a designated JR station once you arrive in Japan.
You can also purchase the pass through most travel agents and travel companies. To activate the JR Pass, you must bring your purchase order confirmation to a JR office in Japan. The office will exchange the purchase order for the JR Pass, which can be activated on the spot or at a later date at any JR office or station.
When is the JR Pass Worth It?
If you are planning on getting the JR pass, you will want to calculate to see if it is worth it for your trip.
The Japan Rail Pass is worth it if you plan on travelling to the outer areas of Honshu, the main island. Travelling to areas like Hiroshima or Fukuoka can make the JR Pass worth its value.
Likewise, if you are planning to travel North to Hokkaido. The JR pass can be a saving grace if you plan on taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hakodate.
But if you are just staying in Osaka and travelling to nearby cities like Kyoto, Kobe, or even Nagoya, the Japan Rail Pass isn’t necessary. It’s easier and much cheaper to take local trains to these cities and, surprisingly, just as fast as the Shinkansen in most cases.
The Japan Rail Pass is helpful if you are travelling with young children. It allows you to make reservations, which will guarantee you a seat on the Shinkansen or other long-distance trains.
If you are the type of traveller who likes to make spontaneous trips to other cities, then the JR pass is also suitable for you. As long as your pass is active, you can hop on a Shinkansen and travel to a different city each day. This is the best way to help you get the most value out of your Japan Rail Pass.
Japan Rail Pass vs Regional Passes
Since the increase in prices for the JR pass, many travellers have been purchasing regional JR passes instead. These regional passes allow you to travel freely within a specific region of Japan, rather than the entire country. If you know you are going to be spending most of your time in a certain area, these JR regional passes might be a better option.
Here are some popular choices for JR regional passes:
The JR East Pass Tohoku Area Pass
- This pass covers all JR transportation between Tokyo and Akita. An adult 5-day pass will cost 30,000 Yen, and an adult 10-day pass will cost 48,000 Yen. Children’s passes are half the price of adult passes.
JR Kansai Wide Area Pass
- This pass covers all of the JR train lines in the Kansai region. This includes popular tourist cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Okayama. A 5-day pass for an adult costs 12,000 Yen and 60,000 Yen for children. This pass can be used for the popular Hello Kitty Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.
JR Kyushu Pass
- This pass covers the JR trains on Kyushu Island. This includes destinations like Fukuoka, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, and the onsen city Beppu. The JR Kyushu Pass is available for periods of 3, 5, and 7 days.
The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
- This pass allows you to travel around the northernmost island in Japan. This pass will bring you to some of the most beautiful cities in Northern Japan, including Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu. The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass is available for periods of 5, 7, and 10 days and is available at two different price points depending on where you purchase it. The pass is slightly cheaper when purchased outside of Japan with a travel agent or through a JR-EAST Reservation.
| JR Rail Pass Type | Durations | Price for Adult | Price for Child |
| JR East Tohoku Pass | 5 days or 10 days | 3 days: 22,000 Yen 5 days: 24,000 Yen 7 days: 26,000 Yen | 5 days: 15,000 Yen 10 days: 24,000 Yen |
| JR Kansai Wide Area Pass | 5 days | 12,000 Yen | 6,000 Yen |
| JR Kyushu Pass | 3, 5, or 7 days | 3 days: 22,000 Yen 5 days: 24,000 Yen 7 days: 26,000 Yen | 3 days: 11,000 Yen 5 days: 12,000 Yen 7 days: 13,000 Yen |
| JR Hokkaido Rail Pass | 5, 7, or 10 days | 5 days: 22,000 Yen 7 days: 28,000 Yen 10 days: 37,000 Yen | 5 days: 11,000 Yen 7 days: 14,000 Yen 10 days: 18,500 Yen |
Final Verdict: Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2025?
The answer certainly isn’t a resounding yes as it was a few years ago. In 2025, the JR Pass is expensive, there is no other way to put it. Is it still worth the value? That depends.
As it always has been, the Japan Rail Pass’ value rises the more times you use it. If you are taking a different Shinkansen or local train every day, then you will get an appropriate value from it. If you’re only using it once or twice, then there are alternatives, such as the popular JR regional passes.
For my travels, I still love the freedom and flexibility of having the JR Pass. Being able to hop onto a Shinkansen at a moment’s notice or waking up and deciding to travel to a different part of Japan is priceless. As long as you get your money’s worth, the JR Pass is worth it. And remember, trying to pinch pennies on a trip to Japan will only take away from your experiences.
FAQs
Is it Worth Buying the Japan Rail Pass in 2025?
This depends on how you plan to travel around Japan. The price for the JR Pass has risen since 2023, and for casual travellers, it is no longer the value it once was. If you plan on travelling to different cities and regions by Shinkansen, then the JR Pass is still worth the price.
Does the Japan Rail Pass Include Subway?
No, the Japan Rail Pass does not include local subway lines. The Japan Rail Group does not operate local subways, so you will need to use it for commuter trains and Shinkansen bullet trains owned by JR. Local subway lines will require you to purchase tickets or use an IC Card like the Suica or Icoca.
How Far in Advance Should I Buy the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass needs to be activated within 90 days of issuance. It is best not to leave this until the last minute, especially if you need to get it delivered to your residence before your trip to Japan. Allow yourself at least a month before your trip to provide enough room for the JR Pass to arrive and be activated once in Japan.
Which Shinkansen Cannot Be Used With the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass cannot be used on the Mizuho or Nozomi trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. If you wish to take these trains, you will need to purchase an additional ticket at the Shinkansen station before boarding.
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