Is the bullet train included in JR Pass?

Yes, the Japan Rail Pass does cover all shinkansen lines in Japan. However, it is important to understand that there are a select few train services such as the Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Sanyo Shinkansen line that are excluded.



In 2026, the Japan Rail (JR) Pass covers most Shinkansen (bullet trains), but with significant caveats for the fastest services. The Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, and Tsubame trains are fully included in the pass price. However, the premier Nozomi and Mizuho trains—which are the fastest and have the fewest stops—are not included in the base price of the JR Pass. To ride these, pass holders must purchase a special supplemental "Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket" for each leg of the journey, which costs between ¥4,000 and ¥8,000 depending on the distance. For most travelers, the included Hikari and Sakura trains are more than sufficient, as they only take about 20–30 minutes longer than the Nozomi on a trip from Tokyo to Osaka. Additionally, the JR Pass covers seat reservations on the included trains for free, but you must still visit a ticket machine or counter to secure your seat before boarding to ensure you aren't stuck in the non-reserved cars.

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The JR Pass is valid on all Shinkansen services in all the Shinkansen lines, except for the Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. You will not have access to the trains with the fewest stops on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.

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The pass is valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, rapid and local trains. The map below shows the major train lines that are covered by the pass.

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If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

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The Japan Rail Pass is valid for West JR Bus company, which operates the Takao Keihoku Line. This line runs between Kyoto station and Shuzan. You will be able to go to Ninnaji Temple and Ryoanji Temple.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen lines are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and they can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in about 3 to 4 hours. In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka.

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The Japan Rail Pass gives you access to JR train lines countrywide, with very few exceptions. With your pass, you can take unlimited rides on most shinkansen (bullet trains), as well as on rapid, express and local JR trains.

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With a national Japan Rail Pass, you can travel on many (but not all) Shinkansen without making prior reservations. Just board one of the non reserved cars - these are marked ??? - pronounced jiyuseki. Take any unoccupied seat, or stand if there are none available.

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For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.

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The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.

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The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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Tokyo to Fuji Five Lakes Take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station (Tokyo) to Otsuki Station (Azusa trains, covered by the JR Pass). Once at Otsuki, take Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko Station (not covered by the JR Pass).

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Buses. For travel within the city, the bus system can be useful for making those trips that the subway doesn't handle well ? like Roppongi to Shimbashi. Fares are cheap and you can use Pasmo/Suica IC cards to pay.

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