The 7-day Japan Rail (JR) Pass is a multi-use transport ticket that allows for unlimited travel on the JR network across the entire country for seven consecutive days. This includes the famous Shinkansen (bullet trains), except for the ultra-fast "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" services unless you pay a specific supplement. It also covers JR buses, ferries to Miyajima, and the Tokyo Monorail. Because the pass is "consecutive," the clock starts the moment you first pass through a ticket gate and expires at midnight on the seventh day. While it was once an automatic "money-saver," a significant 2023 price hike means it is now primarily worth it for travelers planning extensive, long-distance "pioneer" routes (e.g., Tokyo to Hiroshima and back within a week). For many in 2026, regional passes or individual tickets have become more economical alternatives.