What is excluded from JR Pass?

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.



The Japan Rail (JR) Pass is famous for its value, but it has several notable exclusions that catch travelers off guard. Most importantly, it does not cover the "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" trains, which are the fastest and most frequent Shinkansen services on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines. To ride these, pass holders must pay a significant supplemental fee. Additionally, the pass cannot be used on private, non-JR rail lines (such as the Odakyu line to Hakone or the Tobu line to Nikko), though some "inter-running" sections require a small surcharge. The pass also excludes local subway systems in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, as well as highway buses (though some JR-branded buses are covered). Lastly, if you are traveling with "oversized baggage" (total dimensions over 160cm), you must reserve a specific seat in advance; failure to do so results in a 1,000 yen fine that is not covered by the pass.

People Also Ask

Essentially the JR Pass is a travel pass that let's you (foreign visitors) travel unlimited with JR Trains through out Japan. The only major exceptions are three super high speed commuter trains (Nozomi, Mizuho, Hayabusa), which the pass is not valid for.

MORE DETAILS

To allow us to offer this pass at an extremely reasonable price, certain conditions are placed on usage. To use Nozomi or Mizuho, you will need to purchase regular tickets (basic fare ticket and limited express ticket).

MORE DETAILS

If you are traveling to multiple cities in Japan and plan on using the bullet train (Shinkansen) or other long-distance trains (local, express or limited-express trains), then the JR Pass can be a cost-effective option.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Slower than the premier Nozomi but faster than the all-stations Kodama, the Hikari is the fastest train service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen that can be used with the Japan Rail Pass, which is not valid for travel on the Nozomi or Mizuho trains except through a special supplementary ticket.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, the Japan Rail Pass is valid for the entire line and all JR lines branching of it. Using your pass to explore Osaka this way, is a very cost-efficient option.

MORE DETAILS

We recommend that you book your JR Pass from Klook at least 2 weeks before your trip to Japan. This allows enough wiggle room in the validity period of your Exchange Order. You can't purchase your JR Pass more than 3 months before your trip, as it's past the validity period of your Exchange Order.

MORE DETAILS

With the Japan Rail Pass, you can ride on all JR trains, including the Shinjuku Line, without paying additional fares. However, it's important to note that the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on other non-JR train lines, such as private railways or subways.

MORE DETAILS

You may get some value from some day type passes, but not from a nationwide rail pass. (if you were going as far a Kyoto, it would be about breakeven for you). A JR pass is of no value if you're only going to be in Tokyo. If you plan to arrive at NRT - http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/ - is a good value.

MORE DETAILS

Can I use the JR Pass in Kyoto? Yes, to a limited extent. JR lines run to the west and south of Kyoto, with access to highlights such as Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari and Uji. Additionally, a local JR bus runs from Kyoto station to north Kyoto.

MORE DETAILS

The main difference here is that the Nozomi stops at the least amount of stations, the Hikari only at the most important stops and the Kodama at each stop along the way. This way business people can travel fast from meeting to meeting, while tourists can get off at their desired stop, like Mt. Fuji!

MORE DETAILS

Differences in Fares For example, a reserved seat from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka on a Nozomi train costs 14, 450 yen, while the same seat on a Hikari or Kodama costs 14,140 yen. Please keep in mind that you might not be able to sit down when you buy a non-reserved seat ticket if the train is particularly crowded.

MORE DETAILS

Eating and drinking on Japanese trains You should eat on trains only when taking a long-distance train, such as the Shinkansen. These types of trains have a tray and cup holder at every seat, and snacks are sold from a vendor trolley. When taking this type of train, it is also acceptable to bring your own food.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS