Which line cannot use JR Pass?

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)



The Japan Rail (JR) Pass covers almost the entire national rail network, but it strictly cannot be used for "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" trains—the two fastest categories of Shinkansen—without a significant extra supplement. If you want to board a Nozomi (on the Tokaido/Sanyo lines) or a Mizuho (on the Sanyo/Kyushu lines), you must purchase a special "Nozomi Mizuho Ticket" in addition to holding a valid JR Pass. Furthermore, the pass does not cover private, non-JR lines (such as the Odakyu line to Hakone, the Kintetsu line to Nara, or the various Tokyo Metro/Toei subway lines). While there are a few exceptions where JR trains run on private tracks (like the line to Kawaguchiko), you will usually be asked to pay a small "surcharge" onboard. For 2026 travelers, it is also important to note that most "Highway Buses" (inter-city buses) are no longer included in the pass, though local JR-branded buses in cities like Kyoto remain accessible.

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Please use HIKARI, SAKURA, KODAMA and TSUBAME trains.

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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.

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No visitor to Tokyo should be without a Suica card and no visitor to Japan should be without a JR Pass. The Suica card is convenient for intercity trains and buses while the JR Pass saves you time and money when traveling through the country. Here are the deets.

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Unless you plan to ride a LOT of JR trains during your trip, you'll almost certainly save money by buying individual train tickets instead a Japan Rail Pass. You can buy shinkansen tickets online (before or after arrival) on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines (between Tokyo,Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Hakata).

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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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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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Validity. 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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Exclusively for foreign tourists to Japan, the JR West Kansai Pass provides unlimited travel on local JR trains and West JR buses in the Kansai region around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and more for one to four days.

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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.

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The Nara Line to Nara, Uji, and Inari Station (close to the Fushimi Inari Shrine) The Sanin Main Line, also called the Sagano Line, which connects to Saga-Arashiyama, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Sagano Scenic Railway (not included with the JR Pass).

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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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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.

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The JR Pass and other JR deals cover only green bold lines. But you have to take Tokyo Metro Ginza line or Toei Subway Asakusa line to get to Asakusa. Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway are not covered by the JR Pass and any other JR deals.

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  • Yamanote Line - a loop line and is the most prominent JR Line connecting major city centers.
  • Keihin-Tohoku Line - goes from north to south in Tokyo.
  • Chuo Line (Rapid) - goes from east to west in Tokyo.
  • Chuo/Sobu Line (Local)
  • Saikyo Line.


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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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