JR Pass Prices Are Increasing From 1 Oct 2023: All You Need to Know About Japan Rail Passes & Other Travel Alternatives
This is a public service announcement to all Japan lovers, the beloved Japan Rail (JR) Pass will be seeing a price hike from October 2023!
For the uninitiated, the JR Pass provides you unlimited rides on local trains, express trains, bullet trains, buses and even ferries, depending on which rail pass you get.
But with up to a staggering 77 per cent increase in prices, Japan rail passes are much less attractive.
So here’s all you need to know about the JR Pass price hikes, as well as possible alternatives to travel around Japan!
TL;DR: JR Pass Price Hike From 1 Oct 2023
| Japan Rail Pass | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Regular 7 days | 29,650 yen (~S$272) | 50,000 yen (~S$459) |
| Regular 14 days | 47,250 yen (~S$434) | 80,000 yen (~S$735) |
| Regular 21 days | 60,450 yen (~S$555) | 100,000 yen (~S$919) |
| Green 7 days | 39,600 yen (~S$364) | 70,000 yen (~S$644) |
| Green 14 days | 64,120 yen (~S$590) | 111,000 yen (~S$1,021) |
| Green 21 days | 83,390 yen (~S$767) | 140,000 yen (~S$1,287) |
Conversion rate SGD 1 = JPY 108.695 as of 26 September 2023. Derived figures are rounded to the nearest dollar. All information and prices are sourced from japan-guide.com.
Apart from the Japan Rail Pass, most regional passes will also increase in costs.
Click to jump:
- Nationwide
- Hokkaido
- Kanto / Tohoku
- Kanto
- Hakone / Izu / Mt.Fuji
- Chubu
- Western Japan
- Kansai
- Chugoku
- Shikoku
- Kyushu
- Alternatives to JR Passes
Nationwide
| Nationwide Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Rail Pass (Regular) | 7 days: 29,650 yen (~S$272) 14 days: 47,250 yen (~S$434) 21 days: 60,450 yen (~S$555) | 7 days: 50,000 yen (~S$459) 14 days: 80,000 yen (~S$735) 21 days: 100,000 yen (~S$919) | Unlimited travel on almost all JR trains nationwide, including bullet trains, limited express trains, local trains, some JR buses and the JR ferry to Miyajima. |
| Japan Rail Pass (Green) | 7 days: 39,600 yen (~S$364) 14 days: 64,120 yen (~S$590) 21 days: 83,390 yen (~S$767) | 7 days: 70,000 yen (~S$644) 14 days: 111,000 yen (~S$1,021) 21 days: 140,000 yen (~S$1,287) |
|
| JR Seishun 18 Kippu | 5 days: 12,050 yen (~S$111) | Unlimited travel on local and rapid (kaisoku) JR trains nationwide. Available only seasonally and can be shared by several people. | |
Hokkaido
| Hokkaido Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Hokkaido Rail Pass | 5 days: 19,000 yen (~S$175) 7 days: 25,000 yen (~S$230) | 5 days: 20,000 yen (~S$184) 7 days: 26,000 yen (~S$239) | Unlimited travel on all trains, including limited express trains and most buses, operated by JR Hokkaido and JR Hokkaido Bus. |
| JR Hokkaido Free Pass | 7 days: 27,430 yen (~S$252) | Unlimited travel on all trains, including limited express trains and most buses, operated by JR Hokkaido and JR Hokkaido Bus. Not available during peak travel seasons. | |
| JR Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass | 4 days Outside Japan: 8,000 yen (~S$74) Inside Japan: 8,500 yen (~S$78) | 4 days Outside Japan: 9,000 yen (~S$83) Inside Japan: 10,000 yen (~S$92) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the area around Sapporo and Noboribetsu. |
| JR Sapporo-Furano Area Pass | 4 days Outside Japan: 9,000 yen (~S$83) Inside Japan: 9,500 yen (~S$87) | 4 days Outside Japan: 10,000 yen (~S$92) Inside Japan: 11,000 yen (~S$101) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the area around Sapporo and Furano. |
Kanto / Tohoku
| Kanto/Tohoku Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR East Tohoku Area Pass | 5 days: 20,000 yen (~S$184) | 5 days: 30,000 yen (~S$276) | Unlimited travel on trains operated by JR East in the Kanto and Tohoku regions, including shinkansen, limited express trains and local trains. |
| JR East South Hokkaido Pass | 6 days: 27,000 yen (~S$248) | 6 days: 35,000 yen (~S$322) | Unlimited travel on trains operated by JR East and JR Hokkaido in the Kanto Region, the Tohoku Region and southern Hokkaido, including shinkansen, limited express trains and local trains. |
| JR Tohoku South Hokkaido Rail Pass | 6 days: 24,000 yen (~S$220) | 6 days: 30,000 yen (~S$276) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the Tohoku Region and southern Hokkaido, including shinkansen, limited express trains and local trains. |
Kanto
| Kanto Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Tokyo Wide Pass | 3 days: 10,180 yen (~S$94) | 3 days: 15,000 yen (~S$138) | Unlimited travel on JR trains and selected non-JR lines in the Kanto Region. |
| Nikko Pass | 2 or 4 days Nikko World Heritage Area Pass: 2,120 yen (~S$19) Nikko All Area Pass: 4,780 yen (~S$44) | Tobu offers two types of passes for Nikko. They consist of 1) a round trip to Nikko by Tobu train and 2) unlimited travel on selected transportation in the Nikko region. | |
| Odakyu Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass | 1 day: 1,640 yen (~S$15) | 1) Round trip to Fujisawa by Odakyu Railways and 2) unlimited travel on the Enoden train between Fujisawa and Kamakura and the Odakyu Line between Fujisawa and Enoshima. | |
| Hakone Kamakura Pass | 3 days: 7,520 yen (~S$69) | Unlimited travel on Odakyu trains and the Enoden, as well as Odakyu-affiliated trains, buses, cablecars, ropeways and boats in the Hakone area. | |
Hakone / Izu / Mt.Fuji
| Hakone / Izu / Mt.Fuji Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakone Free Pass | 2 days (from Shinjuku): 6,100 yen (~S$56) 3 days (from Shinjuku): 6,500 yen (~S$60) | 1) Round trip to Hakone by the Odakyu Line and 2) unlimited use of most trains, cablecars, ropeways, boats and buses in the Hakone area. | |
| Fuji Hakone Pass | 3 days: 9,340 yen (~S$86) | 1) A one-day trip between Tokyo and Hakone by Odakyu Railway and 2) unlimited use of designated trains, cablecars, ropeways, boats and buses in Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region. | |
| Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini | 3 days: 4,570 yen (~S$42) | 3 days: 4,570 yen (~S$60) | Unlimited travel on designated trains in Shizuoka Prefecture, as well as on selected bus and ferry lines, especially around Mount Fuji. |
Chubu
| Chubu Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokuriku Arch Pass | 7 days Outside Japan: 24,500 yen (~S$225) Inside Japan: 25,500 yen (~S$234) | Unlimited travel on designated JR trains between Tokyo and Osaka via the Hokuriku Shinkansen. | |
| JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass | 5 days: 18,000 yen (~S$165) | 5 days: 27,000 yen (~S$248) | Unlimited travel on trains operated by JR East in the Kanto Region and the Koshinetsu Region (Yamanashi, Nagano and Niigata Prefectures), including shinkansen, limited express trains and local trains. |
| Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass | 5 days: 14,260 yen (~S$131) | 5 days: 19,800 yen (~S$182) | Unlimited use of JR trains between Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama and between Osaka, Kanazawa and Toyama. Unlimited use of buses between Takayama and Kanazawa and between Takaoka and Shirakawago. |
| Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass | 5 days: 21,200 yen (~S$195) | A great pass to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Nagoya. | |
| JR Hokuriku Area Pass | 4 days Outside Japan: 5,090 yen (~S$47) Inside Japan: 5,600 yen (~S$51) | Unlimited use of JR trains in the Hokuriku Region around Kanazawa. | |
| JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass | 7 days Outside Japan: 17,000 yen (~S$156) Inside Japan: 19,000 yen (~S$175) | Unlimited use of JR trains in the Kansai and Hokuriku Regions and Okayama. | |
| JR Aozora Free Pass | 1 day: 2,620 yen (~S$24) | Unlimited usage of local and rapid JR trains around Nagoya on a Saturday, Sunday or national holiday. | |
Western Japan
| Western Japan Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR West All Area Pass | 7 days: 23,000 yen (~S$211) | 7 days: 26,000 yen (~S$239) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the service area of JR West, which includes the Kansai, Hokuriku and Chugoku regions. |
Kansai
| Kansai Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansai Thru Pass | 2 days: 4,380 yen (~S$40) 3 days: 5,400 yen (~S$50) | Unlimited travel on non-JR trains, subways and buses in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe). | |
| JR Kansai Area Pass | 1 day: 2,400 yen (~S$22) 2 days: 4,600 yen (~S$42) 3 days: 5,600 yen (~S$51) 4 days: 6,800 yen (~S$63) | 1 day: 2,800 yen (~S$26) 2 days: 4,800 yen (~S$44) 3 days: 5,800 yen (~S$53) 4 days: 7,000 yen (~S$64) | Unlimited travel on local and rapid (kaisoku) JR trains in the region around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji and on the Haruka limited express to/from Kansai Airport. |
| JR Kansai Wide Area Pass | 5 days: 10,000 yen (~S$92) | 5 days: 12,000 yen (~S$110) | Unlimited travel on local, rapid, limited express JR trains in the Kansai Region and the Sanyo Shinkansen between Osaka and Okayama. |
| Kintetsu Rail Pass | 5 days Regular: 3,700 yen (~S$34) Plus: 4,900 yen (~S$45) | Unlimited travel on trains on the Kintetsu railway network (except limited express trains). The "Plus" version additionally includes selected buses. | |
| Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass | 5 days: 11,210 yen (~S$103) | 5 days: 16,500 yen (~S$152) | Unlimited use of JR trains between Nagoya, Ise, the Kumano Region, Osaka and Nara and unlimited use of selected buses in the Kumano area. |
| Koyasan World Heritage Ticket | 2 days: 2,510 yen (~S$23) | 2 days: 3,140 yen (~S$29) | 1) Round trip to Koyasan by Nankai train and cablecar and 2) unlimited usage of Nankai buses on Koyasan. |
Chugoku
| Chugoku Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass | 7 days: 20,000 yen (~S$184) | 7 days: 23,000 yen (~S$211) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the Chugoku Region and parts of the Kansai Region, including shinkansen and limited express trains. |
| JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass | 7 days: 23,000 yen (~S$211) | 7 days: 26,000 yen (~S$239) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the Chugoku Region, northern Kyushu and parts of the Kansai Region, including shinkansen and limited express trains. |
| JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass | 5 days: 15,000 yen (~S$138) | 5 days: 17,000 yen (~S$156) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the Kansai Region and along the Sanyo Coast as far as Hiroshima, including shinkansen and limited express trains. |
| JR Okayama Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass | 5 days: 15,000 yen (~S$138) | 5 days: 17,000 yen (~S$156) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in Okayama, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefectures, including shinkansen and limited express trains. |
| JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass | 5 days: 13,000 yen (~S$120) | 5 days: 15,000 yen (~S$138) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefectures, including shinkansen and limited express trains. |
| JR Sanin Okayama Area Pass | 4 days Outside Japan: 4,580 yen (~S$42) Inside Japan: 5,600 yen (~S$51) | Unlimited travel on JR trains in the Sanin Region and between Okayama and the Sanin Region. | |
| JR Setouchi Area Pass | 7 days: 19,000 yen (~S$175) | 7 days: 22,000 yen (~S$202) | Unlimited travel on designated JR trains and selected trams, buses and ferries in the region around the Seto Inland Sea. |
Shikoku
| Shikoku Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Shikoku Rail Pass | 3 days: 12,000 yen (~S$110) 4 days: 15,000 yen (~S$138) 5 days: 17,000 yen (~S$156) 7 days: 20,000 yen (~S$184) | Unlimited travel on all trains in Shikoku, including local and express trains by JR and private railway companies. The pass also covers selected ferries to Shodoshima Island and buses on Shodoshima. | |
Kyushu
| Kyushu Rail Passes | Price Before 1 October 2023 | Price After 1 October 2023 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyushu Rail Pass | All Kyushu 3 days: 17,000 yen (~S$156) All Kyushu 5 days: 18,500 yen (~S$170) All Kyushu 7 days: 20,000 yen (~S$184) Northern Kyushu 3 days: 10,000 yen (~S$92) Northern Kyushu 5 days: 14,000 yen (~S$129) Southern Kyushu 3 days: 8,000 yen (~S$74) | All Kyushu 3 days: 20,000 yen (~S$184) All Kyushu 5 days: 22,500 yen (~S$207) All Kyushu 7 days: 25,000 yen (~S$230) Northern Kyushu 3 days: 12,000 yen (~S$110) Northern Kyushu 5 days: 15,000 yen (~S$138) Southern Kyushu 3 days: 10,000 yen (~S$92) | Unlimited travel on the trains in Kyushu, which are operated by JR Kyushu, including the Kyushu Shinkansen and limited express trains, but excluding the Sanyo Shinkansen. The "Northern Kyushu" and "Southern Kyushu" versions are limited to the respective parts of Kyushu. |
Alternatives to JR Passes
If you just can’t stomach the price hikes or just want a more value-for-money method, here are the best alternatives to get around Japan.
Regular Point to Point Tickets
For most travel itineraries, regular point to point train tickets will become cheaper than purchasing a rail pass. The only downside is that you’ll need to know how to operate the ticketing machines and purchase the correct ticket.
Alternatively, you could purchase prepaid IC cards such as Suica and Pasmo. However, if you are travelling nationwide, you’ll need to purchase region specific cards.
Domestic Flights
For trips to places like Hokkaido, Kyushu or Shikoku, domestic flights have always been the faster option. But with the price hike, domestic flights will now easily also be cheaper!
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