How much is the Japan Rail Pass: Prices, tips and how to pay (2025)

If Japan is next on your travel list, exploring the country by train offers an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning landscapes and high-speed, comfortable bullet trains makes for a journey you'll cherish. The Japan Rail Pass can help make this possible, though it requires careful planning which should begin back home in the UK.

In this guide, we’ll cover the Japan Rail Pass price, if it’s worth it, how to get it and other important considerations for your trip. We’ll also explain how to activate the pass and where you can use it.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to cover your transport costs while in Japan and to pay for your pass. For international purchases, whether online or in person, you can rely on the Wise international debit card. It also allows you to spend like a local, with low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

What is the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass, or JR Pass, is a travel pass for foreign tourists visiting Japan. It offers unlimited long-distance train travel across the country, along with access to some other forms of transportation.¹

You can choose between a 7-day, 14-day or 21-day pass and select between the Ordinary or Green Car type. The Green Car JR Pass provides access to first-class cars with more comfortable seats.¹

The pass must be bought in advance, whether online or through a travel agent. You’ll pick up your pass when you arrive in Japan.¹

Japan Rail Pass prices 2025

The Japan Rail Pass price depends on the validity period and the train class. Let’s take a look at your options:

Japan Rail Pass type	Price in JPY2/GBP3
7-day Ordinary JR Pass	50,000 JPY/266 GBP
14-day Ordinary JR Pass	80,000 JPY/426 GBP
21-day Ordinary JR Pass	100,000 JPY/532 GBP
7-day Green JR Pass	70,000 JPY/373 GBP
14-day Green JR Pass	110,000 JPY/586 GBP
21-day Green JR Pass	140,000 JPY/745 GBP

Children under 5 can travel for free, while those over 12 need to pay full price. However, children between the ages of 6 and 11 pay 50% of the fare.²

Explore live exchange rates for JPY.

Japan Rail Pass price vs individual train tickets in Japan

The JR Pass can be a great money-saver, but sometimes individual tickets are a better choice. Here are some pros and cons of both options:

Japan Rail Pass pros and cons

Pros ✅

• More convenient since you don’t have to buy a ticket for each trip
• Economical if you plan on travelling long distances
• Free seat reservation included
• If you miss a train, you can catch another without losing money
• Allows more spontaneity and flexibility

Cons ⛔

• Needs to be purchased in advance
• Doesn’t cover every type of train
• Expensive if you don’t plan on travelling long distances
• The validity period is based on calendar days and it expires at midnight regardless of the time of activation¹

Individual train tickets pros and cons

Pros ✅

• They don’t need to be bought outside of Japan
• You end up spending less if your itinerary is limited
• Better for exploring specific regions

Cons ⛔

• You have to pay extra for seat reservations
• They can turn out to be more expensive if you plan on travelling a lot
• Less convenient

Once you’ve planned your journey through Japan, you’ll be able to determine whether individual train tickets are more expensive than the Japan Rail Pass in your case. If the price is similar, it’s worth investing in a JR Pass for the added speed and convenience. However, many tourists don’t use it enough to get the full value from the cost.

Since the Japan Rail Pass price increase in October 2023, it’s not guaranteed that the pass will be worth the money.¹

For example, if you’re only visiting Tokyo and don’t have any out of the city day trips planned, there’s little value in purchasing a JR Pass. If your itinerary covers multiple cities, it is more likely to be worthwhile, as individual bullet train tickets without a Japan Rail Pass are expensive.

What else to consider about the JR Pass

While the Japan Rail Pass offers a great opportunity to explore the country, it does come with certain limitations. For example, it’s only available to tourists, not residents of Japan. This means that if you’re a UK citizen living and working in Japan but are not a Japanese national, you still won’t qualify for the pass. The only exception is for Japanese nationals who can prove they have been living abroad for the past ten years.

While most high-speed Shinkansen trips are covered with a JR Pass, the fastest of these is not. In order to ride the faster Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Lines, you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket on top of your pass.⁴

During busy or peak seasons such as Golden Week or sakura season, if you have a lot of luggage, you will be expected to book a seat reservation on the JR Shinkansen trains. But don’t worry, the ticket machines or staff will ask you before you make your reservation. These ticket types are limited and sell out quickly so it is best to book them well ahead of time.

Lastly, you can’t use the Japan Rail Pass on just any train. It’s only valid on:

• JR Shinkansen lines
• JR Group trains
• Some local JR buses
• The Tokyo Monorail to Haneda Airport
• And the JR Ferry to Miyajima.

The pass can also be used on a limited number of non-JR trains, but only in order to access isolated JR lines.¹

Where to buy a Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass must be bought before entering Japan. You can buy it on their official website or through a travel agent.¹

Let’s discuss these two options to help you choose.

Buy your Japan Rail Pass online

To buy a JR Pass through the official website, you’ll need your payment card and passport. You can buy a pass for yourself and up to five other people who are travelling with you.⁵

Although you can buy the pass online, you won’t be able to use it right away. After arriving in Japan, you'll need to pick it up at a JR-designated ticket office. You can do this either before the start date or during the validity period.⁵

Buy from an authorised JR Pass agent in the UK

Alternatively, you can buy the pass from an authorised travel agent in the UK. You'll first receive an Exchange Order, which must be exchanged for the actual pass once you're in Japan. You can find a list of authorised agencies and offices in the UK on the official Japan Rail Pass website.⁶

When you arrive in Japan, visit a Japan Rail Pass exchange office, typically located in major JR stations. Bring your Exchange Order and passport, and wait to receive your JR Pass. Keep in mind that the Exchange Order must be swapped for the pass within three months of purchase. When you collect your pass, you'll select a start date, which can be any day within a one-month period.⁶

Paying by card for a Japan Rail Pass

If you use your card to pay for a JR Pass online, be sure to take exchange rates and fees into account. With a Wise international debit card, your pounds are converted to yen at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees*, leaving you with more spending money for your stay in Japan.

Japan Rail Pass price - is it worth it?

That concludes our guide on the Japan Rail Pass price, eligibility and purchasing options. Once you've planned your trip itinerary, you'll be able to determine if the pass is the right choice for your travel style and budget.

And if you’d like to buy a Japan Rail Pass without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees*, then the Wise card could be a great solution for you.

You can use your Wise card for all international payments in 150+ countries, including Japan. It automatically converts your pounds to the currency you need in your destination at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee*. Order your Wise card for a one-time fee of £7.

Get your Wise card 💳

While card payments are more and more common across Japan, it is a country known for embracing cash over card. For example, in temples or rural areas you might need access to cash, but Wise has you covered there too.

With Wise, every month you’ll get two free ATM withdrawals up to the value of 200 GBP (or currency equivalent). After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal, and a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP. When withdrawing cash at an ATM abroad, always withdraw in the local currency to save on ATM provider currency exchange fees and make sure to check if the ATM charges an additional withdrawal fee.

💡It is worth noting that many Japanese ATMs only accept cards issued in Japan, so you’ll need to check this too. Look out for the larger bank ATMs, such as 7-Bank, as they are more likely to accept foreign cards.

FAQs about Japan Rail Pass

Let’s answer some commonly asked questions about the JR Pass:

How does Exchange Order activation of a Japan Rail Pass work?

When you arrive in Japan, look for a Japan Rail Pass exchange office at one of the major JR stations. There, you can exchange your Exchange Order for the actual Japan Rail Pass.

How do you activate a Japan Rail Pass at the airport?

Check out the list of JR Pass exchange offices and find one that’s located at an airport.

Do you need a seat reservation with the Japan Rail Pass?

Seat reservations are only required on some trains, but they are free for JR Pass holders. Additionally, some trains require reservations only during certain holidays.¹

During peak seasons, if you have large suitcases or a lot of luggage with you, you will be expected to book a seat reservation in a specific section of the train. These tickets sell out quickly, so book them with enough notice.

Can you use the JR Pass on the metro?

Only some metro lines, such as the Osaka Loop Line, are operated by JR. The pass can only be used on JR trains.¹

Are there any other restrictions when using a JR Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass is available only to foreigners and can only be used on JR Group trains.

Sources used:

1. Japan Guide - guide to the Japan Rail Pass
2. Japan Rail Pass - JR Pass types and prices
3. H.I.S. Travel UK - info on the Japan Rail Pass
4. Japan Rail Pass - Nozomi and Mizuho trains special ticket
5. Japan Rail Pass - JR Pass online purchase
6. Japan Rail Pass - JR Pass purchase at a travel agency

Sources last checked on date: 16-Dec-2024