Work out in about twenty seconds whether the Japan Rail Pass is cheaper than buying individual tickets for your trip. Enter the journeys you actually plan to take, and the calculator compares the total against every pass length. Fares and pass prices below are the current published figures, and the calculator switches to the new prices automatically on 1 October 2026.
Japan Rail Pass prices are going up on 1 October 2026
JR announced a price revision that takes effect for purchases made on or after 1 October 2026. If you are travelling later but can buy now, buying before the deadline locks in the lower price.
| Pass | Until 30 Sep 2026 | From 1 Oct 2026 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day Ordinary | ¥50,000 | ¥53,000 | +¥3,000 |
| 14-day Ordinary | ¥80,000 | ¥84,000 | +¥4,000 |
| 21-day Ordinary | ¥100,000 | ¥105,000 | +¥5,000 |
| 7-day Green Car | ¥70,000 | ¥74,000 | +¥4,000 |
| 14-day Green Car | ¥110,000 | ¥116,000 | +¥6,000 |
| 21-day Green Car | ¥140,000 | ¥147,000 | +¥7,000 |
The fares the calculator uses
These are ordinary one-way tickets with a reserved seat in the regular season — what you would pay at the ticket window without a pass.
| Route | One way | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo – Nagoya | ¥11,090 | ¥22,180 |
| Tokyo – Kyoto | ¥13,850 | ¥27,700 |
| Tokyo – Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | ¥14,400 | ¥28,800 |
| Tokyo – Hiroshima | ¥19,440 | ¥38,880 |
| Tokyo – Fukuoka (Hakata) | ¥23,000 | ¥46,000 |
Quick rules of thumb
- Tokyo – Kyoto return only: the pass loses. ¥27,700 against a ¥50,000 pass. A classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Tokyo trip does not pay for a 7-day pass on its own.
- Tokyo – Fukuoka return: almost exactly break-even. ¥46,000 against ¥50,000. Add an airport train or a day trip and the pass moves ahead.
- Three or more long hops: the pass usually wins. Once you are combining Tokyo, Kansai and somewhere further west, individual tickets add up fast.
- Staying in one region? Look at a regional pass instead. The nationwide pass is priced for people who cross the country.
Can you use the pass on Nozomi and Mizuho?
Yes, but not for free. Hikari and Sakura trains are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Nozomi and Mizuho — the fastest services — require an extra supplement on top of the pass. On the long Tokyo–Hakata run that supplement is around ¥8,140, so it is worth checking whether the time saved is worth it before you pay it. For most itineraries Hikari and Sakura are only modestly slower and cost nothing extra.
What the calculator does not include
- Seasonal fare variation. Reserved-seat fees are slightly higher in peak periods and lower in off-peak ones.
- Non-JR lines. Subways, private railways and most city buses are not covered by the pass at all.
- Nozomi and Mizuho supplements, which are paid separately.
- Green Car fares for individual tickets — the route table above is for ordinary reserved seats.
Treat the result as a decision aid rather than a quote, and confirm fares when you book.
Frequently asked
Do I have to buy the pass before arriving in Japan?
No. The pass can be bought overseas in advance or in Japan, though the price and the exchange-rate treatment can differ. Buying before 1 October 2026 is what locks in the current price.
Does the pass cover the airport train from Narita?
The Narita Express is a JR service, so it is covered. Private airport lines are not. Put anything you are unsure about into the “Other JR travel” box and see how it changes the answer.
Is the Green Car version worth the difference?
Purely on cost, no — the Green Car pass is ¥20,000 more for a 7-day pass and ordinary reserved seats are already comfortable. It buys space and a quieter carriage, not savings. Switch the pass selector in the calculator to see the gap on your own itinerary.
Next: our full Japan Rail Pass guide for 2026 covers how to activate the pass, seat reservations, and the regional alternatives.