Researched guide · Checked on Oct 20, 2026
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The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) gives unlimited rides on JR trains across Japan for 7, 14 or 21 days, including most Shinkansen. It is only for overseas visitors, and it is expensive, so it pays off only if you travel a lot by long-distance train. This guide explains the prices, what the pass covers, the Nozomi rule, and how to decide whether it is worth it for your trip.
Quick answer
Price (standard car, adult, bought on the official website): 7 days ¥50,000, 14 days ¥80,000, 21 days ¥100,000.
Who can buy it: overseas visitors entering Japan as a “Temporary Visitor”, plus some Japanese nationals living abroad.
Main catch: the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen need an extra ticket.
Prices
| Pass | Standard car (adult / child) | Green car (adult / child) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥50,000 / ¥25,000 | ¥70,000 / ¥35,000 |
| 14 days | ¥80,000 / ¥40,000 | ¥110,000 / ¥55,000 |
| 21 days | ¥100,000 / ¥50,000 | ¥140,000 / ¥70,000 |
- These are the prices when you buy on the official website. Exchange orders bought from overseas travel agencies cost a little more (for example ¥53,000 for a 7-day standard pass).
- Children are those aged 6 to 11.
- Prices can change. The price at the time you buy applies.
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Is the JR Pass worth it?
As a guide, a one-way reserved seat on a Nozomi from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka costs ¥14,720 in regular periods, so a round trip is about ¥29,440. That is much less than a 7-day pass at ¥50,000. The pass usually makes sense only if you take several long trips within the 7 days, for example Tokyo to Kyoto, then on to Hiroshima, and back.
- Probably worth it: you plan several long Shinkansen trips (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond) in one week.
- Probably not: you stay in Tokyo with a few day trips, or do a single Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka round trip.
- For day trips from Tokyo, check our Tokyo transport passes guide first. There are also cheaper regional passes from each JR company.
What the pass covers
- All JR Group trains: Shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho), limited express, express, rapid and local trains, with some exceptions.
- The Tokyo Monorail (to Haneda Airport).
- JR Bus local routes (not express buses) and the JR-WEST Miyajima ferry.
- Some trains run onto private railways, such as the Nikko and Kinugawa trains via Tobu or the Fuji Excursion via Fujikyu. You pay extra for the non-JR section.
- Subways and private railways in Tokyo, such as Tokyo Metro, are not covered.
The Nozomi and Mizuho rule
The pass is not valid for any seat on Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen. You can use Hikari, Kodama, Sakura and Tsubame trains instead, or buy a special “Nozomi Mizuho Ticket” for pass holders before boarding.
| Section | Nozomi Mizuho Ticket |
|---|---|
| Tokyo – Nagoya | ¥4,180 |
| Tokyo – Kyoto / Shin-Osaka | ¥4,960 |
| Tokyo – Hiroshima | ¥6,500 |
| Shin-Osaka – Hakata | ¥4,960 |
How to buy and pick it up
- Online (official website): pay by credit card in yen. You enter your name, email and passport number. Only online buyers can reserve seats before picking up the pass.
- Pick-up: in Japan, at a JR ticket office counter (or certain ticket machines in the JR East and JR West areas), with your passport showing the “Temporary Visitor” stamp or sticker.
- Important: automated immigration gates do not stamp your passport. Use a staffed gate or ask an officer for the “Temporary Visitor” stamp, or you cannot pick up the pass.
FAQ
How much is the Japan Rail Pass?
On the official website, a 7-day standard pass costs ¥50,000 for adults, 14 days ¥80,000 and 21 days ¥100,000. Green car passes cost more.
Can I use the JR Pass on the Nozomi?
Not on its own. You need to buy a special Nozomi Mizuho Ticket for pass holders, for example ¥4,960 between Tokyo and Kyoto or Shin-Osaka.
Is the JR Pass worth it for a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip?
Usually not. A Nozomi round trip from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka costs about ¥29,440, much less than the ¥50,000 7-day pass.
Can I use the JR Pass on the Tokyo subway?
No. It covers JR lines and the Tokyo Monorail, but not Tokyo Metro or Toei subways.
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Sources
Prices, eligibility, coverage and the Nozomi rule come from the official JAPAN RAIL PASS website (checked October 20, 2026). The Nozomi fare comes from our Shinkansen guide, based on JR Central. Prices change, so please check before you buy.
