Miho Shimizu is a Japanese freelance writer settled in Shizuoka with her husband and two rabbits. Fascinated with traveling at the age of 18, she has spent most of her long holidays exploring incredible spots around Japan. She also loves to listen to music, draw, and read novels over a cup of green tea.
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Are you looking for the best and most convenient way to travel through Japan and keep travel costs to a minimum? There are various kinds of travel passes that help you get around Japan easily with access to the extensive and reliable network of public transportation. If you look around, you can often find great deals or discounts on travel expenses such as trains or buses, much cheaper than getting single tickets. Here is a list of some of the most popular Japanese travel passes that you will want to use on your holiday in Japan!
1. Japan Rail Pass
The most comprehensive, popular and best value is the Japan Rail Pass issued by JR Group, the primary railway network connecting throughout Japan. This JR Pass is a cost effective pass that gives you unlimited rides on almost all the JR trains (including Japan’s super fast Shinkansen), for a designated period of time. It is one of the most desirable ways to conveniently discover Japan, and much to the envy of foreign residents living in the country, the JR pass is exclusively available to international tourists visiting Japan. There are basically three types of passes that have different lengths of validity, 7 days, 14 days or 21 days that you can select, depending on how long you are staying in Japan.
It gives you unlimited access to the large part of JR trains including the famous bullet train (※Note that there are some exceptions) You can also receive a special discount if you purchase Japan Rail Pass at JR-designated sales offices or agents overseas. Here you can purchase your JR Pass online. They also offer discounts at designated accommodations such as JR hotels that can be found across Japan.
After getting your Japan Rail Pass, book a reserved seat at JR Ticket Offices (“Midori-no Madoguchi”) or online!
Price Japan Rail Pass
| Duration | Price (adult) | Price (child) |
| 7 days | ¥29,650 | ¥14,825 |
| 14 days | ¥47,250 | ¥23,625 |
| 21 days | ¥60,450 | ¥30,225 |
| Duration | Price (adult) | Price (child) |
| 7 days | ¥33,610 | ¥16,800 |
| 14 days | ¥52,960 | ¥26,480 |
| 21 days | ¥66,200 | ¥33,100 |
* children under the age of six travel for free.
* children at the age from 6 – 11 years old travel against a reduced rate of 50%.
2. Tokyo Wide Pass
The Tokyo Wide Pass is another useful pass issued by JR East Railway. It was released in 2015 as a convenient and reasonable way for international tourists to travel around Tokyo and the surrounding area. You can purchase the pass online or visit sales locations including Narita International Airport in Japan. It is available only to holders of non-Japanese passport, which means the Tokyo Wide Pass is also available to international residents of Japan!
With this pass, you can enjoy 3 days of unlimited travel on JR East trains, Shinkansen and other public transport in the designated area around Tokyo. If you are planning a short trip to popular tourist destinations such as Nikko, Mt. Fuji, Hakone or Karuizawa, this is the perfect option for you!
Price Tokyo Wide Pass
| Duration | Price (adult) | Price (child) |
| 3 days | ¥10,180 | ¥5,090 |
There are often some special discounts and offers for Tokyo Wide Pass holders at the popular ski resort Gala Yuzawa in Niigata prefecture. Often you will receive a discount on your ski pass when you show your Tokyo Wide Pass. During the summer season, the resort also turns into a great trekking, camping, and BBQ spot with a range of outdoor activities and a refreshing hot spring facility!
Klook.com3. JR EAST Passes
Next to the Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East has several other passes on offer that will help you save a few yen on your trip. Most of these passes are only available to foreign travelers that do not reside in Japan. However, in April 2021, JR East changed the conditions for the Tohoku area pass and the Nagano Niigata Area Pass and made these two also available for internationals residing in Japan. Planning a trip to Nagano & Niigata area or up north to the Tohoku area from Tokyo has never been so easy and cheap! It offers 5 consecutive days of unlimited rides on JR trains and other JR transport networks, including most of the Shinkansen (except for the Tokaido Shinkansen which is operated by a different company). Which conveniently takes you to famous tourist attractions such as Aomori, Nagano, and Yamagata!
Price of JR East Passes
| Pass | Price (adult) | Price (child) | Eligibility |
| Tohoku Area | ¥20,000 | ¥10,000 | Foreigners with a non-Japanese passport |
| Nagano – Niigata Area | ¥18,000 | ¥9,000 | Foreigners with a non-Japanese passport |
| South Hokkaido Rail Pass | ¥27,000 | ¥13,500 | Foreigners with a non-Japanese passport, residing outside of Japan |
| Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass | ¥24,000 | ¥12,000 | Foreigners with a non-Japanese passport, residing outside of Japan |
| Hokuriku Arch Pass | ¥25,500 | ¥12,750 | Foreigners with a non-Japanese passport, residing outside of Japan |
Tohoku Itinerary
Weekentrip to Aizu-Wakamatsu
4. Nikko Pass
Nikko is a popular short trip destination from Tokyo and the surrounding area. It is home to a great number of tourist attractions, including scenic landscapes represented by Kegon Falls and historic sites such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The Nikko Pass allows available to foreign travelers to explore the beautiful area with unlimited access to public transportation and other discounts at gift shops or theme parks. It also includes a 20% discount of the limited express ticket SPACIA which takes you from Asakusa or Tokyo Skytree station to Nikko in less than 2 hours.
Nikko Pass All Area
- Valid for 4 days;
- Round-trip between Asakusa Station and Shimo-Imaichi Station;
- 20% discounts on the round trip fare from Tokyo to Nikko by limited express train;
- 5% or 10% discount at designated stores in Asakusa or Nikko;
- Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Cruise;
- Nikko – Kinugawa Onsen bus;
- Akechidaira Ropeway;
- All Tobu Bus lines in Nikko;
- All Tobu Railway lines between Shimo-Imaichi, Tobu-Nikko and Shin-Fujiwara stations.
Nikko Pass World Heritage Area
- Valid for 2 days;
- Round-trip between Asakusa Station and Shimo-Imaichi Station;
- 20% discounts on the round trip fare from Tokyo to Nikko by limited express train;
- 5% or 10% discount at designated stores in Asakusa or Nikko;
- Tobu Bus lines within the world heritage area;
- All Tobu Railway lines between Shimo-Imaichi, Tobu-Nikko and Shin-Fujiwara stations.
Price Nikko Pass
| Pass | Price (adult) 12.01 – 4.19 | Price (child) 12.01 – 4.19 | Price (adult) 4.20 – 11.30 | Price (child) 4.20 – 11.30 |
| Nikko Pass All Area | ¥4,160 | ¥1,080 | ¥4,780 | ¥1,330 |
| Nikko Pass World Heritage Area | ¥2,120 | ¥630 | ¥2,120 | ¥630 |
If you want to make the most of your time in Nikko, the Nikko All Area one is probably the best to get as it covers the public transport network of larger areas! Both passes can be purchased at the Tourist Information Center at Asakusa Station, or the Tobu Tourist Information Center or Tobu Top Tours travel agency at Ikebukuro Station or online (you’ll still need to pick-up your ticket in Asakusa).
5. Hakone Freepass
The Hakone Freepass is a great find if you are planning to visit Hakone area in Kanagawa prefecture. With this travel pass you can explore the Hakone area with unlimited rides on 8 kinds of transports, including the Hakone Ropeway, trains, and buses and around the designated area. There are 2 types of passes, one that is valid for 2 days and one that is valid for 3 days. It also includes a round-trip ticket on the Odakyu Line from designated stations such as Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station, the main gateway to the popular tourist attractions in Hakone. You can also enjoy discounts at 70 locations such as shops, art museums, hot spring facilities, restaurants and much more!
Price Hakone Freepass
| Duration | Adult | Child |
| 2 days – Shinjuku | ¥6,100 | ¥1,100 |
| 3 days – Shinjuku | ¥6,500 | ¥1,350 |
| 2 days – Odawara | ¥5,000 | ¥1,000 |
| 3 days – Odawara | ¥5,400 | ¥1,250 |
7. JR West Passes
In the Kansai Region, JR West, one of the Japan Railways Group companies, operates the railway, distribution and hotel businesses. The company has a whole list of travel passes, available to international tourists that reside outside of Japan, that will enable you to discover the popular Kansai area. Are you traveling between Hakata, Wakayama and Toyama, visiting cities like Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okayama, and Osaka? Then these passes can be good for you, especially when you aren’t visiting Tokyo, but only the Kansai region. Here you can find detailed information about the different options, but below you’ll find the most important information.
| Pass | Price (adult) | Price (child) | Duration |
| Kansai Area | ¥2,400 ¥4,600 ¥5,600 ¥6,800 | Children half price | 1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days |
| Kansai WIDE Area Pass | ¥10,000 | ¥5,000 | 5 days |
| Kansai – Hiroshima Area Pass | ¥15,000 | ¥7,500 | 5 days |
| Sanyo – San’in Area Pass | ¥20,000 | ¥10,000 | 7 days |
| Kansai – Hokuriku Pass | ¥17,000 | ¥8,500 | 7 days |
| Hokuriku Area Pass | ¥5,090 | ¥2,540 | 4 days |
| San’in Okayama Area Pass | ¥4,580 | ¥2,290 | 4 days |
| Hiroshima – Yamaguchi Area Pass | ¥13,000 | ¥6,500 | 5 days |
| Okayama – Hiroshima – Yamaguchi Area Pass | ¥15,000 | ¥7,500 | 5 days |
| JR-WEST All Area Pass | ¥23,000 | ¥11,500 | 7 days |
8. Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket makes your travel to Koyasan area easy, affordable and convenient. It offers a round trip ticket from any departure station on the Nankai Line to Koyasan Station. Other benefits include unlimited travel on the Nankai Rinkan Buses in Koyasan area, 20% off discounts on admissions fees to world-famous temples, and 10% off for purchases at designated souvenir shops. The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is sold at major Nankai railway stations and other locations around Kansai region, including Namba station and Kansai International Airport.
Price Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
| From Namba station | Price (adult) | Price (child) |
| Regular ticket | ¥3,400 | ¥1,550 |
| Includes Limited express ticket | ¥3,630 | ¥1,830 |
| From Kansai International Airport | ||
| Regular ticket | ¥3,930 | ¥1,970 |
| Includes Limited express ticket | ¥4,480 | ¥2,250 |
9. JR Kyushu Pass
Your trip to Kyushu area will get much cheaper using the JR Kyushu Pass, a convenient travel pass issued by JR Kyushu. The JR Kyushu pass is convenient for those who wish to explore the Kyushu area and offers unlimited access to JR local trains, limited express, Shinkansen and more. There are several types of passes for you to choose from according to your travel itinerary, budget and destination. Details of each pass are as follows:
Prices JR Kyushu Pass
| Pass | Price |
| All Kyushu area | |
| 3 days | ¥17,000 |
| 5 days | ¥18,500 |
| 7 days | ¥20,000 |
| Northern Kyushu | |
| 3 days | ¥10,000 |
| 5 days | ¥14,000 |
| Southern Kyushu | |
| 3 days | ¥8,000 |
| Fukuoka Wide | |
| 2 days | ¥3,060 |
Which JR Kyushu Pass is best for you?
All Kyushu area pass is an ideal option for those who plan to travel around the multiple destinations across Kyushu from Hakata in Fukuoka all the way down to Kagoshima area. Northern Kyushu Pass mainly covers public transport networks in the north Kyushu area such as Hakata, Saga, Nagasaki and Beppu.
Southern Kyushu Pass is relatively affordable and valid in south Kyushu, including Kumamoto, Kagoshima and Miyazaki. Fukuoka Wide is the cheapest one which is only available in Fukuoka area with local trains or non-reserved seats of limited express trains.
Klook.com10. Discount Domestic Flights
Taking a domestic flight will get you to multiple destinations in Japan fast and easily. Japan boasts several LCC’s and airlines like ANA and JAL which both offer convenient domestic flights that connect the entire country. They also have some special travel passes for foreign visitors which suit every budget and itinerary. Here are some of the discounted air tickets in Japan for foreigners! Some of the air passes have to be purchased outside of Japan, some can be booked by anyone with a foreign passport or some are only available in certain periods.
How to book cheap flights in Japan?
| Pass | Details | Price | Eligibility |
| JAL Japan Explorer Pass | Tokyo to Hokkaido/ Tohoku | ¥5,500 | Foreign visitors who fly to and from Japan by any airline. |
| Tokyo to Osaka Okinawa to remote islands | ¥7,700 | ||
| Tokyo to other major cities (Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo) | ¥11,000 | ||
| JAL Welcome to Japan Fare | Per domestic flight (※available for all domestic flights operated by JAL and JTA) | ¥14,300 | Foreign visitors who fly to/via Japan by any airline. |
| ANA Discover Japan Fare | (※available for ANA Japan domestic flights with designated routes) | ¥7,364 – ¥68,546 (depending on the route) | Travelers purchase their tickets outside of Japan. |
| ANA Visit Japan Fare | Per domestic flight (※available for all domestic flights operated by ANA) | ¥13,000 | Foreign visitors who fly to/via Japan by any airline. |
| ANA Experience Japan Fare | ¥5.500 – ¥11,000 (depending on the route) | Foreign visitors who fly to/via Japan by any airline. | |
| Solaseed Enjoy Japan fare | Highly discounted flight tickets | Discount depends on the period of booking & route. | Only for travelers with non-Japanese passports arriving in and departing from Japan. |
Low Cost Carriers Japan
LCC airlines, such as Solaseed and Air Do, offer many of the same types of discounts as JAL and ANA, but the flight tickets are typically at least 20% cheaper.
Recommended article: What is an LCC? Cheap Domestic Flights in Japan
Advanced Purchase Discounts
It is always a great idea to book your flight as soon as your itinerary is set. It allows you to get special discount rates for all the major domestic airlines in Japan. Sakitoku and TOKUBIN 21 are popular discount promotions by JAL that help you enjoy great deals that will help you save up to 87% compared to the normal price!
Japan Wonder Travel Tours
Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help you organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are visiting, our knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guides will happily take you to the best spots!
In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need some help!
▶Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour
Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo and try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake with one of our friendly and knowledgeable English speaking guides!
▶Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours)
There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.
▶Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo
Experience the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji by visiting the highlights of the area on our guided sightseeing bus tour! Departing from Shinjuku in central Tokyo, you can travel comfortably to all of the best spots in the area by bus.
▶Kyoto Private Full Day Walking Tour
On this full-day private tour of Kyoto, you will be able to see the highlights of Kyoto in just one day and at the same time develop a deeper understanding of both the culture of the area and Japan as a whole.
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Happy traveling!
