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JR Pass calculator

Check in three steps whether the pass beats buying single tickets.

Travellers. How many of you are there?

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    Pass or tickets. What you would pay in total.

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    Choose your route to see whether the JR Pass is worth it.

    See the breakdown by leg
    Leg Per person Total
    Total tickets — —

    How to work out whether the Japan Rail Pass saves you money

    Enter your route, adjust the number of travellers and instantly check whether the Japan Rail Pass saves you money compared with individual Shinkansen tickets. Prices in euros and yen.

    The pass is worth it when the total of individual tickets exceeds its price. The tool automatically calculates the price of each leg in euros and yen, so you can compare it with the cost of the pass at a glance. The rule of thumb: if your route includes at least Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima (or an equivalent distance), the 7-day JR Pass starts to be worth it. Adding Fukuoka or Sendai almost always tips it clearly in its favour.

    Short routes rarely justify it. The Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen leg is ~75 € per person in ordinary class (one way). The basic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka loop return adds up to ~163 € in individual tickets, compared with ~282 € for the 7-day pass on the official website — a difference of more than 100 € per person that is better spent on accommodation or activities.

    Bear in mind that the JR Pass does not cover the metro of any city or the regional private trains (Hankyu, Kintetsu, Odakyu). It also does not cover the Nozomi and Mizuho trains, the fastest on the Tokaido-Sanyo line: with the pass you must use the Hikari or the Kodama. To get around within cities you will still need an IC card (Suica or ICOCA). If your route is regional, there are alternatives to the national JR Pass such as the Kansai Area Pass or the Kyushu Pass, cheaper and focused on specific areas.

    JR Pass price in 2026

    Price per adult depending on where you buy it. On the official website JR keeps the pre-increase price for a limited time; it has not yet announced until when.

    Duration Class Official website Agency abroad
    7 daysOrdinary50,000 ¥~282 €53,000 ¥~299 €
    14 daysOrdinary80,000 ¥~452 €84,000 ¥~475 €
    21 daysOrdinary100,000 ¥~565 €105,000 ¥~593 €
    7 daysGreen Car70,000 ¥~395 €74,000 ¥~418 €
    14 daysGreen Car110,000 ¥~621 €116,000 ¥~655 €
    21 daysGreen Car140,000 ¥~791 €147,000 ¥~831 €

    Children aged 6 to 11: roughly half the adult price. Under 6: free (no seat of their own). Indicative euros (1 € ≈ 177 ¥); always check the price on the official website before buying.

    Prices of the most common Shinkansen legs

    Reference prices per person in ordinary class, one-way leg. Use the calculator above to compare your full route against the pass.

    Leg (one way · per person) Approx. price
    Tokyo → Kyoto~75 €
    Tokyo → Osaka~80 €
    Tokyo → Hiroshima~106 €
    Tokyo → Fukuoka (Hakata)~128 €
    Tokyo → Sapporo~160 €
    Tokyo → Sendai~62 €
    Tokyo → Kanazawa~77 €
    Kyoto → Hiroshima~61 €
    Kyoto → Osaka~8 €
    Hiroshima → Fukuoka~42 €

    Prices without a seat reservation surcharge. They may vary by date and availability.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Is the JR Pass worth it for the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route?

    For the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route return, individual tickets add up to ~163 € per person (Tokyo–Kyoto ~75 €, Kyoto–Osaka ~8 € and Osaka–Tokyo ~80 €). The 7-day JR Pass costs ~282 € on the official website (~299 € at agencies), so it is not worth it for this basic route. However, if you add Hiroshima or Fukuoka, the balance flips. Check it in the calculator above with your exact route.

    How much does the JR Pass cost in 2026?

    It depends on where you buy it. On the official website, in ordinary class: 7 days 50,000 ¥ (~282 €), 14 days 80,000 ¥ (~452 €) and 21 days 100,000 ¥ (~565 €) per person. Since 1 October 2026, agencies abroad charge 53,000, 84,000 and 105,000 ¥. The Green Car (first class) costs about 40% more. For more detail on what it covers and when it pays off, see the complete JR Pass guide.

    Where do you buy the JR Pass?

    JR sells it in two ways: on its official website (online purchase by credit card) and through authorised agencies abroad, which issue a voucher to exchange in Japan. Since 1 October 2026 the official website is the cheapest option, because it keeps the previous price for a limited time. The JR Pass guide explains step by step how to buy and exchange it.

    Does the JR Pass cover the Nozomi Shinkansen?

    No. The Nozomi and Mizuho trains, the fastest on the Tokaido/Sanyo line, are excluded from the JR Pass. With the pass you will have to use the Hikari or the Kodama, which take 15 to 45 minutes longer between Tokyo and Osaka. In practice the difference is acceptable: there are Hikari trains every 30 minutes.

    Can you buy the JR Pass once you are in Japan?

    The official website purchase is online, so it does not depend on where you are. The pass is picked up in Japan at a designated JR ticket office or at certain reserved-seat ticket machines in the JR East and JR West areas, showing your passport with the "Temporary Visitor" stamp. It must be picked up before the start date or during its validity.

    Does the JR Pass cover the Tokyo metro?

    No. The JR Pass does not cover the Tokyo metro (neither Tokyo Metro nor Toei), or the metros of Osaka or Kyoto. To get around within cities you will need an IC card such as the Suica or the ICOCA, which works on all metros and city buses in Japan. See how to get around Tokyo for more detail.

    When do you need to activate the JR Pass?

    The JR Pass is activated in Japan, at a JR office in the airport or the main stations. You can choose the start date at the time of exchange: it does not have to be the day of arrival. Once activated, the days count consecutively until midnight on the last day of validity.

    Does the JR Pass include the Narita Express?

    Yes. The Narita Express (N'EX), which connects Narita airport with Tokyo, Shinjuku and Yokohama, is included in the JR Pass. A seat reservation is recommended, which is also free with the pass.

    Can I reserve seats for free with the JR Pass?

    Yes. Seat reservations on the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains are free with the JR Pass. You can make them at the ticket offices of the main JR stations or at the reservation machines. It is recommended to book in advance in high season (Golden Week, Obon, New Year). See when to travel to Japan to plan by season.

    When does the JR Pass start counting?

    The JR Pass starts counting from the start date you choose at the time of exchange in Japan. The voucher is valid for 3 months to be exchanged. Once you set the start date, the days run consecutively until midnight on the last day.

    Do children pay for the JR Pass?

    Children aged 6 to 11 pay 50% of the adult price. Under-6s travel free, but without the right to their own seat: they must sit on an adult's lap or pay the child price if they want a seat. If you travel as a family, also check the guide to Japan with kids.

    Is the 7 or 14-day JR Pass better?

    The 7-day one (~282 €) is ideal for routes of 7 to 10 days covering the classic route or similar. The 14-day one (~452 €) is worth it if the trip lasts 2 weeks and you combine distant regions such as Hokkaido, Tohoku or Kyushu. Official website prices; use the calculator above to see which pays off based on your itinerary.

    What is the difference between the Ordinary JR Pass and the Green Car?

    Ordinary class is the standard included in the JR Pass base price. The Green Car is Japanese first class: wider seats and more quiet, but it costs about 40% more (on the official website, 7 days: ~395 €, 14 days: ~621 €, 21 days: ~791 €). For most travellers ordinary class is more than enough on journeys of 2 to 3 hours.

    What happens if I lose the JR Pass?

    The JR Pass is not replaced in case of loss or theft. You will have to pay for individual tickets for the rest of the trip. It is essential to keep it carefully and separate from your passport.

    What alternatives are there to the JR Pass?

    If the national JR Pass is not worth it for your route, there are cheaper regional passes: the Kansai Area Pass (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe; from ~30 €), the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass (~80 €), the JR East Pass for northern Honshu or the Kyushu Pass for the south. Read the details in the JR Pass guide.

    Has the JR Pass gone up in price in 2026?

    Yes, but only at agencies. Since 1 October 2026, the JR Pass bought from authorised agencies abroad costs, in ordinary class, 53,000 ¥ (7 days), 84,000 ¥ (14 days) and 105,000 ¥ (21 days). On the official website JR keeps the previous prices for a limited time: 50,000, 80,000 and 100,000 ¥.

    Where is it best to buy the JR Pass after the October 2026 increase?

    On the official website, while the price freeze lasts: it is 3,000 to 5,000 ¥ cheaper than an agency in ordinary class. JR has not yet announced when the freeze will end; you pay the price on the day of purchase, so if your travel dates are set there is no reason to wait.