Everything to Know About the Japan Rail Pass 70% Price Increase JRパスの値上げ

How much is the JR Pass increasing in Price? 

The base price is seeing a significant increase, averaging at around 70% across the different JR Pass types - but with this comes other changes that are worth noting, that we’ll detail further in this article.

Should I buy a Japan Rail Pass before the price increase?

• If you are traveling to Japan before December 29th, 2023 : 

YES ! The JR Pass, if purchased through an official distributor such as Japan Experience, is available to buy three months (90 days) prior to activation and usage in Japan*.

- Buy a Japan Rail Pass before September 30th, 2023

- Travel to Japan and exchange your JR Pass voucher in Japan before December 29th, 2023*

- Enjoy your savings!

Note : You have to exchange your JR Pass before December 29th, but its validity extends into its duration in January, as long as it is exchanged before the December 29th deadline. For example, you can travel in Japan using a 14-day Japan Rail Pass starting on December 28th, 2023 and ending on January 10th, 2024, as you will have activated your pass before the deadline. 

*When purchasing a JR Pass, you are receiving a unique voucher that needs to be exchanged for the actual JR Pass upon your arrival in Japan. Once you order your JR Pass voucher, you have a 3-month (90 days) window to exchange it in Japan. Therefore, a JR Pass bought on September 30th can be exchanged no later than December 29th. 

• If you are traveling to Japan after December 29th, 2023 : 

You will not be able to buy a JR Pass at the current price, as the 3-month window to exchange your JR Pass in Japan will have passed. However, while your Japan Rail Pass order will now be more costly, the pass itself is still convenient.

3 important things to know when buying a Japan Rail Pass before the price increase

If you are planning a trip to Japan before the end of December 2023, and thus can benefit from the current advantageous pricing, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. 

• Make sure the information given to issue your Japan Rail Pass is 100% accurate and matches your passport information!

Indeed, Japan Railways Group will not accept modifications on passes purchased before the price increase after October 1st, and will only accept a new pass. This means that if you need to make a change on your JR Pass order, it will be voided, and you will need to buy a new Japan Rail Pass, at the increased price.

• Make sure that your arrival date in Japan is within the 3-month window to exchange your JR Pass after your order!

Buy your Japan Rail Pass at the current best possible price, but don’t rush too much! For example, if you buy your JR Pass on September 9th for an arrival date in Japan of December 20th, you will have overshot your 3-month window and your pass will no longer be valid. 

• Prefer card payment over wire transfer!

In order to make sure your order goes through in time, especially if you are purchasing the JR Pass near the deadline, please consider paying by card over wire transfer. Indeed, your order will be processed faster, and your payment has fewer risks of bouncing off due to external reasons. 

Other important information to consider : 

If you are buying a Japan Rail Pass for an upcoming trip in the next couple of days, please check our “Shipping & Delivery” page to make sure your JR Pass voucher arrives to you in time for your departure. If you are traveling in October, please purchase your JR Pass pre-price increase now to avoid any issues that could be caused by an eventual delivery delay. Do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

When does the price increase come into effect precisely? 

The update comes into effect on October 1st, 2023. Actual prices are still applicable before then, meaning that you can still purchase the Japan Rail Pass until September 30th 9pm CET time (3pm EST, 12pm PST) with the current affordable rate.

What is the Japan Rail Pass?

How does this affect the value of the JR Pass?

The value of the Japan Rail Pass objectively takes a hit with this change, but by no means is it not still an enticing deal for travelers. Let's assess its value (with the new pricing) in relation to the expenses of a typical trip in Japan:

A typical excursion from Tokyo is to the Kansai region, and then back. Roundtrip, Tokyo to Osaka and back costs, on average, 27,000 to 30,000 JPY. This excludes any trips done to other parts of the Kansai region, such as Kyoto or Kobe, that are often conducted during an itinerary of this nature. As of pre-update, this journey alone would equate to the amount paid for a 7-day National Pass plus more. Post-update, this option exceeds the expense of a Tokyo to Kansai trip, however, it’s important to consider the additional trips made by those who plan on using the JR Pass in the first place. 

Kanto (Tokyo region) to Kansai alone may not be enough to fully optimize the value of the JR Pass, but the many other destinations people intend to travel to surely are enough to see fruitful savings. In addition to Kansai, travelers can make their way out to Shikoku or Hiroshima, and from Kanto, commute to areas in Tohoku and Hokuriku will be covered as well. If you're looking to explore Japan in-depth, the Japan Rail Pass will still be offering savings compared to individual train tickets.

Not to mention all the extra benefits of the Japan Rail Pass! Indeed, JR Pass holders are not limited strictly to high-speed rail with the Shinkansen bullet train. Within many towns and major cities, a majority of the express, limited, and local railways are operated by JR. Many buses and even some ferry rides, such as the one from Hiroshima to Miyajima, are operated by JR as well. The access granted for visitors on the more local scale is something that should not be overlooked when considering the value of this option : the cost of these small trips add up considerably. 

Some airport transfers are also one of the many public transportation services that come with your JR Pass. Make sure to budget every single journey you plan to ride on your Japan trip: indeed, while the new Japan Rail Pass may seem more expensive at first, if you account for the daily subway, bus or local train rides you would buy individually, the JR Pass might just still be the most cost-efficient solution.

Regional Pass : An alternative to the Japan Rail Pass

While the National Japan Rail Pass can still serve as an excellent deal for travelers with an array of destinations on their to-go list, an alternative for some who wish to concentrate primarily on specific regions in Japan is that of the regional passes. 

Regional passes operate similarly to the national version, but focus on a specific area of travel. There are an array of options for different regions of Japan to choose from, including the aforemntioned Kansai Region, the southern area of Kyushu, the most northern island of Hokkaido, other parts of Honshu, like Hokuriku and Tohoku, and many more. The Kansai Wide Area Pass that allows access throughout this region via train, bus, and even ferry, goes for only 75 USD for 5 days. Also consider the Kansai Thru Pass if you are staying in the region for 3 days, at 42 USD. 

For seasoned travelers who wish to take a deeper dive into their favorite regions of Japan, this poses as an excellent deal and more affordable alternative to the national Japan Rail Pass even at the current, more affordable listing. Many of these also include access to Shinkansen bullet train lines etween certain stops within the specific region, meaning there is very little compromise in terms of speed and accessibility. 

What are some Regional Passes to look into?

With this option under the radar of many who may not be able to utilize the National JR Pass to its full potential, many ask which regional options may be best for them. We've compiled a few itineraries for potential tourists to look into. 

The most popular options are that of the Hakone Free Pass, Kansai Wide Area, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu Passes.

Any of these would be great options, however we highly suggest options that incorporate Shinkansen lines, as access to these contributes to greater deals and savings since the bullet train is the most costly railway option in Japan.

How can you save money on buying the JR Pass after the price increase? 

Using a prior example, from Tokyo to Osaka costs an average of 16,600 JPY. Excursions within the surrounding Kansai area vary, and are not a far distance, but the sheer amount of them can add up significantly. For example, a trip to Kyoto from Osaka and back will go for around 2,800 JPY, and then to Okayama and back can cost around 11,000 JPY. This can all be covered with the National JR Pass, all on one single budget.

Moreover, it makes more sense (depending on your itinerary), to activate your JR Pass immediately for airport transfers and onwards, and use the JR network as much as possible. In Tokyo and Kyoto, opt for the above-ground train system, which is run by JR, instead of the subway, which is not. The flexibility offered by the pass, with which you don't always have to reserve your seat in advance, is still a key factor to take into consideration for the utmost peace of mind. 

To maximize the value of your pass, thoroughly research the places you want to visit and plan your route accordingly. While the JR Pass may not be worth it if you are visiting the "Golden Route" cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka individually, it can still provide significant savings for those looking to venture beyond these cities and into the Japanese countryside, or for those who will stay off the beaten paths entirely and explore Japan in-depth.