Temporary Visitor eligibility
The nationwide pass is generally for eligible foreign visitors entering Japan with Temporary Visitor status. Confirm the official conditions for your passport and entry status.
Nationwide Japan Rail Pass · 2026
Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026?
Short answer
Usually no. For the classic Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo round trip, individual Hikari reserved tickets cost ¥29,700 (one way Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka: ¥15,300 = 13,850 + 1,450); the 7-day JR Pass costs ¥50,000 (¥53,000 from overseas agencies). The pass wins only on long routes such as a Fukuoka loop (¥57,570). Use the calculator below with your own fares.
Checked October 13, 2026 (2026-10-13). One adult, regular season.The numbers
Individual tickets vs the 7-day JR Pass, by itinerary
| Itinerary (one adult, 7 days) | Individual tickets | vs ¥50,000 7-day pass | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo (round trip) | ¥29,700 | Pass costs ¥20,300 more | Details |
| Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka (one way) | ¥15,300 | Pass costs ¥34,700 more | 13,850 + 1,450 |
| Tokyo ↔ Kyoto return | ¥27,700 | Pass costs ¥22,300 more | Details |
| + Kanazawa loop | ¥38,170* | Pass costs ¥11,830 more | Details |
| + Hiroshima loop | ¥44,630 | Pass costs ¥5,370 more | Details |
| + Hiroshima + Fukuoka loop | ¥57,570 | Pass saves ¥7,570 | Details |
* Includes the Tokyo–Kanazawa Kagayaki reserved fare (¥14,600), checked against JR East’s e-ticket price (¥14,400 + ¥200). With the ¥53,000 agency price, add ¥3,000 to every pass-side figure. Pass holders pay ¥4,960 extra per Nozomi ride between Tokyo and Kyoto/Shin-Osaka.
smartEX official non-reserved fare chart (JR Central) ↗JR West: Thunderbird + Hokuriku Shinkansen through fares ↗JAPAN RAIL PASS official prices ↗JR Group: Price Changes for the Japan Rail Pass (Apr 9, 2026) ↗JAPAN RAIL PASS: NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket prices ↗TripWorth fare methodology
Fares and prices last checked October 13, 2026. Individual-ticket totals use window Hikari/Kodama regular-season ordinary reserved fares from TripWorth fare data. Peak season adds ¥200–¥400 per ride; off-peak subtracts ¥200. See 2026 price changes.
When the answer flips
When does the 7-day pass become cheaper?
- Your covered JR tickets inside 7 consecutive days exceed ¥50,000 (¥53,000 via agencies).
- You add a Kyushu leg and return to Tokyo by train within the week.
- You would otherwise buy many unplanned JR day trips; list them first.
- It flips back if you plan Nozomi rides with the pass (¥4,960–¥6,500 each) or fly one long leg.
Nationwide Japan Rail Pass · One adult
Compare your JR ticket total with the Japan Rail Pass
Enter the covered JR fares you have checked for one traveler. The calculator compares that amount with the selected ordinary pass price plus any charges you would still pay while using the pass.
This tool does not guess route fares. It compares the amounts you enter.
Your price comparison
Individual tickets
JR Pass
Use comparable amounts
What belongs in your ticket total?
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is a nationwide rail pass offered by the JR Group for eligible travelers. A fair price comparison uses only journeys the selected pass covers during one consecutive validity period. Costs paid on both sides—such as a subway or private railway—do not change which JR option is lower.
- Step 1 · List the covered JR journeysUse the exact stations, direction, train and seat class you plan to take within the 7, 14 or 21-day period.
- Step 2 · Check each individual fareUse the official booking service for the operator and add the complete basic fare and limited-express charge shown for one adult.
- Step 3 · Add pass-only chargesPut any NOZOMI MIZUHO Tickets or other required upgrades in the extra-charge field, then compare the two totals.
Current ordinary adult prices
Choose the 7, 14 or 21-day pass window
The period is consecutive. Do not choose 14 days simply because the whole holiday lasts 14 days; use the shortest pass period containing the covered journeys you are comparing.
| Ordinary adult pass | Official online price | Overseas agency from Oct 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥50,000 | ¥53,000 |
| 14 days | ¥80,000 | ¥84,000 |
| 21 days | ¥100,000 | ¥105,000 |
Prices and conditions reviewed October 13, 2026. Official sources: JR Group price changes ↗
Before using the result
Check eligibility and uncovered train charges
JR coverage
Exclude subways, private railways and uncovered sections from the pass benefit. Some JR services and premium accommodations require extra charges.
Nozomi and Mizuho
The pass alone does not cover these trains. A pass holder may use them only with the required separate NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket for the applicable journey.
Get the input right
Verify each fare before comparing the totals
TripWorth does not have live railway inventory or every route and seat combination. Open the official service that supports your journey, confirm the train and complete fare, then enter the covered total above.
Before relying on the total
Check calculator inputs, child prices and Nozomi
Usually not. Individual Hikari reserved tickets for the Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo round trip cost ¥29,700 (13,850 + 1,450 + 14,400) versus ¥50,000 for the 7-day pass. One way Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka is ¥15,300.
Long loops inside 7 days, for example Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima → Hakata → Tokyo at ¥57,570 in individual tickets.
Ordinary adult: ¥50,000 (7 days), ¥80,000 (14 days), ¥100,000 (21 days) on the official online service. Overseas agencies charge ¥53,000, ¥84,000 and ¥105,000 for purchases from October 1, 2026.
Enter the total adult price of the JR tickets the pass would cover during one consecutive pass period. Use the train, seat class and route you actually plan to book. Do not include private railways, subways or other costs that you would pay with or without the pass.
No. This calculator compares one ordinary adult pass. The official child prices are ¥25,000, ¥40,000 and ¥50,000 for 7, 14 and 21 days when the current online prices apply. Green Car prices are different; use the official price table.
A nationwide Japan Rail Pass does not by itself cover Nozomi or Mizuho. If you plan to use one with a valid pass, add the required NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket price to the calculator’s pass-only extra charges. Buy that ticket separately for each applicable journey.