🚄 Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) 2025: Your Guide to City-to-City Travel

📌 JR Pass Types

• 7-day – fast city hops.
• 14-day – roomier schedule for multiple loops.
• 21-day – long trips across regions.
• Ordinary vs Green – Ordinary suits most; Green = roomier first-class cars.

💰 Prices (2025)

• 7-day: ~33,610 JPY (~US$230)
• 14-day: ~52,960 JPY (~US$360)
• 21-day: ~66,200 JPY (~US$450)

Indicative only; check official/agent pricing before purchase.

🛒 Where to Buy

• Online via authorized agents (recommended before travel).
• JR counters at airports (Narita/Haneda/Kansai).
• Major JR stations in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto.

🚆 How to Use

• Exchange voucher, choose start date, and use staffed gates.
• Free seat reservations at Midori no Madoguchi ticket offices.
• Valid on some buses/ferries (e.g., Miyajima Ferry).
• Note: No coverage for Nozomi/Mizuho; take Hikari/Sakura instead.

🪪 Eligibility

Available to travelers entering Japan under Temporary Visitor status; residents are generally not eligible.

💡 Tips

• Compare pass cost vs point-to-point fares for your actual route.
• Use route planners to pick Hikari/Sakura services.
• Reserve seats early for peak seasons/holidays.

For in-city rides, consider IC cards: Suica/Pasmo (Tokyo) · ICOCA (Kansai).

🔄 Regional Alternatives

• JR West Kansai Area/Wide – Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe/Nara focus.
• JR East Pass – Tohoku/Nagano–Niigata from Tokyo.
• Hokuriku Arch Pass – Tokyo ⇄ Kanazawa via Nagano.

📚 More Japan Guides

• Japan Family Itinerary
• Tokyo Disney
• Universal Studios Japan
• Fuji-Q Highland

❓ FAQ

Is the Japan Rail Pass 2025 worth it? Yes, if you’re visiting multiple cities in 7–14 days.

Does it cover Nozomi/Mizuho? No—use Hikari/Sakura.

Is seat reservation mandatory? Not mandatory, but recommended in peak seasons.

Ordinary vs Green? Green is quieter with wider seats; Ordinary is fine for most.