| Option | Price | vs paying per trip |
|---|
Fares are ordinary reserved-seat prices on JR Pass–covered services (Hikari / Sakura / limited express), rounded. Nozomi and Mizuho need a supplement. Regional and city subway trips are not counted here.
The 1 October 2026 price increase
Japan Railways raised the nationwide pass price from 1 October 2026. The new price applies to passes bought through overseas travel agents on or after that date, so if your trip is soon it can be worth buying before the change to lock in the lower rate.
| Ordinary pass | Until 30 Sep 2026 | From 1 Oct 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥50,000 | ¥53,000 | +¥3,000 |
| 14 days | ¥80,000 | ¥84,000 | +¥4,000 |
| 21 days | ¥100,000 | ¥105,000 | +¥5,000 |
When the JR Pass usually pays off
- One long round trip is not enough. A Tokyo–Kyoto round trip is about ¥28,000, still well under the 7-day pass.
- Two or more intercity legs — for example Tokyo → Kyoto → Hiroshima → Tokyo — is the classic point where a 7-day pass wins.
- Staying in one region? A JR East, JR West Kansai, or Sanyo–San'in regional pass is far cheaper than the nationwide pass and often covers everything you need.
- Slow travel over 2–3 weeks with several long hops is where the 14 or 21-day pass shines.
- The pass also removes the hassle of buying individual tickets and lets you reserve seats for free.
Common shinkansen & express fares (2026)
One-way, ordinary reserved seat, on JR Pass–covered services. Use these to sanity-check the calculator.
| Route (one way) | Approx. fare |
|---|---|
| Tokyo ↔ Nagoya | ¥11,300 |
| Tokyo ↔ Kyoto | ¥14,170 |
| Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka | ¥14,720 |
| Tokyo ↔ Hiroshima | ¥19,760 |
| Tokyo ↔ Hakata (Fukuoka) | ¥23,390 |
| Tokyo ↔ Kanazawa | ¥14,380 |
| Tokyo ↔ Nagano | ¥8,340 |
| Tokyo ↔ Sendai | ¥11,410 |
| Tokyo ↔ Morioka | ¥15,010 |
| Tokyo ↔ Shin-Aomori | ¥17,470 |
| Shin-Osaka ↔ Hiroshima | ¥10,630 |
| Shin-Osaka ↔ Hakata | ¥15,600 |
| Kyoto ↔ Kanazawa (Thunderbird) | ¥6,910 |
| Narita Airport ↔ Tokyo (N'EX) | ¥3,070 |
| Kansai Airport ↔ Kyoto (Haruka) | ¥3,640 |
FAQ
How much does the JR Pass cost in 2026?
Until 30 September 2026: 7-day ¥50,000, 14-day ¥80,000, 21-day ¥100,000. From 1 October 2026: ¥53,000, ¥84,000 and ¥105,000. The rise applies to passes bought through overseas agents on or after that date.
Does the pass cover the Nozomi shinkansen?
Not as standard. Pass holders ride Hikari and Sakura for free, or pay a supplement to board Nozomi and Mizuho. This tool uses covered-service fares.
Is a regional pass better for me?
If your trip stays inside one region (say Tokyo plus day trips, or Kansai only), a regional pass such as JR East or JR West Kansai Area is usually much cheaper than the nationwide pass.
Are airport trains included?
JR ones are: Narita Express and Haruka are covered. Non-JR services like the Keisei Skyliner are not.
Does this tool store my itinerary?
No. It runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
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