All Japan train passes

Japan’s train system is efficient and easy to use, but buying individual tickets can quickly become expensive. That’s why regional train passes exist. They offer unlimited travel in a specific area for a fixed period and are often better value than the national Japan Rail Pass.

Why regional passes are often better

A regional pass is ideal if:

• you stay in one area
• you mix cities and day trips
• you want better value for money

For most itineraries today, regional passes make more sense.

Tokyo and Kanto area

• CHICHIBU KAWAGOE Area 1 day Pass
  Perfect for a day trip from Tokyo to Kawagoe or Chichibu.

• NIKKO WORLD HERITAGE 2 Day Pass
  Best option for visiting Nikko and its UNESCO sites.

• Mt. Fuji Shizuoka tourist pass
  Ideal for exploring Mount Fuji from the Shizuoka side.

• FUJI HAKONE Pass
  Covers trains, buses, boats and cable cars around Hakone.

JR East area

• JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
  For northern Honshu and nature focused trips.

• JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
  Best for the Japanese Alps and mountain regions.

Kansai and western Japan

• KANSAI Area Pass
  Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

• KANSAI WIDE Area Pass
  Extended Kansai with Okayama and onsen towns.

• JR KANSAI HIROSHIMA Area Pass
  Excellent value between Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

• JR WEST ALL AREA Pass
  For large western Japan itineraries.

• Setouchi area pass
  For island hopping and coastal landscapes.

• Sanyo Sanin pass
  Covers both northern and southern western regions.

Central Japan and Alps

• TAKAYAMA-HOKURIKU Tourist Pass
  Ideal for Takayama, Shirakawa go and Kanazawa.

• SHIRAKAWAGO Bus Pass
  Essential if traveling without a car.

• Osaka Tokyo Hokuriku arch pass
  Scenic alternative between Tokyo and Osaka.

Kyushu

• North Kyushu pass
  Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Beppu.

• South Kyushu pass
  Southern Kyushu and volcanic areas.

• All Kyushu area pass
  Complete Kyushu coverage.

• ALL KYUSHU BUS & FERRY Pass
  Best option without a car.

Shikoku

• All Shikoku pass
  Perfect for slow travel and temple routes.

Hokkaido

• JR HOKKAIDO Pass
  Essential for long distances in northern Japan.

Ise and Kumano

• ISE KUMANO Tourist Pass
  For sacred sites and spiritual landscapes.

Japan Rail Pass overview

The national Japan Rail Pass can still be useful for long cross country routes, but for most trips, regional passes are more efficient and affordable.