The Japan Rail Pass price increase: everything you need to know

Most tourists visiting Japan travel around the country by train. Japan’s rail system is clean, efficient, and oh-so-punctual. Aimed at foreign tourists, the Japan Rail Pass is an economical pass that allows unlimited usage on JR lines for 7, 14, or 21 days. Moreover, it can be purchased outside of Japan at a discount – which makes it very attractive if you want to (a) take care of this administrative detail before embarking on your trip and (b) save money. But in October 2023, the price of the JR pass will increase – and not just by a little bit. Here’s everything you need to know about the Japan Rail Pass price increase.

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Japan Rail Pass prices (up to and including September 2023)

7-day Japan Rail Pass

• Adult: 29,650 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Child: 14,820 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Adult: 39,600 ¥ (Green)
• Child: 19,800 ¥ (Green)

14-day Japan Rail Pass

• Adult: 47,250 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Child: 23,620 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Adult: 64,120 ¥ (Green)
• Child: 32,600 ¥ (Green)

21-day Japan Rail Pass

• Adult: 60,450 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Child: 30,220 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Adult: 83,390 ¥ (Green)
• Child: 41,690 ¥ (Green)

The Green passes allow you to board the Green car on JR trains. These cars are the equivalent of first-class service. Seats are more spacious, and can be reserved in advance. By contrast, the Ordinary car seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Adult passes are required for passengers ages 12 and above. Children under the age of 6 do not require a pass to ride the train. However, they cannot have a seat reserved in their name without holding a Green pass.

Japan Rail Pass prices (from October 2023 onward)

The press release detailing Japan Rail Pass price increases has provided the following information for adult fares:

7-day Japan Rail Pass

• Adult: 50,000 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Adult: 70,000 ¥ (Green)

14-day Japan Rail Pass

• Adult: 80,000 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Adult: 111,000 ¥ (Green)

21-day Japan Rail Pass

• Adult: 100,000 ¥ (Ordinary)
• Adult: 140,000 ¥ (Green)

As you can see, the Japan Rail Pass price increase is roughly 70% as of October 2023.

Can I buy the Japan Rail Pass before the price increase to save money?

Yes – IF you are traveling before December 29, 2023. After you purchase the pass, you have 90 days to activate it. This means you can purchase the pass as late as September 30, 2023, and activate it no later than December 29, 2023, to take advantage of the current pass price.

Is it still worth it to buy the Japan Rail Pass?

The only way to know this for sure is to do the math. Figure out which trips you want to take by train and price out the fares for each leg of the trip. Compare that to the cost of holding the pass. Don’t forget, the JR Pass can be used to ride the Narita Express train from Narita Airport into Tokyo. The JR Pass can also be used on a number of Express, Limited and Local railways within Japan that are operated by JR. There are even a number of buses and ferries (for example, in Hiroshima and to/from Miyajima Island) that are operated by JR for which the pass is valid.

Also take into consideration that the price of all JR services will be increasing in October 2023. Not only will the Japan Rail Pass price increase, but so will the prices of individual tickets. With this in mind, buying a pass might still prove to be the least expensive option.

After the October 2023 Japan Rail Pass price increase, the Japan Rail Pass will no longer be as economical as it once was – but it may still offer substantial savings for your trip.

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In conclusion…

The Japan Rail Pass price increase coming in October 2023 means that JR Pass prices will increase by roughly 70%. But they still might be your most economical choice for train travel in Japan. Plan your trip, figure out which train trips you want to take, and do the math to compare the cost of individual tickets to the price of the pass. In the end, the JR pass might still be your most economical option.