Take unlimited rides on bullet trains, local trains, JR buses, and more with the Japan Rail Pass! Book at a cheaper price here — no promo code needed 🇯🇵
In a nutshell
- What is the Japan Rail Pass? Commonly referred to as JR Pass, this is an integrated transportation pass in Japan designed for foreign tourists. With the JR Pass, you can get unlimited train rides on the Shinkansen bullet trains, local and rapid train lines in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, JR buses, and select ferry transfers for 7, 14, or 21 days!
- How much is the JR Pass (Whole Japan)? It starts at $307, but you can book an adult pass at a discounted price of $304.9 here. The cost includes free delivery anywhere in the world, so you can get your voucher even before you hop on your flight to Japan. JR Passes for children are also sold here starting at $152.
- Where can you go with the JR Pass? With your Japan Rail Pass for Whole Japan, you get access to the 9 Shinkansen Rails that can get you from Narita Airport to Tokyo, Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Fukuoka, and a hundred more routes. You can also use your JR Pass on JR Buses that travel to Mt. Fuji, Nara, Tokyo Disneyland, Nikko, Kanazawa, and more. Oh, and you also get access to ferries and local trains in Tokyo, Osaka, & Kyoto!
- Can I buy a JR Pass at train stations in Japan? No, Japan Rail Passes are NOT sold in Japan. Passes should be purchased before your arrival in Japan. The best way to get your hands on one is by booking on Klook here or on KKDay here. You will then receive an Exchange Order in your chosen delivery location (anywhere in the world like Australia, US, UK, Canada, Philippines, Singapore, etc.). Once you’re ready to use the pass, you will just need to show your Exchange Order voucher at a designated JR Pass Exchange Counter. Find the full details here.
- Is the JR Pass worth buying? Absolutely — but don’t just take our word for it. Check out this 5-star review from a satisfied traveler: “I was able to visit 18 prefectures using my 14-day Japan Rail Pass (whole Japan) last November 2023. It was my third time purchasing a Japan-wide pass, but this was the first time I got to fully utilize it.” Find more reviews for the JR Pass on Klook here.
Featured Deal
Explore anywhere in Japan with a JR Pass (Whole Japan)
There’s so much to see and experience in Japan — visiting one city or even a single region is simply not enough. Travelers usually hop from one place or prefecture to another, discovering the charm of Sapporo, Morioka, Shinjō, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata, and more via bullet or local trains. For this kind of trip that requires regional transfers, getting the Japan Rail Pass (Whole Japan) is ideal. As the name of the pass suggests, you get unlimited transportation access for strategic routes that line the country. This will help you save money especially if you plan to do long-distance trips, e.g. Tokyo to Osaka. (If you want to be sure that getting the pass is more economical compared to purchasing individual tickets, you can check the JR Pass calculator.)
What’s included with JR Pass Whole Japan?
While the nationwide version of the Japan Rail Pass is not on the cheaper side, there’s a lot of benefits and access that pass holders have. These include:
1. Unlimited Shinkansen train rides
With a JR Pass (Whole Japan), you get unlimited bullet train rides for the duration of your trip. You will have access to the entire Shinkansen Rail Network, which is comprised of the following 9 lines:
- Tokaido Shinkansen
- Sanyo Shinkansen
- Tohoku Shinkansen
- Akita Shinkansen
- Yamagata Shinkansen
- Joetsu Shinkansen
- Kyushu Shinkansen
- Hokkaido Shinkansen
- Hokuriku Shinkansen
This means you can cover Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu easily (basically Japan in its entirety from north to south!).
Depending on the pass you’ve selected, you can also take the standard seats (Ordinary Car) in Shinkansen trains or the more premium or first-class seats on the Green Car.
2. Local and Rapid Trains
Aside from the famous Shinkansen trains, you can also use your Japan Rail Pass to take local trains in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, namely the following:
- Yamanote line
- Chuo-Sobu line
- Keihin-Tohoku line
- JR Nara line
- JR Sagano line
- Osaka Loop line
- Tozai line
3. Airport express transfers
Another exciting perk of buying a JR Pass (Whole Japan) is that you get access to the express transfers from major airports in the country. These include the following:
- Narita Express (Narita International Airport)
- Tokyo Monorail (Haneda Airport)
- Haruka Limited Express (Kansai International Airport)
4. JR Buses (Non-express buses)
Aside from trains, the Japan Rail Pass can also be used to take the following JR-operated buses. These buses typically cover routes to the following tourist attractions like Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, Fushimi Inari, Himeji Castle, Mt. Fuji, and more.
- JR Hokkaido Bus
- JR Bus Tohoku
- JR Bus Kanto
- JR Tokai Bus
- West Japan JR Bus
- Chugoku JR Bus
- JR Shikoku Bus
- JR Kyushu Bus
5. Ferry Rides
Additionally, you can also opt to use your JR Pass (Whole Japan) to take select ferry transfers like the JR-West Miyajima Ferry.
6. Attraction Discounts
Finally, with the JR Pass, you can also get discounts in various attractions in Japan. This is a new offering for JR Pass holders that started in October 2023. Some of the discounts include a ¥100 discount at the JR Tower, ¥100 discount + coffee at the Hokkaido Museum, 10% discount at the Tentozan Observatory, and more. You will be able to see all available discount offers in your JR Pass guide or brochure.
What’s NOT Included with JR Pass?
There are a couple of transportation services that JR Pass holders are unable to access but can easily avail separately. These include:
- Express bus routes by JR Bus
- Japan-South Korea ferry transfer (Hydrofoil ferry service operated by JR-Kyushu)
- Nozomi and Mizuho trains (available as an upgrade for JR Pass holders)
Book Japan Rail Pass Online
Now that we’ve covered everything about the JR Pass, let’s now look into the best booking options. Since the JR Pass are not sold at train stations, you will need to pre-book it online, receive or pick-up your Exchange Order in your home country, and then redeem your actual JR Pass at a designated counter in Japan.
Platforms like Klook and KKDay are official distributors or resellers of the JR Passes for Whole Japan. Booking with them comes with many more perks, including express global delivery and flexible refund or cancellation. Here are your booking options:
1. 7-Day JR Pass (Whole Japan)
This is the basic Japan Rail Pass that will get you access to all included transportation services for a week.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $304.85 (vs. regular price of $307.09)
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides in specified operators and routes, validity period of 7 consecutive days, choice of access to Ordinary Car or Green Car, FREE global delivery, & FREE guidebook
- BEST REVIEW:
The JR Pass on Klook is the ultimate travel essential for exploring Japan. It unlocks seamless transportation, saves you money, and grants you the freedom to experience the magic of Japan at your own pace. Book yours on Klook and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
2. 14-Day JR Pass (Whole Japan)
The most popular choice among travelers, this option provides rides on Shinkansen trains, JR buses, and more!
- PRICE: Book here starting at $496.4!
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides in specified operators and routes, validity period of 7 consecutive days, choice of access to Ordinary Car or Green Car, FREE global delivery, & FREE guidebook
- BEST REVIEWS:
- “The must-get pass in Japan if you [will travel to] a few places. I [used] this pass to travel [to] Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kobe, halfway to Kawaguchiko & final stop at Tokyo…”
- “The JR Pass is a convenient way to travel around Japan, especially if you plan to take multiple train rides, including the Shinkansen. Though pricey, I chose to buy the Green Car tickets to avoid crowds, ensure I was comfortably seated, and there was space for my luggage. Many online resources help you use the pass and reserve seats in advance,” reads a review for the JR Pass 14 days with Green Car option on Klook.
3. 21-Day JR Pass (Whole Japan)
The JR Pass for serious travelers. Enjoy access to all available transportation network, services, and attractions for 21 days.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $620.49!
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited train rides in specified operators and routes, validity period of 7 consecutive days, choice of access to Ordinary Car or Green Car, FREE global delivery, & FREE guidebook
- BEST REVIEWS:
- “The pass arrived on the expected date. It is easy to redeem in the nearest station where you arrive in Japan. We were able to use it in most of our travel in Japan. You could also use it for the bullet train and Yufuin express train(through reservation).”
- “JR train stations are near tourist spots. Plan your itinerary using your Japan rail pass because this pass has it all, covered all our routes from Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Even some bullet trains were included in it during our tour.”
How to Use Your JR Pass & Exchange Order
Once you’ve booked your Japan Rail Pass, expect to receive your JR Pass Exchange Order via post (delivery) or pick-up in your home country. (Delivery is available worldwide and takes only 5 business days.)
Upon arrival in Japan, you can head on over to a designated JR Pass counter. Show your Exchange Order and passport to redeem the actual pass that you can use for your trip. Note that you cannot redeem a JR Pass on behalf of someone else and that the name on the Exchange Order must match exactly the name shown on your passport.
To make seat reservations, you can head on over to the ticketing counter of the station you will depart from. Just show your JR Pass to make a seat selection. (Note that additional fees MAY apply on certain train types and routes.)
More Japan Rail Pass Reviews
With a stellar 4.9 out of 5-star rating and more than 600k+ bookings on Klook, the JR Pass is definitely a tourist pass in Japan that you’d want to book. One user left this review that includes their itinerary (how they used their JR Pass): “We were able to travel from Osaka to Fukushima then Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita then went to Hokkaido and stayed in Sapporo then travelled again to Asahikawa then Wakkanai… Everything was possible because of the JR Pass – Shinkansen and Special Rapid trains❤️❤️❤️”
Another review of booking the JR Pass on Klook reads on Reddit:
Me and the missus are heading to Japan in 12 days We ended up using klook.com for our jr pass ordered it yesterday already been shipped and should have it in 5 days
tweakfacekillah
Find more reviews for the JR Pass on Klook below here:
JR Pass for Whole Japan vs. Regional JR Pass
In this blog, we’ve covered the Japan Rail Pass for Whole Japan. This is the option that will give you full access to all available transportation services for 7-21 days. However, there are also other JR Passes available per region, including:
- JR Hokkaido Pass
- JR Kyushu Pass
FAQ: Booking Japan Rail Pass on Klook
1. Can I buy a JR Pass in Japan?
No, Japan Rail Passes should be purchased before your arrival in Japan. They are not available for purchase within the country.
2. Who are eligible to purchase the JR Nationwide Pass Nationwide?
All non-Japan passport holders can purchase the JR Pass, which is designed for foreign tourists. (Note that you will need to provide your full name as shown in your passport during the booking process.)
3. Do kids ride for free?
Aside from the adult option, there’s also a JR Pass for children aged 6-11 years old. Kids below 5 years old need not have a JR Pass. However, you can book one if you want your child to take up their own seat.
4. What’s the difference between the Ordinary Car and the Green Car?
When booking your Japan Rail Pass on Klook, you will see options to book a seat for the Ordinary Car or the Green Car. The Ordinary Car is your standard seat, while the Green Car is the more premium option offering reclining seats, wide legroom, luggage compartment, reading materials, wet towels, refreshments, and more.
5. Can I book a JR Pass and receive it in Australia, the UK, US, Canada, Philippines, and more?
Yes, Klook offers free delivery of the Japan Rail Pass to all countries (currently, delivery to Russia is not available).
6. How early should I book my JR Pass on Klook?
You can purchase a Japan Rail Pass online up to 90 days from your intended date of travel or first usage. We recommend booking here at least 2 weeks before you hop on to your flight for Japan.
7. Are JR Pass holders able to take the Nozomi and Mizuho trains?
These premium Shinkansen trains can only be taken by JR Pass holders after upgrading. You can pay any additional fees at the train ticketing counter.
8. Can I change or cancel my JR Pass order?
Yes. If you want to make adjustments to your JR Pass order, you will need to cancel your original booking and make a new one. However, you will need to pay a 10% administration fee for the cancellation.
Cancelling a JR Pass booking on Klook will also incur the same 10% charge.
9. Can I use the Japan Rail Pass on subways?
No, local subway rides are not included with the JR Pass. If you want to save money, you can purchase a local transportation card like Suica instead.
10. Are there Klook promo codes available for JR Pass?
Yes, from time to time, there are special JR Pass promo codes on Klook that you can find here. If there’s none, you can book here using Klook promo code BETTERONAPP to get 5% on your first in-app purchase.
