Regional Rail Passes List in Japan 2025: Complete Guide

Japan’s rail system is famously punctual, far-reaching, and traveler-friendly.

But with dozens of intercity and suburban options, buying single tickets can get pricey and complex.

This guide maps every major rail pass you’ll need!!

Nationwide Pass

If your plan spans multiple regions—Tokyo to Kyoto to Hiroshima and beyond—the nationwide option keeps budgeting simple.

One start date, a fixed number of consecutive days, and access to most JR trains including many Shinkansen.

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass offers unlimited rides on JR lines nationwide, including most Shinkansen except Nozomi and Mizuho.

Choose 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days in Ordinary or Green Car.

Hokkaido Rail Passes

Distances are long in Hokkaido; a pass often beats point-to-point tickets by a wide margin.

In 2025, JR Hokkaido revised prices for foreign-visitor passes effective Apr 1, 2025.

JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

The island-wide ticket for multi-city hops such as Sapporo–Hakodate–Asahikawa.

Valid on JR Hokkaido local, rapid, and limited express lines (not the Hokkaido Shinkansen beyond Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto).

Best value when you stack at least two long segments.

JR Sapporo–Noboribetsu Area Pass

A compact 4-day pass linking New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu—perfect for city + onsen.

It covers JR trains inside the published zone.

Keep your itinerary within the map to avoid add-on fares.

JR Sapporo–Furano Area Pass

Targets Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, Furano, Biei—ideal for lavender season or winter snow fields.

Same 4-day simplicity as above.

Popular for Farm Tomita, Blue Pond, and Asahiyama Zoo days.

Hokkaido Free Pass

The Hokkaido Free Pass is a 7-day ticket for JR Hokkaido’s conventional and limited-express trains (Hokkaido Shinkansen excluded) that’s sold to both visitors and residents at major Hokkaido stations.

It’s designed for unhurried, long-range itineraries.

Pass	Validity	Price (Adult)
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass	5 / 7 / 10 days	¥22,000–¥38,000
JR Sapporo–Noboribetsu Area Pass	4 days	¥10,000–¥11,000
JR Sapporo–Furano Area Pass	4 days	¥11,000–¥12,000
Hokkaido Free Pass	7 days	~¥26,000+ (check locally)

JR East Rail Passes

JR East covers Tohoku, Nagano, Niigata, and Tokyo/Kanto.

Passes here are great for Tokyo-based side trips or multi-day northern routes.

JR East Pass (Tohoku)

The JR East Pass (Tohoku) gives you flexible travel for 5 or 10 days within a 14-day window across JR East’s Tohoku network.

It includes the Tohoku Shinkansen and the Akita Shinkansen branch.

It’s tuned for long day trips and short hops alike: think Tokyo↔Sendai, Morioka, Hachinohe, Hirosaki, or Akita, plus scenic limited expresses such as the Resort Shirakami along the Sea of Japan coast.

JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata)

The JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata) gives 5 flexible travel days within 14 on JR East lines, including Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen segments to Gala Yuzawa, Nagano, and Niigata.

It’s built for itineraries that mix Hakuba/Nozawa ski runs, Nagano temple towns, and Sea-of-Japan coast hops—without locking you into consecutive use.

JR Tokyo Wide Pass

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass is a 3-day consecutive ticket for JR East’s designated Greater Tokyo network, built to cover classic day-trip corridors to Nikko, Karuizawa, Kawaguchiko, and the Izu coast within one 72-hour window.

It suits itinerary-dense weekends—think a morning Shinkansen sprint to Karuizawa, a next-day limited express to Nikko, and a seaside run toward Ito/Izukyu before the clock runs out.

Pass	Validity	Price (Adult)
JR East Pass (Tohoku)	5 or 10 days (flexible)	¥30,000 / ¥48,000
JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata)	5 days (flexible)	¥27,000
JR Tokyo Wide Pass	3 days	¥15,000

JR Central Rail Passes

JR Central’s passes knit together Mt. Fuji, the Japanese Alps, and heritage towns from Mie to Toyama.

They often combine JR with buses/ferries in key sightseeing corridors.

Takayama–Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Five days linking Nagoya–Takayama–Toyama/Kanazawa and on to Kyoto/Osaka via Hokuriku; includes up to 6 reserved seats on eligible limited express/Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Handy for Shirakawa-go via included bus.

Mt. Fuji–Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass (Mini)

Three days of trains, buses, and ferries around Shizuoka & Mt. Fuji.

A sweet spot for Fuji viewpoints and tea country. Coverage emphasizes local mobility over bullet trains.

Ise–Kumano–Wakayama Area Tourist Pass

A 5-day cultural circuit to Ise Grand Shrine, Kumano Kodo, and the Wakayama coast, mixing JR with select private lines/buses.

Includes up to 6 reserved seats on eligible limited express.

Pass	Validity	Price (Adult)
Takayama–Hokuriku Area Pass	5 days	¥19,800
Mt. Fuji–Shizuoka Area Pass	3 days	¥6,500
Ise–Kumano–Wakayama Pass	5 days	¥13,000

JR West Rail Passes

JR West serves Kansai, Hokuriku, Chugoku—from Kyoto/Osaka to Hiroshima and the San’in coast.

Official pages list current prices and exact valid trains.

Kansai Area Pass

Bread-and-butter pass for Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Kansai-Airport Express HARUKA. No Shinkansen.

Choose 1–4 days to match city-hopping plans.

Kansai Wide Area Pass

Extends Kansai coverage to Kinosaki Onsen, Okayama, Tottori, Shirahama, Amanohashidate and more.

Good for one-base travelers in Osaka/Kyoto who want one or two longer day trips.

Kansai–Hiroshima Area Pass

Connects Shin-Osaka–Hiroshima on the Sanyo Shinkansen (reserved seats allowed) and includes JR West Miyajima Ferry.

Ideal for first-time visits to Himeji + Hiroshima + Miyajima from a Kansai base.

Sanyo–San’in Area Pass

Seven days across Kansai → Okayama → Hiroshima → Yamaguchi plus San’in coast segments.

Great for one-direction travel from Kyoto/Osaka toward Fukuoka.

Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Area Pass

Focused 5-day ticket for western Honshu including Mihara–Hakata section of the Sanyo Shinkansen and JR West Miyajima Ferry.

Ideal for travelers based in Fukuoka heading to Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Okayama–Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Area Pass

Adds Okayama and Takamatsu reach to Hiroshima–Yamaguchi coverage, still with Sanyo Shinkansen reserved seats in zone.

Useful if you want Kurashiki or Naoshima in the same trip.

Hokuriku Arch Pass

Joint JR East/JR West pass linking Tokyo ↔ Kanazawa ↔ Kyoto/Osaka via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Thunderbird/Hokuriku routes.

Perfect for travelers who want both Tokyo and Kansai but also time in Kanazawa/Toyama.

Pass	Validity	Price (Adult)
Kansai Area Pass	1–4 days	¥2,800–¥7,000
Kansai Wide Area Pass	5 days	¥12,000
Kansai–Hiroshima Area Pass	5 days	¥17,000
Sanyo–San’in Area Pass	7 days	¥23,000
Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Pass	5 days	¥15,000
Okayama–Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Pass	5 days	¥17,000
Hokuriku Arch Pass	7 days	¥30,000

JR Shikoku Rail Pass

Shikoku rewards slow travel: castle towns, the 88-temple pilgrimage, and island scenery.

The All Shikoku Rail Pass covers JR Shikoku plus several private lines.

All Shikoku Rail Pass

The All Shikoku Rail Pass covers JR Shikoku plus selected private lines (Iyotetsu, Kotoden, Tosaden) with 3/4/5/7 consecutive-day options.

It’s ideal for linking highlights such as Ritsurin Garden, Dōgo Onsen, and Kochi’s Sunday Market without piecemeal tickets.

JR Kyushu Rail Passes

Kyushu’s network includes the Kyushu Shinkansen and scenic limited expresses hugging coasts and volcanoes.

JR Kyushu publishes clear pricing for All Kyushu / Northern / Southern.

Note minor differences between online booking and over-the-counter rates.

JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All Kyushu)

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All Kyushu) covers the entire JR Kyushu network, including the Kyushu Shinkansen and the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen, plus major limited expresses like Sonic, Kamome, and Yufuin no Mori.

JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Kyushu)

Targets Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Saga, Oita, Kumamoto with 3- or 5-day options.

Includes Hakata–Kumamoto on the Kyushu Shinkansen and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki.

A strong value for a short Kyushu break.

JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Southern Kyushu)

Focused on Kagoshima/Miyazaki area with 3-day validity.

Includes Kumamoto–Kagoshima-Chuo section of Kyushu Shinkansen.

Great for volcanic scenery and coastal onsen.

Pass	Validity	Price
JR Kyushu All Kyushu	3 / 5 / 7 days	¥22,000–¥26,000
JR Kyushu Northern Kyushu	3 / 5 days	¥15,000–¥17,000
JR Kyushu Southern Kyushu	3 days	¥12,000

Private Railway & City Passes

Private railways and subway operators sell high-value city/area passes that often beat JR for dense sightseeing.

They frequently bundle buses, ropeways, or discounts.

Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 hours)

The Tokyo Subway Ticket gives time-based access across all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway, so one tap starts the clock for unlimited transfers.

Pick it up at Narita/Haneda airport counters or Tokyo Metro Tourist Information desks, and start using it the moment you enter the subway.

Greater Tokyo Pass

Five consecutive days on 13 private rail/tram companies + Toei buses across Kanto (not valid on JR).

Ideal for travelers exploring suburbs/theme parks/airport approaches beyond the JR grid.

Kintetsu Rail Pass

The KINTETSU RAIL PASS (5 days) ties together Osaka-Namba, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya, and the Ise-Shima coast on a single ticket, letting you string Ise Grand Shrine, Okage Yokocho, Toba/Kashikojima into one route.

It’s the cleanest way to add Nabana no Sato (Kuwana) or Nara’s temples to a Kansai stay without juggling separate private-rail fares.

Base fares are covered on Kintetsu lines; Limited Express seats require a separate surcharge.

Nagoya–Takayama–Matsumoto Area Pass

The Alpine–Takayama–Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (5 days) connects Nagoya, Takayama, Toyama/Omachi, and Matsumoto.

It also bundles JR trains with the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route transport system, including cable cars, a ropeway, and buses through the Kurobe Dam.

It’s designed for a one-way traverse of the Alpine Route plus time in Hida-Takayama and Matsumoto, so you can cover mountains and castle towns on a single ticket instead of separate fares.

Operating dates on the Alpine Route are seasonal and seats on certain sections are capacity-controlled.

Hakone Free Pass (Odakyu)

Unlimited rides on eight Hakone transports (ropeway, pirate ship, cable car, etc.) plus discounts at attractions; optional Shinjuku add-on.

A classic 2- or 3-day city-break from Tokyo.

Nikko Pass (Tobu Railway)

Tobu’s Nikko Pass is engineered for a precise loop: UNESCO-listed Toshogu–Rinno-ji–Futarasan downtown, then Tobu buses to Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Senjogahara, and Yumoto Onsen.

You can buy it at Tobu Asakusa Station or as an e-ticket, then ride straight from Tokyo on Tobu lines and switch to the covered buses in Oku-Nikko without juggling separate fares.

Fuji Hakone Pass (Odakyu)

The Fuji Hakone Pass is a 3-day ticket that covers the full Hakone loop (Hakone Tozan Railway, ropeway to Owakudani, Lake Ashi cruise, local buses) plus Fuji Five Lakes buses around Kawaguchiko/Saiko, and it includes a round-trip from Shinjuku on Odakyu.

Use it to visit Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine/ropeway, and Fuji viewpoints such as Chureito Pagoda and Kawaguchiko in one trip without buying separate tickets.

Pass	Validity	Price (Adult)
Tokyo Subway Ticket	24/48/72h	¥800 / ¥1,200 / ¥1,500
Greater Tokyo Pass	5 days	¥6,500
Kintetsu Rail Pass (5-day)	5 days	¥4,900
Nagoya–Takayama–Matsumoto Area Pass	5 days	¥24,000
Hakone Free Pass	2 / 3 days	¥6,100–¥6,500 (from Shinjuku)
Nikko Pass	2 / 4 days	¥3,000 / ¥8,000
Fuji Hakone Pass	3 days	¥10,100 (¥11,100 from Oct 2025)

How to Choose the Right Rail Pass

Start with your map, not the pass.

List cities/regions and count long rail segments.

Passes pay off when you batch expensive, medium-to-long rides inside a short window. Use these quick heuristics for typical trips:

Where to Buy Rail Passes

Most operators sell via official online portals and authorized travel agents.

Buying in advance secures the lowest tier for some passes and saves station time.

Always bring your passport to collect/activate.

Tips for Using Rail Passes

Pass days are calendar days unless stated otherwise.

Seat reservations on Shinkansen/limited expresses are often included but must be made before boarding especially for JR West passes allowing reserved seats.

Watch luggage rules on Shinkansen corridors.

Final Thoughts on Cheap Japan Rail Passes

Think of passes as itinerary amplifiers.

They’re most valuable when you compress long rides into a short window.

Start with the map and distances, then pick the pass that eliminates the priciest links.

If you’re city-bound, the Tokyo Subway Ticket or Kansai Area Pass often beats national options.