1. Japan’s Transportation System
JR (excluding Shinkansen): The full name is Japan Railway. JR has a long history and numerous lines that connect major cities and various towns and villages under these cities. It is the most common mode of transportation for in Japan.
JR (Shinkansen): It is a special type of JR, which was built relatively late. It runs fast and primarily connects larger cities.
City Buses: In cities where rail transportation is not densely distributed, buses are also a common mode of transportation. Some cities have specially set up sightseeing loop buses for travelers, making it convenient to travel between various tourist attractions.
Trams: It is a special type of public transportation that runs on the ground with its own tracks and stations.
Subway: To alleviate traffic congestion and land scarcity in large cities, subways are built underground. The subway systems in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya are quite extensive, and in these cities, you can choose to take the subway depending on the situation. Each subway line has its own color, and every station has its own number.
2.Transportation Cards
Welcome Suica Card: It is valid for 28 days, and no deposit is required upon purchase. After use, you can take the card home as a souvenir.
Suica Card: There is no expiration limit, but a deposit of 500 yen is required when purchasing the card.
Electronic Money Card for Temporary Visitors: By preloading the card, you can use it for traveling on trains, buses, and subways, as well as for shopping.
The “Welcome Suica Mobile” app is expected to be launched in the spring of 2025 for foreign visitors to Japan. With this app, travelers can issue and top up a Suica card before entering the country, allowing them to smoothly use the Suica card for entry and shopping without having to stop at counters or ticket vending machines upon arrival.
3.East Japan JR Rail Pass
It allows unlimited travel on JR lines within a specified range and time period.
JR East Japan Rail Pass (Tohoku Region): It is recommended for travelers heading to the Tohoku region, including Aomori, Akita, and Sendai. It does not apply to the Tokaido Shinkansen.
JR East Japan Rail Pass (Nagano, Niigata Region): It’s recommended for travelers heading to the Shinetsu and Hokuriku regions, including Nagano and Niigata. It does not apply to the Tokaido Shinkansen.
JR East Japan & South Hokkaido Rail Pass: It’s recommended for travelers visiting multiple destinations such as Hakodate and the Tokyo metropolitan area. It does not apply to the Tokaido Shinkansen or the Donan Isaribi Tetsudo Railway. (For short-term visitors only)
JR Tokyo Wide Pass: It’s recommended for travelers heading to the Tokyo metropolitan area’s outskirts, such as Nikko. It does not apply to the Tokaido Shinkansen.
N’EX Tokyo Round-Trip Ticket: It’s recommended for travelers heading from Narita to Tokyo, Shinjuku, and other areas!
| Ticket | Validity | Adult (12 years and older) Price | Child (6-11 years) Price |
| JR East Japan Rail Pass (Tohoku Region) | 5 days | 30,000 JPY | 15,000 JPY |
| JR East Japan Rail Pass (Nagano, Niigata Region) | 5 days | 27,000 JPY | 13,500 JPY |
| JR East Japan & South Hokkaido Rail Pass | 6 days | 35,000 JPY | 17,500 JPY |
| JR Tokyo Wide Pass | 3 days | 15,000 JPY | 7,500 JPY |
| N’EX Tokyo Round-Trip Ticket | 14 days | 5,000 JPY | 2,500 JPY |
Note: Information is subject to change.
4.West Japan JR Rail Pass
It allows unlimited travel on JR lines within a specified range and time period.
JR West Japan All Area Rail Pass: With this single pass, you can travel freely throughout West Japan, from Kansai and Hokuriku to San’in, Sanyo, and Hakata, exploring the region at your leisure!
| JR West Japan All Area Rail Pass | |
| Validity: 7 days | Adult Price: 26,000 JPY
Child Price: 13,000 JPY |
Note: Information is subject to change.
Kansai Area Rail Pass: It’s recommended for travelers heading to areas such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, and Otsu. With this pass, you can enjoy unlimited rides on trains in major areas in Kansai and the Kansai Airport Express (Haruka)!
| Kansai Area Rail Pass Prices | |
| Validity: 1 Day | Adult: 2,800 JPY; Child: 1,400 JPY |
| Validity: 2 Days | Adult: 4,800 JPY; Child: 2,400 JPY |
| Validity: 3 Days | Adult: 5,800 JPY; Child: 2,900 JPY |
| Validity: 4 Days | Adult: 7,000 JPY; Child: 3,500 JPY |
Note: Information is subject to change.
Kansai Wide Area Rail Pass: Extending beyond the Kansai region, this pass is recommended for travelers heading to destinations such as Okayama, Takamatsu, Kinosaki Onsen, Amanohashidate, Tottori, and Shirahama.
| Kansai Wide Area Rail Pass Price | |
| Validity: Five days | Adult: 12,000 JPY; Child: 6,000 JPY |
Note: Information is subject to change.
There are also various regional rail passes available in West Japan.
| Ticket | Validity | Adult Price | Child Price |
| Kansai & Hiroshima Area Rail Pass | 5 days | 17,000 JPY | 8,500 JPY |
| Sanyo & San’in Area Rail Pass | 7 days | 23,000 JPY | 11,500 JPY |
| Kansai & Hokuriku Area Rail Pass | 7 days | 19,000 JPY | 9,500 JPY |
| Hokuriku Area Rail Pass | 4 days | 7,000 JPY | 3,500 JPY |
| Kansai & San’in Area Rail Pass | 7 days | 18,000 JPY | 9,000 JPY |
| Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Area Rail Pass | 5 days | 15,000 JPY | 7,500 JPY |
| Okayama, Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Area Rail Pass | 5 days | 17,000 JPY | 8,500 JPY |
| JR Kansai Mini Rail Pass | 3 days | 3,000 JPY | 1,500 JPY |
| Tottori & Matsue Area Rail Pass | 3 days | 4,000 JPY | 2,000 JPY |
Note: Information is subject to change.
5.Hokkaido JR Rail Pass
Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Rail Pass: Explore the areas between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu! Enjoy unlimited rides on trains within the designated range!
| Purchase Method | Validity | Adult Price | Child (6-11 years) Price |
| Purchased before Arrival* | 4 days | 9,000 JPY | 4,500 JPY |
| Purchased in Hokkaido | 4 days | 10,000 JPY | 5,000 JPY |
*When purchasing online (JR East Online Reservation System), the price is the same as the “Purchased before Arrival” price.
Note: Information is subject to change.
Sapporo-Furano Area Rail Pass: Explore the areas between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa! Enjoy unlimited rides on trains within the designated range!
| Purchase Method | Validity | Adult Price | Child (6-11 years) Price |
| Purchased before Arrival* | 4 days | 10,000 JPY | 5,000 JPY |
| Purchased in Hokkaido | 4 days | 11,000 JPY | 5,500 JPY |
*When purchasing online (JR East Online Reservation System), the price is the same as the “Purchased before Arrival” price.
Note: Information is subject to change.
Hokkaido Rail Pass: Travel around the vast Hokkaido and enjoy the pleasures of your Hokkaido trip! You can ride JR Hokkaido trains freely within the validity period!
| Purchase Method | 5 Consecutive Days | 7 Consecutive Days | 10 Consecutive Days | |||
| Adult | Child (6-11 years) | Adult | Child (6-11 years) | Adult | Child (6-11 years) | |
| Purchased before Arrival* | 20,000 JPY | 10,000 JPY | 26,000 JPY | 13,000 JPY | 32,000 JPY | 16,000 JPY |
| Purchased in Hokkaido | 21,000 JPY | 10,500 JPY | 27,000 JPY | 13,500 JPY | 33,000 JPY | 16,500 JPY |
*When purchasing online (JR East Online Reservation System), the price is the same as the “Purchased before Arrival” price.
Note: Information is subject to change.
6.Regional (City) Passes
Osaka Amazing Pass: It allows unlimited rides on Osaka Municipal Subway, buses, and various private railways such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, and Nankai within Osaka City for a specified period. It also provides free admission to over 40 attractions in Osaka, making it ideal for in-depth exploration of Osaka and its surroundings.
Kansai Railway Pass: It provides unlimited travel on subways and private railways throughout the Kansai region.
7.Metro and Bus One-Day Pass
Metro and Bus One-Day Pass: It is available in major cities like Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto. The bus one-day pass allows unlimited rides on buses for a single day, while the metro one-day pass offers unlimited rides on the metro for a single day.
