JR EAST PASS 2026: Prices, Coverage & Reservations
The current JR EAST PASS offers 5 consecutive days for ¥35,000 or 10 consecutive days for ¥50,000 per adult. It is an eastern Japan pass, separate from the nationwide JAPAN RAIL PASS. Choose it by the journeys you will actually make, rather than the number of cities on your itinerary.
Checked against JR EAST information on 10 October 2026. The former Tohoku-area and Nagano/Niigata-area passes stopped being sold on 13 March 2026; the replacement started on 14 March. If you searched for “JR EAST PASS Tohoku area,” use the current product details below.
JR EAST PASS versus the nationwide Japan Rail Pass
“JR Pass” can refer to different products. The nationwide pass covers a broader network under its own conditions; regional passes have different boundaries, eligibility and durations. This article covers the new JR EAST PASS. For the nationwide product, see our Japan Rail Pass price and comparison guide.
What changed in the JR EAST PASS?
The new pass brings the former eastern-area products together and adds a 10-day option. JR EAST's 28 January 2026 announcement documents the change. Old ¥30,000 Tohoku-pass prices and old coverage maps do not describe the product now on sale.
Prices and consecutive-day validity
| Pass duration | Adult, age 12+ | Child, age 6–11 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | ¥35,000 | ¥17,500 |
| 10 days | ¥50,000 | ¥25,000 |
These are the yen prices displayed by JR EAST when checked on 10 October 2026. The days are consecutive calendar days: a 5-day pass starting on 10 October runs through 14 October. You cannot spread it over five separate travel days. Check the price and selected start date before payment.
Coverage: check the line, not just the train name
The official pass page and coverage map include JR EAST lines and specified partner lines. Examples include Tokyo Monorail, Sendai Airport Transit, Sanriku Railway and Hokuetsu Express. Partner coverage has conditions; some JR bus routes are included, while highway buses and certain route buses are excluded.
The Tokaido Shinkansen is excluded. Do not use this pass as your ticket for Tokyo–Kyoto or Tokyo–Shin-Osaka. Izu Kyuko and Fujikyu Railway are also excluded. For trains that continue beyond the covered area, confirm the boundary and any separate tickets with JR before booking.
Who can use it?
JR EAST requires a valid original passport issued by a country other than Japan. Its purchase page exempts the JR EAST PASS from the Temporary Visitor requirement, so eligible foreign residents can also use it. A residence card or passport copy does not replace the original passport. Eligibility differs from the nationwide pass and some other regional products.
Plan purchase, collection and travel separately
Buying a pass does not automatically reserve a seat or complete station collection. Before departure, confirm the correct product, collection point and each required train reservation. Allow time for passport checks and ticket collection before the first train.
Purchase and collection options
JR EAST lists online purchase through JR-EAST Train Reservation, designated sales locations in Japan and participating overseas agencies. See its purchase and collection instructions for the option you use.
- Official online purchase: collect the physical pass in Japan with your original passport at an eligible service center or passport-reader machine. Machine collection requires a compatible IC-chip passport.
- Agency purchase: bring the agency's voucher or e-ticket and original passport to the designated collection location.
- Purchase in Japan: use an eligible service center or supported passport-reader machine. Not every station or ticket machine sells this pass.
Check the current collection-location list and opening hours. Follow the instructions for your purchase channel rather than assuming that a QR code alone is sufficient.
Pass versus individual ticket: what is the difference?
An individual ticket pays for a particular journey under its fare and train conditions. A pass permits covered journeys during a set period. A reserved-seat ticket assigns a particular train and seat. You may therefore need both a valid pass and a seat reservation for the same journey.
JR EAST provides reservations online, at eligible machines and at station counters. Carry and collect the documents required for your booking. A pass is not a guarantee that your preferred departure still has seats.
All-reserved trains
Check the selected train's seating conditions. For example, JR EAST's October 2026 Hayabusa 1 / Komachi 1 timetable lists all cars as reserved seating. Arrange the appropriate reservation before travel; do not assume you may take any empty seat. Ask JR staff about the permitted option if a train is full.
Using the pass at stations
Use the physical pass according to the station's gate instructions and keep the tickets returned by the gate. Show your documents to staff when assistance is needed. Green Car and GranClass travel requires additional payment under the applicable conditions. The JR EAST FAQ explains lost-pass restrictions and reservation issues; contact the purchase channel for changes or refunds.
A manageable 5-day planning example
For a first eastern Japan trip, consider one base in Sendai rather than a different distant city every night. Use day one for arrival, allow a day for Sendai, choose a nearby excursion, keep a flexible day and return on the final valid day. This is a planning outline, not a bookable timetable or a guaranteed saving. Local buses, attraction access and opening dates need separate checks.
Compare the current fares for your covered journeys with the pass price. Exclude fares you would still pay separately, and do not add optional detours solely to make the calculation look better. For only one or two journeys, compare individual train tickets before buying a pass.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the JR EAST PASS in 2026?
The adult price is ¥35,000 for 5 days or ¥50,000 for 10 days. Child prices are ¥17,500 and ¥25,000. These official prices were checked on 10 October 2026.
Can I use the pass on non-consecutive days?
No. Choose 5 or 10 consecutive calendar days beginning on your selected start date.
Can foreign residents of Japan use the JR EAST PASS?
Yes, if they meet its non-Japanese passport requirement. JR EAST exempts this pass from the Temporary Visitor condition. Bring your valid original passport.
Is the old JR EAST PASS Tohoku area still sold?
No. Sales ended on 13 March 2026. The replacement JR EAST PASS began on 14 March 2026 with 5-day and 10-day options.
Does it cover the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka?
No. The Tokaido Shinkansen is outside this pass's coverage. Arrange a separate ticket or compare another eligible pass.
Where do I collect an online JR EAST PASS?
Use a designated service center or supported passport-reader ticket machine in Japan. Bring the original passport and follow the instructions for your purchase channel.
Is buying a pass the same as booking a train seat?
No. The pass provides covered travel during its validity period; a reservation assigns a particular train and seat. Complete required reservations separately.
Can I board an all-reserved train without a reservation?
Arrange the required reservation before boarding. If the train is full, ask JR staff about a permitted alternative rather than taking an unassigned seat.
Official sources and update boundary
Sources checked on 10 October 2026: JR EAST's current pass page, 2026 product-change announcement, purchase and eligibility instructions, and FAQ. Recheck them before purchase for changed prices, operating conditions or collection locations.