JR Pass Prices 2026: Adult, Child & Cost Comparison

A nationwide JR Pass is worthwhile only when its full cost suits the journeys you will actually take. Start with the correct purchase-channel, class and adult/child price, then compare dated single-ticket quotes for the same itinerary. The online adult Ordinary 7-day price is ¥50,000; the overseas designated-agency price is ¥53,000, checked on 10 October 2026.
Cover illustration; prices and conditions come from the official sources linked below.
Contents: Price tables · Eligibility and days · Coverage · Cost worksheet · Nozomi and supplements · FAQ
Start with the price for your purchase channel
The official nationwide JR Pass website lists different prices for online purchase and overseas JR-designated agencies. The table below is for an adult Ordinary pass, checked on 10 October 2026. Confirm the channel, currency, final amount and eligibility before buying; these prices are not a quote from JapanTrain.
| Validity | Official online purchase | Overseas designated agency |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥50,000 | ¥53,000 |
| 14 days | ¥80,000 | ¥84,000 |
| 21 days | ¥100,000 | ¥105,000 |
Green passes have different prices. Use the class you intend to travel in on both sides of the comparison. Do not compare a Green pass with the lowest available Ordinary single-ticket fare and call the difference a like-for-like saving.
Ordinary pass prices for children
| Validity | Official online purchase | Overseas designated agency |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥25,000 | ¥27,000 |
| 14 days | ¥40,000 | ¥42,000 |
| 21 days | ¥50,000 | ¥53,000 |
The official price page gives the child age rule for ages 6–11 and a purchase-date exception for a child who turns 12 before use. Check the applicable online payment date or Exchange Order issue date and the channel’s wording before purchase. Overseas agency child prices are not always exactly half the adult price: for example, the 7-day Ordinary prices are ¥27,000 and ¥53,000.
Green pass prices
| Validity | Online adult | Online child | Overseas agency adult | Overseas agency child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥70,000 | ¥35,000 | ¥74,000 | ¥37,000 |
| 14 days | ¥110,000 | ¥55,000 | ¥116,000 | ¥58,000 |
| 21 days | ¥140,000 | ¥70,000 | ¥147,000 | ¥74,000 |
A Green pass covers eligible Green accommodation; it does not automatically reserve oversized-baggage storage. Use the same class, travelers and route on both sides of your comparison.
Check eligibility and count consecutive travel days
For foreign visitors, the nationwide pass requires entry under Japan’s Temporary Visitor status and the required proof. A foreign passport alone is not enough. Certain Japanese nationals living abroad can qualify under separate documentation rules and must use the overseas purchase channel; check the official eligibility page for the full conditions.
The 7-, 14- and 21-day nationwide passes run for consecutive days from the chosen start date. For example, a 7-day pass starting on 10 October covers dates through 16 October. A day without train travel still counts, so put your main covered journeys inside that continuous period.
What the nationwide JR Pass covers
The nationwide pass covers most JR local and long-distance trains, subject to the official exceptions and accommodation rules. It also includes specified services such as the Tokyo Monorail and JR West Miyajima Ferry; separate charges such as the Miyajima visitor tax can still apply. City metro and private-railway journeys are generally outside its scope unless an exception is specifically listed.
Check the exact train and accommodation before reserving. Coverage of a JR route does not mean every special car or premium accommodation on that route is included. The pass itself is not a seat reservation.
Build an itinerary cost sheet before choosing a pass
- List every planned rail journey with its date and exact stations. Include airport and local journeys only if you expect to use them.
- Get a current single-ticket total for each journey, with the same train and seat class you want.
- Mark the journeys covered by the candidate pass and those that are not covered.
- Group covered journeys inside the proposed pass period. A long stay does not necessarily need a long pass if the intercity rides are concentrated in a few days.
- Compare single tickets with the pass price plus uncovered fares and any required supplements.
| Record | Use in the comparison |
|---|---|
| Travel date, exact stations, train and seat class | Match the same journey on both sides. |
| Full individual ticket price for each traveler | Include required fare and train or accommodation charges. |
| Covered by the candidate pass? | Record the reason and the official product rule. |
| Uncovered fares and pass supplements | Add these to the pass option; do not omit them. |
| Pass validity and travelers’ eligibility | Check consecutive dates and the correct adult/child product. |
This is a manual cost worksheet using quotes you obtain. It does not look up every Japanese rail fare or confirm eligibility, seats or ticket issuance. To start a dated ticket search, use the Tokyo–Kyoto route or Tokyo–Osaka route and include the seller’s complete total in your worksheet.
Use a fair break-even calculation
Single-ticket option = the total price of your planned individual journeys.
Pass option = pass price + uncovered journeys + required supplements. Include local journeys on both sides of the calculation, and avoid counting imaginary day trips merely to make a pass look worthwhile.
As an arithmetic example, suppose live quotes put your covered journeys at ¥42,000 and your uncovered journeys at ¥6,000. Single tickets total ¥48,000. A ¥50,000 pass plus those same uncovered journeys totals ¥56,000 before any additional supplements. These are hypothetical inputs, not current fares for a named route.
Match the ticket strategy to the shape of your trip
| Trip pattern | Start by comparing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One-way Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip | Single tickets | A few intercity legs may not justify a nationwide pass. |
| Several long JR journeys close together | Nationwide pass and single tickets | Concentrated covered travel can change the calculation. |
| One region with repeated day trips | A suitable regional pass and single tickets | The nationwide product may provide coverage you do not need. |
| Cities connected by many private-railway rides | Local tickets or passes plus intercity tickets | Uncovered travel remains payable with a nationwide JR Pass. |
Nozomi, Mizuho and private sections change the total
The nationwide JR Pass alone does not cover Nozomi or Mizuho travel. Pass holders can use these services with the designated additional ticket bought before boarding. Include that amount if those trains are part of your plan; do not compare a Nozomi single ticket with a pass itinerary using a different service without acknowledging the difference.
Private railways and metro systems generally need separate payment, subject to the official exceptions. Regional passes also have their own train, geographic and eligibility rules. A regional product with a similar name is not interchangeable with the nationwide pass.
For a concrete example, the official adult Nozomi/Mizuho additional ticket is currently ¥4,960 for Tokyo–Kyoto or Tokyo–Shin-Osaka. It is bought for the relevant ride and used together with a valid nationwide pass. This amount is not a complete standalone Shinkansen fare.
Make the decision after checking seats and route details
A pass does not remove the need to reserve a seat where required, nor does it guarantee the train you want is available. Families, travelers with oversized baggage and those with fixed onward connections should compare suitable seats as well as price.
For a wider planning overview, read our Tokyo transport guide and Mount Fuji transport options. Then search your JapanTrain route to obtain a dated single-ticket quote for your cost sheet.
If you are carrying a large suitcase, check our Shinkansen oversized baggage rules before reserving. The baggage arrangement must match your train even when you travel with a pass.
Official sources and rule checks
Rules and prices checked on 10 October 2026. Recheck the linked operator guidance for your travel date; train availability and station arrangements can change.
- JAPAN RAIL PASS: types and prices
- JAPAN RAIL PASS: scope of validity
- JAPAN RAIL PASS: Nozomi and Mizuho tickets
- JAPAN RAIL PASS: eligibility for use
- JAPAN RAIL PASS: conditions for use
Frequently asked questions
Is the JR Pass always cheaper than single tickets?
No. Compare the actual journeys within the pass period, using the relevant pass price and adding uncovered fares and supplements.
Should I buy a 14-day pass for a 14-day holiday?
Not automatically. The pass runs for consecutive days, so choose its length and start date around your covered journeys.
Can I use Nozomi with a nationwide JR Pass?
Yes, when you buy the designated Nozomi/Mizuho additional ticket before boarding and use it with a valid nationwide JR Pass.
Are regional passes the same as the nationwide JR Pass?
No. They have their own geographic coverage, train restrictions and eligibility conditions. Compare the exact product.
Who can use the nationwide JR Pass?
Foreign visitors must meet the Temporary Visitor entry-status and proof requirements. Certain Japanese nationals living abroad qualify under separate conditions through the overseas purchase channel; check the official eligibility rules.
How much is a seven-day nationwide JR Pass?
As checked on 10 October 2026, an adult Ordinary pass costs ¥50,000 through the official online channel or ¥53,000 through an overseas designated agency. Confirm your purchase channel and final price.
Does a Green JR Pass guarantee luggage space?
No. A Green pass does not automatically reserve oversized-baggage storage. On applicable trains, reserve the appropriate seat with an oversized baggage area.
How much are 14-day and 21-day Ordinary JR Passes?
As checked on 10 October 2026, adult official-online prices are ¥80,000 for 14 days and ¥100,000 for 21 days. Overseas designated-agency prices are ¥84,000 and ¥105,000. Use the current price for your actual purchase channel.
Is a child JR Pass always exactly half the adult price?
No. Use the official child price and age/date rules for your channel. For example, a 7-day Ordinary pass is ¥25,000 online or ¥27,000 through an overseas designated agency, while the corresponding adult prices are ¥50,000 and ¥53,000, checked on 10 October 2026.
How can I calculate JR Pass savings for my itinerary?
Compare the full cost of your planned individual tickets with the pass price plus uncovered journeys and required supplements. Use the same travelers, dates, trains and seat classes. The worksheet uses your own current quotes and does not retrieve all rail fares automatically.
JR Pass cost comparison calculator
Enter current quotes in whole Japanese yen. Compare the same travelers, dates, trains and seat class; enter 0 only when an extra cost does not apply.
This tool compares the amounts you enter. Get a quote for every journey and check pass coverage and eligibility before calculating.
Pass option = pass price + uncovered journeys + extra charges.