⚡ TL;DR
- 7-day Ordinary: ¥50,000 (~$330 USD), up from ¥29,650 in 2023
- Worth it: Long-distance routes like Tokyo → Kyoto → Hiroshima → Fukuoka
- Not worth it: Staying in one region (e.g., Kansai only)
- Alternative: Regional passes typically half the price, covering one area
- 2025-2026 new: Digital ticketing, Hokuriku Shinkansen extended to Tsuruga
2026 JR Pass Prices
Source: japanrailpass.net (checked March 2026)
| Duration | Ordinary | Green Car | Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥50,000 | ¥70,000 | ¥7,143 |
| 14 days | ¥80,000 | ¥110,000 | ¥5,714 |
| 21 days | ¥100,000 | ¥140,000 | ¥4,762 |
Children (6-11): 50% off. Under 6: free (no seat).
📈 The 2023 Price Hike
| Before | Now | Increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7d Ordinary | ¥29,650 | ¥50,000 | +69% |
| 14d Ordinary | ¥47,250 | ¥80,000 | +69% |
| 21d Ordinary | ¥60,450 | ¥100,000 | +65% |
When Is It Worth It?
✅ Worth It
- Tokyo ↔ Kyoto + Hiroshima + Fukuoka
- Long-distance exploration (Hokkaido ↔ Kyushu)
- 3+ long-distance trips in 7 days
- Prefer hop-on freedom, no pre-booking
- Multiple day trips from one base city
❌ Not Worth It
- Kansai only (Osaka/Kyoto/Nara)
- Slow travel, 3-4 days per city
- Tokyo ↔ Osaka round trip (individual cheaper)
- Mostly staying within Tokyo/Osaka
- Tight budget (highway buses are cheaper)
Real Route Cost Comparisons
| Route | Individual | JR Pass 7d | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo→Kyoto→Osaka→Tokyo | ~¥32,000 | ¥50,000 | Not worth it |
| Tokyo→Kanazawa→Kyoto→Hiroshima→Tokyo | ~¥54,000 | ¥50,000 | Worth it |
| Tokyo→Sendai→Hakodate→Tokyo | ~¥55,000 | ¥50,000 | Worth it |
| Osaka→Hiroshima→Fukuoka→Tokyo | ~¥44,000 | ¥50,000 | Not worth it |
Prices based on 2025 Shinkansen unreserved seat fares. Source: japan-guide.com, neatjapan.com
Regional Pass Alternatives
If you're staying in one region, regional passes are often the smarter buy:
| Pass | Price | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR East Tohoku Area Pass | ¥20,000 / 5d | Tohoku region | Tokyo to Sendai, Morioka |
| JR West Kansai Area Pass | ¥2,800 / 1d | Kansai region | Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe |
| JR West Kansai-Hiroshima Pass | ¥15,000 / 5d | Kansai + Hiroshima | Osaka to Hiroshima + Miyajima |
| JR Kyushu Pass | ¥16,000 / 3d | All Kyushu | Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima |
| Hokkaido Rail Pass | ¥20,000 / 5d | All Hokkaido | Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa |
What's New in 2025-2026
- Digital Ticketing — JR Pass now supports QR code gate entry. JR East and JR West apps allow online seat reservations.
- Hokuriku Shinkansen Extension — Extended to Tsuruga, improving connections between Toyama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto.
- Stricter Refund Policy — No partial refunds once activated. Child passes must match passport details exactly.
- No Price Change — Prices remain the same as post-2023 hike. Next price change date unknown.
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🔍 Calculate Now — FreeFAQ
Did JR Pass prices increase in 2026?
No. After the major ~66% price hike in October 2023, prices have remained stable through 2024-2026. 7-day Ordinary is ¥50,000.
Can I use JR Pass on Nozomi trains?
Not directly. JR Pass holders can purchase special discount tickets for Nozomi/Mizuho. Alternatively, take Hikari trains — the time difference is minimal.
Regional pass or nationwide pass — which is better?
Regional passes are cheaper if staying in one area (e.g., Kansai, Tohoku). The nationwide pass only makes sense for multi-region travel (e.g., Tokyo → Hiroshima → Fukuoka).