On October 1st, 2023 the Japan Rail train pass will increase in price by about 70%. This isn’t the only change that will be happening to the JR Pass. Changes to the JR Pass in 2023 include where it can be sold, and what trains it allows you to travel on, as well as some potential discounts that you may be eligible for. Prices of regional JR Passes will also increase. Even if you are traveling to Japan after October you can still get JR Passes for the previous rate, as long as you follow a few key steps. So here’s all you need to know about the JR Pass price increases in 2023.
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We have had great fun with the JR Pass on our trips to Japan and we’ve used it to travel from the bottom of the Japan Rail network to the top of it. We’ve walked off ferries, straight to train stations, and got our exchange voucher sorted out. We’ve bought our JR Passes online and we’ve bought them directly from Japan Rail, as well as with an agent in South Korea. We love the JR Pass. But these new prices are going to make us really need to justify whether we purchase the pass for our next trip to Japan. It’s a 70% increase from the current rates and that rate starts on 1st October 2023. This article is based on current information available from Japan Rail. There may be changes that occur closer to October and we’ll keep you posted as we find out about them.
OPTION #1 BUY THE CHEAPEST JR PASS
Buy Japan Rail Pass from Klook
- Includes Worldwide Shipping
- Buy Regular or Business Class Pass
- Buy 7 day, 14 day or 21 day Japan Rail Passes
OPTION #2 BUY THE CHEAPEST JR PASS
Buy Japan Rail Pass from JRailPass
- Includes 24 hour or 48 hour delivery to ANYWHERE
- Buy Regular or Business Class Pass
- Buy 7 day, 14 day or 21 day Japan Rail Passes
OPTION #3 BUY THE CHEAPEST JR PASS
Buy Japan Rail Pass from GetYourGuide
- Includes FedEx or UPS Shipping
- Buy Regular or Business Class Pass
- Buy 7 day, 14 day or 21 day Japan Rail Passes
However. These changes mean that you can still buy the JR Pass at the current prices until 30th September 2023. There are some additional benefits that have been announced alongside the price increases, so read on to find those out and how you can still get the pre-October pricing even if you’re going to Japan AFTER October 1st, 2023.
Here’s the official announcement of the JR Pass Price Increase coming in October 2023 (it’s in Japanese)
5 Things Changing with the JR Pass on October 1st, 2023
- JR Pass Price Increase from October 1st, 2023
- Ride the Nozomi and Mizuho from October 1st, 2023 with the JR Pass
- Sales Outlets for the JR Pass Change from October 1st, 2023
- Activation Dates will give you another 30 days to use the pass
- Discounts are available with the JR Pass from October 1st, 2023
1. JR Pass Price Increase from October 1st, 2023
As of October 1st, 2023, all prices for Japan Rail passes will increase. They’ll increase by about 70%. Children (aged 6-11) prices will be 50% of adult prices. You can see the current and new Japan Rail pass prices in the tables below.
| JR Rail Price Pass | Adult Pre Oct 2023 | Adult After 1st Oct 2023 | Child (6-11) Pre Oct 2023 | Child (6-11) After 1st Oct 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Pass 7 day price | ¥29,650 | ¥50,000 | ¥14,820 | ¥25,000 |
| JR Pass 14 day price | ¥47,250 | ¥80,000 | ¥23,620 | ¥40,000 |
| JR Pass 21 day price | ¥60.450 | ¥100,000 | ¥30,220 | ¥50,000 |
| JR Pass Green Car | Adult Pre Oct 2023 | Adult After 1st Oct 2023 | Child (6-11) Pre Oct 2023 | Child (6-11) After 1st Oct 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Green Pass 7 Days | ¥39,600 | ¥70,000 | ¥19,800 | ¥35,000 |
| JR Green Pass 14 Days | ¥64,120 | ¥110,000 | ¥32,060 | ¥55,000 |
| JR Green Pass 21 Days | ¥83,390 | ¥140,000 | ¥41,690 | ¥70,000 |
These prices are for PURCHASES of the Japan Rail Pass. As you may know – if you read our entire guide to the Japan Rail Pass – what you actually buy is an “exchange voucher” for the JR Pass. Then when you arrive in Japan you exchange that voucher for your JR Pass.
Japan Rail exchange vouchers are valid for 3 months from purchase. And yes, JR Pass exchange vouchers that you buy up until the end of September will be valid for 3 months.
So. If you’re going to Japan before the end of December 2023 and want to use the JR Pass, you can still get the lower price. Here’s an example. If you’re planning to be in Japan on December 20th and want your JR Pass to start then, buy your JR Pass exchange voucher after September 20th (but before the end of September 2023!)
You can buy a JR Pass from Klook (takes up to 14 days for shipping)
Or get 24-48 hour delivery, even to your hotel in Japan when buying from JRailPass
Buy JR Passes from Get Your Guide here (FedEx or UPS delivery to your home address)
If you decide that buying a JR Pass isn’t the right option for you, then you can buy individual Japan Rail tickets from Klook now.
2. Ride the Nozomi and Mizuho from October 1st, 2023 with the NEW JR Pass
One of the bugbears for many people was that you couldn’t ride the fastest Shinkansen trains using the JR Pass. That’s changing with the newly priced JR Pass, however, you will have to pay a supplement to ride these Nozomi and Mizuho trains. And you’ll have to buy a special ticket to ride them. Here are the additional costs that you’ll pay for the Nozomi and Mizuho trains with your JR Pass after October 1st, 2023.
Additional Costs for JR Pass Holders on Nozomi and Mizuho Trains After 1st October 2023
- Tokyo-Nagoya: ¥4180
- Tokyo-Kyoto: ¥4960
- Tokyo-Shin Osaka: ¥4960
- Tokyo-Shin Kobe: ¥4960
- Tokyo-Himeji: ¥5390
- Tokyo-Okayama: ¥5,930
- Tokyo-Hiroshima: ¥6500
- Tokyo-Hakata: ¥8140
- Shin-Osaka – Hiroshima: ¥4,170
- Shin-Osaka – Hakata: ¥4,960
- Shin-Osaka – Kagoshima-Chuo: ¥9,460
- Hakata – Kagoshima-Chuo: ¥4,500
This, for me, is a GREAT move forward. We’ve never traveled on one of the super-fast trains, as they were never covered by the JR Pass. And we already had the pass, so it felt wasteful to blow money on a completely separate ticket.
3. Sales Outlets for the JR Pass Change from October 1st, 2023
In recent years you’ve been able to buy the JR Pass directly from Japan Rail, either online or from a station when you are in Japan. This has always been at a 10% premium. As of October 1st, 2023, the price will be the same as buying from one of the online vendors.
Bear in mind that if you buy directly from Japan Rail, either online or in Japan, then you’ll be buying your pass in Japanese Yen. Online vendors allow you to select the currency in which you prefer to buy.
Check the prices of a JR Pass from Klook (takes up to 14 days for shipping)
Need 24-48 hour delivery, then you should buy from JRailPass
JR Passes are also available from Get Your Guide here (FedEx or UPS delivery to your home address)
4. When you Exchange your JR Pass, you can select a date 30 days AFTER that as the activation date
While you must exchange your voucher for a physical JR Pass within 3 months of buying the exchange voucher, you can then select a date up to 30 days into the future for the start date of your JR Pass.
So if you’re lucky enough to be spending a long time in Japan, the following scenario shows how to use the JR Rail pass at the current price at the furthest point in the future. You could buy your JR Pass at the end of September 2023. Then exchange your voucher at the end of December (in Japan at a JR office) with an activation date of the end of January and you can then still be traveling on a JR Pass during February 2023.
You can buy a JR Pass from Klook (takes up to 14 days for shipping)
Need 24-48 hour delivery, then you should buy from JRailPass
Buy JR Passes from Get Your Guide here (FedEx or UPS delivery to your home address)
5. Discounts available with the JR Pass from October 1st, 2023
I suspect the announcement that there will be discounts on attractions and sightseeing is a bit like the one that is currently in place, where you can get discounts at JR hotels and the like… Those discounts are ones that you’re unlikely to ever get, as you can’t do anything online, you have to either turn up in person at a hotel or call them to see if there is a discount.
So don’t hold your breath for these! (but be pleasantly surprised if they do appear!)
FAQS on the October 2023 JR Pass Price Increase
Here are all the questions and answers we’ve put together for the price increases for Japan Rail Passes in October 2023.
When does the Japan Rail Price increase start?
The price of Japan Rail passes will increase from October 1st, 2023. But remember, if you buy online before then, you will still be able to exchange the voucher at a JR Rail office in Japan for 3 months after the purchase date.
You can buy a JR Pass from Klook (takes up to 14 days for shipping)
Or get 24-48 hour delivery, even to your hotel in Japan when buying from JRailPass
Buy JR Passes from Get Your Guide here (FedEx or UPS delivery to your home address)
What’s the latest date to buy a JR Pass at current prices?
The latest date to buy a pass at the lower rates depends on the vendor involved. Some are setting a cut-off date of 25th September, others the 28th. You can check here
Find the latest dates for buying cheaper a JR Pass from Klook here
Latest dates for cheap JR Passes from JRailPass here
Last date for buying cheap JR Passes from Get Your Guide here
Can I buy a JR Pass now and use it after October?
Any exchange voucher for a JR Pass that you buy is valid for 3 months from the date you buy it. When you exchange the voucher for your physical JR pass you tell the Japan Rail member of staff when you want the pass to become active which can be up to 30 days in the future. So you just need to do the maths on when you want your JR Pass to start.
How far ahead can you buy the JR Pass?
If you’re buying from an online vendor (and we recommend, Klook, JRailPass, or GetYourguide), then you have 3 months from when you buy the voucher to exchange it for a physical JR Pass. Add to that a further 30 days which you may select as your activation or start date. So potentially you can buy your JR Pass 4 months ahead of when you actually want to use it BUT you must be in Japan within 3 months to exchange the voucher.
Can I use a JR Pass that I buy at current prices AFTER the price increase in October?
Yes. You can buy a JR Pass at the current prices before October 1st 2023. You can then exchange it AFTER the price increase date and activate it for use after October 1st, 2023.
Is the JR Pass still worth it after the price increase in October 2023?
Whether the JR Pass is worth it after the price increase in October 2023 depends on how much you’re going to use it. It has a big convenience factor, but this might not be enough for you, and you’ll need to plan your Japan itinerary with care to work out if the Japan Rail Pass is worth it financially after the price increase.
What are the alternatives to the JR Pass?
You can buy individual train tickets for Japan with Klook here.
You can also find buses in Japan with 12goAsia here
And so long as you have an international driver’s permit (see what else you need before you arrive in Japan in our checklist here) you can rent a car in Japan. You can get a price for a Japanese car rental here.
Travel Tips for Exploring Japan
- Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
- Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Japan > discount coupon here
- Read our guide to the Japan Rail Pass here
- Check the details of the 2023 Japan Rail Pass Increases here
- Buy your Japan Rail Pass before you arrive in Japan
- You can buy JR Passes from Klook > check details here
- Or buy JR Passes from JRailPass here. (delivery in 24-48 hours including to your hotel in Japan)
- Book the best tours and guides in Japan on, GetYourGuideand Klook
- Learn to cook Japanese food in Chef’s kitchens in Japan
- Save money in Japan with a Wise debit card
- Find the right accommodation for you via Booking.com
- Book an incredible ryokan experience in Japan
Final Words on the JR Pass Price Increases of 2023
For many years travelers have benefited from great deals on Japan Rail Passes. We’ve traveled the length and breadth of Japan on several occasions using the Japan Rail pass to its maximum advantage. And we loved it. Will we buy another when we return to Japan next year? I don’t know yet, we’ll be doing the maths and working out where we’re going, but I’ll keep you posted!
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