If you are planning a travel to Japan, JR PASS is undoubtedly your best choice to save transportation costs and enjoy unlimited train travels. Different types of JR PASS can meet your needs in different areas in Japan.
This article will give you a comprehensive guide to JR EAST PASS, covering the Tohoku area, Nagano & Niigata area, Tokyo wide, Tohoku-South Hokkaido and more. Join Trip.com as we delve into the scope of use, exchange method, and popular attractions to help you easily plan your trip to Japan - all made accessible with the JR EAST PASS.
Types of JR East Pass
| Type | Scope | Pricing (Adult) | Pricing (Child) |
| JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) | JR EAST lines (including BRT), Izu Kyuko Lines, Tokyo Monorail lines, Aoimori Railway, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR), etc. | US$203.08 | US$101.54 |
| JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) | JR EAST lines, Izu Kyuko Lines, Tokyo Monorail lines, Hokuetsu Express, etc. | US$182.77 | US$91.39 |
| JR TOKYO Wide PASS | JR EAST Lines, Tokyo Monorail, Izu Kyuko Line, Fujikyu Railway Lines, Joshin Dentetsu Line, etc. | US$125.23 | / |
| JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail PASS | JR Hokkaido Line (Hokkaido Area), JR East Line (Tohoku area) (including BRT), All Ao no Mori Railway lines, The entire Sendai Airport Railway Line, etc. | US$201.04 | US$100.50 |
JR East Pass discount
Scope of JR East Pass
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) a pass used within the covered region, which allows unlimited rides on JR EAST lines (including BRT), Izu Kyuko Lines, Tokyo Monorail lines, Aoimori Railway, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) and Non-reserved Seats and Reserved Seats on the limited express / express trains or ordinary trains (including rapid service) on all Sendai Airport Lines, as well as the Reserved Seats in ordinary cars of limited express trains that directly run between the JR lines and Tobu Railway lines such as "Nikko", "Kinugawa", and "SPACIA Kinugawa". Some JR bus routes can also be used.
You can explore the Tokyo suburbs such as Shinjuku, Akihabara, Kamakura! It can be used for 5 consecutive days for unlimited rides on trains and Shinkansen within the designated area from the date of issue of the pass.
Lines available by the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
1. All JR EAST lines within the covered area (Shinkansen, limited express, local trains and BRT)
(1) Shinkansen:
- Tohoku Shinkansen (Tokyo Station ~ Shin-Aomori Station)
- Akita Shinkansen (Tokyo Station ~ Akita Station)
- Yamagata Shinkansen (Tokyo Station ~ Shinjo Station)
- Joetsu Shinkansen (Tokyo Station ~ Echigo-Yuzawa Station, GALA Yuzawa Station)
- Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo Station ~ Sakudaira Station)
(2) Limited Express trains
- Azusa, FUJI EXCURSION (the pass can be used only in certain section)
- Kaiji, Hachioji, Ome
- Shonan・Odoriko
- Narita Express
- HITACHI/TOKIWA
- Wakashio/Sazanami/Shiosai
- Swallow Akagi, Akagi, Kusatsu
- Tsugaru
- Inaho (the pass can be used only in certain section), etc.
(3) Local train / BRT
- Yamanote Line etc.
2. Izu Kyuko, all lines
3. Tokyo Monorail, all lines
4. Aoimori Railway, all lines
5. Iwate Galaxy Railway, all lines
6. Sendai Airport Transit, all lines
Lines partially available by the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
1. Tobu Railway
(1) Limited Express trains
- Nikko
- Kinugawa
* Pass holders can take Tobu Railway lines only if the train either departs from or terminates at a JR station.
* Trains arriving/departing Asakusa station cannot be used.
(2) Local and express trains (Imaichi Station ~ Tobu Nikko Station and Kinugawa·Onsen Station)
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
Take the Shinkansen to various regions such as Niigata and Nagano, and immerse yourself in Japanese food culture, including sake, rice, and fresh seafood! You can enjoy the convenience of the 5-Day Pass, which offers unlimited rides on trains and Shinkansen within the designated area.
Lines available by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
- JR EAST Lines
- Tokyo Monorail
- Izu Kyuko Line
- Hokuetsu Express
- Echigo TOKImeki Railway (between Naoetsu and Arai)
- Reserved seats in ordinary cars of the following express trains with through operations between JR EAST and Tobu Railway lines: Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa trains.
- You can also use regular trains (including rapid trains) from Shimo-imaichi to Tobu-nikko and Kinugawa-onsen on the Tobu Railway line.
- Between Kurihashi and Shimo-imaichi, you can only use limited express trains that run through to Tobu Railway. *
- JR buses in the area (exc. highway and some regular bus routes)
- The only limited express trains you can use with the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) are through trains from JR lines to Tobu Railway lines. You cannot use limited express trains whose first and last stations are Tobu Railway stations.
JR East Pass: JR TOKYO Wide PASS
The JR TOKYO Wide PASS is a 3-day rail pass that gives you unlimited rides on trains and the Shinkansen around Tokyo and the surrounding area. Explore Tokyo; head out to popular areas in Japan including Nikko, Lake Kawaguchi, Mt. Fuji; or stay at onsen resorts in Karuizawa, Kusatsu, Izu, and many other places.
When collecting the JR TOKYO Wide PASS, please bring your passport (Japanese passports are not applicable) and the QR code generated when you purchased the Pass.
Lines available by the JR Tokyo Wide Pass
- JR EAST Lines
- Tokyo Monorail
- Izu Kyuko Line
- Fujikyu Railway Lines
- Joshin Dentetsu Line
- Saitama New Urban Transit (Ōmiya - the Railway Museum)
- Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Line (Rinkai Line)
- Reserved seats in ordinary cars of the following express trains with through operation between JR East and Tobu Railway lines: Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa trains.
- You can also use ordinary trains (including rapid trains) on the Tobu Railway lines between Shimo-imaichi and Tōbu-nikkō / Kinugawa-onsen.
- Between Kurihashi and Shimo-imaichi, you can only use express trains that have through operation with Tobu Railway.*
JR East Pass: JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR Tohoku/South Hokkaido Rail PASS not only allows you to travel from Sendai Airport to Sendai City, or from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo, making transportation between the airports very convenient, it also allows you to travel between Sapporo and Hakodate or to travel to Aomori and Sendai. You can ride on main lines and limited express trains as many times as you like, making it a very value-for-money rail pass.
Lines available by the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
- JR EAST (including BRT*)
- JR Hokkaido Lines (Hakodate, Sapporo, Otaru area)
- All Aoimori Railway Line
- The entire Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line
- The entire Sendai Airport Transit Line
Eligibility for using JR East Pass
JR PASS is a special ticket that can only be purchased by tourists who visit Japan from overseas! JR PASS is only available for the following groups, and each pass can be accompanied by two free children (aged 1-5).
Non-Japanese passport holders who are foreign travelers (Japanese nationals cannot use it).
※Foreign residents living in Japan can also purchase the JR East Japan Rail Pass!
The ticket purchaser must present a valid passport for the purchase (only the purchaser themselves can buy the ticket, cannot purchase on behalf of family members or other customers).
Exchange method of JR East Pass
| Type | Exchange Method |
| JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) | Present the received electronic confirmation and passport at the designated station's ticket machine or counter (green window counter) to exchange for physical tickets. |
| JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) | Present the received booking confirmation and your passport at the designated station ticket machine or counter (green window counter) to exchange for physical tickets. |
| JR TOKYO Wide PASS | Narita International Airport Terminal 1 WAmazing machine（24H） Narita International Airport Terminal 2WAmazing machine（24H） |
| JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail PASS | - East Japan Region: Travel Service Center (View Plaza) (Fukushima Station, Sendai Station, Yamagata Station, Morioka Station, Hachinohe Station, Shin-Aomori Station, Akita Station, Narita Airport 1st, 2nd and 3rd terminals building, Haneda Airport International Terminal), Sendai Airport Railway Sendai Airport Station "JR East Pass Redemption Window"). - Hokkaido area: JR Foreign Passenger Information Center (Sapporo Station, New Chitose Airport Station), JR Ticket Office (Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station, Noboribetsu Station), JR Travel Center (Twinkle Plaza) (Sapporo Station, Hakodate Station). |
Reserve seats for JR East Pass
1. Reserve tickets online
Make reservations up to one month in advance on JR East Train system.
2. Reserve seats using a Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine
Passengers can purchase JR PASS exclusively for foreign tourists visiting and residing in Japan by reading their passports at designated Seat Ticket Vending Machines.
3. Reserve seats at a station
Just provide your JR East PASS (for the Tohoku region) at any Travel Service Center or station ticket office, and provide the "date of travel", "name of train" and "departure and arrival time", and you can easily reserve your seat.
Ticket Inspection for JR East Pass
1. Prepare your JR East Pass
Before entering the station, please have your JR PASS ready to quickly present to the station staff.
Go to the manual ticket inspection gate/use the automatic ticket gate: Some JR Passes require manual ticket inspection at the station entrance. For some JR Passes, you can use the automatic ticket gate to put the ticket in and enter the station directly. Please confirm with station staff in advance.
2. Present your JR East Pass
Present your JR PASS to the station staff. If this is your first time, be sure to show the cover of your pass so station staff can see the details on the inside pages.
3. Stamp to confirm start date
If your pass is used for the first time, station staff will stamp the date on the back of the pass. This date stamp marks the beginning of the consecutive period of use of your pass (usually 5 days). From this day on, you will be able to use designated trains and routes by JR EAST PASS for unlimited times the following consecutive days. If you use the automatic ticket gate to enter the station, your ticket will be automatically printed with the date of entry.
4. Pass the ticket gate
After the station staff verifies your JR PASS, you will be allowed to pass the ticket gate. This process will need to be repeated each time you enter or exit the station.
Popular attractions around JR East Pass routes
Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan's capital, is a vibrant city combined with modernity and tradition. Must-visit places include Senso-ji Temple, the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and the bustling Shibuya Crossing.
Nikko
Nikko is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a must-visit attraction.
Hakone
Hakone, a renowned hot spring resort, offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and abundant natural scenery.
Karuizawa
Karuizawa, a popular summer retreat, is renowned for its cool climate, stylish shopping streets, and beautiful natural landscapes.
Nagano
Nagano, renowned for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics, offers numerous outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and the famous Zenkoji Temple.
Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go, renowned for its traditional thatched-roof villages, is an excellent destination to experience traditional Japanese rural life.
Niigata
Niigata, renowned for its high-quality rice and sake, also offers magnificent coastlines and ski resorts.
Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is renowned for its beautiful winter "snow monsters" (natural sculptures formed by snow accumulation on trees) and high-quality hot springs.
Sendai
Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, is also the largest city in the Tohoku region, known as the "City of Trees" for its beautiful natural landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine.
Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle in Aomori is one of Japan's most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom during springtime.
