Since the 2023 price hike, the JR Pass isn't an automatic yes anymore. Add the long-distance train legs of your trip below and see the real math.
Before October 2023, the JR Pass was almost always worth it — a single round trip Tokyo–Kyoto already covered the cost. After the ~70% price increase, the math changed: a 7-day pass now costs roughly the same as 3 one-way Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen tickets. If your itinerary is just Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Tokyo (the classic Golden Route), buying individual tickets is often cheaper than the pass.
The pass starts winning again if you're doing a wider loop — say Tokyo → Hiroshima → Kyoto → Tokyo, or adding side trips to Nagoya, Nagano, or Hakodate. More long-distance legs = more chances the flat pass price beats paying per ticket.
| Route | Approx. price |
|---|---|
| Tokyo ↔ Kyoto | $95 / ¥13,850 |
| Tokyo ↔ Osaka | $100 / ¥14,720 |
| Tokyo ↔ Hiroshima | $135 / ¥19,440 |
| Kyoto ↔ Hiroshima | $85 / ¥11,300 |
| Tokyo ↔ Nagoya | $70 / ¥10,360 |
| Osaka ↔ Hakata (Fukuoka) | $100 / ¥14,600 |
Prices are approximate 2026 unreserved-seat fares and change periodically — use this tool for planning direction, not a final booking price.
Whichever way you go with trains, you'll want Google Maps and your Suica/IC card apps working the moment you land. Set up an eSIM before you fly.
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