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Traveling in Japan and just boarding the train without overthinking feels completely different. The JR Pass delivers that spirit: freedom of movement, flexible scheduling, and the ability to explore from major cities to remote areas with just one ticket. Instead of buying individual tickets or constantly checking train schedules, you simply grab your JR Pass and enjoy your journey, from the Shinkansen hurtling through cities to leisurely scenic train rides. This convenience makes the JR Pass a familiar “assistant” for many travelers.
Below is a list of the most popular JR Passes in Japan, helping you choose the right pass for your trip.
JR Whole Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a train pass specifically for foreign tourists, allowing unlimited travel on the JR system throughout Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days. The pass applies to most JR train lines, including local trains, express trains, bullet trains, and Shinkansen (excluding Nozomi and Mizuho), making it ideal for multi-city trips and those looking to optimize travel costs.
With the JR Pass, you can use most JR train lines nationwide, airport connecting trains such as the Narita Express, Tokyo Monorail, and Haruka Limited Express, as well as some local JR bus lines and the JR Miyajima ferry. With just one pass, you can travel independently, flexibly change your schedule, and save significantly compared to buying individual tickets for each leg of the journey.
How to Book, Exchange, and Use a JR Pass
- Book in advance: Purchase a JR Pass on Klook and choose a 7, 14, or 21-day validity period. The date selected during booking is not the activation date, only the expected flight date to Japan.
- Receive an Exchange Order: After booking, you will receive an Exchange Order in the form of a paper ticket (sent to your registered address) or a QR code, depending on the package.
- Exchange your ticket in Japan: Within 90 days of purchase, bring your Exchange Order or QR code along with your passport to the JR Pass counter at the airport or major JR station to exchange it for a physical JR Pass.
- Activate your ticket: When exchanging your ticket, choose your start date. The activation date must be within 30 days of the exchange date.
- Use your ticket: When traveling on JR trains, present your JR Pass to the staff at the ticket gate (do not use the automatic gate).
Important Notes
The confirmation email and Klook voucher cannot be used for boarding. You must exchange your Exchange Order for a physical JR Pass.
JR Pass is for foreign tourists only.
JR Pass Kyushu Train Ticket
The JR Pass Kyushu is an ideal choice if you focus on exploring Kyushu Island, with flexible 3, 5, or 7-day unlimited travel packages on the JR train system in the region. Tickets can be booked up to 180 days in advance, are free to cancel before changing tickets, and are especially suitable for travelers who want to experience popular tourist train lines such as Yufuin no Mori, Aso Boy, or Two Stars 4047.
Depending on your itinerary, you can choose the JR Pass for All Kyushu, North Kyushu, or South Kyushu. The All Kyushu Pass covers most major destinations such as Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima, and is valid for both the Kyushu Shinkansen and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen.
The North Kyushu pass is suitable for short trips around Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Oita, while the South Kyushu pass focuses on Kagoshima and Miyazaki, ideal for nature and hot spring excursions.
How to use the JR Kyushu Pass:
- Book your pass in advance on Klook and choose the appropriate pass type (North Kyushu, South Kyushu, or All Kyushu) along with the number of days (3, 5, or 7 days).
- Receive an Exchange Order or QR code according to your chosen package when booking.
- Arrival in Japan and exchange your pass: Within 90 days of purchase, bring your Exchange Order or QR code and passport to the JR Pass counter at the airport or major JR stations in Kyushu to exchange for a physical pass.
- Activate your pass: When exchanging, select your start date. The pass must be activated within 30 days of exchange.
- Use your pass: During its validity period, you can travel on JR trains without limits within the Kyushu region as specified in your chosen pass.
- Through the ticket gate: Present your JR Pass to the staff at the gate (do not use the automatic gate).
Quick Note:
- The pass is valid for consecutive days, not per trip.
- Only valid on JR lines within the Kyushu Pass area; not applicable outside the area.
JR West Pass for the Kansai Region
The JR West Pass for the Kansai Region is a suitable option if you focus on exploring popular cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. The pass allows unlimited travel on JR West trains in the region, including local trains, express trains, special express trains, and the Haruka Express connecting Kansai Airport with the city center. You can choose a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5-day pass, offering flexibility for short-term travel plans.
A notable advantage of the JR West Pass Kansai Region (physical ticket) is that it includes one-day passes for local transportation such as the Kyoto subway, Keihan train, and Hankyu train, making city travel more convenient. Please note that this offer does not apply to e-tickets.
How to Use JR West Pass Kansai
- Book your pass in advance on Klook (up to 90 days).
- Receive your e-pass or physical Exchange Order depending on your chosen package.
Exchange your pass at the JR West counter at Kansai Airport or major JR stations in the area. - Select the activation date and use the pass for the number of consecutive days purchased.
When boarding a JR train, present your pass to the staff at the gate.
JR West Pass Kansai Extended Area Pass
If you want to travel further beyond the Kansai area, the JR West Pass Kansai Extended Area Pass is a good option. The pass extends the travel area to destinations such as Himeji, Okayama, Kinosaki Onsen, and allows use of additional special express trains, the Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin – Osaka – Okayama), as well as special tourist trains like the Hello Kitty Shinkansen.
Compared to the standard Kansai pass, the extended version does not include Kyoto, Keihan, and Hankyu city passes, but in return offers a wider travel range, suitable for multi-point itineraries or combining Kansai and surrounding areas. The usage of the extended Kansai pass is the same as the standard Kansai pass; you can refer to the instructions above!
JR Pass Hokkaido
Currently on Klook, the JR Pass Hokkaido is divided into three options to suit different itineraries. The JR Rail Pass Hokkaido is a pass that applies to the entire island of Hokkaido, allowing for wide and flexible travel. In addition, Klook also offers two sub-region passes: JR Pass Sapporo – Furano and JR Pass Sapporo – Noboribetsu, suitable for short trips focusing around Sapporo and some nearby attractions.
When purchasing the JR Pass Hokkaido on Klook, you only buy the right to use the ticket; seat reservations will be made after arriving in Japan and exchanging for a physical JR Pass. You can make free reservations at JR counters or automatic reservation machines at major stations. Even without a reservation, you can still board an unbooked carriage if the train has one, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The JR Hokkaido Pass is currently valid for 4, 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days, allowing unlimited travel on JR trains within the selected pass’s coverage, including local trains, express trains, and special express trains. After booking on Klook, bring your Exchange Order and passport to a JR counter in Japan to exchange it for a physical ticket within 90 days of purchase, then choose an activation date within 30 days to begin using it.
Kansai Mini Pass
The JR Kansai Mini Pass is a convenient option if you only travel within the Kansai region, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. The pass allows unlimited JR train travel for 3 consecutive days, perfect for short trips and visiting popular cities without having to buy individual tickets for each leg of the journey.
A major advantage of the Kansai Mini Pass is its simple application process. You can choose to exchange your ticket for a physical ticket or a QR code e-ticket, skipping the queues at the station and experiencing contactless travel. The pass is valid for up to 90 days, allowing you flexibility in choosing your start date, ideal for trips where the itinerary isn’t finalized from the start.
If you’re using the QR code, follow these instructions:
Step 1: Open your Klook email/voucher to receive the serial number. Then find the “Link this ticket to your account” button in the order confirmation email.
Step 2: Register or log in to WEST QR.
- If you don’t have an account yet: select register, enter your email and password.
- WEST QR will send a verification code to your email; enter the code to complete registration.
Step 3: Complete ticket linking: After logging in, the ticket will be linked to your WEST QR account. You will then see the ticket in the Tickets section.
Step 4: On the day of travel, open WEST QR to scan the QR code at the Tickets gate → open ticket → display the QR code to scan at the QR gate at JR station. The ticket is valid for 3 consecutive days from the first scan.
JR East Pass for Tohoku & Nagano/Niigata Area
Besides popular routes around Tokyo, Klook also offers JR East Pass for travelers who want to explore eastern and northeastern Japan. These passes allow unlimited travel on the JR East system, including local trains, express trains, Limited Express trains, and Shinkansen within the applicable area, making them ideal for journeys further from Tokyo.
Currently, JR East Pass is divided into two main options: Tohoku Area Pass and Nagano/Niigata Area Pass, each suitable for a different itinerary. The JR East Tohoku Area Pass allows unlimited travel on JR East lines, including Joetsu Shinkansen, Hokuriku Shinkansen, JR East Lines, and Tokyo Monorail, making travel from Tokyo to northern prefectures convenient.
If you love mountainous landscapes, resort towns, and coastal areas, the JR East Nagano/Niigata Area Pass is a worthwhile option. The pass is valid on JR East lines within the Nagano and Niigata regions, including Hokuriku Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen, and JR East Lines within the permitted area.
You can book your pass up to 180 days in advance. Upon arrival in Japan, use the e-voucher sent via email to redeem your JR Pass at official JR East stations. The ticket becomes valid for the consecutive days you choose and allows unlimited travel within the applicable area.
JR Pass Kansai-Hiroshima Area Ticket
The JR Pass Kansai-Hiroshima is a convenient option if you want to combine exploring Kansai and Hiroshima with just one ticket. The pass allows unlimited travel for 5 consecutive days on JR West lines, including local trains, express trains, special express trains, and the Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka-Hiroshima), making travel between Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima faster and more economical.
The pass is valid for many popular destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Onomichi, Miyajima, and Hiroshima, making it ideal for longer trips. Some trains include reserved seats, such as the Sanyo Shinkansen (including the Hello Kitty Shinkansen) and the express trains Haruka, Kuroshio, Thunderbird, Kounotori, and Super Hakuto. Please note that this ticket does not apply to the Tokaido Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka – Tokyo), Sanyo Shinkansen (Hiroshima – Hakata), and Kyushu Shinkansen.
How to redeem and use the ticket:
After booking, you will receive an electronic voucher (PDF with QR code) via email. Upon arrival in Japan, simply bring the electronic voucher and your non-Japanese passport to a green JR ticket exchange machine at the airport or a major JR station to scan the QR code and receive your physical JR Pass. Once you receive your pass, you can start using it immediately within its 5-day validity period.
JR Pass Takayama – Hokuriku Tourist Area (5 Days)
The JR Pass Takayama – Hokuriku is an ideal choice if you want to combine exploring the central mountainous region of Japan and the Hokuriku area in one seamless trip. This ticket allows unlimited travel for 5 consecutive days on JR trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and many local bus routes, making travel between destinations simple and economical.
The ticket is valid for prominent cities such as Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Toyama, Nagoya, and Osaka. You can use local JR trains, express trains, Limited Express trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Toyama – Kanazawa – Tsuruga), and Nohi, Hokutetsu, Toyama Chitetsu, and Meitetsu bus routes, including the World Heritage Bus connecting Shirakawa-go. For the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains, the ticket allows up to 6 seat reservations in standard carriages; the remaining journeys use non-reserved carriages.
JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
How to redeem and use the ticket:
After booking, you will receive an Exchange Order. Upon arrival in Japan, bring your Exchange Order and passport to a JR office at the airport or a major JR station to exchange it for a physical ticket within 90 days of the issue date. When exchanging your ticket, select an activation date within 30 days, and the ticket will be valid for 5 consecutive days from the start date.
JR East Nagano / Niigata Area Pass (5 days)
The JR East Nagano / Niigata Area Pass is a suitable option if you want to explore the mountainous and coastal regions of eastern Japan, such as Nagano and Niigata, in one seamless trip. The pass allows unlimited travel for 5 consecutive days on applicable JR East lines, including local trains, express trains, Limited Express trains, and many Shinkansen lines such as Tohoku, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen.
JR East Nagano / Niigata Area Pass
Additionally, the pass is also valid on the Tokyo Monorail, Izu Kyuko Line, Hoketsu Express, Echigo Tokimeki Railway (certain sections), and JR buses in designated areas. The pass is especially convenient thanks to the electronic Exchange Order. After booking on Klook, the electronic voucher will be sent immediately via email. Upon arrival in Japan, simply present your electronic Exchange Order and passport at JR East offices at airports or major JR stations to exchange it for a JR Pass; there’s no need to wait for a paper ticket to be sent to your home.
The Exchange Order is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and after exchanging your pass, you choose an activation date to start using the pass for 5 consecutive days.
Quick Summary of 10 Most Popular JR Passes from Klook
| Order | JR Pass name | Number of days | Ticket exchange method | Suitable travel style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JR Pass Whole Japan | 7, 14, 21 | Exchange Order Paper or electronic | Traveling to many cities, going long distances. |
| 2 | JR Pass Kyushu | 3, 5, 7 | Explore Kyushu, experience a cruise. | |
| 3 | JR West Pass Kansai | 1–5 | Exchange Order | Short trip to Kansai |
| 4 | JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass | 5 | Exchange Order | Going further than Kansai, the itinerary is longer. |
| 5 | JR Kansai Mini Pass | 3 | Exchange Order | Simple itinerary, no need to change tickets. |
| 6 | JR Pass Hokkaido | 4, 5, 7, 10 | QR code electronic ticket | Discover Hokkaido |
| 7 | JR East Tohoku Area Pass | 5 or 10 | Exchange Order | Nature and culture of Northeast Japan |
| 8 | JR East Nagano / Niigata Pass | 5 | Electronic Exchange Order | Mountains, resorts, onsen |
| 9 | JR Kansai – Hiroshima Pass | 5 | Electronic vouchers can be redeemed for tickets using a machine. | Combining Kansai and Hiroshima |
| 10 | JR Takayama – Hokuriku Pass | 5 | Paper Exchange Order | Mountains, ancient villages, UNESCO heritage sites |
Don’t forget to book your JR Pass before your trip to Japan!
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