Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth It? (After Drastic Price Increase Announced)

The Japan Rail Pass has long provided an exceptional—and until recently cost-effective—way to explore the country by train.

These passes, which offer unlimited rail travel for a fixed period, are a favorite among travelers eager to make the most of Japan’s extensive and efficient rail network. However, a significant price increase, effective from October 1, 2023, has recently been introduced.

Is the rail pass still a worthwhile option for travelers?

What’s changing, and by how much?

Most prices for the Japan Rail Pass have increased by approximately 69%—the first major price hike in decades.

Here are the new prices for the six types of Japan Rail Passes, applicable to both regular and first-class “Green Car” seats:

• Regular seven-day pass: from $220 (¥29,650) to $372 (¥50,000): 69% increase
• Regular 14-day pass: from $351 (¥47,250) to $595 (¥80,000): 69% increase
• Regular 21-day pass: from $450 (¥60,450) to $744 (¥100,000): 65% increase
• Green seven-day pass: from $295 (¥39,600) to $521 (¥70,000): 77% increase
• Green 14-day pass: from $477 (¥64,120) to $826 (¥111,000): 73% increase
• Green 21-day pass: from $620 (¥83,390) to $1041 (¥140,000): 68% increase

Additionally, the discount for purchasing the Japan Rail Pass outside of Japan before your trip has been eliminated. However, children ages 6 to 11 will still receive half-priced passes.

That’s a big price hike, right?

In 2012, a seven-day Japan Rail Pass cost approximately $210 (¥28,300), with similar pricing observed as far back as the 1990s.

Although comparing inflation across currencies can be challenging, calculators recommended by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bank of England suggest that prices in the US and the UK would have increased by about 33% from 2012 to 2023. Comparing this to 1998, when I first saw a JR Pass, the recent price increase aligns roughly with inflation over that period.

So, is the Japan Rail Pass still good value?

Previously, I recommended purchasing the Japan Rail Pass for anyone planning more than just a simple round-trip between Tokyo and Kyoto, as it often offered savings for longer journeys.

With the new pricing, my advice will likely shift to suggesting the pass for those traveling on routes such as Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo. If you’re aiming to explore a lot of the country in a short time, the pass still offers good value.

The pass’s flexibility is another significant advantage. It allows for spontaneous day trips and accommodates missed trains without added stress if you already have the pass.

Although this price increase may be disappointing for budget travelers, we still have tips for exploring Japan affordably.

How does the pricing compare with other rail passes?

The seven-day European Eurail Pass costs around $384. However, it’s not a direct comparison: this pass allows travel over a month, but additional seat reservations can be expensive, with many high-speed, international, and inter-city trains requiring extra fees (often $10–20 per reservation).

The eight-day Swiss Travel Pass costs approximately $433, and it also has supplemental reservation fees for popular tourist trains like the Glacier or Bernina Express.

Overall, the Japan Rail Pass still offers excellent value for the amount of train travel you get. The recent price increase has merely aligned it with inflation and the current market rates.