Japan Rail Pass Rises Again Starting October, Foreign Tourists Must Be Ready to Spend More Money

Shinkansen bullet train. (Kyodo News)

JAKARTA - A trip to Japan by train seems to be a little more expensive. According to a report by Kyodo News quoted on Thursday, April 16, the Japan Railways Group or JR Group will raise the price of the Japan Rail Pass starting October 1, 2026.

The pass or transfer ticket, which is popular with foreign tourists, allows unlimited travel on the Japanese train network, including most shinkansen high-speed train services. The increase ranges from 5 percent to 6 percent. This is the first revision in three years, after a huge jump of around 70 percent in October 2023.

For a 7-day adult through ticket, the standard car price increased by 3,000 yen to 53,000 yen. Meanwhile, for the Green Car, which is a premium class car, the price increased by 4,000 yen to 74,000 yen.

The increase also applies to a longer validity period. The 14-day pass for standard carriages rises by 4,000 yen to 84,000 yen. The 21-day pass rises by 5,000 yen to 105,000 yen.

JR Group explained that this increase was related to the adjustment of tariffs carried out by a number of its member companies since the last revision. One example is from JR East, which in March raised the average tariff by 7.1 percent. It was the first major increase since the company was founded in 1987. The basic tariff for local trains also rose from 150 yen to 160 yen.

According to Kyodo News, the Japan Rail Pass covers travel by trains and shinkansen operated by six passenger train companies under the JR Group. Services included in the pass ticket include limited express, express, rapid, and local trains, as well as several buses and ferries.

However, not all high-speed trains are fully included in the package. For the Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines, pass or ticket holders must still pay an additional fee.

This through ticket is only available for foreign tourists who enter Japan with a temporary visitor status. Purchases can be made before departing for Japan through certain sales offices, official overseas agents, or the official Japan Rail Pass Reservation platform.

But, there is one thing that may be a little comforting. For the time being, the price of the pass ticket purchased through the official online platform is still the same. JR Group seems to want to encourage purchases through online channels, while still ensuring that foreign tourists are ready if riding a train in Japan is still comfortable, but it is getting more expensive.