JR East Pass – which one is right for you and how to buy it
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What is the JR East Pass?
The JR East Pass is a rail pass to use the JR East network, throughout the Kanto and Tohoku and some of the Kansai regions of Honshu from Tokyo.
There are six different types of JR East Passes to choose from, depending on where you plan to visit and how many days you wish to travel.
This includes a range of trains, but the drawcard is of course the Shinkansen!
The JR East Pass is specifically for foreigners and comes in various forms covering different areas,
so you can choose the one that best suits your itinerary.
Each pass provides unlimited travel within the area for the period of validity (3-7 days depending on the pass).
These are the main JR East passes:
- JR East Pass – Tohoku (5 days unlimited travel)
- JR East Pass – Nagano, Niigata (5 days unlimited travel)
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass (3 days unlimited travel)
- JR East Pass – Tohoku, South Hokkaido (6 days unlimited travel)
- JR East Pass – South Hokkaido (6 days unlimited travel)
- Hokuriku Arch Pass (7 days unlimited travel)
JR East Pass – Kyoto & Osaka
The only JR East Pass that allows travel to Kyoto and Osaka is the Hokuriku Arch Pass. However, travel must be via Kanazawa on the west coast (not ‘as the crow flies’ from Tokyo). But it does offer some interesting stops on the way for a more off-the-beaten-path journey.
If you wish to visit Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, also consider the Japan Rail Pass.
Who can buy a JR East Pass?
People with non-Japanese passports, temporarily visiting Japan can purchase all JR East passes.
Foreign residents
Residents of Japan with a foreign passport can access two JR East passes: The JR East Tohoku Pass and the JR East Nagano and Niigata Pass
Where to buy a JR East Pass
The process for buying a pass can be a little tricky for the first-time traveller to Tokyo, so let’s go through the steps.
1. Buy a pass
There are a few options for buying the pass:
- at a JR East ticket machine (note, it must have a passport reader)
- online with JR East
- in person at a JR East ticket office
- or online via Klook (Tohoku Pass), (Niigata and Nagano Pass), (South Hokkaido Pass), (Tokyo Wide Pass), (Japan Rail Pass)
Your home country may have an authorised seller who can sell you a pass ahead of your trip, or you can buy these on Klook.com from overseas.
If you are in Japan, we recommend using a ticket machine in Tokyo or booking online.
JR East does a great job of explaining screen by screen how it works here.
2. Set up a JR East account online
Do this step if you wish to reserve your seats online in advance. You will need to create a JR East account to do this. The process is easy and can be done here.
3. Reserve your seats
Seats can be reserved one month from your date of travel. This is recommended, especially if you’re travelling during busy periods like Golden Week (end of March, start of April) or Obon (mid-August).
Seats become available at 10am one month prior to travel.
There are different classes of seat, like aircraft, and the JR Pass will get you a standard reserved
seat. The standard seats are great, with the more expensive ‘green’ class largely for business people or those who prefer more privacy.
4. Pick up JR East Pass and tickets
- Use a ticket machine to get your pass immediately.
- Look for a special green ticket machine with a passport reader.
- Remember, only people with a foreign passport can purchase a JR East pass.
- Choose your main language and follow the prompts.
- Scan your passport and pay.
Bring cash
Note, these machines often won’t accept non-Japanese credit cards,
so it’s best to have some cash ready in case.
Where to pick up JR East Pass and tickets
For those in Tokyo, it’s easy to use the machine at Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance, as Tokyo Station is the main departure point for the Shinkansen, and the JR East ticket office is right next door to the machine.
North Entrance
If you have booked your pass online, you can go to a JR East ticket office to pick it up. You can also wait until you have reserved your seats and pick up the Pass and the tickets together.
You’ll need to present your passport when you arrive.
If you are collecting your reserved seat tickets, you will also need to present your JR East Pass.
5. Enjoy your Rail Pass adventure!
When you arrive at the Shinkansen station you will use your JR East Pass to enter through the turnstiles. Just keep your rail tickets on you, but you will not need to use them for access.
Arrive 30 minutes to an hour before your train leaves. Depending on whether you wish to buy something from the shops beforehand and also if you need time to find your correct location.
The train will arrive just a few minutes before its planned departure time and leave exactly on time. Be on the platform at the correct car entry point exactly on time. Trains are rarely delayed in Japan.
Ekiben (station bento)
Don’t forget to leave some time to buy some ekiben (eki = station, ben = bento) to eat on your journey.
It’s acceptable to eat on Shinkansen, but not on regular trains in Japan.
Does the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) cover JR East?
Yes, and if you are planning on covering a lot of ground during your trip to Japan, you might be
better off purchasing the JR Pass, which comes in one, two and three-week travel periods.
The JR Pass allows travel throughout the entirety of Japan, with some restrictions. For example,
there are some Shinkansen trains that can’t be used with this pass, such as the Nozomi train between Tokyo and Osaka (but you can take a 15 minute longer bullet train).
The pros and cons of purchasing each will vary depending on how long you want to travel, and how much ground you want to cover.
Compare the rates and see for yourself what’s best for your plan by
checking out the JR Pass and JR East Pass websites.
JR East Pass Tohoku
We have used this one more than once and found it to be of incredible value to visit the amazing places in the Tohoku region.
One of the great things about the JR East Pass is that you can use it for some of Japan’s ‘Joyful Trains’.
These are special trains throughout the JR network that have unique interiors and on-board
activities, like kids’ themes, fine dining, steam trains, and even a foot bath! There are 13 alone in the JR East Network.
Our favourite Joyful Train so far has been the Pokémon train! This runs from Ichinoseki Station
(Iwate Prefecture) to Kesennuma Station (Miyagi Prefecture) on the Ofunato Line and can be
reserved with a JR East pass.
However, you need to get in early! The train is small and reservations open at 10am sharp exactly
one month from the day of travel and sell out very quickly. See our Iwate article for more detail on
the Pokémon train.
Children
The definition of a child for JR East is aged between 6-11 years old.
The other highlight of the Tohoku line is the chance to ride the Hayabusa, Japan’s fastest
Shinkansen!
JR East Pass for Hakodate/Hokkaido
You can purchase a JR East pass that will allow access to southern Hokkaido (Hakodate) from
Tokyo, which will provide 6 days of unlimited travel. Unfortunately, this one is not available for foreign residents in Japan.
Then you will need to purchase separate tickets for onward to your destination in Hokkaido. This includes a trip through world’s longest undersea tunnel, the Seikan tunnel.
JR Hokkaido also has a range of passes available if you are planning to spend time in Hokkaido.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass – 3 days
This is a great pass if you want to base yourself in Tokyo for three days and do some fun short trips to places like Mt Fuji and Nikko, or visit the onsen (hot springs) in places like Karuizawa, Kusatsu and Izu (see our article on the Izu Peninsula for some unique ideas!).
It’s also great for doing some local travel in and around Tokyo!
How much does a JR East pass cost?
- JR East Pass – Tohoku: adults 20000 yen, children 10000 yen
- JR East Pass – Nagano, Niigata: adults 18000 yen, children 9000 yen
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass: adults 10180 yen, children 5090 yen
- JR East Pass – Tohoku, South Hokkaido: adults 24000 yen, children 12000 yen
- JR East Pass – South Hokkaido: adults 27000 yen, children 13500 yen
- Hokuriku Arch Pass: adults 25,500 yen, children 12,750 yen
