Discounts for the Japan Rail Pass: Can you buy the JR Pass at a more affordable price?
Japan's Shinkansen high-speed train, accessible with the Japan Rail Pass
@Pixabay/ Kanenori
The JR Pass offers a medley of benefits when traveling to Japan, including cost-savings, convenience, flexibility, and wide-ranging coverage. But can it be purchased at a discounted price?
The Japan Rail Pass (often shortened to JR Pass) is a popular choice for many travelers coming to Japan. It is distributed by Japan Railways (JR), the largest transportation organization in the country that manages a majority of its trains and buses. This includes the Shinkansen bullet train for cross-country travel!
The pass works by granting unlimited access to JR-operated transportation facilities over the span of 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days, all at one fixed price. The pass is easy to use and convenient and is great to consider to economize, streamline, and optimize your Japan itinerary!
Due to its great utility and popularity, many potential travelers look for opportunities to purchase the pass at a potential discount. Overall, savings with the pass can be summed up with the following:
There are NO JR Pass discounts available for adult travelers, HOWEVER
The Shinkansen bullet train going past Mount Fuji
@Pixabay/ phgvu307
The following can be considered great ways to save money with the Japan Rail Pass:
- Children age 6-11 are eligible for a discounted version of the Japan Rail Pass
- Up to two children aged 5 or under can ride for free when accompanied by an adult
- The JR Pass can be more affordable than individual tickets with the right itinerary
- JR Pass holders benefit from discounts and benefits at a number of attractions and hotels
What discounts are available for the Japan Rail Pass?
The primary discount available for the JR Pass is the discounted rate available for children. Travelers aged 6 years old to 11 years old are eligible for the children’s Japan Rail Pass that comes in at 50% of the cost of the respective adult version.
It’s important to note that the Japan Rail Pass price varies by the different options available. These include the duration of use, the age of the user, and then whether it is an ordinary or green pass (for access to the first-class Shinkansen train cars).
Current prices for the Japan Rail Pass can be found on this page.
At this time, there are no other discounts available for the Japan Rail Pass, such as a student or senior pass, and prices are designated by Japan Railways.
However, it’s worth noting that the fixed, single price of a pass means that it inherently becomes a discount on travel expenses depending on the itinerary! Those going to a good amount of destinations throughout the country will find good value in the pass as opposed to buying individual tickets for the journey, as well as benefiting from the pass’s flexibility and convenience.
Discounts and benefits at attractions with the Japan Rail Pass
While there are no discounts that can be applied to the JR Pass for adults directly, holders of the JR Pass are actually obligated to discounts and other benefits at attractions throughout Japan!
Some notable examples include the following:
- Discount at the Otaru Aquarium in Hokkaido
- Discount on admission for Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki Prefecture
- Discount on admission to MIRAI TOWER in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
- 20% admission discount to Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture
- 20% discount on pearl jewelry at the Shinjukaikan in Ehime Prefecture
- Discounts and free goods at Ekimachi department stores throughout Kyushu
More details and a full list of benefits can be found on the official website organized by region:
- Learn more about benefits to be had with the Japan Rail Pass here.
