Should you get a JR Pass or Train tickets? - Find the best options when traveling to Japan!
When traveling in Japan, if your itinerary takes you beyond Tokyo, for example into the Kansai (Kyoto & Osaka) region, a primordial question awaits: how to get around Japan and navigate between the cities and sights you have planned to see?
To get around in Japan, one of the best options available is to take the train. In order to board trains in Japan, you can choose between individual tickets and a Japan Rail Pass. Your decision should come down to the nature of your journey and your travel preferences. Both options come with their set of advantages and drawbacks.
If a wide range of train options and local exploration are your priorities, individual tickets might be the way to go.
If you're planning an extensive journey or value flexibility, the Japan Rail Pass offers unmatched convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Japan Rail Pass or Train Tickets: What is Right for You?
| Train Tickets | Japan Rail Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Train bookings in advance | ✔ | ✘ |
| Last-minute day trips included? | ✘ | ✔ |
| Unlimited travel | ✘ | ✔ |
| Cost-effective for short, local trips | ✔ | ✘ |
| Cost-effective for long-distance trips | Yes, if few or spread out over time | Yes, if many or within 7, 14 or 21 days |
| Need to reserve seats? | Depends on seat class | Only if you wish to |
| Eligibility | Foreign visitors + Japanese nationals | Foreign visitors only |
| Exchange process | QR code | Voucher |
| See all advantages | See all advantages |
Whether you opt for building your own set of train journeys with individual train tickets or the comprehensive benefits of a Japan Rail Pass, we are here to help you! Choose the option that aligns with your travel goals, and embark on a rail journey through the heart of Japan with confidence and ease!
Advantages of Train Tickets
Ability to plan your itinerary in advance
With individual train tickets, you have the liberty to choose any available train to book, before leaving for Japan. This allows you to plan each leg of your itinerary in advance and start your dream trip with all your travel needs already taken care of! This is especially useful during peak travel seasons such as Spring (sakura season), the Golden Week, Fall (momiji season), or New Year's.
If you book your train directly in Japan at these times, you will most likely face a more restricted list of available options due to sold-out trains. Secure your itinerary by booking your train tickets online!
Cost-effective for short trips and local itineraries
If your travel plans are limited to a specific city or region, or going strictly along the Golden Route (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Hiroshima) without any day trips or excursions, purchasing individual train tickets may provide more savings than investing in a Japan Rail Pass. Make sure you add up the cost of each journey to make an informed decision!
Shibuya, Tokyo
@Pixabay/ sofi5st
Arashiyama Sagano Bamboo Forest, accessible via bus or train in Kyoto
@Wikimedia
Site of Expo 2025 Osaka
@Expo 2025
@Wikimedia
Complementary with Regional Rail Passes
Even without multiple long-distance trips, train tickets are a great way to explore Japan in-depth, as they can easily get you to and from a specific region, where you can then look into the wide choice of available regional rail passes to travel unlimited on regional trains for a set amount of days. For example, if you are departing from Tokyo and plan on exploring the local treasures of the Kansai region, you can book individual train tickets to get to Kyoto or Osaka, and then take advantage of a 5-day Kansai Wide Area Pass to get around, before getting train tickets back to Tokyo!
Explore Japan by train with our available itineraries!
Here are some of our train itineraries available for online booking, from Tokyo to Fukuoka, as well as Kanazawa, Nagano, Kyoto or Hiroshima!
Advantages of the Japan Rail Pass
Convenience, Flexibility and Ease of Use
The Japan Rail Pass completely eliminates the hassle of purchasing train tickets for each leg of your journey and having to reserve a seat for each train. It's a one-time purchase that includes all your travel needs, and that will make getting around Japan the smoothest experience. All you have to do is get to the station, hop on a train, get out, and explore! Whether you have an itinerary set in stone and just want the flexibility of not booking a specific train ahead of time, or if you're more of an easygoing traveler who likes to decide everything at the last minute, the JR Pass offers unrivaled peace of mind.
Cost Savings for Extensive Travel
For those planning an action-packed itinerary across multiple cities and regions, the Japan Rail Pass proves to be cost-effective, often surpassing the value of individual tickets. Be sure to calculate the cost of each leg of your journey (don't forget to account for public transportation lines operated by JR too) and compare with the price of the different available JR Pass durations to see if it's right for you!
Wide Coverage and Transportation Options
With one ticket, you get access to over 20,000km of rail lines as well as some local public transportation options. Indeed, the JR Pass is not only meant to be used for the famous Shinkansen bullet train! Many local JR lines, such as the JR Yamanote Line looping around Tokyo or the JR Osaka Loop Line, are included in the pass! Some buses are also operated by JR and thus available with the pass, and even some more unusual options such as JR ferries are included.
