The East Region of Japan, including cities like Tokyo, Nagano, and Niigata, is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience the rich history, natural beauty, and bustling city life of Japan. With several Japan Rail (JR) Passes available specifically for the East Region, it’s easy to explore this part of Japan efficiently and cost-effectively. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the five JR passes available in the East Region, help you choose the right one for your trip, and also inform you of the things to keep in mind if you decide to buy one.
JR EAST PASS（Nagano, Niigata area）
The JR EAST PASS is a train pass that allows unlimited travel on local, limited express, and express trains on several rail company lines in the Nagano and Niigata areas of Japan, including the JR East Lines, Izu Kyuko Line, Hokuetsu Express, and the Echigo TOKImeki Railway.
What’s Included with the JR EAST PASS（Nagano, Niigata area）
The JR EAST PASS includes unlimited travel on the JR East Lines, Izu Kyuko Line, Hokuetsu Express, and the Echigo TOKImeki Railway, as well as on certain limited express trains between the JR East lines and Tobu Railway lines, including the Nikko, SPACIA Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa. Additionally, the pass can be used for travel on local and rapid trains between Shimo-imaichi and Tobu-nikko/Kinugawa-onsen on Tobu Railway Lines, although between Kurihashi and Shimo-imaichi, it may only be used on limited express trains that connect directly with Tobu Railway Lines.
What’s Not Included with the JR EAST PASS（Nagano, Niigata area）
The JR EAST PASS does not include travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen, as well as some highway and route buses. It is important to note that the pass is only valid for the specified rail company lines and trains, and that travelers should carefully review the included lines and trains before purchasing the pass.
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is a train pass that offers unlimited rides on specified railway lines, including JR East Lines (including BRT), Izu Kyuko Line, Aoimori Railway, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR), Tokyo Monorail, and Sendai Airport Transit. It also includes local and rapid trains between Shimo-imaichi and Tobu-nikko/Kinugawa-onsen on Tobu Railway Lines, and limited express trains that directly run between the JR East lines and Tobu Railway lines.
What’s Included with the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)?
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) offers unlimited train rides in specified areas, as well as unlimited travel on the specified rail company lines mentioned above. It also covers local and rapid trains between Shimo-imaichi and Tobu-nikko/Kinugawa-onsen on Tobu Railway Lines, and limited express trains that directly run between the JR East lines and Tobu Railway lines, such as the Nikko, the SPACIA Nikko, the Kinugawa, and the SPACIA Kinugawa.
What is Not included with JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)?
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) does not cover the Tokaido Shinkansen and some highway and route buses. It’s important for travelers to be aware of these exclusions when planning their trips and to double-check if the pass covers the desired routes and services.
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is a rail pass that offers unlimited travel on specified railway company lines and trains in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions of Japan.
What’s Included with the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
The pass includes unlimited travel on the JR East (including BRT), JR Hokkaido Lines, Izu Kyuko Line, Tokyo Monorail, Aoimori Railway Line, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line, and Sendai Airport Transit Line. It also includes reserved seats in ordinary cars of the following express trains with through operations between JR East and Tobu Railway lines: Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa trains. In addition, the pass allows for travel on ordinary trains (including rapid trains) on the Tobu Railway lines between Shimo-imaichi and Tōbu-nikkō / Kinugawa-onsen.
What is not included with the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
The pass does not include unlimited travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen and some highway and route buses. Express trains that begin at stations on Tobu Railway lines cannot be used with the pass, and it can only be used on Tobu Railway lines if the train either starts or ends at a JR station.
JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass allows for unlimited travel on JR East (including BRT) and JR Hokkaido Lines, as well as the Aoimori Railway Line and Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line, and the Sendai Airport Transit Line.
What’s Included with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass offers unlimited train rides in specified areas on the JR East (including BRT), JR Hokkaido Lines, Aoimori Railway Line, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line, and Sendai Airport Transit Line.
What is Not Included in JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
Please note that the South Hokkaido Railway Line is not included with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass. Travellers should be aware of this when planning their itinerary.
JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass allows for unlimited travel on JR East (including BRT) and JR Hokkaido Lines, as well as the Aoimori Railway Line and Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line, and the Sendai Airport Transit Line.
What’s Included with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass offers unlimited train rides in specified areas on the JR East (including BRT), JR Hokkaido Lines, Aoimori Railway Line, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line, and Sendai Airport Transit Line.
What is Not Included in JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass?
Please note that the South Hokkaido Railway Line is not included with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass. Travellers should be aware of this when planning their itinerary.
JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass
JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass is a great option for those who want to visit the Mt. Fuji and Shizuoka area and want to travel on local lines at a low cost.
What’s Included with the JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass?
The JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini offers unlimited travel on local JR lines, Izu-hakone Railway, and several bus lines in the Shizuoka area. This includes the Tokaido Main Line, Gotemba Line, Minobu Line, and the Fujikyuko Bus, Tokai Bus, Izuhakone Bus, Shizutetsu Justline, and Entetsu Bus. Additionally, the pass also covers ferry rides on the S-Pulse Dream Ferry.
What is Not Included in JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass?
It is important to note that the pass does not cover Shinkansen, sleeper trains, limited express trains with reserved seats, and water buses.
Things To Know Before Purchasing a JR Pass
Before purchasing a JR Pass, it’s important to be informed about the various factors that come into play when choosing the right pass for your trip. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the availability and eligibility, limitations and restrictions, validity period, non-JR transportation and budget, and travel itinerary.
Availability and Eligibility
JR Passes are only available to foreign visitors who are traveling to Japan on a temporary visitor visa. The passes can be purchased either before or after arriving in Japan, and they are valid for a specific period of time, which varies depending on the type of pass you choose.
Limitations and Restrictions
Each JR Pass has its own set of limitations and restrictions, including restrictions on the type of trains you can use, the number of trains you can use, and the areas you can travel to. For example, some passes do not include travel on Shinkansen trains, while others may not include travel on buses or ferries.
Validity Period
The validity period of a JR Pass depends on the type of pass you choose. Some passes are valid for a specific number of days, while others are valid for a specific number of trips. It’s important to choose a pass that fits your travel itinerary, so that you can make the most of your time in Japan.
Non-JR Transportation
Although the JR Passes are a great way to save money on train travel in Japan, they do not cover all forms of transportation. If you plan to travel by bus, taxi, or other forms of transportation, you may need to purchase additional tickets or passes.
Budget and Travel Itinerary
When choosing a JR Pass, it’s important to consider your budget and travel itinerary. If you’re planning to travel extensively in Japan, a pass that allows unlimited travel may be a better option than a pass that is valid for a specific number of days. Additionally, if you’re traveling to multiple regions in Japan, a pass that covers multiple regions may be more cost-effective than purchasing separate passes for each region.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the JR Passes offer a convenient and cost-effective way to travel around the East Region of Japan. By considering the availability and eligibility, limitations and restrictions, validity period, non-JR transportation, budget, and travel itinerary, you can choose the right pass for your trip and make the most of your time in Japan.
