Planning to travel around the east coast of Japan? You might need the JR East Pass. If you're confused about what it is don't worry, read on to find out all you need to know about the JR East Pass.
What is a JR East Pass?
As of March 2026, the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and the JR East Nagano & Niigata Area Pass have been merged into a single JR EAST PASS, which now covers the Tohoku, Nagano and Niigata regions together. Alongside it, there are two cross-region options: the JR East-South Hokkaido Pass and the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Pass
Regional Pass | Regions covered | Main destinations | Validity period | Where to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata) | Kantō, Tōhoku, Nagano & Niigata | Tokyo, Karuizawa, Nagano, Myōkō Kōgen, Matsumoto, Kusatsu Onsen, Gala Yuzawa, Niigata, Sendai, Matsushima, Yamagata, Akita, Hirosaki, Aomori | 5 days | |
East–South Hokkaidō Pass | Kantō, Tōhoku & Hokkaidō | Tokyo, Karuizawa, Gala Yuzawa, Sendai, Matsushima, Yamagata, Akita, Hirosaki, Aomori, Hakodate, Sapporo | 6 days | |
Tōhoku–South Hokkaidō Pass | Tōhoku & Hokkaidō | Sendai, Matsushima, Yamagata, Akita, Hirosaki, Aomori, Hakodate, Sapporo | 6 days |
Who is the JR East Pass recommended for?
The JR EAST PASS is a fantastic choice for travellers wanting to see the eastern half of Japan, which includes well-known locations like Tokyo, Yokohama, Nikko, Hakone, and the Tohoku region!
Discover the Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata area with the JR EAST PASS. Experience the tradition and nature of Nagano, Niigata and northeast Japan with unlimited rides on all trains covering Japan's scenic JR East train line, including Shinkansen in the covered area. Using the JR EAST PASS is one of the ideal ways to discover this exciting and picturesque part of Japan! Check here to learn more about the charms of the area!
Note: As of March 2026, the separate Tohoku Area Pass and Nagano & Niigata Area Pass have been combined into one JR EAST PASS, so Nagano and Niigata are now included alongside the Tohoku region under a single pass.
Who can purchase the JR East Pass?
All non-Japanese passport holders are eligible to purchase this pass. Even if you are expats living in Japan, as long as you have a foreign (non-Japanese) passport, regardless of visa or residence status, you may enjoy this pass.
How do I book a JR East Pass on Klook?
Book your JR EAST PASS on Klook with some easy steps! Any non-Japanese passport holders can purchase the pass by just visiting the page, selecting the intended redemption date (i.e. the date you are planning to redeem the actual pass).
Then please input your passport name on the booking form; please make sure you are putting the correct information for a smooth redemption as the staff might check the information against your passport. If the name is not the same, you will not be able to exchange for the actual rail pass.
You will receive a booking confirmation and email for the actual rail pass redemption within 48 hours. You may bring along your passport and the confirmation email to ticket counters in JR stations to redeem for the actual paper pass.
How can I redeem the JR East Pass?
Redeem your physical JR EAST PASS in some simple steps! You will receive the confirmation on these passes within 48 hours of your booking. Bring alongside your passport and email confirmation to the ticket office or counter to redeem for the actual tickets.
The voucher is valid for 3 months from the booking confirmation date. It expires at 23:59 the day after the last day.
You may state the intended pass activation date (i.e. first actual usage date) at your redemption; the date has to be within 1 month of redemption.
After successful activation, the JR EAST PASS can be used for 5 consecutive days.
Where can I redeem/exchange the JR East Pass?
The JR EAST PASS can be redeemed in JR EAST Travel Service center. Details as below:
Category | Location - JR East Travel Service Centre | Details/Map* |
|---|---|---|
Narita Airport | - Narita Airport Terminal 1 - Narita Airport Terminal 2 & 3 | https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center.html |
Stations within Tokyo | - Tokyo Station - Shinjuku Station - Shibuya Station - Ueno Station - Ikebukuro Station And more! | |
Other JR East Stations | - Sendai Station - Yamagata Station - Akita Station - Yokohama Station And more! |
*Please refer to the website information for the latest updates
JR East Pass (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata)
Coverage of the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata) allows users to navigate the region of Tohoku, Nagano, Niigata, northern Honshu, and Tokyo via Shinkansen with a 5 consecutive days rail pass, as of Mar 2026. (Note: the pass is a consecutive pass. Users can no longer travel in any 5 days of the 14 days validity)
With this pass, you can visit Tokyo and Tokyo suburbs with airport transportations from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport included. You can also travel to Aomori, Morioka, Yamagata, Sendai & Fukushima, as well as Nagano, Niigata, Matsumoto, Hakuba & Karuizawa from Tokyo. You may get off trains / buses whenever and wherever you prefer with reserved seats available (i.e. reservations required).
Recommended locations to visit with JR East Pass (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata)
Suggested 5-day itinerary - save up to ￥15,000 JPY per person with with JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata)
Itinerary | Approximate Individual Transportation Cost (Per Person) | JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata) (Per Person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Narita Airport > Tokyo | ￥3,070 JPY | ￥35,000 JPY |
Day 2 | Tokyo > Oishida (Ginzan Onsen Village) | ￥12,450 JPY | |
Day 3 | Oishida > Yamagata (Zao) | ￥1,970 JPY | |
Day 4 | Yamagata > Utsunomiya > Nikko (Toshogu Shrine) > Tokyo | ￥15,150 JPY | |
Day 5 | Tokyo > Narita Airport | ￥3,070 JPY | |
Total Saving | ￥15,710 JPY | ||
*The amount may change from time to time.
1. Ginzan Onsen Village, Funagata
Ginzan Onsen is a famous hot spring resort with a nostalgic landscape. It has a 500-year history and is bordered by red bridges over streams, retro wooden inns, and lit gas lamps built along the roadways, creating a movie-like environment.
To travel to Ginzan Onsen Village by JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata), take Shinkansen to Oishida Station, then switch to local bus from the station to get to Ginzan Onsen Village (i.e. bus fare not covered by the pass)
Ginzan Onsen
2. Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Yamagata
The frost-covered trees of Zao are a must-see during a winter visit to Yamagata. There are night events that will make you forget about the cold, and also snow sports experiences where you can have fun in the best powder snow.
To travel to Zao Onsen Ski Resort by JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata), take Shinkansen to Yamagata Station, then switch to local bus from the station to get to Zao Onsen Ski Resort (i.e. bus fare not covered by the pass)
Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Yamagata
3. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
Being a World Heritage site, this ancient edifice is where one of the famous figures in Japanese history rests: Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled for 250 years. Learn all about Japanese culture and history from a visit to this heritage shrine.
To travel to Nikko Toshogu Shrine by JR EAST PASS (Tohoku, Nagano & Niigata)), take Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then switch to the JR Nikko line to get to Nikko.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
