Planning to travel around the east coast of Japan? You might need one of four JR East Passes. If you're confused about what these are don't worry, read on to find out all you need to know about JR East Passes.
What is a JR East Pass?
There is no all-in-one JR East Pass. Instead, there are four regional JR East passes to choose from: the JR East Tohoku Pass, the JR East Nagano & Niigata Pass, the JR East-South Hokkaido Pass, and the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Pass.
Regional Pass | Regions covered | Main destinations | Validity period | Where to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nagano & Niigata Area Pass | Kantō, Nagano & Niigata | Tokyo Karuizawa Nagano Myōkō Kōgen Matsumoto Kusatsu Onsen Gala Yuzawa Niigata | 5 days | |
Tōhoku Area Pass | Kantō & Tōhoku | Tokyo Karuizawa Gala Yuzawa Sendai Matsushima Yamagata Akita Hirosaki Aomori | 5 days | |
East–South Hokkaidō Pass | Kantō, Tōhoku & Hokkaidō | Tokyo Karuizawa Gala Yuzawa Sendai Matsushimma 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?
Any of the JR East Passes are 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 Tokoku, Nagano & Niigata area with 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 are the ideal ways to discover this exciting and picturesque part of Japan! Check here to learn more about the charms of the area!
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 these passes.
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.
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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 area)
Coverage of the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) allows users to navigate the region of Tohoku, northern Honshu, and Tokyo via Shinkansen with a 5 consecutive days rail pass, as of Jan 2023. (Note: the pass has now changed to 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 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 area)
Suggested 5-day itinerary - save up to ￥15,000 JPY per person with with JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
Itinerary | Approximate Individual Transportation Cost (Per Person) | JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) (Per Person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Narita Airport > Tokyo | ￥3,070 JPY | ￥20,000 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 area), 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 area), 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 area), take Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then switch to the JR Nikko line to get to Nikko.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area)
Coverage of JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) allows users to navigate the region of Nagano, Niigata, and Tokyo via Shinkansen with a 5 consecutive days rail pass, as of Jan 2023. (Note: the pass has now changed to 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 Niigata, Nagano, 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 (Nagano, Niigata area)
Suggested 5-day itinerary - save up to ￥21,000 JPY per person with with JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
Itinerary | Approximate Individual Transportation Cost (Per Person) | JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) (Per Person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Narita Airport > Tokyo | ￥3,070 JPY | ￥18,000 JPY |
Day 2 | Tokyo > Karuizawa | ￥6,020 JPY | |
Day 3 | Karuizawa > Nagano (Snow Monkey Park) | ￥3,740 JPY | |
Day 4 | Nagano > Takasaki > Niigata | ￥13,280 JPY | |
Day 5 | Niigata > Tokyo > Narita Airport | ￥13,700 JPY | |
Total Saving | ￥21,810 JPY | ||
*The amount may change from time to time.
1. Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a resort town offering plentiful outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and even skiing in the Winter seasons. There is also a famous outlet for shopping!
To travel to Karuizawa with your JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), just take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Nagano.
Karuizawa
2. Snow Monkey Resort, Nagano
Formally named as Jigokudani Yaen-koen, the area is famous for it’s unique scenery of having Japanese macaques enjoying themselves in the onsen. The monkeys frequent the area and you may also find them in Spring, Summer & Autumn.
To get to Snow Monkey Resort with the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), just travel to Nagano station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line then transfer to local bus (i.e. bus fare not covered by the pass).
Snow Monkey Resort
3. Niigata
Facing the Sea of Japan, Niigata is famous for its distinctive fresh seafood. What’s better than having a quality sushi meal in Japan?
To get to Niigata with the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), you may either get on to the Joetsu Shinkansen from Ueno, Tokyo or switch train in Takasaki if you are coming from any stations from the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Niigata Sushi
