Inclusions
Inclusions
Get unlimited rides on JR East trains within the area of your choice and avoid splurging on individual tickets. JR East Pass prices are fixed upfront. Plus, there’s no need to worry about additional costs or hidden charges, which are frequently included with single tickets.
Tohoku is the northeastern region of Japan's main island, Honshu. This pass unlocks unlimited rides on JR East trains within the regions of Tokyo, Sendai, Aomori, Morioka, and more, for five consecutive days. Ride the Shinkansen, the bullet train, to Sendai, delve into the fascinating Michinoku Kokubun Cho temple complex, or visit the Towada National Park —the possibilities are endless.
Nagano and Niigata are neighboring prefectures located in the central part of Japan's main island, Honshu. Beyond skiing, Nagano offers beautiful scenery year-round, with hiking trails, hot springs (onsens), and historical sites like Zenko-ji temple, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. Niigata is known as "the Rice Bowl of Japan" due to its fertile plains producing some of the country's best rice.
Japan's vibrant capital, Tokyo, is known for its iconic landmarks like Shibuya Crossing and historic temples like Senso-ji, offering a taste of both modern and traditional Japan.
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Sendai, a bustling city in Miyagi Prefecture, is famous for its delicious beef tongue (gyutan) and the beautiful Matsushima Bay, dotted with hundreds of small islands.
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The northern city, Aomori, is known for the Nebuta Matsuri summer festival with its giant illuminated floats and as the gateway to the scenic natural beauty of the Hakkoda Mountains.
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Nagano, the 1998 Winter Olympics host city, offers world-class skiing in Hakuba Valley and relaxing soaks in the renowned Nozawa Onsen hot springs.
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Niigata, a charming coastal city on the Sea of Japan, is famed for its fresh seafood, the relaxing Yudanaka Onsen with snow monkeys, and its prestigious Koshihikari rice.
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Inland prefecture, Yamagata, is known for its stunning Shonai Coast with dramatic rock formations and its delicious cherries, celebrated annually during the Yamagata Sakurambo Festival.
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The JR East Pass grants you access to an unforgettable Eastern Japan adventure. Here's a breakdown of the purchasing and activation process:
Choose the JR East Pass that you wish to buy, such as the Nagano-Niigata Area Pass or the Tohoku Area Pass. Purchase your preferred JR East Pass online well in advance online.
Upon online purchase, you'll receive a confirmation email with a voucher (e-ticket).
Head to the JR East Exchange Office with your passport and the original exchange order (voucher). Inform the staff of your desired activation date, which should be within one month of redemption. You cannot activate the pass before arriving in Japan.
The staff will verify your documents. At the correct ticket counter, please provide the voucher on your phone along with your official photo ID to exchange it for a physical pass.
Day 1: Sendai
Day 2: Matsushima Bay (Travel time: Sendai to Matsushima: 1 hour by train; Matsushima to Kakunodate: 2-3 hours with transfers)
Day 3: Nikko National Park (Travel time from Sendai: 2 hours, 30 minutes by train)
Day 4: Aomori City (Travel time from Sendai: 2 hours, 30 minutes by train)
Day 5: Departure or additional exploration (Estimated travel time from Aomori to Tokyo: 4 hours, 30 minutes by Shinkansen)
Day 1: Nagano City
Day 2: Hakuba Valley (Travel time from Nagano: 1 hour, 30 minutes by train)
Day 3: Matsumoto City (Travel time from Hakuba: 1 hour, 15 minutes by train)
Day 4: Niigata City (Travel time from Matsumoto: 2 hours, 40 minutes by Shinkansen; Travel Time from Niigata to Yudanaka Onsen: 1 hour, 15 minutes by local train)
Day 5: Departure or Additional exploration (Estimated travel time from Niigata to Tokyo: 2 hours by Shinkansen)
The JR East Pass can be an excellent value, especially if you intend to travel extensively within the area covered by your chosen pass. Consider the number of train trips you plan to take and the total cost of individual tickets compared to the JR East Pass price.
Yes, the JR East Pass indeed covers the Narita Express (N’EX) train, providing a convenient and efficient transfer between Narita International Airport and Tokyo. The seats must be reserved separately after purchasing the tickets.
While your JR East Pass allows access to Shinkansen bullet trains, seat reservations are not automatically included. To guarantee a seat on a specific Shinkansen train, especially during peak seasons or for long journeys, it is recommended to make separate seat reservations in advance.
No, the JR East Pass is valid for JR East trains only. It does not cover local JR buses, subways, taxis, or other forms of transportation.
Unfortunately, JR East passes are not valid for non-consecutive days. The pass is valid for a continuous five-day period from the activation date you choose.
No, there is currently no option to extend the validity period of your JR East Pass or purchase additional days.
Absolutely! Many beautiful train rides are included with the JR East Pass. Some popular options include the Shinkansen bullet trains themselves, offering stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days (depending on the route), and the journey along the coast between Tokyo and Aomori on the Tohoku Shinkansen.
The JR East Pass does not cover local transportation (buses, subways, taxis), limited express trains requiring separate seat reservations (unless specifically included in your pass type), meals or accommodation, or attraction entrance fees.
Unfortunately, lost JR East passes cannot be replaced. It's important to keep your pass safe and readily accessible throughout your trip.
Refunds are not available for JR East Passes.
