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Japan Rail Pass

One pass, every Fuji angle.

The nationwide Japan Rail Pass covers the Tokaido Shinkansen, the JR Chuo line into Yamanashi and the Tokaido main line along the Shizuoka coast. Every Fuji viewpoint we publish is reachable on a single pass, and several regional passes are cheaper if Fuji is your only target.

Buy on GetJRPass Compare all passes Best Shinkansen seats
Mount Fuji from a Shinkansen window
In partnership with GetJRPass

Pays for itself on a single Tokyo to Kyoto return.

The basics

What the Japan Rail Pass actually is.

A single rail ticket that gives unlimited travel on almost every Japan Railways (JR) train, including most Shinkansen, for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days from activation.

Who can buy it

Foreign tourists entering Japan on a short-stay temporary visitor visa. Japanese residents are not eligible. Bring your passport at activation.

How long it lasts

Choose 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. The clock starts the day you activate, not the day you buy, so you can order weeks ahead of departure.

When it pays off

A single Tokyo to Kyoto return on the Shinkansen is roughly ¥28,000. Add Tokyo to Kawaguchiko or Hakone and the 7 day pass is already cheaper than buying tickets separately.

Nationwide pass

Pick your validity.

Ordinary class covers every itinerary on this site. Green Car adds reclining 2 plus 2 seating with more legroom and is worth it on longer Shinkansen legs.

Prices indicative, set by JR Group. GetJRPass ships exchange orders worldwide and offers digital QR activation at major stations.

Regional alternatives

Cheaper passes if Fuji is your only goal.

A nationwide pass is overkill for a 3 or 4 day Fuji loop from Tokyo. These regional passes cover the same Fuji approaches for a fraction of the price.

JR Tokyo Wide Pass

¥15,000 · 3 consecutive days

Best for a Tokyo base with day trips to Kawaguchiko, Chureito and the Izu coast.

  • Fujikyu line to Kawaguchiko on the Fuji Excursion limited express
  • JR Chuo line to Otsuki
  • Tokaido Shinkansen as far as Atami for Hakone
  • Narita and Haneda airport transfers
Check on GetJRPass

JR East Tohoku South Pass

¥30,000 · 6 flexible days in 14

Tokyo, Fuji and northern Japan if you are chasing snow capped Fuji plus Nikko or Sendai.

  • Fuji Excursion to Kawaguchiko
  • All JR East Shinkansen north of Tokyo
  • Izu Peninsula and Nikko
Check on GetJRPass

Mt Fuji Pass

¥7,500 · 2 days

Add on once you are at Kawaguchiko. Unlimited rides on Fujikyu buses around the Five Lakes and selected ropeways.

  • Fujikyu Retrocan buses around Kawaguchiko, Saiko and Motosuko
  • Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
  • Fujikyu Highland entry
Check on GetJRPass

Hakone Free Pass

¥6,100 from Shinjuku · 2 days

Issued by Odakyu, not JR. The cleanest way to ride the pirate ship, ropeway and Tozan trains around Hakone.

  • Odakyu round trip from Shinjuku
  • Hakone Tozan train, cablecar and ropeway
  • Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise
  • Hakone Tozan buses
Check on GetJRPass
Covers

What the nationwide pass gets you for Fuji.

  • Every Tokaido Shinkansen seat from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, the line that passes Fuji on the right hand side heading west.
  • JR Chuo line into Otsuki, the gateway to Kawaguchiko and Chureito Pagoda via the Fujikyu line transfer.
  • JR Tokaido main line to Mishima for the Sky Walk and the Hakone connection.
  • JR Minobu line through the western Fuji foothills to Fujinomiya and the south face trailhead.
  • JR buses around the Fuji Five Lakes and selected ryokan shuttles.
  • JR Gotemba line, the slow scenic route around the eastern foothills.
  • Free seat reservations on all Shinkansen and limited express services, online or at any JR ticket office.
  • Narita Express and Haneda airport transfers on the day you arrive or depart.
Fine print

What the nationwide pass does not cover.

  • Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen services. Use the slightly slower Hikari and Sakura instead, or pay a supplement at the counter.
  • The Fujikyu line from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji station. Buy a single ticket on board or add the Mt Fuji Pass.
  • Odakyu services from Shinjuku to Hakone, including the Romancecar. Use a Hakone Free Pass.
  • Subway lines in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. JR loop lines like the Yamanote in Tokyo are covered.
  • Private ropeways, ferries and most sightseeing buses unless explicitly listed as a JR Bus service.
How it works

Buy, activate, ride.

  1. 1 · Order online

    Order through GetJRPass at least a week before departure. They ship a paper exchange order worldwide or issue a digital QR code.

  2. 2 · Land in Japan

    Take your exchange order, passport and arrival stamp to any JR Pass exchange office at Narita, Haneda, Kansai or major city stations.

  3. 3 · Pick activation date

    Choose any start date within 30 days. The pass runs for consecutive calendar days from that date.

  4. 4 · Reserve seats

    Reserve Shinkansen seats for free at any midori no madoguchi counter, on the JR East online site or at green ticket machines.

Start order on GetJRPass Read the activation guide
Sample itineraries

Build a Fuji trip around the pass.

3 day Fuji loop

JR Tokyo Wide Pass · ¥15,000

  • Tokyo to Kawaguchiko on the Fuji Excursion
  • Chureito Pagoda sunrise and Lake Kawaguchiko
  • Return via Otsuki and free afternoon in Tokyo

7 day Fuji and Kyoto

Nationwide 7 day · ¥50,000

  • Tokyo arrival, Narita Express included
  • Kawaguchiko 2 nights with Chureito and Oishi Park
  • Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto with right side Fuji window
  • Kyoto and Nara
  • Return to Tokyo

14 day photo expedition

Nationwide 14 day · ¥80,000

  • Tokyo, Hakone via Odawara
  • Mishima Sky Walk and Shimizu Miho
  • Fujinomiya south face
  • Kawaguchiko and Chureito
  • Matsumoto and the Alps
  • Kyoto, Hiroshima and back
FAQ

Common questions.

Can I use the JR Pass on the Nozomi?

No. The pass covers Hikari and Kodama on the Tokaido line, which both stop at Shin-Fuji and pass the mountain at the same angle. Travel time between Tokyo and Kyoto is about 20 minutes longer.

Is the JR Pass worth it for a Fuji only trip?

Not always. A 3 day JR Tokyo Wide Pass at ¥15,000 covers a Tokyo based Fuji loop more cheaply. The nationwide pass wins as soon as you add Kyoto or a second Shinkansen leg.

Which side of the Shinkansen sees Fuji?

Sit on the right hand side, seats D or E, when travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto. From Kyoto to Tokyo it is the left hand side, seats A or B. See our Shinkansen guide for exact timing.

Do I reserve every seat?

Reservations are free with the pass and recommended on Friday evenings, weekends, holidays and during cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Most Tokaido trains also have non-reserved cars 1 to 3.

Can I buy the JR Pass inside Japan?

Yes, but it is more expensive. Order through GetJRPass before you fly to lock in the cheaper international price.

Does the pass cover the climb to the summit?

It covers JR transport to Fujinomiya and Gotemba. From there, climbing season buses to the 5th station are paid separately or bundled with the Mt Fuji Pass.

Ready to lock in your pass?

GetJRPass ships worldwide with tracked delivery, supports digital QR activation at major stations and offers a full refund on unused exchange orders.

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Mt Fuji Today earns a commission on JR Pass purchases through GetJRPass. Prices are set by JR Group and may change with seasonal updates. See our affiliate disclosure.