Skip the ticket machine dance
Flash the pass at the manned gate. No fumbling with a touchscreen in Japanese while a line builds behind you.
One pass for every Fuji angle.
Board a Shinkansen in Tokyo, glide past Mount Fuji at 285 km/h and be eating Kyoto ramen by lunch. One ticket, unlimited JR rides.
285km/h
Top speed of the Nozomi
40min
Tokyo to first Fuji sighting
¥53k
Cheapest 7 day pass
1976
Year the pass launched
Why bother
Six reasons travellers love the pass.
Not paid marketing points. Actual things that make the trip better.
One price, unlimited rides
Hop off in Odawara for a bowl of soba, hop back on the next Shinkansen. No math, no guilt, no extra charge.
Free seat reservations
Book the exact Fuji-side window seat weeks in advance. Cherry blossom weekends, autumn foliage, holiday rush - covered.
Airport transfers included
Narita Express to Shinjuku is usually ¥3,250 one way. Free with the pass on both your arrival and departure days.
Speed you feel in your teeth
The Hikari does Tokyo to Kyoto in 2 hours 40 minutes. That is faster door to door than flying once you count security and airport transfers.
The best moving cafe in the world
Onboard trolleys sell green tea Kit Kats, ekiben lunch boxes and canned coffee. Eating your ekiben as Fuji drifts by is the whole trip.
The basics
What the Japan Rail Pass actually is.
A single rail ticket that covers almost every Japan Railways train, including most Shinkansen, for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days.
Who can buy it
Foreign tourists on a short-stay temporary visitor visa. Japanese residents are not eligible. Bring your passport at activation.
How long it lasts
7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. The clock starts the day you activate, not the day you buy, so order weeks ahead without worry.
When it pays off
A single Tokyo to Kyoto return on the Shinkansen is around ¥28,000. Add a Fuji day trip and the 7 day pass is already cheaper than pay-as-you-go.
Nationwide pass
Pick your validity.
Ordinary class covers every itinerary on this site. Green Car adds reclining 2 plus 2 seating with more legroom - worth it on longer Shinkansen legs.
7 days
Most popular¥53,000
Green Car ¥74,000
Tokyo plus one Fuji base
Order Ordinary Order Green Car14 days
Best value¥84,000
Green Car ¥116,000
Tokyo, Fuji and Kyoto
Order Ordinary Order Green Car21 days
Deep dive¥105,000
Green Car ¥147,000
Full Honshu Fuji photo trip
Order Ordinary Order Green CarPrices are set by the JR Group, not by us, so every authorised seller charges the same. Confirm the current rate on GetJRPass before you buy online.
The honest math
Does it actually pay off?
Here is what the same trips cost with and without the 7 day pass. No spin - if it does not save you money, we will tell you.
Tokyo · Kyoto · Tokyo
| Shinkansen return | ¥28,240 |
| Narita Express return | ¥6,500 |
| Tokyo · Kawaguchiko day | ¥8,000 |
| Kyoto local JR | ¥2,000 |
| Pay as you go | ¥44,740 |
| 7 day pass | ¥53,000 |
Pass costs about ¥8,000 more. Get it for the convenience.
Tokyo · Fuji · Hiroshima
| Tokyo to Hiroshima return | ¥40,000 |
| Narita Express return | ¥6,500 |
| Kawaguchiko day trip | ¥8,000 |
| Local JR in Hiroshima | ¥1,500 |
| Pay as you go | ¥56,000 |
| 7 day pass | ¥53,000 |
Pass saves ¥3,000 plus zero booking stress.
Tokyo · Fuji · Kyoto · Osaka
| Shinkansen legs | ¥42,000 |
| Narita Express return | ¥6,500 |
| Fuji day trip | ¥8,000 |
| Osaka loop line week | ¥3,000 |
| Pay as you go | ¥59,500 |
| 7 day pass | ¥53,000 |
Pass saves ¥6,500. Easy yes.
Best Fuji moments
Where the pass unlocks the mountain.
Four rides, four completely different Fuji views. All covered by the nationwide pass.
Tokyo · Kyoto Shinkansen, mile 40
The classic. Hikari service, seat 11E, right side heading west. Fuji appears over the Shizuoka plain and stays visible for a full 4 minutes.
Seat map & timing
Otsuki to Kawaguchiko
Change at Otsuki for the Fujikyu line (small supplement). The last 20 minutes climb through pine forest with Fuji growing bigger in every window.
Lake Kawaguchiko
Odawara arrival
Shinkansen to Odawara in 35 minutes flat. Step off the train, look south west, and Fuji is right there before you have even bought your Hakone pass.
Hakone guide
Osaka to Tokyo, the return trip
Coming back east, book seat 11A or 11B - left hand side. Sunset over Fuji from a moving Shinkansen is the underrated great view of Japan.
Fuji from OsakaOrdinary vs Green
Do you need Green Car?
Green is Japan's business class. Nicer, quieter, wider. But is it worth the ¥21,000 upgrade?
Ordinary
¥53,000 / 7 days- 3 plus 2 seat layout, all recline
- Free wifi on most Shinkansen
- Power outlets at every window seat
- Reservable weeks ahead for free
- Perfect for the whole family
Our take: 90% of travellers should stick with Ordinary. The Fuji view is identical from both cars.
Green Car
¥74,000 / 7 days- 2 plus 2 layout, deep reclining leather
- Always quieter - no children's cars near Green
- Priority boarding at busy stations
- Complimentary blanket and slippers on Sunrise services
- Bigger luggage racks
Worth it if: you are tall, travelling as a couple, or spending 4+ hours a day on trains.
Regional alternatives
Cheaper passes if Fuji is your only goal.
A nationwide pass is overkill for a short Fuji loop. These two regional passes sold by GetJRPass cover the main Fuji approaches from Tokyo and the Shizuoka side.
JR East Pass, Tohoku area
¥30,000 · 5 flexible days in 14
Tokyo, Fuji and northern Japan if you are chasing a snow capped Fuji plus Nikko or Sendai.
- Fuji Excursion to Kawaguchiko
- All JR East Shinkansen north of Tokyo
- Izu Peninsula and Nikko
Mt Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini
¥6,500 · 3 consecutive days
The southern and western Fuji side. Perfect for Mishima, Fuji city, the Izu coast and lake hopping around Shizuoka.
- JR local trains around Shizuoka and the Fuji foothills
- Selected buses and ferries in the area
- Non-reserved seats on JR limited express trains
- Great add-on after the nationwide JR Pass
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.
- Odakyu services from Shinjuku to Hakone, including the Romancecar. Buy a Hakone Free Pass directly from Odakyu for unlimited Hakone transport.
- 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.
Fun stuff
Things nobody tells you about the JR Pass.
File under 'wish I knew before landing'.
The Shinkansen bows to you
Cleaning staff bow to every departing train in a 7 minute turnaround called nanafun kiseki - the 7 minute miracle. It is oddly moving to witness.
Ekiben are half the trip
Each station sells its own regional lunch box. The Toka-jo eel bento at Tokyo station is the Fuji-run classic. Warm it with the pull string built into the lid.
Fuji is on the right, always
Westbound from Tokyo, sit in seats D or E. Coming back east from Kyoto or Osaka, seats A or B. If you get it wrong you will spend 4 minutes staring at an office park in Numazu.
Trains leave to the second
Average annual Shinkansen delay is 12 seconds. Yes, seconds. If your ekiben run is close, the doors will not wait.
Green tea and hot towels
Sunrise sleeper services and Green Car attendants still hand out steaming oshibori towels before departure. Peak Shōwa era luxury.
You can day-trip Osaka from Tokyo
It sounds crazy but with the pass a Tokyo to Osaka takoyaki lunch and back is completely doable, and covered. Not sensible. Very fun.
How it works
Order, exchange, ride.
Four steps from your sofa to a Fuji window seat. Buy the pass online from GetJRPass, then activate it at a JR office in Japan.
- 1 · Buy online at GetJRPass
Buy a few weeks before departure for peace of mind. It takes minutes and their English support is there if you need help.
- 2 · Land in Japan
Take the exchange order, your passport and the temporary visitor stamp to any JR Pass exchange office at Narita, Haneda, Kansai or a major city station.
- 3 · Pick activation date
Choose any start date within 30 days. The pass runs for consecutive calendar days from that date.
- 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.
Sample itineraries
Build a Fuji trip around the pass.
7 day Fuji and Kyoto
Nationwide 7 day · ¥53,000
- 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 · ¥84,000
- Tokyo, Hakone via Odawara
- Mishima Sky Walk and Shimizu Miho
- Fujinomiya south face
- Kawaguchiko and Chureito
- Matsumoto and the Alps
- Kyoto, Hiroshima and back
Where to buy
We only recommend GetJRPass.
The official JR-issued pass at the price JR sets, bought online in minutes. They are the seller we use ourselves and the only one we link to.
Buy online in minutes
Pick your pass, fill in your travel dates and you are done. No queue at the airport on arrival day.
Refundable if plans move
Unused exchange orders can be refunded minus a small handling fee, so ordering early is risk free.
English support that replies
Real humans answering inside a working day. Genuinely useful when a flight shifts or a date needs changing.
JR-set pricing
The pass price is fixed by the JR Group, so you are never paying a markup for the convenience.
Routes
How to reach Fuji with the JR Pass.
The most popular Fuji trips, the trains to take and what the pass covers on each leg.
Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko
About 2 h
Limited express Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku
JR section to Otsuki covered. Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko paid locally.
Buy JR Pass onlineTokyo to Hakone
About 35 min to Odawara
Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama or Hikari to Odawara
Shinkansen to Odawara covered. Hakone Tozan trains and ropeway paid locally.
Buy JR Pass onlineShinkansen past Fuji
Fuji at about 40 min
Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari towards Kyoto and Osaka
Fully covered. Sit in seat E heading west for the window view.
Buy JR Pass onlineTokyo to Shin-Fuji and Mishima
About 1 h
Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama to Mishima or Shin-Fuji
Fully covered, including JR Gotemba and Minobu lines for the south side.
Buy JR Pass onlineFAQ
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 Tokyo Wide Pass at ¥15,000 covers a Fuji long weekend beautifully. 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 costs more at the counter. Ordering from GetJRPass before you fly locks in the cheaper international price and saves you queueing on arrival day.
How do I buy the pass?
Buy it online on GetJRPass before you travel. It takes a few minutes, and their English support helps if you have questions. Order a few weeks ahead to be relaxed.
Can I get a refund if plans change?
Yes. Unused passes are refundable minus a small handling fee, so buying early is risk free.
Where do I exchange it in Japan?
Any JR Pass exchange office. Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports all have one in the arrivals area, as do Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka stations. Bring the exchange order and your passport with the temporary visitor stamp.
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.
What happens if I lose my pass?
Lost passes cannot be replaced or refunded. Keep it in a passport wallet, treat it like cash, and take a photo of the front and back in case you need proof at a gate.
Can kids use the pass?
Yes. Child passes (age 6-11) are half the adult price. Children under 6 travel free on Ordinary non-reserved seats when sitting on a parent's lap.
Ready to lock in your pass?
GetJRPass is the only seller we recommend. Buy online in a few minutes, activate at a JR office once you land and ride straight to Fuji. Unused passes are refundable, so ordering early costs you nothing.
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.