12 Budget Friendly JR Passes for foreign residents in Japan 2022

In my opinion, one of the best transportation services for traveling in Japan is the Japan Railways. Japan Rail Pass offers some special tour packages for temporary visitors which I discussed in detail in my previous blog. But this pass can only be used by people coming to Japan on a short-term tourist visa. But in today's blog, I want to tell you about some good passes which are currently available for foreigners living in Japan. 

Hello Kitty Shinkansen

When I first learned about the Japan Rail Pass, I thought what if there would be something like this for foreigners living in Japan, which allows them to travel a large part of Japan for a few days using the Shinkansen and other railway services! Recently that thought of mine came true. Since the country's border was closed for a long time due to the pandemic, govt has been seen taking various steps towards more comfortable, safe, and convenient travel for the people of this country. I would like to mention specifically two travel-related initiatives that were becoming very popular among foreign residents, namely GOTO Travel Campaign and JR East Welcome Pass. The gradual popularity of these has undoubtedly made Japan Railways think of keeping some passes for foreigners living here. That's why there are currently 12 JR passes available for foreign residents of Japan. Many people may have heard about some passes so far. But some passes are quite new. Today I will discuss all those 12 passes.

1. Tokyo Wide Pass

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass is a rail pass for non-Japanese passport holders only, providing unlimited rides on JR trains which include Shinkansen and limited express trains too, and selected non-JR trains in selected Kanto areas around Tokyo for consecutive three days. This means any foreigner living in Japan can buy it to visit the Kanto region.

Source: JR EAST

It costs ¥10,180 for adults and ¥5,090 for children.

*Please remember you can not use Saphir Odoriko Limited Express and Tōkaidō Shinkansen with this Pass.

Minakami, Gunma Prefecture

We used this pass to explore the Mount Fuji area, parts of Ibaraki, part of Gunma, and part of Izu. I personally find this pass quite profitable because the places I mentioned are usually very expensive to travel by express from Tokyo. There the pass greatly reduces the cost as well as makes the journey much smoother and hassle-free and YES, this pass is always available.

Mt. Omuro, Shizuoka Prefecture

2. JR East Pass for Tohoku Area

This pass can also be bought by foreigners living in Japan to visit Kanto and Tohoku regions for 5 consecutive days. Unlimited JR trains can also be used by this pass. For example 

-JR East (with BRT *)

Source: JR East

-Tokyo Monorail

-Izu Kyoko Line

-Aomori Railroad

-Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) line

-Sendai Airport Transit Line

-Some specific trains will run between JR East and Tobu railway lines

-some JR buses in that specific area

It costs ¥20,000 for adults and ¥10,000 for children.

Tohoku has many known and unknown treasured areas that one should discover to understand the core culture of Japan. But I personally think it would be much more expensive to explore this vast area of Tohoku without any pass.

Oirase Stream, Aomori Prefecture

So this pass can be very useful for the people who love to travel. We have used this pass to explore parts of Aomori, and Yamagata, and would like to visit some more places if got any chance.

Mt. Zao, Yamagata Prefecture

3. JR East Pass for Nagano Niigata Area

Just like the Tohoku pass you can use this pass for consecutive 5 days to travel any part of the Nagano, Nigata, and Kanto area by unlimited ride on JR trains and shinkansen.

you can use

Source: JR East

-JR EAST Lines​ ​

-Tokyo Monorail

-Izu Kyuko Line

-Hokuetsu Express​ ​

-Echigo TOKImeki Railway (between Naoetsu and Arai)

-Express trains that operate between JR East and Tobu Railway lines in specific areas

-JR buses in some areas.

This pass will cost ¥18,000 for adults and ¥9,000 for children.

Narai-juku, Nagano Prefecture

I think this pass is also good enough because it is not possible to access Nagano or Niigata area without Shinkansen or Limited Express from Tokyo on a short budget, and if you compare the full fare for only one day travel cost of a shinkansen or limited express with this pass, then you will find the fare is almost same. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of this region by taking any train as many times as you like for consecutive 5 days.

*And yes, all of these JR East passes can be used year-round and there is no deadline.

We visited Matsumoto castle, lake Suwa, Shiga Kogen, Snow Monkey Park, Naraizuku, and a few other places with this pass.

Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture

4. Kansai WIDE Area Excursion Pass (expat)

This Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass covers the same area as the Kansai Wide Area Pass cover. The only difference is Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass is for non-Japanese passport holders living in Japan that they can use for consecutive 3 days and Kansai Wide Area Pass is for foreign temporary tourists that they can use consecutively for 5days.

Himeji Castle, Hyōgo Prefecture

The Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass is not available for purchase at the JR-West ticket office or at the JR-West online train reservation, instead, you will need to purchase an exchange order (E-TICKET) from Klook or Rakuten.

Source: JR West

This pass costs ¥10,000 for adults and ¥5,000 for children. You can enjoy unlimited rides on JR West lines including express trains and shinkansen and this pass for 3 consecutive days to enjoy Kansai wide areas such as Himeji Castle, Universal Studios Japan, Tottori Sand Dunes, Okayama / Kurashiki areas, Nachi falls, or Shirahama.

Dōtonbori, Osaka Prefecture

You can not use few trains, e.g.

- TOKAIDO SHINKANSEN (Shin-Osaka⇔Tokyo)

- SANYO SHINKANSEN (Okayama⇔Hakata)

- KYUSHU SHINKANSEN (Hakata⇔Kagoshima-Chuo)

- Special Rapid "A Seat" paid seating Service

Recently we visited some popular travel spots in Osaka, Himeji castle, and a few parts of Okayama, and Nachi falls.

Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture

5. JR Shikoku Pass 3-Days

This 3-day Pass cover all JR trains in Shikoku that also includes non-reserved seats on limited express trains too, plus the Tosa Kuroshio Railway and a few local JR bus lines are available.

Source: JR Shikoku

But remember this Pass is only for a limited time, it is from May 2022 through September 2022 and Non-Japanese passport holders who reside in Japan can use the service! The pass costs 11,000 yen for adults and 5,500 yen for children and it can only be used for three consecutive days. I hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy a Shikoku railway journey.

6. Kyushu Rail Pass

Although this pass is mainly for temporary visiting foreigners/ tourists, it can also be used by foreigners living in Japan from last July to next September. However, in this case, just as there is a single pass for touring the whole of Kyushu, there are also separate passes for touring the Northern, Southern, and Fukuoka regions. Usually, the value of the pass varies depending on the number of days e.g.,3 day all Kyushu pass costs 17000 yen for adults, 5 days pass cost 18500 yen, and 7-day pass costs 20000 yen. The same is true of the northern Kyushu, southern Kyushu, and Fukuoka wide regions.

Source: JR Kyushu (all area map)

This pass can be a great value for those who want to explore the Kyushu region for 3-4 days or 5-6 days. This is because the fares for frequent Shinkansen, express or regular local trains can be much higher. We also want to use this pass to visit some places in Kyushu once we get the chance.

7. Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

This pass is also for temporary foreign tourists but from first June to 4th September of this year foreigners living in here too can use it. Visiting from Osaka or Nagoya to the Kanazawa, Toyama, and Gifu regions can be a great opportunity at the same time you can enjoy some of the World Heritage Sites like Shirakawa-go and Gokayama too. For 5 consecutive days, you have to spend ¥15,280 for adults and ¥7,640 for Children.

Source: JR Central

Pass holders can reserve up to four-seat on limited express trains for free but remember that you can't book seats on shinkansen and Haruka limited express trains for Kansai Airport on which you can only use unreserved seats.

8. Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass

This pass can be great for planning a great tour from Osaka and Nagoya to Wakayama, Mei, and Nara regions! 

Kumano Kodo

Using this pass, you can ride unlimited time to the limited express and local trains of this line. You can also reserve the seat of limited express for free. These five consecutive day pass costs 12,220 yen for adults. This pass is also available for a limited time.

Source: JR Central

9. Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass

Source: JR Central

This pass is also for foreign tourists, but from June to September 4, it can also be used by foreigners living in Japan. Centering the Alpine Route on JR local and limited express trains, you will be able to travel around the Nagoya, Gifu, and Nagano areas, as well as you can use transportation on the alpine route by using this pass.

Foreign residents can only buy tickets from the ticket window designated by a train station or travel agency in Japan by presenting their passports. This pass will cost ¥19,600 for adults and ¥9,800 for children.

Matsumoto Castle

10. Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini

Source: JR Central

If you want to visit Mount Fuji's World Heritage Sites as well as the Shizuoka and Hamamatsu regions, and want to enjoy one of Japan's most popular hot springs and seafood, I believe this pass will be of special use to you. The pass covers Unlimited rides on JR local trains, buses, ferries, and private railways of Hamamatsu as well as Shizuoka prefecture, especially around Mount Fuji. You can use this pass for 3 consecutive days and it will also be available from 1^st June to 4^th September. This pass will cost ¥5,080 for adults and ¥2,540 for children.

One thing you need to remember is that this pass will not allow you to ride on Tokaido Shinkansen and Sleeper Trains.

Mount Fuji

11. Sapporo-Furano Area Pass

This is a very convenient pass for those who want to visit Sapporo. With Sapporo-Furano Area Pass you can have a trip to Sapporo, Furano, Asahikawa, and Otaru areas. You can purchase the pass at Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, and Asahikawa stations. Although it was for temporary visitors, foreigners living in Japan too use it till September 2022. This pass will cost ¥ 9,500 for adults.

Source: JR Hokkaido

Hinode Park

Shikisai-no-Oka

12. Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass

Source: JR Hokkaido

Another Pass to visit Sapporo and Noboribetsu area on four consecutive days. By using this pass you can use unlimited times of JR trains in and around Sapporo and Noboribetsu, including local and limited express trains. This pass will also be available for foreigners residing till September 2022. It costs 8,500 yen for adults.

Odori Park

More or less all these passes have advantages like the 'Joyride Experience'. Japan railways offer some great joyride options in the scenic areas so if you are planning to buy these passes then be sure to utilize that option too. It would be a great experience.  As we purchased the Tokyo Wide Pass, we boarded the SL GUNMA train on the way to Gunma.

SL Gunma

These are the 12 passes that JR Railway has now launched for foreigners living in Japan. Since most of it is temporary, I would say that these passes are very useful for those who want to visit new places in this country and discover more in a budget-friendly way.