JR West Rail Passes
JR West Rail Passes are special travel passes designed for tourists visiting Japan that offer unlimited travel on JR West trains within certain zones for a certain number of days. These passes serve various regions such as Kansai, Hokuriku, Sanyo and Sanyin, providing flexibility and convenience to explore popular destinations such as Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kanazawa.
These passes are available for varying durations from 1 to 7 days and are an economical choice for efficient travel around western Japan. They are exclusively available to foreign tourists holding a non-Japanese passport with a temporary visitor visa.
JR West Rail Passes Price & Duration
| Name | Duration | Adult Price (YEN) | Child Price (YEN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR West All Area Pass | 7 days | 26,000 | 13,000 |
| Kansai Area Wide Pass | 5 days | 12,000 | 6,000 |
| Kansai – Hiroshima Area Pass | 5 days | 17,000 | 8,500 |
| Sanyo - San'in Area Pass | 7 days | 23,000 | 11,500 |
| Kansai - Hokuriku Area Pass | 7 days | 19,000 | 9,500 |
| Hokuriku Area Pass | 4 days | 7,000 | 3,500 |
| Kansai-San’in Area Pass | 7 days | 18,000 | 9,000 |
| Hiroshima - Yamaguchi Area Pass | 5 days | 15,000 | 7,500 |
| Kansai Mini Pass | 3 days | 3,000 | 1,500 |
| Okayama - Hiroshima - Yamaguchi Area Pass | 5 days | 17,000 | 8,500 |
| Tottori - Matsue Pass | 3 days | 4,000 | 2,000 |
| Kansai Area Pass | 1 day | 2,800 | 1,400 |
| Kansai Area Pass | 2 days | 4,800 | 2,400 |
| Kansai Area Pass | 3 days | 5,800 | 2,900 |
| Kansai Area Pass | 4 days | 7,000 | 3,500 |
JR West Pass Coverage
Lines and/or regions covered by JR West
- Covered regions of JR West: Kinki Region: Includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Wakayama. Chugoku Region: Includes Hiroshima, Okayama, Himeji, Matsue, Tottori, Fukuyama, Shimonoseki, and Yamaguchi. Hokuriku Region: Includes Kanazawa and Fukui. San'in Region: Includes Izumo and Tottori.
- It covers such cities: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima, Okayama, Himeji, Kanazawa, Fukui, Matsue, Tottori, Wakayama, Toyooka, Izumo, Fukuyama, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi.
Trains covered by JR West
Travel operator covers these shinkansen trains:
- San’yo Shinkansen Shin-Osaka to Hakata (Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakata included).
- Hokuriku Shinkansen Tsuruga to Tokyo.
- JR West also operates part of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo in cooperation with JR Central.
JR West covers travel on the following trains: Sakura train on the Sanyo Shinkansen. Unlimited use of the IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata to access the JR Nanao Line, the Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka to access the JR Himi and Johana Lines, and the Hapi Fukui Line between Fukui and Echizen-Hanando to access the JR Kuzuryu Line. However, you cannot enter or exit at intermediate stations.
- Sandabado train (the Thunderbird train) is a limited express service that operates between Osaka and Kanazawa. It uses portions of the Tokaido Main Line, Kosei Line, and Hokuriku Main Line.
- Haruka Limited Express Train operates from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, passing through Osaka. It has a special edition Hello Kitty Haruka Train.
Other limited express trains include Kuroshio, Thunderbird, Shirasagi, Noto Kagaribi, Kounotori, Hamakaze, Rakuraku Harima, Rakuraku Yamato, Kinosaki, Hashidate, Maizuru, Yakumo, Super Hakuto, Super Inaba, Shiokaze, Nampu, Uzushio, Super Matsukaze, Super Oki, Rakuraku Biwako.
JR West covers the significant lines:
- The Nara Line is a commuter rail line in the Osaka–Kobe–Kyoto metropolitan area, Its official termini are Kizu Station in Kizugawa and Kyōto Station in Kyoto, within Kyoto Prefecture; however, all trains continue past Kizu on the Yamatoji Line (Kansai Main Line) to Nara Station in Nara, Nara Prefecture.
- The Yamatoji Line starts at Kamo Station in Kyoto Prefecture and ends at JR Namba Station in Naniwa-ku, Osaka.
- The Kobe Line typically refers to the section of the Tokaido Main Line between Osaka and Kobe (Sannomiya).
- Hanwa Line connects Osaka to Wakayama, passing through areas such as Sakai and Kishiwada
- The Hokuriku Main Line connects Maibara to Kanazawa, passing through Fukui.
- Chizukyu Express Line between Kamigori and Chizu. This non-JR line is operated by the Chizu Express Company but is included in the JR Pass, providing the fastest train access to Tottori.
Popular Routes Covered by JR West
- Osaka to Fukuoka via Okayama and Hiroshima (Sanyo Shinkansen)
- Kyoto to Shimonoseki along the Sea of Japan coast (Sanin Main Line)
- Osaka to Nara via Kansai Main Line, Wakayama via Hanwa Line
- Osaka to Kanazawa allows travelers to explore the Hokuriku region (Thunderbird Limited Express)
- Osaka to Hiroshima (Sanyo Shinkansen)
How to Book And Use JR West Rail Pass
- Book the desired JR Pass:
- Select the specific Rail Pass, its type (Adult or Child), class, and the duration;
- During checkout, ensure that you enter the correct personal information, including the passenger names as they appear on their passports.
- Receive the QR code:
- After purchasing the JR Pass, you will receive an e-ticket voucher (QR Code) via email.
- Exchange the QR code for the actual Rail Pass:
- In Japan, visit a JR Pass exchange office and present your voucher, along with your passport, to receive the actual JR Pass. Exchange offices are located at major airports, railway stations, or designated tourist centers;
- Another way is to use a ticketing machine at every major JR station.
Seat reservation for JR West Rail Pass
- Go to a JR West ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi) or use the ticket vending machines at any JR West station.
- Present your JR West Rail Pass to the ticket machine staff or follow the ticket machine’s instructions.
- Select your train and seat. Select the train and seat you would like to reserve. The staff will assist you. Or you can select the option at the ticket machine. You will receive a reserved seat ticket at no extra charge.
Customer Support for JR West Rail Pass
If you need help with your JR West Rail Pass, you can contact customer support in several ways. For in-person assistance, go to a JR West ticket office or travel service center at major stations like Osaka, Kyoto, or Hiroshima.
You can contact JR West's customer support at +81-6-4965-4900 during service hours from 08:00 to 22:00 Japan Time, every day except during the year-end and New Year holidays.
JR West Customer Center:
Train schedules, fares, seat availability information, and various inquiries: +81 570-00-2486 or +81 78-382-8686
Lost property hotline: +81 570-00-4146 or +81 6-6133-4146
If you have problems regarding your JR West tickets, please contact the 12Go support team.
How to Refund the JR West Pass?
If you have any inquiries or need assistance, please visit the 12Go Support page. When contacting support, ensure you have your booking number ready for a quicker resolution.
Ensure that the pass has not been activated or used. Refunds are typically only available if the pass has not been used. Refunds are not provided in cases of train delays or non-operations.
Travel Tips with JR West Rail Pass
Check the timetable: check the train schedules, especially for Shinkansen and limited express trains. This will help you avoid waiting for extended periods at the train station.
Avoid peak travel times: Golden Week (late April to early May), Obon (mid-August), and New Year (late December to early January) are the peak travel times. Avoid weekday mornings (7:30 AM to 9:00 AM) and evenings (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM) in metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Saitama.
Luggage restrictions: Your luggage should not exceed 160cm (total height, width, and depth) and a weight limit of 30kg. Some Shinkansen trains have designated spaces for large luggage. Reserve these spaces in advance.
JR West Pass FAQ
What is the difference between JR East and JR West?
JR East and JR West are regional divisions of the Japan Railways Group, operating in different parts of Japan. JR East serves the eastern regions, including Tokyo, while JR West covers the western regions, including Osaka.
Is JR West Pass worth it?
The JR West Pass is worth it for extensive travel in western Japan. It offers unlimited rides on JR West trains and potential savings.
What types of JR West trains can I use?
The pass covers local, rapid, limited express, and Shinkansen trains operated by JR West.