JAPAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASS: HOW TO SAVE ON TRIPS

Japan has an excellent public transportation service so it is easy to get around using buses and trains. However, the fares are a bit expensive. Here’s a list of what Japan Public Transport Pass you could use to save on your fares.

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Is Japan Public Transport Free?

No, Japan’s public transport is not free. Tickets usually will cost you around 100 to 200 JPY for a single trip and won’t be more than 1500 JPY daily but of course, it will depend on your distance and if you are not going on a day trip or going to too many places in one day.

Is there Uber in Japan?

Yes, there is Uber in Japan but only in major cities. If you are trying to save on your transport fees, I would not recommend getting an Uber in Japan as there are only a few and it is very expensive. To save on public transport fares you are better off getting a taxi or catching a bus or train instead.

Japan Public Transport Pass

Having a transport pass is a useful way of getting around Japan and its cities and having convenient access to major tourist attractions. Here’s a list of the different types of public transport passes in Japan.

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass or best known as the JR Pass is the pass most locals envy and most visitors aren’t aware of. The Japan-wide JR Pass has a 7, 14, and 21-day duration.

The pass also offers a regional pass if you are only visiting a specific area in Japan. It has a 1, 3, 5 and 7-day duration depending on the region.

You can only purchase the JR Pass if you have a temporary visitor visa. It also includes unlimited travel on JR trains and JR buses.

The cost of the JR Pass varies depending on the region and the day duration of the pass. This is a must-have pass if you are planning to use the bullet trains, travel long distances and regional areas.

During my first visit to Japan, I bought a JR Pass and I used this pass to ride the following:

Shinkansen/Bullet Train
JR Trains on JR lines
Hiroshima Sightseeing Bus
JR Ferry from Miyajimaguichi to Miyajima Island and vice versa

Read more about Japan Rail (JR) Pass here
👉 To get a Japan-wide JR Pass, purchase the pass here
👉 To get a Regional JR Pass, purchase the pass here

IC Cards

IC cards are Japan’s rechargeable cards that can be used to pay for train and bus fares. You can also use this card in convenience and grocery stores. You can buy IC cards in train stations, information centres or ticket offices. The most famous ones are Pasmo and Suica cards.

Unlike the JR Pass, you do not have to show any temporary visitor visa or any visa to purchase an IC card and this card is way cheaper than the JR Pass.

IC cards cost around 500 JPY as a deposit and you can have this money back at the end of your Japan visit. It does not offer any discounted fares but it would be convenient to have one of these cards as you can just tap and go with the IC Card when using in buses, subways and/or trains.

It is also very easy to reload the IC cards. You do not have to worry if you do not have enough credits to pay for your transport fares or if you forgot to load up the IC card.

At train stations, there are fare adjustment and reload machines. On buses, you can give your payment to the bus driver and he can reload your card for you.

I used the Pasmo card on my first visit to Japan. On days when my JR Pass was still valid, I used the card mainly for buses around Yokohama. When my JR Pass expired, I used it on any trains and buses around Yokohama and Tokyo.

City Day Passes

City Day Passes vary per region or city but they are usually one-day or two-day passes. When you buy a City Day Pass, it includes unlimited bus, subway or train rides and coupons on major tourist attractions and some local restaurants.

There are a variety of day passes and it usually costs from 500 JPY. However, the price could be higher than that depending on the different transport companies that offer those passes. You will have to pick the best pass that suits your needs to make the most of your visit.

Below are some passes I used when I visited some of Japan’s major cities.

Kyoto City Bus All-Day Pass

This pass offers unlimited travel for one day on all Kyoto City Buses inside the flat-fare zone. Remote areas are not included as separate fees apply outside the designated zone.

Kobe City Loop One-Day Pass

The Kobe City Loop One-Day Pass offers unlimited travel around Kobe’s main tourist attractions on the City Loop Bus. This comes with discount coupons on different Kobe tourist spots.

This pass can be used for City Loop Bus only and discount coupons are only valid on the same day the pass is valid.

Nara 1-Day Pass

You can just walk around Nara’s sightseeing spots but if you’re pressed with time and don’t have all day to tour Nara on foot, using the Nara 1-Day Pass could save you heaps of time.

Extra fees may apply if you use this pass outside its designated area.

Nagoya One-Day Pass

The Nagoya One-Day Pass offers unlimited rides on the Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus. This comes with a discount on entrance fees at tourist attractions, restaurants and hotels along the bus route.

This pass can be used for the Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route only and discounts are only valid on the day the pass is used.

Kamakura Free Kankyo Tegata

This pass offers unlimited train rides and bus rides within defined areas in Kamakura. You can use this pass when using the train from Enoden Kamakura Station to Hase Station and vice versa.

You can also use this pass on buses from East Exit Bus Terminals 1-6 only. These are buses from Kamakura Station to Kitakamakura Station, Daitonomiya, Jomyoji, Daibutsumae and Nagoe and vice versa.

Japan Public Transport Tips

These are some tips you need to remember when taking public transportation while travelling in Japan.

Japan trains are very punctual so always check the schedule in advance.
Avoid the trains during rush hour as it could get very packed, especially in major cities.
Do not talk on your phone on trains. Japan’s trains are very quiet and they find it rude when people talk on their phones on trains especially during the rush hour.
Always be aware of which train car you are going in. Some train cars are reserved only for women.
Use the JapanTaxi app to book a taxi in advance. It is a cheaper alternative than using Uber.

Japan Public Transport Pass Recap

There is no discount on fares if you use an IC card but it will be convenient for you to have an IC Card to use when travelling around Japan especially if you are taking public transport in major cities. You can also use this card for your fees in stores.

Purchase a JR Pass if you plan to use the bullet train a lot and travel long distances and only buy a City Day Pass if you’re planning to use public transportation.

Do not buy a City Day Pass if you are just planning to visit limited attractions per area. I bought City Day Passes for the places I visited because I used the city public transport more than 3 times so it helped me save on my fares.

If you plan to visit places I haven’t mentioned and would want to buy a pass to get a discount on fares, look for the Tourist Information Centre. Almost all train stations in Japan have Tourist Information Offices and you can ask them if they offer any sightseeing or day passes.

Japan Public Transport Pass Links

Accommodation – Agoda, book here
Japan-wide Japan Rail Pass – Purchase the pass here
Regional Japan Rail Pass – Purchase the pass here