From 1er October 2023, Japan Rail Pass prices have increased by almost 70%: the 7-day pass goes from ¥29,650 to ¥50,000, the 14-day pass to ¥80,000, and the 21-day pass to 100,000 ¥. Since its creation in 1981, this is the first time that the price of the JR Pass has been increased.
This will probably not be enough to compensate for the sharp increase, but a few services are added to the current conditions of use of the JR Pass.
First of all, the standardization of prices: whether you buy your pass from a reseller agency or on the official JR Pass website (https://japanrailpass.net/fr/), excluding the commission of the agency the price will be the same (while previously the pass was slightly more expensive on the official website). Let us remind you in passing that reservations for shinkansen seats are possible on this same site exclusively for people who have ordered the pass on the japanrailpass.net platform.
Then, it will now be possible for JR Pass holders to take the Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen, which was simply not authorized until now. One condition for this, however: pay a supplement (the amount of this supplement will depend on the distance traveled). However, the number of places granted to pass holders will be limited.
Finally, it will also be possible to benefit from discounts at certain tourist facilities (more details on this in early September on the official website https://japanrailpass.net/).
Please note: an increase is also planned for regional JR passes but to a lesser extent. These regional passes may prove more interesting for travelers staying several days in the same region. The new prices are indicated on the official websites of the different JR branches.
Trick : please note that the national JR Pass voucher must be exchanged for the pass within 90 days following the date of issue of the voucher, it is possible to benefit from the current price (before increase) until September 30, 2023. So, if you buy a JR Pass on September 30, 2023, you will pay it at the current rate (29,650 Yen for a 7-day pass in ordinary class) and will have until December 29 to exchange your voucher for the pass, in Japan. Once the voucher has been exchanged for the pass, you still have 30 days to start it – i.e. until January 28, 2024 for an exchange made on December 29, 2023.
