7 JR passes that can be used by foreign residents of Japan
Many of Japan's best rail passes, including the Japan Rail Pass, are available only to oversea visitors and cannot be used by foreign residents of Japan. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, several regional rail passes by JR became available to foreign residents for a limited time, while a few others are available to them at all times.
Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass
Seems to have become a regular product
3 days: 10,000 yen
The Kansai Wide Area Excursion Pass is a special version of the Kansai Wide Area Pass which covers JR trains in a wide area around Kyoto and Osaka. Its conditions are identical to those of the Kansai Area Pass, except that it is valid for only 3 days instead of 5 days and that it can be purchased only through online travel websites, such as Klook and Rakuten. Despite the difference in the validity period, the pass remains an excellent offer, unmatched by anything available to Japanese residents.
JR Shikoku Pass 3-Days
Offer ended in March 2023!
3 days: 11,000 yen
The JR Shikoku Pass 3-Days covers all JR trains in Shikoku (including non-reserved seats on limited express trains) plus the Tosa Kuroshio Railway and two local JR bus lines. It is a temporary offer available to non-Japanese passport holders. The pass can be used on three consecutive days between May 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 and is on sale until March 29 on websites such as Rakuten. The pass is a little more expensive than the All Shikoku Rail Pass (which is unavailable to residents of Japan) but also pays off easily.
Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass
Offer ended in March 2023!
4 days: 8,500 yen
The Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass is a convenient pass for a trip to Sapporo, Noboribetsu and Otaru. It can be purchased at Sapporo, New Chitose Airport and Noboribetsu stations.
Sapporo-Furano Area Pass
Offer ended in March 2023!
4 days: 9,500 yen
The Sapporo-Furano Area Pass is a convenient pass for a trip to Sapporo, Furano, Asahikawa and Otaru. It can be purchased at Sapporo, New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa stations.
Tokyo Wide Pass
Always available
3 days: 10,180 yen
The Tokyo Wide Pass covers most JR trains and selected non-JR trains in a wide area around Tokyo that stretches as far as Karuizawa, the Fuji Five Lakes and the Izu Peninsula. It is available year round to non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan and can be purchased at major JR stations in the greater Tokyo area.
JR East Tohoku Area Pass
Always available
5 days: 20,000 yen
The JR East Tohoku Area Pass covers JR trains in most of the Kanto and Tohoku regions. It is available year round to non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan and can be purchased through online services, such as Japan Experience and Rakuten, or at major JR stations in eastern Japan.
JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass
Always available
5 days: 18,000 yen
The JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass covers JR trains in most of the Kanto Region and Yamanashi, Nagano and Niigata prefectures, as well as the Shonai Region. It is available year round to non-Japanese passport holders, including foreign residents of Japan and can be purchased through online services, such as Japan Experience and Rakuten, or at major JR stations in eastern Japan.