Steep increases on JR passes from October 2023

[Seat0B]

Looks like the great value JR pass will not be such good value in the future with increases of over 60% (that’s not a typo) announced for October. It’s possible that the regional specific passes won’t be increased.

Huge Price Rise Announced for Japan Rail Pass from October 2023 | Tokyo Cheapo

The famously great deal is set to get less great. Here's everything we know so far.

tokyocheapo.com

 

[drcam]

I believe we are allowed to buy our pass some months in advance. Does this mean we can buy a pass at the old rate in August to be validated in October?

 

[trendwhore]

Crazy! I'm heading over next week but luckily booked it a couple of months ago. Not sure it will be worth it for trip later in the year

 

[Seat0B]

I believe we are allowed to buy our pass some months in advance. Does this mean we can buy a pass at the old rate in August to be validated in October?

It’s not clear yet. You can buy the exchange order up to 3 months beforehand, and this must be validated in Japan before use. So it may be that you can buy the exchange order before the price rise on whatever date in October, and then validate this up to 3 months later on arrival in Japan. However I’ve seen online speculation that you might be required to pay a supplement or something similar to cover the fare rise when you arrive and try to validate.

If you will travel in November, December or whatever part of January is within the 3 month exchange window, I’d say (my opinion only) it’s probably worth buying your pass at the start of your travel window and if you get it at the old price great. If you don’t, then you are in the same boat as everyone else. Probably worth the try. But the important part now is to be sure that the JR Pass at the new higher price still represents good value over just paying as you go.

As mentioned in my original post, at the moment it also seems that regional JR passes eg JR East, JR West may not be having the price rises, but that is also unclear.

Just something to watch in your Japan trip planding.

 

[Seat0B]

Crazy! I'm heading over next week but luckily booked it a couple of months ago. Not sure it will be worth it for trip later in the year

Yes it’s certainly not the “no brainer” it used to be. I will have to do a lot of investigation for our Jan/Feb 2024 trip.

Regional passes may be the go, but they only usually offer these in Ordinary Class, without a Green Car option.

I wonder why they are doing this - maybe to push tourists off the main golden triangle trains?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

In effect October
Rough Figures 7 Day Currently 29 000 - increase to 50 000yen
14 Day Currently 47 500 - increase to 80 000yen
Local area passes may be the way to go

 

[ketsuzei]

Plus side is that you'll be able to use it on Nozomi and Mizuho services for an additional fee.

 

[mx838383]

I am doing Japan in September. I am def going to try to get in before the price increase.

 

[Seat0B]

You should be right in September.

 

[EFL]

Depending on how much you travel, it should still be good value when compared to buying point to point tickets, just that it's not such a no-brainer as it has been.

 

[Seat0B]

Depending on how much you travel, it should still be good value when compared to buying point to point tickets, just that it's not such a no-brainer as it has been.

Yes those calculations will be even more crucial than before. Before the rise, a return trip Tokyo-Kyoto(or Osaka)-Tokyo was enough to be value. Now it will require much more travel to break even and I think this will be a challenge for many, especially on the 7 day pass.