Tick the train legs your visitors will take and we compare paying for each ticket against the nationwide JR Pass, the overseas-agent JR Pass price, and common regional passes. Fares are reserved-seat estimates you can sanity-check. The JR Pass is often not the cheapest option any more.
Reading the result
If your point-to-point total is below the 7-day JR Pass, single tickets or IC card taps win, and a regional pass may be cheaper still for one area. Buy the JR Pass only if the total clearly beats it. Remember the nationwide pass does not cover the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho trains without a supplement, so you take the slightly slower Hikari or Sakura.
Fares and pass prices change and depend on seat type and season. These are estimates checked on the date shown; confirm current fares before you buy.
Buy a JR Pass or regional pass online (delivered or as a QR/voucher):
Compare rail passes on KlookConfirm current prices and coverage on the pass page. Prices checked 2026-09-07.