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If you’re planning to see Japan with a JR Pass, here’s something worth knowing before you book: on April 9, 2026, JR Group announced that the nationwide Japan Rail Pass will get more expensive from October 1, 2026. But before you sigh — the increase only applies to overseas sales agents. The official online reservation service (JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation) is keeping its current prices for now. In other words, if you buy online through the official site, you can sidestep this hike entirely.
How much more? Ordinary and Green Car prices at a glance
This is the first adjustment since October 2023. The tables below compare the current and new fares at overseas agents, alongside the unchanged online price, so you can see the gap at a glance (in yen, adult passes).
| Ordinary Car | Overseas agent (current) | Overseas agent (new) | Online (unchanged) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day | 50,000 | 53,000 | 50,000 |
| 14-day | 80,000 | 84,000 | 80,000 |
| 21-day | 100,000 | 105,000 | 100,000 |
| Green Car | Overseas agent (current) | Overseas agent (new) | Online (unchanged) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day | 70,000 | 74,000 | 70,000 |
| 14-day | 110,000 | 116,000 | 110,000 |
| 21-day | 140,000 | 147,000 | 140,000 |
Child fares (for ages 6 to 11 at the time of use) are about half the adult price and rise in step. For example, the Ordinary Car 7-day child pass goes from 25,000 to 27,000 yen at overseas agents, while the online price stays at 25,000.
Why isn’t the online price going up?
JR Group has been clear about the reason: it wants to nudge travelers toward the official online ticketing service, where you can buy your pass and reserve seats yourself without visiting a station window. To do that, the site is holding its current prices for a limited time — effectively giving online buyers a built-in discount versus agents.
One caveat worth reading twice: the official notice says the end date for these held prices “will be announced once decided.” So this old-price window is not permanent, and no one can tell you exactly when it closes. If a trip to Japan is coming up soon, buying sooner rather than later is the safer move.
How to buy without overpaying
The takeaway is simple: go straight to the official JR Pass website and buy through the online ticketing service. You’ll pay the current price for the nationwide pass and can reserve seats online. Nothing about how you buy or use the pass has changed — the only difference is the sales channel.
Worth remembering: the nationwide JR Pass doesn’t cover Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen without an extra supplement; Hikari, Sakura, and Kodama services will still get you almost everywhere. If you’re new to reserving and boarding the Shinkansen, see our Shinkansen ticket purchase and riding guide and how to reserve Shinkansen tickets in Japan.
Frequently asked questions
When does the JR Pass price increase take effect?
How much is the JR Pass going up?
Is the official online price really not changing?
How are JR Pass child fares calculated?
Can the JR Pass be used on Nozomi and Mizuho trains?
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