In a press release distributed January 28, 2026, East Japan Railway Company (hereinafter: JR East) announced several big changes coming to their passes, as well pickup procedures for the nationwide Japan Rail Pass offered in conjunction with other JR corridors.
Simplified Pickup Procedures for the Nationwide Japan Rail Pass:
Whereas previously, pass pickup had to be handled by a live attendant at a designated ticket office, from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Japan Rail Passes reserved via the official JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation website can also be exchanged at select JR East ticket vending machines equipped with passport readers. Tentatively, the stations equipped with these readers are as follows:
- Tokyo Station
- Hamamatsucho Station
- Shinagawa Station
- Shinjuku Station
- Shibuya Station
- Ueno Station
- Ikebukuro Station
- Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station (Tokyo Monorail)
- Narita Airport Station & Narita Airport Terminal 2 Station
- Sendai Station
*Please note that Japan Rail Passes purchased with purchase orders from JR-designated third party retailers or agents are not eligible for this reservation. For these purchase methods, please exchange your voucher at a designated exchange counter.
**Ticket issuance is also available in English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), and Korean.
***Some JR West passport reader-equipped reserved seat ticket vending machines will also begin service on the same day.
Changes to JR East’s Regional Passes:
Starting with passes valid from Saturday, March 14, 2026, new rail passes will be introduced, and the usage areas for some existing passes will be expanded. Additionally, the prices of rail passes will be revised for these newly introduced and expanded passes, as well as preexisiting passes offered by JR East.
1) New Products & Revisions to Current Service Areas
|
Product |
Validity Period |
Old Price |
New Price |
Changes |
|
JR East Pass |
5 days 10 Days |
N/A N/A |
35,000 JPY 50, 000 JPY |
The new JR East full corridor pass is inclusive of as JR East lines, as well as some private railways. |
|
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass |
6 days |
35,370 JPY |
40,000 |
The Joetsu Shinkansen and Uetsu Main Line will become fully accessible. The free travel zones for the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Koshinetsu region will be revised. |
|
Hokuriku Arch Pass |
7 days |
30,000 JPY |
35,000 JPY |
The free travel zone will be expanded to include the Tokyo metropolitan area and lines such as the Chuo Line and Oito Line. |
*The above service areas will come into effect as of March 14 2026, regardless of purchase date of the pass.
** Passes for children aged 6-11 retail for half of the aforementioned price
2) Updated Pricing for Preexisiting Products
|
Product |
Validity Period |
Old Price |
New Price |
|
JR TOKYO Wide Pass |
3 days |
15,000 JPY |
16, 000 JPY |
|
N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket |
14 days |
5000 JPY |
5200 JPY |
|
JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass |
6 days |
30,640 JPY |
32,000 JPY |
|
SENDAI AREA PASS |
1 day |
1320 JPY |
1420 JPY |
* Passes for children aged 6-11 retail for half of the aforementioned price
For any inquiries, please contact JR East.
