JR Pass: Tokyo to Osaka on the Shinkansen Bullet Train - Is it Worth It?

We answer the million-dollar question: Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for going from Tokyo to Osaka, with a few side trips in between?

We get it. The JR Pass Japan is a HUGE investment that digs deep into your pocket before your trip even kicks off. Ouch. I know. In this video, we reveal when it's a good idea to buy the Japan Rail Pass and instances where you really should just save your money and not get one at all.

Here's the thing though - if you're solely traveling from Tokyo to Osaka on the Shinkansen or vice versa, with a couple day trips within the Kansai region to either Kyoto, Nara or Kobe, then it's NOT worth getting the JR Pass.

If you're looking to do a fair few day trips within the Kansai region, there are more cost-effective options and alternatives to the JR Pass 7 Days or more, such as the Kansai Area Pass or the Kansai Wide Area Pass.

For more info on those passes, take a look at our detailed blog post.

Looking for the best place to buy your Japan Rail Pass? The most competitive prices for the 7, 14 or 21-day JR Pass Japan can be found on Klook.

Take a look at our Japan playlist for more family-friendly guides:

We hope this video helps you determine whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth it and saves you money so that you can invest more into buying cute souvenirs, gachapon, Kit Kats and Mochi. You know, the important stuff.

Happy travels!

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Hey fam! We are Tina and Andy - travel bloggers and content creators who gallivant around the world with 2 rambunctious creating smart travel guides for families. Our aim is to inspire families to travel more and show that the good definitely outweighs the bad when it comes to travelling with kids. By providing these fun guides, we hope to equip families with the best knowledge and info to arm them for their next family adventure!

#JapanRailPass #JRPass #JRPassJapan
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[aspoon]

Thank you so much! You guys explained it so much better than most and very helpful moving about with kids. I'm just nervous about ordering the JR Pass and it being sent to the middle east. I live in a rural area near the Saudi border and Emirates Post seem to lose mail a lot here. I just that doesn't happen! Thanks for all your informative videos!!😁

[DragNetJoe]

We skipped the JR pass. We stayed mostly in the Tokyo area with one trip down to Osaka/Kyoto. I think the JR pass would maybe have saved us a little money (not much) but we also took the Nozomi both ways, so if we had JR passes we would have had to plan on not riding the Nozomi. The Nozomi isn't just faster, there are more Nozomi trains than the slower trains. This is a not insignificant issue decreases the value of the JR pass.

[lastdays]

Sit on the right side of the shinkansen Tokyo to Osaka for a great view of Mt Fuji

[shellyvick]

Thank you so much. This will help us in planning our fall trip to Japan, and yes, we will purchase the JR Pass.

[Picklemorrtyy]

Video WAS VERY HELPFUL !! 🫶🏽 Appreciate the content!

[SantosChronicles]

Luggage and Kids is a magic trick in itself. 3 hour ride is brave with kids. This train looks amazing. Bathroom tour. Would be funny of someone was waiting while they listened to you vlogging. Keep up the great work.

[himatstosh]

Kodama takes longer than Nozomi and Hikari, so it's always take few passengers. You can board a non-reserved seat and turn the seat in front of you in your direction and use it spaciously. If you are traveling with a family or have a lot of luggage, please consider using it.

[SantosChronicles]

That Pac painting is amazing. Really love the graphics. Reserved seats sounds like a great idea. JRPass sounds like a great deal. This video was so informative!!!

[DavidB-odlr]

The JR office just released a announcement a week or so ago that the costs will go up massively.

[brandonraeli]

Super helpful thank you so much !!🔥 excited to take this train 😍

[CharmaineLachica]

Thanks so much for your informative content. Quick question, with a reserved seat will it accommodate 2 medium suitcases and 2 carry on suitcases?

[shakesnbake]

Awesome - you're on YouTube :) Saw you first on TikTok. Thanks for JR Railpass tips

[nickandhelmi]

i do like putting my bag behind and reserve seat near the exit. usually if i reserve in the middle i have to put my luggage on top of my head, sometime its heavy im scared its gonna fall lol..
But i also stood all the way from tokyo to nagano lol for 2.5 hours haha. Badluck when we arrive in tokyo from hakone, lines where chaotic because it snow too much so, imagine tokyo JR station.. FULL FULL OF PEOPLE every 10 cm there is people lol...so we got on this train that was supposed to depart 30 minute earlier. lol our ones was 1 hour delayed..

[barwithm]

Is there any pass to make a day trip to visit osaka cheaper? We have a group of 7 thus that's quite more expensive compared to the Limited express train. Thanks for the great informative video.

[TheWorldnUs]

Totally agree on your advice guys. We used the JR Pass on our first trip because we spent 2 weeks travelling all over the country. Worked out heaps cheaper! On our last trip we didn't bother as we were just in Tokyo for 10 days.

[Nful]

Attention ‼️‼️Please going to Koyoto from USA 🇺🇸 this week this upcoming 8/27/24 for my birthday first time solo what should I do on budget travel 🧳 just come across your video unfortunately I didn’t search 🔍 much, I just booked flights straight to Koyoto I am staying 8 days but I don’t have hotel yet should I book hotel and travel to near city leaving my language in the hotel only ? Better and I come back before last day and travel back from there or just check in / out for the time only there

[Mike-mnuq]

Isn’t flying better? 1 hour, same price and you get a seat and bags checked in?

[layeish]

What if I only want to visit only Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto?

[TheDefinitiveCollector]

Wow very insightful and easy to understand video. Definitely got a new sub today. Looking to travel from Tokyo to Osaka in early feb to see Nara deer park and the shrines. So excited thank you!

[ODriscolls]

I appreciate the bathroom tour haha. Very informative! Thanks!