New Japan Rail East Pass: Pickup, Coverage, and Price Guide

Major Reforms to JR Passes

JR East and JR West have recently announced several updates to regional railway passes for international visitors.

These changes range from minor price adjustments to expanded coverage areas, affecting travel routes from Tohoku in the north down to Shikoku in the south.

We summed up the major updates for 2026 below.

• Contents
• New JR EAST PASS Launched
• Ticket Machine Pickup for the JR Pass: Skip the Counter
• JR West Updates: Fares, Coverage, Pickup

New JR EAST PASS Launched

Photo by Pixta

JR East is working to expand tourist flows in Tohoku (northeastern region of Japan), aiming to increase the share of overnight stays by international visitors from 1.5% to 5%.

New and adjusted products (effective March 14, 2026)

The most significant change is that the former JR East Rail Pass (Tohoku area) and the Nagano/Niigata area products will cease sales on March 13, 2026, and will be replaced by the new JR EAST PASS.

The new JR EAST PASS integrates previously separate areas and introduces a 10-day ticket, which is highly recommended for long-stay travelers who want to explore East Japan in depth.

Regardless of purchase date, the passes can be used starting Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Existing product prices will also increase!

Ticket Machine Pickup for the JR Pass: Skip the Counter

Photo by Pixta

In addition to the JR Pass reforms above, starting April 1, 2026, the JAPAN RAIL PASS (national version) reservations made through the official website (JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation) can be collected directly at designated reserved-seat ticket machines equipped with passport readers, so you will no longer need to queue at manned ticket counters.

- Stations in the first rollout: Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Shinagawa, Hamamatsucho, Haneda Airport Terminal 3, Narita Airport Terminals 1 and 2, Sendai.

Please note: Physical exchange vouchers (MCO) purchased through overseas travel agencies are NOT eligible for ticket-machine pickup and must still be exchanged at manned ticket counters (green window).

JR West Updates: Fares, Coverage, Pickup

Photo by Pixta

In addition to major changes at JR East, JR West will also make several adjustments starting this March.

1. Hokuriku Arch Pass

This pass linking Kansai—Hokuriku—Capital Region will expand its coverage to meet demand for deeper travel.

- Expanded areas: Added Shinetsu region (toward Matsumoto), Maizuru Line, Obama Line, etc.

- Effective date: March 14, 2026

- Price change: 7-day ticket increases from 30,000 yen to 35,000 yen (children half price)

Although the price is higher, including Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle) and the Kyoto by the Sea area (Maizuru) makes it more attractive for travelers seeking non-traditional routes.

2. Additional Pickup Location for JR Passes: Takamatsu Station (Kagawa Prefecture)

Due to an increase in arrivals at Takamatsu Airport, passes that previously had to be collected in Kansai can now be picked up in Shikoku as well.

- Effective date: April 1, 2026

- Applicable products: All JR-WEST RAIL PASS that include the Takamatsu area (e.g., Sanyo & San'in Area Rail Pass, Kansai & Hiroshima Area Rail Pass, etc.).

- Pickup location: Takamatsu Station (JR Shikoku)

This is great news for travelers flying directly to Takamatsu who plan to travel back to Kansai.

3. Nationwide JAPAN RAIL PASS available for ticket-machine pickup

In sync with JR East, JR West also opened ticket-machine pickup for official website purchasers.

- Effective date: April 1, 2026

- Pickup locations (first wave): Kansai Airport Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station (requires new green ticket machines equipped with passport readers).

Only purchases made on the official website are eligible; physical exchange vouchers purchased through travel agencies must still be exchanged at manned ticket counters (green window).

This article is compiled and reprinted based on materials from JR East and JR West.