Travelling around Japan can be a tricky endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be! The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a lot like Europe’s Eurail Pass, and makes travelling easy and streamline.
Although you don’t need a JR Pass, it certainly is helpful to have. It will allow you to travel with ease, and see all your favorite locations.
So, if you’re thinking of getting a JR Pass and want to find out more, we’ve got you!
We will also talk about whether you can visit Kamakura from Tokyo using the JR Pass (spoilers – you can!). Just keep reading to find out more.
Can I Use A JR Pass To Get From Tokyo To Kamakura?
Yes! You can take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station. On this line, you can expect to stop at Shinagawa, Yokohama, and Kita-Kamakura stations.
Overall, the journey will be approximately one hour long.
You could also take the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, which connects Kamakura and Shinjuku stations. This train journey will also take around an hour, and there are two trains every hour.
You will notice that some train itineraries will require a transfer at Ofuna Station, and others have a direct connection to the station in Kamakura.
What If I Don’t Have A JR Pass?
If you don’t have a JR Pass, you can still travel easily! You can get either get a Suica card, or purchase individual tickets for your train ride.
The Suica card is perfect for anyone who will be travelling using intercity trains and buses. It is not good if you plan on travelling through the country, though.
In Kamakura, you can use Odakyu Railway’s Enoden train for more non-JR Pass options.
The Enoden’s streetcar train is a great option to travel around Kamakura itself.
What Is A JR Pass?
A JR Pass is a cost-effective and useful rail pass that you can use for long distance travel in Japan. It offers transport on most major rail services in Japan (but not all).
The pass is made for tourists who would like to see more of the country. As such, it was made with the intention of stimulating tourism and encouraging travel within the country.
Who Should Get A JR Pass?
You should absolutely get a JR Pass if you are planning on travelling around Japan. However, if you plan on only spending time in one city, a JR Pass might not be worth the money.
You will need to decide on an itinerary and plan ahead to make a decision that works for you. If you’re travelling, a JR Pass is the way to go if you want to save loads of money.
How Does The JR Pass Work?
This pass allows travellers to have unlimited access to Japan Railway National trains, including the Shinkansen bullet trains (except the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen).
You will also have access to the local metro and trains in places like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. It also allows access to other forms of transport, like the Monorails, JR Ferries, JR Buses, and airport transfers.
JR Passes are available for 7,14, or 21-day trips. As soon as you purchase your pass, you will get an exchange voucher.
When you arrive in Japan, you will need to validate and exchange the order for the physical pass. This must be done within 90 days of the purchase – so don’t buy your JR Pass too early.
Head to the JR Exchange Office. This should be easy to find in most train stations and airports.
You can even check which JR Exchange Office is closest to you by checking your Japan Rail Pass guide, which you will have received with your order.
You will choose a starting date for your pass when you exchange your voucher, and you can start using it!
Once you pick a date, it can’t be changed, so pick carefully! The date you choose also has to be within 30 days of the exchange.
The date you pick can also be the same day you exchange the voucher, but it doesn’t have to be.
Price Of A JR Pass
Prices of a JR Pass vary depending on how long you want to use it for. There are discounts for children between the ages of 6 and 11, and those under 6 can ride for free.
7 Days – $214USD for an adult / $107USD for children
14 Days – $329USD for an adult / $165USD for children
21 Days – $422USD for an adult / $211USD for children
Green Pass
7 Days – $276USD for an adult / $138USD for children
14 Days – $447USD for an adult / $224USD for children
21 Days – $554USD for an adult / $277USD for children
Please note that the above prices are accurate at the time that this article was written. Prices are subject to change in the future and may be different when you go to book your JR Pass.
Is A JR Pass Worth The Money?
If you plan on travelling and seeing Japan, a JR Pass is absolutely worth the money. This is the most cost-effective way to travel for the majority of visitors.
With this, you get unlimited access to all JR trains, buses, and more.
One 7-day JR Pass is only around 29,000 yen. One return ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is roughly the same price!
Most visitors will spend between 4,000-8,000 yen every week on travel, often more. By getting a JR Pass, you are saving a lot of money.
Final Thoughts
You can use a JR Pass to travel from Tokyo to Kamakura easily! Doing this will save you time and money, and make your journey smoother than ever.
Anyone who plans on traveling around Japan would benefit from a JR Pass, as you would save money and get access to all the best transport links.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
