Japan Rail and JR East Pass

There are two rail passes which can save you money when travelling in Japan:

The JR East Pass

This is almost a must-purchase for international visitors travelling by train from Narita Airport to Nagano. The JR East pass allows four days of travel on JR East lines in a 28 day period, for 20000 yen. The cost of a return trip reserved seat ticket from Narita International Airport to Nozawa is slightly more than 20000 yen. The extra two days of the JR East pass could be used to visit another ski area or do some sightseeing around Tokyo or Nagano.

More Information about the JR East Pass

The JR Pass

This pass can be purchased for 1-4 week periods, and is valid on all JR lines and all trains except the Nozomi bullet train (the fastest of the three trains which runs between Tokyo and Kyushu) and most sleeper trains. It is relatively expensive if you are only planning to visit ski areas, however for those who plan on travelling extensively throughout Japan it is an economical option. The Japan Rail Pass needs to be purchased from a travel agent outside of Japan.

More information about the Japan Rail Pass