Can you go on Nozomi with a JR Pass?

Can You Use a JR Pass on the Nozomi and Mizuho?

The Japan Rail Pass is a fantastic tool for exploring Japan by train, offering significant savings on travel between major cities and destinations. However, a crucial point to understand is that while the pass covers most Shinkansen (bullet train) lines, it doesn’t cover the Nozomi and Mizuho lines in their entirety.

While the JR Pass offers substantial discounts on journeys across the vast Japanese rail network, it doesn’t encompass the full cost of travel on the high-speed Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen. These premium services, known for their speed and comfort, require a supplementary payment, the amount of which depends on the distance travelled.

Essentially, the JR Pass is designed to cover standard Shinkansen lines, which often have intermediate stops and thus a different pricing structure compared to the direct and faster Nozomi and Mizuho services. To travel on these express lines, you’ll need to add a supplementary fare on top of your pass, reflecting the premium service and reduced journey time.

This supplementary fare is not a fixed price and will vary based on your specific route and the distance covered on the Nozomi or Mizuho. Therefore, it’s essential to consider and factor this additional cost into your travel budget when planning a route that includes these premium lines.

In summary, while the JR Pass offers remarkable value for most Shinkansen travel, you can’t use it solely to travel on the Nozomi and Mizuho lines. A supplementary payment, calculated per journey, is required. Pre-planning and checking the costs for these routes is highly recommended to avoid unexpected expenses.