Seishun 18 Kippu: Traveling Cheap in Japan (2025 update)
Save money traveling around Japan with this special discount ticket Seishun 18 Kippu offered by JR
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I highly recommend that everyone living in Japan, or planning to move there, take the time to travel and explore the country! Often, when we reside in a place, we overlook its tourist attractions. As someone from one of Europe’s most popular tourist cities, I can admit that I spent a significant part of my life hardly visiting the well-known landmarks in my own city. While trips to places like Hawaii, Thailand, or other nearby countries are fantastic, Japan offers so much more beyond its most famous cities. However, one challenge some travelers face is that the easiest way to get around Japan, such as using the famed shinkansen (bullet trains) and other fast trains, can be quite expensive.
Many of you are likely familiar with the famous Japan Rail Pass, which offers affordable travel options for tourists in Japan. The Japan Rail Pass (JRP) is the most cost-effective way to explore the entire country, but it’s important to note that only foreign tourists can purchase this pass. Japanese nationals and resident foreigners are not eligible to buy it. If you fall into one of these categories, don’t worry, there is an alternative that can help you save a significant amount of money: the Seishun 18 Kippu!
[IMPORTANT NOTE]
JR redesigned the Seishun-18 Kippu in late 2024. Instead of the old 5-use ticket that could be split among friends, the pass is now sold as a single-traveller, consecutive 3-day or 5-day ticket. Now the pass works at automatic ticket gates (instead of requiring a manual stamp at the ticket gates) and comes with a revised Hokkaido Shinkansen option. Read on for exact rules, buying windows, and what this change means for your itinerary.
What is the Seishun 18 Kippu?
Update (Winter 2024): JR revised the Seishun-18 Kippu. It is now sold as either a consecutive 3-day pass (¥10,000) or a consecutive 5-day pass (¥12,050). Buyers must choose a start date at purchase; each ticket is for one person only. The ticket covers JR ordinary and rapid trains (and some BRT/ferry links) but not regular Shinkansen or limited-express services except via the separate Hokkaido-Shinkansen option.
The Seishun 18 Kippu (青春18きっぷ) is a special discount ticket that allows you unlimited travel on JR ordinary and rapid trains (and some BRT/ferry links) for 3 or 5 consecutive days, covering the entire JR network nationwide. You can use non-reserved seats in ordinary cars on ordinary or rapid trains on any JR line in Japan for only 12,050 yen! And despite what the name may suggest, there are no age restrictions!
What Changed – At a Glance
| Feature | Pre-2024 (Old Rules) | Post-2024 (New Rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Usage Days | Up to 5 non-consecutive days during a seasonal period | Exactly 3 or 5 consecutive days from the chosen start date |
| Sharing Tickets | Up to five people could share one ticket | Single person only — no sharing |
| Gate Access | Must be stamped at manned gates | Now works at automatic ticket gates |
| Hokkaido Shinkansen Option | Okutsugaru-Imabetsu ⇄ Kikonai (older range) | Expanded to Shin-Aomori ⇄ Kikonai, one-way usage, separate fee |
Pricing & Value Breakdown
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3-Day Pass: ¥10,000 → approximately ¥3,333 per day
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5-Day Pass: ¥12,050 → approximately ¥2,410 per day
The 5-day version remains the better per-day value if used fully and consecutively.
Seasonal Sales & Usage Dates
This ticket is available for purchase only three times a year: in spring, summer, and winter. Its validity is also limited to these three periods. The specific dates are as follows:
| Season | Sales Period | Usage Period |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Feb 20 – Mar 31 | Mar 1 – Apr 10 |
| Summer | Jul 1 – Aug 31 | Jul 20 – Sep 10 |
| Winter | Nov 26 – Jan 8 (3-day), Jan 6 (5-day) | Dec 10 – Jan 10 |
Please note that there are two important dates to remember: the date when tickets go on sale and the date when they can be used. Additionally, the Seishun 18 Kippu is not valid for express trains, limited express trains, or the shinkansen.
Non-JR Lines & Special Cases
The Seishun-18 Kippu is valid only on JR lines (including JR BRT routes) and the JR West Miyajima Ferry. It does not cover any private or third-sector railway lines, except in very limited “through travel” cases where JR trains run over short sections of these lines. In such cases, you must follow all of these conditions:
General rule:
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You must remain on a local or rapid JR train in an ordinary car with no reserved seat.
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You must pass through the non-JR section in the same day — you can’t stop over.
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You may only get off at designated interchange stations.
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If you ride outside the allowed section or get off at other stations, you’ll need to pay the regular fare for the entire non-JR section you used.
Specific limited sections allowed for through travel:
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Aoimori Railway Line: Aomori–Hachinohe, Aomori–Noheji, or Hachinohe–Noheji. You can only get off at Aomori, Noheji, or Hachinohe.
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Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line: Toyama–Kurikara. You can only get off at Toyama or Takaoka. Ainokaze Liner requires a separate liner ticket.
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IR Ishikawa Railway Line: Kurikara–Tsubata. You can only get off at Tsubata.
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Hapi Line Fukui Line: Tsuruga–Echizen-Hanandō. You can only get off at Tsuruga or Echizen-Hanandō.
All other third-sector and private lines, including South Hokkaido Isaribi, IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway, Sanriku Railway, Hokuetsu Express, Shinano Railway, Echigo Tokimeki, Kyoto Tango, Chizu Express, Tosa Kuroshio, Hisatsu Orange, and Ise Railway, require separate tickets for the sections you ride.
How can I use the Seishun 18 Kippu?
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Buy your pass (3-day or 5-day) at most JR stations (Midori no Madoguchi or green-window machines), or select travel agencies.
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Choose a start date at purchase — after that, the validity runs consecutively.
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Insert through automatic gates — no more stamping at manned gates.
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Use local & rapid JR trains, some Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines, and the JR Miyajima Ferry (an addition 100 yen are required when boarding the ferry). Shinkansen or limited express trains are not covered.
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Hokkaido-Shinkansen option (if needed): covers Shin-Aomori ⇄ Kikonai, costs around ¥4,500, and must be used together with the Seishun pass.
What This Means for Travelers
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Solo explorers on five-day trips still get the best per-day cost with the 5-day pass — if you can stick to consecutive use.
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Weekend or short-trip travelers may prefer the 3-day pass for simplicity and flexibility.
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Group travel? Old sharing tricks no longer apply — each person needs their own ticket or look into regional group passes.
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Automatic gates make life easier, but you’re now locked into your dates. No more last-minute changes unless you haven’t activated your pass yet.
My experience using the Seishun 18 Kippu
[Editor Note: the below commentary corresponds to the pre-2024 Winter change]
During my student days, I used this pass a couple of times. I traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto, leaving Tokyo at 7 a.m. and arriving in Kyoto around 1 or 2 p.m. after making seven changes between different local trains. After spending several days in the area, I returned to Tokyo using an overnight train that was covered by the pass. Since it was my last day, I also took a trip from Tokyo to Nikko.
On another occasion, I shared the experience with a friend. Since we both had a limited budget, we decided to take a night bus to Universal Studios Japan. We arrived in the morning, visited the park, and then used the Seishun 18 Kippu starting the next day.
I won’t lie; it was very challenging. For example, on the night train back to Tokyo, I barely slept. Additionally, if you want to visit places that are quite far away, like Kyoto or Osaka, you end up losing half a day just to get there.
However, the good news is that once you’re in Kyoto, you can easily get around by bus (there’s a 500 yen per day pass) or by bicycle. On the same day I used the pass to go to Kyoto, I also visited Nara, which was included in the pass. On the other days, I continued to get around by bus. This way, I saved one day of the Seishun 18 Kippu, allowing me to use it later.
Overall, I think it’s a good option for those traveling on a limited budget. It’s also useful for day trips from Tokyo to nearby places like Nikko.
FAQ About Seishun-18 Kippu
Q: Can I split or share the Seishun-18 Kippu?
A: No. It’s strictly one person, one ticket.
Q: Can I use it on non-consecutive days?
A: No. Use must be consecutive, starting from the date you choose.
Q: Does it work at automatic ticket gates?
A: Yes. It’s now designed for gate insertion—no manual stamping required.
Q: What’s the Hokkaido-Shinkansen option price & coverage?
A: Covers Shin-Aomori ⇄ Kikonai; price is around ¥4,500 (one-way) and must be paired with a valid Seishun-18 Kippu
Thanks for reading! The Seishun-18 Kippu’s 2024 overhaul traded flexibility for simplicity. It’s now cleaner and more gate-friendly, but less creative. Great for solo travelers on planned, consecutive trips. If your travel style involves relaxed pacing or group splits, look into regional or JR alternative passes.
For more tips on traveling around Japan in a low-cost way and recommended places to visit, you can check these articles too
Written by
From Barcelona to Tokyo. Coffee & Adventure lover.
I started to like Japan because of the anime, music and dramas, but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around, the culture and history. I have travelled a lot in Japan, but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you. Let’s discover Japan together!
Also, as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past.
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