JR Pass Autumn Leaves 2026: Routes to 7 Spots from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and What the Pass Doesn’t Cover
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▶ Stage 2 — Getting Ready
JR Pass Autumn Leaves 2026 — Routes to 7 Spots from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and the Parts the Pass Doesn’t Cover
From Tokyo: Nikko and Mitake Gorge. From Kyoto: Arashiyama, Tofuku-ji, Uji and Nara Park. From Osaka: Miyajima. Each route shows the trains the pass covers and rough travel times, with buses, the Sagano Romantic Train and other parts the pass doesn’t cover set apart.
✓ Checked November 2, 2026 · 💴 Prices in yen; what you pay changes with exchange rates
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Only travelers entering Japan with “Temporary Visitor” status can use the nationwide Japan Rail Pass. Japanese nationals living in Japan are not eligible, and foreign residents of Japan cannot use it either unless they enter as Temporary Visitors. This page lays out JR Pass autumn leaves routes for visitors, and for anyone in Japan planning a trip for family or friends coming over.
The pass gets you to the JR station. What you need to decide is whether you need another ride beyond it
All 7 spots can be reached by JR trains alone, as far as the nearest station. At Nikko and Nara Park, the bus from the station to the temples and shrines is not covered by the pass.
NikkoFrom Tokyo · to JR Nikko StationMitake GorgeFrom Tokyo · to JR Mitake StationArashiyamaFrom Kyoto · to JR Saga-Arashiyama StationTofuku-jiFrom Kyoto · to JR Tofukuji StationUjiFrom Kyoto · to JR Uji StationNara Park and Todai-jiFrom Kyoto · to JR Nara StationMiyajima (Momijidani Park)From Osaka · onto the island by JR West Miyajima Ferry
Plan around the rough season, then check the latest the week you go
Peak dates shift from year to year. Nikko Tabi Navi forecasts early to mid-November for the shrines and temples of Nikko; Kyoto Kanko Navi gives mid to late November in a typical year for Arashiyama and Tofuku-ji; and the Miyajima Tourist Association gives mid to late November for Miyajima. The Japan Weather Association’s 2026 forecast also puts both Kanto and Kinki at about the usual time or later.
For purchases from October 1, 2026, the 7-day Ordinary pass costs ¥53,000 at overseas sales agents (priced in yen, checked November 2, 2026; what you pay at an overseas seller changes with the exchange rate). This is separate from the price on Japan’s official online sales site; both prices are set out in section 5.
JR Pass Direct | Nationwide JR Pass Coming as a Temporary Visitor? Buy the pass before you fly. Check the selling price and payment currency on the checkout page
From Tokyo, the autumn leaves you can reach by JR are at Nikko to the north and Mitake Gorge in Okutama to the west. Nikko takes the Shinkansen plus a local line; Mitake Gorge takes local lines only.
Nikko: the Nasuno Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then the Nikko Line
Tokyo → Nikko (covered by the pass)
1Take the Tohoku Shinkansen Nasuno from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya. 52 min2Change to the JR Nikko Line at Utsunomiya for Nikko. 43 min. On weekends and holidays, roughly one train an hour3Arrive at JR Nikko Station. This is as far as the pass takes you
About 1 hour 35 minutes, not counting the wait to change. Times are from one example train in the JR East timetable and vary by train. The Nikko Line runs infrequently, so pick your train from Utsunomiya in the timetable first.
Not covered by the pass✗ Buses beyond JR Nikko Station (Tobu Bus and others)Pay the fare to the shrines and temples separatelyNot covered by the pass✗ Kurihashi to Tobu-Nikko on the direct limited express from ShinjukuThis stretch is on the Tobu Line and costs extra
Mitake Gorge: the Ome Special Rapid to Ome, then change for Mitake
Tokyo → Mitake (covered by the pass)
1Take the Ome Special Rapid from Tokyo Station to Ome. 75 min (e.g. Tokyo 10:19 → Ome 11:34)2Change at Ome for Mitake. 20 min (e.g. Ome 11:42 → Mitake 12:02)3Arrive at JR Mitake Station, the nearest station to Mitake Gorge
About 1 hour 45 minutes from Tokyo to Mitake, including the change. Example trains from the JR East timetable; times vary by train.
Not covered by the pass✗ The Mt. Mitake cable car and the bus to itGoing up the mountain from the gorge costs extra
Mount Takao and Hakone: JR stops at the station
You can ride JR to Takao Station on the Chuo Line Rapid (75 minutes from Tokyo, 61 from Shinjuku). Beyond that, the Keio Takao Line (Takao to Takaosanguchi), the cable car and the chairlift are not covered, so JR alone does not get you to the leaves. For Hakone, JR goes as far as Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen (some Hikari trains do not stop at Odawara); the Hakone Tozan Railway, ropeway, buses and Odakyu are not covered.
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Sakura Mobile — SIM and data for visitors to Japan
Check the next Nikko Line train on the platform at Utsunomiya
From Kyoto Station, each of the 4 spots is one JR train away from its nearest station. Arashiyama to the west is on the Sagano Line; Tofuku-ji, Uji and Nara Park to the south are on the Nara Line.
Tokyo–Kyoto✓ Hikari, about 2 hr 35–40 mine.g. Hikari 704, Kyoto 11:07 → Tokyo 13:42 (2 hr 35 min); varies by trainShin-Osaka → Kyoto✓ Hikari, 13 mine.g. Hikari 646, Shin-Osaka 10:18 → Kyoto 10:31Not covered by the pass✗ Nozomi and MizuhoYou can ride them if you buy the special ticket each time (Tokyo–Kyoto ¥4,960, checked November 2, 2026, priced in yen)
Arashiyama: a local train on the Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama
Kyoto → Saga-Arashiyama (covered by the pass)
1Take a local train on the Sagano Line from Kyoto Station. Roughly every 15 minutes2Arrive at Saga-Arashiyama Station. 17 min (e.g. Kyoto 11:11 → Saga-Arashiyama 11:28)
Example train from the JR West timetable; times vary by train.
Not covered by the pass✗ Sagano Romantic Train (Sagano Scenic Railway)Run by Sagano Scenic Railway and not on the pass’s list of covered services
Tofuku-ji: one stop on the Nara Line, then walk
Kyoto → Tofukuji (covered by the pass)
1Take the Nara Line from Kyoto Station. 2 min (e.g. Miyakoji Rapid, Kyoto 11:04 → Tofukuji 11:06)2Walk about 10 minutes from Tofukuji Station to the temple (Tofuku-ji official site)
Times vary by train. You walk from the station to the temple, so there is no uncovered ride on the way.
Uji: the Nara Line to Uji
Kyoto → Uji (covered by the pass)
1Take the Nara Line from Kyoto Station2Arrive at JR Uji Station. 17 min
Example from the JR West timetable; times vary by train. There is no uncovered ride on the way to JR Uji Station.
Nara Park and Todai-ji: the Nara Line to Nara, then a bus
Kyoto → Nara (covered by the pass)
1Take the Nara Line from Kyoto Station2Arrive at JR Nara Station. 47 min. This is as far as the pass takes you
Times vary by train.
Not covered by the pass✗ City loop bus (Nara Kotsu)For Todai-ji, get off at “Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae” and walk 5 minutes (Todai-ji official site)
If your trip does not include the pass, a single Shinkansen ticket is enough for the ride from Kyoto back to Tokyo. If Klook shows or charges a currency other than yen, what you pay changes with the exchange rate.
Kyoto → Tokyo | Shinkansen ticket If your trip doesn’t include the pass, book Kyoto → Tokyo on Klook before you fly
For Miyajima, the pass covers you all the way onto the island by boat. You change between the Shinkansen, a local line and a ferry, and all three are JR services.
Shin-Osaka → Miyajima (covered by the pass)
1Take the Sanyo Shinkansen Sakura from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima. 92 min (e.g. Sakura 751, Shin-Osaka 10:20 → Hiroshima 11:52)2Change at Hiroshima to the Sanyo Line for Miyajimaguchi. 27 min3Take the JR West Miyajima Ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima. About 10 min
About 2 hours 20 minutes including changes. Example trains and sailings from the timetables; times vary by train and sailing. From Kyoto, first take a Hikari to Shin-Osaka (13 minutes between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto by Hikari).
Covered by the pass✓ Sakura · Sanyo Line · JR West Miyajima FerryThe only ferry covered is the JR West Miyajima FerryNot covered by the pass✗ Nozomi and MizuhoThe special ticket for Tokyo through to Hiroshima is ¥6,500 (checked November 2, 2026, priced in yen). For the fare from Shin-Osaka, check the official special ticket pagePaid separately✗ Miyajima Visitor Tax ¥100Not included in the pass (checked November 2, 2026)
If your trip does not include the pass, you can also book a Shinkansen ticket from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima before you fly. If Klook shows or charges a currency other than yen, what you pay changes with the exchange rate.
Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima | Shinkansen ticket If your trip doesn’t include the pass, book Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima on Klook before you fly
The pass covers JR Group railways. Nozomi, Mizuho and anything that is not JR are not covered
The official wording is “All JR Group Railways”, with Nozomi and Mizuho excluded for both reserved and non-reserved seats. The only ferry covered is the JR West Miyajima Ferry, and the only buses are JR Bus regular routes.
Nozomi and Mizuho✗ Ride with a special ticket bought each timeTokyo–Kyoto/Shin-Osaka ¥4,960, Tokyo–Hiroshima ¥6,500 (checked November 2, 2026, priced in yen)Private railways✗ Tobu, Keio, Odakyu, Hakone Tozan RailwayKurihashi to Tobu-Nikko on the direct limited express, Takao to Takaosanguchi, and othersCable cars, ropeways, chairlifts✗ Mt. Mitake, Mount Takao, HakoneSightseeing trains✗ Sagano Romantic TrainBuses✗ Tobu Bus and others in Nikko, the city loop bus in NaraOnly JR Bus regular routes are coveredFerries✓ JR West Miyajima Ferry onlyThe Miyajima Visitor Tax of ¥100 is paid separately
FAQ
Can I ride the Nozomi to Kyoto on the JR Pass?
Not on the pass alone. Buy the special ticket each time you ride and you can board. It costs ¥4,960 for Tokyo to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka and ¥6,500 for Tokyo to Hiroshima (checked November 2, 2026, priced in yen). To ride on the pass alone, take a Hikari.
Can I take any ferry to Miyajima on the JR Pass?
The only ferry the pass covers is the JR West Miyajima Ferry. The Miyajima Visitor Tax of ¥100 is paid separately (checked November 2, 2026).See the route to Miyajima ↑
Does the JR Pass cover the direct limited express from Shinjuku to Tobu-Nikko?
Kurihashi to Tobu-Nikko is on the Tobu Line and costs extra. To go by JR only, take the Tohoku Shinkansen Nasuno from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya and change to the JR Nikko Line.See the route to Nikko ↑
Can I use the JR Pass if I live in Japan?
No. It is only for travelers with “Temporary Visitor” status, and your passport needs the Temporary Visitor stamp. Japanese nationals living in Japan are not eligible.
Where can I check the latest autumn leaves forecast?
tenki.jp covers spots across Japan, Kyoto Kanko Navi covers Kyoto city, Nikko Tabi Navi covers Nikko, and the Miyajima Tourist Association covers Miyajima; all are updated during the season. Peak dates shift from year to year, so open them again the week you go.See the forecast sources ↑
The pass has two prices: Japan’s official online sales and overseas sales agents
For purchases from October 1, 2026, the price at overseas sales agents was revised (JR Group announcement, April 9, 2026).
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Japan’s official online sales
Nationwide · adult · Ordinary · price kept for a limited time
7 days ¥50,000
14 days ¥80,000 · 21 days ¥100,000 (for purchases from October 1, 2026; priced in yen; checked November 2, 2026)
Prices are in yen; what you pay at an overseas seller changes with the exchange rate. Whether the pass pays off depends on adding up single tickets for each leg of your trip and comparing the total with the overseas agent’s 7-day price of ¥53,000. How to compare leg by leg is on the Japan Rail Pass page.
JR Pass Direct | Nationwide 7, 14, 21 days Choose your days and buy before you come to Japan. Check the selling price and payment currency on the checkout page (what you pay changes with the exchange rate)
Step 1 — Check whether the pass pays off: compare your legs with the 7-day pass on the Japan Rail Pass page.
Step 2 — Pick your dates around the peak: where to go weekend by weekend is in Autumn Leaves 2026.
Step 3 — Get connected: so you can open timetables and foliage reports on the move, order a Sakura Mobile SIM before you land. To set up the pass and an eSIM together, see JR Pass + eSIM.
