For over two decades, Hyperdia was the go-to online timetable for planning rail travel in Japan, much loved by visitors for its ability to filter routes down to trains covered by the Japan Rail Pass. That has now changed. On 1 April 2022, Hyperdia discontinued the detailed timetable data in its route search — removing exact departure times, the list of stations along the way, and the option to exclude Nozomi trains — and the service has since effectively shut down its web and app offering for international travellers.
The good news: planning your trip is as easy as ever, because several excellent (and free) alternatives have stepped in, some of them offering even better functionality than Hyperdia did. Below we run through the best options, then show you how to work out whether a JR Pass will save you money.
The best Hyperdia alternatives for JR Pass holders
Japan Travel by NAVITIME
The most useful option for pass holders. It has a dedicated JR Pass mode that filters results to show only services your pass covers, so you won't accidentally board a train that isn't included. It handles trains, buses, ferries and walking directions, shows platform numbers and transfer guidance, and lets you save routes for offline use. The free version covers what most visitors need.
Jorudan (Japan Transit Planner)
A long-standing, reliable planner available in 13 languages. The free version includes a JR Pass filter that limits results to pass-covered trains, and shows platform and station details.
Google Maps
Now very reliable for Japan transit, with real-time schedules, platform numbers and clear transfer directions. The one limitation is that it has no JR Pass filter, so it can't tell you whether a specific service is covered by your pass. Many travellers use Google Maps for everyday navigation and cross-check pass coverage with NAVITIME or Jorudan.
For a fuller rundown, see our guides to Hyperdia alternatives and the best mobile apps to make the most of your Japan Rail Pass.
Note on Nozomi and Mizuho: the old advice to "deselect Nozomi/Mizuho" is no longer needed. Since October 2023, Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen by paying a supplementary fare, so these trains are now an option rather than something to filter out.
Working out if a Japan Rail Pass is right for you
Whichever planner you use, the principle for deciding whether a JR Pass is worth it hasn't changed. For anything beyond a couple of short hops, it's worth comparing the total cost of buying individual tickets against the price of the pass.
The method is simple: enter each leg of your planned trip, note the individual ticket cost for each journey, and add them up. Then compare that total with the price of the Japan Rail Pass (or a regional pass if you're only exploring one area). If the combined ticket cost is higher than the pass, the pass saves you money — and it also saves you the hassle of buying tickets journey by journey. As a rough guide, travellers making even one long return trip, such as Tokyo to Kyoto or beyond, often find a pass pays for itself, but it's always worth checking your own itinerary.
Buying shinkansen tickets and reserving seats online
If you decide a pass isn't right for your trip — or you simply want to book individual bullet-train journeys — JRPass.com now offers online train ticket purchasing for individual shinkansen and JR journeys, in addition to the rail pass itself.
For seat reservations, Japan Rail Pass holders can reserve seats free of charge, and it's a good idea to do so in advance for busy routes or if you're travelling with large luggage. Reservations can be made at ticket machines and ticket offices in any JR station once you're in Japan. Online seat-reservation options for pass holders have expanded in recent years through JR's regional booking systems, so it's worth checking the latest on our seat reservation guide before you travel.
Plan your route with JRPass tools
You don't have to leave our site to start planning:
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JR Fare Calculator — add the legs of your itinerary and it totals the individual ticket cost and tells you which pass, if any, is the best value. This does the "is it worth it?" maths for you.
- Interactive Map — visualise the JR network and the routes between the places you want to visit.
As Japan is a country big on punctuality, trains arrive and depart exactly on schedule, so a well-planned itinerary built with any of the tools above will run like clockwork. Add Pocket WiFi so you can check live times and reservations on the move, and you're set.
FAQs
1. Is Hyperdia still available?
Not in the form travellers remember. Hyperdia removed its detailed timetable data on 1 April 2022 and has since effectively shut down its web and app service for international users. For route planning, use NAVITIME, Jorudan or Google Maps instead.
2. What is the best Hyperdia alternative for Japan Rail Pass holders?
Japan Travel by NAVITIME is the top choice because its JR Pass mode shows only pass-covered trains. Jorudan (Japan Transit Planner) is an excellent free alternative in 13 languages, and Google Maps is very reliable for schedules and platforms, though it has no JR Pass filter.
3. Can you buy shinkansen tickets online?
Yes. Individual shinkansen and JR tickets can be purchased online through JRPass.com's Train Tickets service, alongside the Japan Rail Pass. Japan Rail Pass holders reserve seats free of charge at stations, and online reservation options have expanded through JR's regional systems.
4. Can Japan Rail Pass holders ride Nozomi and Mizuho trains?
Yes. Since October 2023, JR Pass holders can ride Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen by paying a supplementary fare. This is why the old advice to filter these trains out of your search is no longer necessary.
5. How do I know if a Japan Rail Pass is worth it?
Add up the individual ticket cost of every journey in your itinerary and compare it with the price of the pass. If the tickets cost more than the pass, the pass saves you money. The JRPass Fare Calculator does this comparison for you automatically.
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