JR Setouchi Area Pass

The JR Setouchi Area Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists, providing seven consecutive days of unlimited travel on designated JR train lines (including shinkansen) and selected trams, buses and ferries in the region around the Seto Inland Sea.

Purchase the Setouchi Area Pass

Validity

1. Unlimited use of local, rapid and limited express JR trains shown on the map above.
2. Unlimited use of the Sanyo Shinkansen between Hakata and Shin-Osaka, including Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Note that the Tokaido Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto is not covered.
3. Seat reservations can be made for free (see details below).
4. The pass is valid on the following trams, buses and ferries:
   • Trams in Okayama
   • Meipuru-pu tourist bus in Hiroshima.
   • Buses between Okayama Station and Shin-Okayama Port
   • Ferries between Shin-Okayama Port and Shodoshima
   • Ferries between Takamatsu and Shodoshima's Tonosho Port
   • Ferries between Hiroshima and Matsuyama
   • JR ferries to Miyajima
5. The pass is valid on seven consecutive days. The validity of the pass is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight) as opposed to 24-hour periods.
6. Only foreign visitors to Japan (on temporary visitor status) can use the pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.
7. The pass can be used only by a single person. It cannot be transferred between multiple persons. The pass holder has to carry his/her passport at all times.

Points of sale

The JR Setouchi Area Pass can be purchased online through various websites, including the official JR West website, and at selected travel agents outside of Japan. The actual pass has to be picked up at a major station in the area covered before use. An advantage of purchasing the pass through the official website is that you can make seat reservations online, while others can make seat reservations only at ticket machines and ticket offices.

Purchase the Setouchi Area Pass

Seat reservations

Seat reservations can be made at no additional cost at ticket offices. The first six reservations can alternatively be made at ticket machines, but subsequent reservations can be made only at ticket offices. Furthermore, those who purchased their pass through the official JR West website can also use the JR West website to make seat reservations, but the website is not very easy to use.

Assessment

The JR Setouchi Area Pass can be a good value for those traveling along the Sanyo Coast coupled with a visit to Shikoku or Shodoshima.

Alternative tickets

There are a handful of other rail passes with slightly different coverage areas in the region. They include the JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, the All Shikoku Rail Pass, the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, the JR Sanin Okayama Area Pass, the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass and the JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass. Before purchasing any, it is recommended to consider which one will be the most beneficial according to your itinerary.