Shikoku Rail Passes in 2026: All Shikoku Rail Pass vs JR West Setouchi Pass vs Japan Rail Pass (and the 2027 Reserved-Seat Change)

Quick answer: For trains within Shikoku only, get the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass: ¥12,000 for 3 days or ¥20,000 for 7 days (the 4- and 5-day passes were dropped on 1 October 2026). If your trip links Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu and Matsuyama, the JR West Setouchi Area Pass (7 days, ¥22,000) covers the Shinkansen including Nozomi — but not Tokushima or Kochi. The Japan Rail Pass (¥53,000 for 7 days through agents) makes most sense if you’re also making long Shinkansen trips, such as from Tokyo. From spring 2027, the Shiokaze and Nanpu limited expresses become all-reserved.

I often ride Shikoku’s limited express trains. Pass rules changed a lot in 2025 and 2026, so here’s how the three main passes for overseas visitors compare now, based on the official JR pages.

The three passes at a glance

The ALL SHIKOKU and Setouchi passes are for overseas visitors with “Temporary Visitor” status, and you’ll need your passport.

ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass

Prices from 1 October 2026

• 3 days: ¥12,000 (child ¥6,000)
• 7 days: ¥20,000 (child ¥10,000)
• The price is now the same wherever you buy it. The 4- and 5-day passes have gone.

What it covers

• Non-reserved seats on limited express, rapid and local trains on all JR Shikoku lines.
• Tosa Kuroshio Railway (Kochi Prefecture), Kotoden (Takamatsu’s private railway) and Tosaden (Kochi trams).
• Asa Kaigan Railway, including the DMV — but note the DMV has been suspended since 16 October 2026, with no restart date yet.
• Discounts: the Matsuyama–Kochi express bus (Nangoku Express) costs ¥3,000 instead of ¥4,000, and the Nankai Ferry (Tokushima–Wakayama) is 30% off.

What it doesn’t cover

• Matsuyama’s trams and Iyotetsu trains — removed on 7 March 2026. That includes the tram to Dogo Onsen.
• The Shodoshima ferry and Olive Bus — removed for passes bought from 1 October 2026.
• Okayama–Kojima. The pass starts at Kojima, so you pay extra between Okayama and Kojima.
• Buses of any kind, Green Car seats and the Sunrise Seto sleeper train.
• Seat reservations. To reserve, buy a reserved-seat booklet for pass holders (sold in Japan only) or a normal reserved-seat ticket.

Where to buy

• Before you travel: a voucher from an overseas agent (JTB, NTA, KNT-CT or JALPAK), valid for 3 months.
• Online: JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION, collected at Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Tokushima or Kochi Station.
• QR ticket: Klook or Trip.com. It goes straight through the ticket gates; activate it within 90 days.
• In Japan: Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Tokushima, Kochi and Kotohira stations, among others.
• Not sold at Kansai Airport.

The KAGAWA Mini Rail & Ferry Pass stopped selling on 30 September 2026.

JR West Setouchi Area Pass

7 days, ¥22,000 (child ¥11,000). JR West’s page lists prices as of August 2024, so check before you buy.

• The Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hakata, including Nozomi and Mizuho, with reserved seats.
• JR West lines around Kansai (including Kansai Airport), Okayama, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi.
• In Shikoku: Okayama–Takamatsu, Utazu–Kotohira, Takamatsu–Ritsurin and Utazu–Matsuyama–Iyo-Ozu, including the Shiokaze. Tokushima and Kochi are not covered.
• Ferries: Hiroshima/Kure–Matsuyama, the JR Miyajima ferry (plus ¥100 visitor tax), and the Shodoshima Ferry and Ryobi Ferry between Okayama, Tonosho and Takamatsu.

This suits a route like Osaka → Hiroshima → Miyajima → ferry to Matsuyama → Takamatsu → Okayama. See Hiroshima to Shikoku, Miyajima Day Trip or Overnight and Shodoshima Guide.

A smaller option, the Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass (5 days, ¥17,000), covers the Shinkansen from Okayama to Hakata and the JR line from Okayama to Takamatsu, but nothing else in Shikoku.

Japan Rail Pass

• New prices for passes bought through agents from 1 October 2026: 7 days ¥53,000, 14 days ¥84,000, 21 days ¥105,000.
• The official JR Pass website is keeping the old prices (¥50,000 / ¥80,000 / ¥100,000) “for a limited time”. No end date has been announced.
• Nozomi and Mizuho need an extra ticket for each ride — for example, ¥6,500 from Tokyo to Hiroshima.

For a trip that stays in Shikoku, the 7-day ALL SHIKOKU pass at ¥20,000 costs far less.

Spring 2027: Shiokaze and Nanpu go all-reserved

From spring 2027 (exact date to be announced), the Shiokaze (Okayama–Matsuyama) and Nanpu (Okayama–Kochi) will have no non-reserved cars.

• Ishizuchi (Takamatsu–Matsuyama), which runs coupled to the Shiokaze, keeps its non-reserved cars.
• When reserved seats sell out, a limited number of standing tickets for a set train and car will be sold at the non-reserved price.
• Japan Rail Pass and JR West pass holders: reserved seats are already included, but you’ll have to book a seat before boarding.
• ALL SHIKOKU pass holders: JR Shikoku hasn’t yet announced how the pass will work on these trains. Check before you travel in 2027.

Recent changes to know

• Uzushio no longer runs to Okayama (since March 2025). From Okayama to Tokushima, take the Marine Liner to Takamatsu, then change to the Uzushio. See How to Get to Tokushima.
• The Limited Express Muroto has ended (March 2025). The Mugi Line south of Tokushima now has local trains only.

Where passes don’t help

• Buses to Iya and Oboke. See Iya Valley and Oboke.
• Matsuyama’s trams and the Botchan Train (¥1,300) on the ALL SHIKOKU pass. See Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama.
• Airport buses.
• The Shodoshima ferry and buses on ALL SHIKOKU passes bought from October 2026.

If you’re heading into rural areas, see Renting a Car in Shikoku and Setouchi in 7 Days.

FAQ

Which pass should I get for Shikoku only?
The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass: ¥12,000 for 3 days or ¥20,000 for 7 days.

Does the ALL SHIKOKU pass include seat reservations?
No. It covers non-reserved seats. Buy a reserved-seat booklet in Japan or a normal reserved-seat ticket.

Can I use it on the Matsuyama trams?
Not since 7 March 2026. Iyotetsu trams and trains now cost extra.

What changes in 2027?
The Shiokaze and Nanpu become all-reserved from spring 2027. ALL SHIKOKU handling hasn’t been announced yet.

Pass prices and coverage checked on the official JR Shikoku, JR West and Japan Rail Pass websites on 28 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.