Hello! I’m Yontetsu, the writer behind Shikoku Rail Note, a railway travel website based in Shikoku, Japan.
🌐 Read this article in Japanese（日本語版はこちら）
Planning to explore Shikoku by train? If you’re considering the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass, there’s an important change you should know about before buying your ticket.
JR Shikoku has announced that prices for the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass will increase for passes sold from December 1, 2026.
The 3-day pass will cost ¥15,000 instead of ¥12,000, while the 7-day pass will rise from ¥20,000 to ¥23,000. Both passes will become ¥3,000 more expensive.
But there’s some good news, too! The revised pass will include ordinary-class reserved seats on eligible JR Shikoku and Tosa Kuroshio Railway trains, making it more convenient to travel around the island.
This guide explains the new prices, who can use the pass, which trains are covered, how to reserve seats, and where to buy or exchange your pass. I’ll also help you decide whether the 3-day or 7-day option is right for your trip.
- New ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass prices from December 2026
- Eligible travelers, covered trains and railway lines
- How to reserve seats and understand the six-reservation rule
- Where to purchase the pass and which duration to choose
New ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass Prices
Let’s start with the most important change: how much the pass will cost.
According to JR Shikoku’s announcement dated October 29, 2026, the new prices will apply to passes sold on or after December 1, 2026.
3-Day and 7-Day Pass Price Comparison
| Pass | Until Nov 30, 2026 | From Dec 1, 2026 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day | ¥12,000 | ¥15,000 | +¥3,000 |
| 7-day | ¥20,000 | ¥23,000 | +¥3,000 |
The 3-day pass will become 25% more expensive, while the 7-day pass will increase by 15%.
Although the price increase may seem significant, the pass can still offer good value if your itinerary includes several long-distance train journeys.
For example, the new 7-day pass costs approximately ¥3,286 per day when used for all seven days. That’s worth considering if you’re planning to travel between several cities and explore more than one prefecture.
Child Ticket Prices
Children’s passes will continue to cost half the adult fare. The new prices are:
| Pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day | ¥15,000 | ¥7,500 |
| 7-day | ¥23,000 | ¥11,500 |
Child fares generally apply to eligible travelers aged 6 to 11. Families should check the age requirements and purchase conditions when booking.
For a family of two adults and two children, the new 3-day passes would cost ¥45,000 in total.
Does the New Price Apply to Your Trip?
Here’s an important detail: December 1, 2026 is the sales date for the revised pass, not simply the first day of travel.
Passes purchased before the revision may be subject to the previous conditions. An older, cheaper pass does not automatically gain the new reserved-seat benefits.
If you’re traveling in December or early 2027, check which version of the pass you’re purchasing and confirm its validity and benefits before paying.
Who Can Use the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass?
Before deciding which pass to buy, make sure you’re eligible.
The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass is intended for foreign visitors entering Japan with Temporary Visitor immigration status.
In general, you must hold a passport issued by a country other than Japan and meet the relevant Temporary Visitor requirements.
The pass is not intended for Japanese residents or ordinary domestic travelers. Foreign nationals living in Japan under a residence status other than Temporary Visitor are also not eligible.
Make sure you have your passport and the required immigration documentation when purchasing, exchanging, and using the pass.
How Long Is the Pass Valid?
The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass is available in two durations under the revised product:
- 3 consecutive days
- 7 consecutive days
These are consecutive calendar days, not a collection of individual travel days that you can use whenever you like.
For example, if you activate a 3-day pass on December 10, it will cover the three consecutive dates of December 10, 11 and 12, subject to the pass’s operating rules.
Because the days run consecutively, it’s best to plan your longer train journeys during the validity period instead of leaving several days without travel in between.
Which Trains and Railways Are Covered?
One of the best things about the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass is that it covers more than just JR Shikoku trains.
It also includes several local railway and tram operators, making it useful for exploring cities and towns throughout the island.
JR Shikoku and Tosa Kuroshio Railway
The revised pass covers eligible travel on JR Shikoku and Tosa Kuroshio Railway lines, including:
- Ordinary-class non-reserved seats on limited express trains
- Ordinary-class reserved seats on limited express trains
- Ordinary-class reserved seating on eligible rapid and local trains
- Regular rapid and local train services within the covered network
This makes the pass particularly useful for journeys between Takamatsu, Tokushima, Matsuyama and Kochi.
Popular limited express trains include the Shiokaze, Ishizuchi, Nanpu, Uzushio and Uwakai. They help connect Shikoku’s main cities and provide access to many sightseeing destinations.
Other Railways and Trams Included
The pass also covers the following participating railway operators.
| Operator | Coverage |
|---|---|
| JR Shikoku | Eligible services across the JR Shikoku network |
| Tosa Kuroshio Railway | All railway lines |
| Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad (Kotoden) | All railway lines |
| Tosaden Kotsu | Tram/rail lines |
| Asa Kaigan Railway | Eligible DMV services |
Kotoden is especially useful when visiting attractions around Takamatsu and Kotohira, while Tosaden Kotsu’s trams help you explore Kochi City.
The Asa Kaigan Railway operates a unique Dual-Mode Vehicle (DMV) that can travel on both railway tracks and roads.
Eligible DMV services are covered, but weekend and public-holiday services to and from Muroto are excluded. Boarding is also subject to seat availability on the day of travel.
What’s Not Included?
Not every railway, bus or ferry service in Shikoku is included.
In particular, be aware of these exclusions:
- The Sunrise Seto overnight sleeper train
- Regular and express bus routes operated by participating transport companies
- Excluded Asa Kaigan Railway DMV services to and from Muroto
- Iyotetsu railway and tram services
- Shodoshima Ferry and Shodoshima Olive Bus services under the revised coverage
- Green Car seating and other services not covered by the ordinary-class pass conditions
Shodoshima ferry and bus coverage was removed in October 2026, before the December price revision. Iyotetsu services were also removed earlier in 2026.
Special sightseeing trains and premium accommodation may have their own ticketing requirements. If your trip depends on a particular sightseeing train, check its booking conditions separately.
Can You Use the Pass From Okayama?
Many visitors reach Shikoku by traveling through Okayama on Japan’s main island of Honshu.
There is an important boundary to remember: the pass covers the JR Shikoku network including the relevant connection as far as Kojima Station, but it does not cover travel north of Kojima toward Okayama.
If you’re coming from Okayama, you’ll need to pay separately for the uncovered part of your journey. The pass also does not include Shinkansen travel to Okayama.
Planning this connection in advance will help you avoid confusion at the ticket counter.
How Reserved Seats Work From December 2026
The new reserved-seat benefits are the most significant part of the December revision.
Previously, travelers generally needed an additional reservation arrangement to use ordinary-class reserved seats. Under the revised pass, eligible ordinary-class reserved seats are included.
However, having the rail pass does not automatically assign you a seat. You must obtain the appropriate seat reservation before boarding.
Unlimited Seat Reservation Issuance
According to JR Shikoku’s revised rules, there is no overall limit on the number of reserved-seat tickets that may be issued for an eligible pass.
This means you can plan several journeys on trains with reserved seating during your pass’s validity period.
There is one important condition: each passenger may obtain only one seat for each train.
Also, unlimited issuance does not guarantee availability. Popular trains may sell out, particularly during holidays and busy travel periods.
If you already know your travel dates, arranging reservations as early as the applicable booking rules allow is a sensible idea.
The Six-Issuance Rule Explained
Here’s the part that can be confusing.
Although reserved-seat issuance is unlimited overall, self-service seat issuance at eligible reserved-seat ticket machines and Midori-no-Kenbaiki Plus machines is limited to six times.
For passes purchased through JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION (WEST-TR), reservations made through that service are counted together with qualifying machine-issued reservations toward the six-issuance limit.
After you reach that limit, you can still obtain additional reserved-seat tickets at an eligible staffed counter. The pass itself does not become invalid after six reservations.
| Reservation Method | Rules |
|---|---|
| Eligible reserved-seat ticket machines | Up to six self-service issuances |
| Midori-no-Kenbaiki Plus (self-service) | Up to six self-service issuances |
| WEST-TR | Up to six qualifying train reservations, counted together with applicable machine issuances |
| Eligible staffed ticket counter | No overall issuance limit |
If you’re taking many limited express trains during a 7-day trip, the staffed-counter option is especially useful.
When connecting between multiple trains, each train may count separately for reservation purposes, even if your journey is issued as a connected itinerary.
Where Can You Collect Reserved-Seat Tickets?
Depending on your pass type and purchase method, seat reservations can be issued at:
- Eligible JR Shikoku reserved-seat ticket machines
- Eligible Midori-no-Kenbaiki Plus machines
- JR Shikoku staffed ticket counters
- JR Shikoku Tours branches
- Nakamura, Sukumo and Aki stations on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway
For a WEST-TR purchase, online seat reservations are subject to additional timing and collection conditions. Before collecting the rail pass, qualifying reservations for up to six trains may be possible through WEST-TR.
WEST-TR does not accept reservations involving Tosa Kuroshio Railway reserved-seat sections under this arrangement, so those reservations must be handled through an eligible counter.
Special Rules for Klook and Trip.com QR Passes
If you buy a QR-code version of the pass through Klook or Trip.com, you won’t need to exchange it for a paper rail pass at a station.
That’s convenient, but there is an important difference when reserving seats.
QR pass holders cannot obtain reserved-seat tickets through the self-service machines mentioned above.
Instead, they must visit an eligible staffed counter, such as a JR Shikoku ticket counter, JR Shikoku Tours branch, or the designated Tosa Kuroshio Railway stations.
If you’re arriving in Shikoku and immediately taking a limited express train, leave enough time for this procedure.
Can You Reserve a Seat on the Train?
No. Under the revised pass rules, reserved-seat tickets are not issued on board.
You must obtain your seat assignment before boarding. Do not assume that showing your rail pass to the conductor will allow you to claim an unassigned reserved seat.
This is especially important because JR Shikoku plans to make its Shiokaze and Nanpu limited express services all-reserved in spring 2027.
The December 2026 pass revision is designed in part to accommodate that upcoming change.
Where and How to Buy the Pass
You can purchase the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass through several channels, but the procedures differ.
It’s worth understanding those differences before booking, particularly if you intend to use reserved seats.
Buying at a Station in Japan
The revised pass will be available at designated JR Shikoku stations and JR Shikoku Tours branches.
Major sales and exchange locations include:
- Takamatsu Station and JR Shikoku Tours Takamatsu Branch
- Matsuyama Station and JR Shikoku Tours Matsuyama Branch
- Tokushima Station and JR Shikoku Tours Tokushima Branch
- Kochi Station and JR Shikoku Tours Kochi Branch
- JR Shikoku Tours Umeda Branch in Osaka
Domestic sales are available from one month before the intended start date up to the start date itself.
When buying in person, check the opening hours of the relevant sales counter. Not every station offers the same services.
Buying Overseas With an Exchange Order
Visitors can also purchase an exchange order through participating overseas travel agencies.
The exchange order, sometimes called an MCO, remains valid for three months from its issue date.
After arriving in Japan, you must exchange it for the actual pass at an eligible exchange location. Exchange is generally possible from one month before the intended start date through the start date.
Remember that the exchange order itself is not the rail pass. You cannot use it directly to board a train.
Booking With WEST-TR
JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION (WEST-TR) is another option for international visitors.
Purchases are available from one month before the intended start date through that date, under the service’s applicable rules.
The designated collection stations are Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Tokushima and Kochi.
You can access the official JR-West ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass reservation page to check purchase arrangements.
Buying a QR Pass Through Klook or Trip.com
The QR-code option is available through Klook and Trip.com.
After purchase, you activate the QR pass on your device within 90 days. The pass can be activated once, and its validity period begins according to the applicable activation rules.
This can be convenient if you’d prefer not to collect a paper rail pass. However, if you plan to take trains with reserved seats, remember that QR pass holders must obtain seat assignments at eligible staffed counters.
Important Changes at Kotohira and Okayama
From December 1, 2026, Kotohira Station will no longer sell or exchange the revised pass.
The Nippon Travel Agency TiS Okayama Branch will also no longer exchange the revised pass.
There is a transitional arrangement for older exchange orders issued by November 30, 2026. Those older MCOs may still be exchanged at the affected locations through February 28, 2027, according to JR Shikoku’s announcement.
That exception does not apply to newly issued revised passes.
If your journey starts in Okayama or Kotohira, make sure you know where you can collect the new pass before traveling.
Is the 3-Day or 7-Day Pass Better?
The best option depends on how far you want to travel and how much time you have in Shikoku.
With the new prices, the difference between the two passes is ¥8,000.
Choose the 3-Day Pass for a Shorter Trip
The 3-day pass is a good starting point if you’re staying in Shikoku for a long weekend or planning several train journeys over a short period.
For example, you could use Takamatsu as a base and visit Tokushima or Kochi by train, or organize a compact itinerary with a few major stops.
It’s especially worth considering if your itinerary includes enough limited express journeys to make the pass cheaper than buying individual tickets.
However, keep in mind that Shikoku is larger than it may appear on a map. Traveling between major cities can take a substantial amount of time, so trying to visit all four prefectures in three days may feel rushed.
Choose the 7-Day Pass for a Relaxed Island Journey
The 7-day pass is better suited to travelers who want to explore several parts of Shikoku without changing their plans every few hours.
You could visit the lively port city of Takamatsu, experience the trams of Kochi, explore the historic neighborhoods of Matsuyama, and discover Tokushima’s railway routes.
The extra days also make it easier to include scenic train journeys, museums, temples, regional food and overnight stays.
At ¥23,000 for seven consecutive days, the pass can make sense for a multi-city itinerary, particularly when you use several limited express services.
When Individual Tickets May Be Cheaper
The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass is not automatically the cheapest choice for every visitor.
If you plan to stay mostly in one city and make only short trips, individual train tickets may cost less.
Before buying a pass, compare your planned journeys with the cost of regular tickets, including limited express charges where applicable.
Here’s a simple way to think about your options:
| Travel Style | Suggested Option |
|---|---|
| Several major journeys in 2–3 days | 3-day pass |
| Exploring multiple prefectures over 4–7 days | 7-day pass |
| Mostly local travel in one city | Compare individual tickets |
My recommendation is to build your itinerary first, then choose the ticket. That way, you’re paying for travel you’ll actually use rather than trying to fit your holiday around the pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some common questions about the revised ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass.
Final Thoughts: Is the New Pass Worth It?
The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass is getting more expensive in December 2026, but it’s also becoming easier to use for travelers who prefer reserved seats.
The new adult fares will be ¥15,000 for three days and ¥23,000 for seven days. Both are ¥3,000 higher than before.
The biggest improvement is the inclusion of ordinary-class reserved seating. This will be particularly useful as JR Shikoku prepares to introduce all-reserved seating on the Shiokaze and Nanpu limited express services in spring 2027.
Just remember the key rules: reserve your seat before boarding, understand the six-issuance self-service limit, and use a staffed counter when required—especially if you have a QR pass.
If you’re planning to explore Shikoku’s cities, countryside and scenic railway lines, the revised pass may still be an excellent travel companion.
For the official conditions, please refer to JR Shikoku’s October 29, 2026 announcement (Japanese PDF). Make sure to confirm the conditions that apply to your purchase before traveling.
Enjoy your railway journey through Shikoku!