Japan rail pass and regional rail passes

Japan Rail Pass may famous among travelers to Japan which can save a lot of money to spend for transportation.

There are regional rail passes also available which may save much more than Japan Rail Pass for who travels limited area only.
For example, Japan Rail Pass for 14 days costs 46,390 JPY but JR East Pass (Tohoku area) costs 20,000 JPY for flexible 5 days within 14 days.
If you travel only Tokyo and Kyoto, then may could save more by take flight to Kansai/Itami from Haneda (ticket price starting from about 10,000 JPY) and use Kansai area pass which costs 6,300 JPY only with 4 days validity (see the link to JR West Rail Pass below).

Regional rail passes are available in following areas.

• Hokkaido Rail Pass (*)
• JR East Pass (Tohoku area) (*)
• JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata araa) (*)
• JR TOKYO Wide Pass (*)
• Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
• Ise-Kumano Area Tourist Pass
• JR West Rail Pass (*)
• ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass (*)
• Kyushu Rail Pass (*)

Japan Rail Pass is only purchasable in overseas so that you need to arrange it well in advance, but some regional rail passes (marked as (*) on the list) are purchasable at JR stations in Japan.