JR East Fare Increase for the First Time in 31 Years

On March 14, 2026, JR East implemented a fare revision. Excluding adjustments related to consumption tax increases, this marks the first fare hike since 1995, a span of approximately 31 years.

Railway fares, long regarded as a “model of price stability,” have finally reached a major turning point. This revision is not a simple across-the-board increase, but is characterized by a combination of multiple system changes. Overall, fares have risen by an average of 10.9%.

  • Standard passenger fares (tickets and IC): approximately 11% increase
  • Commuter passes: approximately 13% increase
  • Student commuter passes: unchanged (excluded this time as a consideration for household burden)

Initial fare (within the Yamanote Line area)

  • Before revision: 150 yen (ticket)
  • After revision: 170 yen (ticket)

    *Meanwhile, the “barrier-free surcharge” (10 yen) introduced in 2023 has been incorporated into the base fare and abolished, meaning the actual increase is more moderate than it appears in some sections.

The last time JR East raised fares for reasons other than consumption tax adjustments was in 1995 (Heisei 7). At that time, management efforts following privatization and the deflationary economy after the collapse of the bubble made it possible to keep fares unchanged. However, in recent years, declining ridership due to population decrease, rising electricity costs, and the cost of renewing aging infrastructure have overlapped, finally bringing corporate efforts to their limit.

2026年3月26日
鉄旅ライフ編集部
過去のコラムはこちら

Akita Shinkansen Fare Chart – Quick Reference (March 2026 Update)

Top row Base fare
Bottom row Shinkansen surcharge (non-reserved seat)

Hayabusa & Komachi Shinkansen Fare Chart – Quick Reference

Fares and surcharges are shown separately.
Add the top and bottom amounts to get the total price.

Distance from
Morioka (km)		Station NameTokyoUenoOmiyaOyamaUtsunomiyaNasushiobaraShin-ShirakawaKoriyamaFukushimaShiroishizaoSendaiFurukawaKurikoma-KogenIchinosekiMizusawaesashiKitakamiShin-HanamakiMoriokaShizukuishiTazawakoKakunodateOmagari
16.0 Shizukuishi9,350
7,190		9,350
6,980		9,020
6,650		8,030
6,340		7,810
6,340		6,930
5,800		6,600
5,800		5,940
5,800		5,390
5,030		4,620
5,030		3,850
4,140		2,750
4,140		2,420
4,140		2,090
3,260		1,600
3,260		1,230
3,260		1,040
3,260		350
1,290
40.1 Tazawako9,570
7,190		9,570
6,980		9,350
6,650		8,360
6,340		8,030
6,340		7,480
5,800		6,930
5,800		6,270
5,800		5,720
5,030		5,060
5,030		4,180
4,140		3,520
4,140		3,190
4,140		2,420
3,260		2,090
3,260		1,790
3,260		1,410
3,260		810
1,290		530
1,290
58.8 Kakunodate9,900
7,560		9,900
7,350		9,570
7,020		8,690
6,710		8,360
6,710		7,810
6,170		7,260
6,170		6,600
6,170		5,940
5,400		5,390
5,400		4,620
4,510		3,850
4,510		3,520
4,510		2,750
3,630		2,420
3,630		2,090
3,630		1,790
3,630		1,230
1,660		910
1,290		350
1,290
75.6 Omagari10,230
7,560		10,230
7,350		9,900
7,020		9,020
6,710		8,690
6,710		8,030
6,170		7,480
6,170		6,930
6,170		6,270
5,400		5,720
5,400		5,060
4,510		4,180
4,510		3,850
4,510		3,190
3,630		2,750
3,630		2,420
3,630		2,090
3,630		1,600
1,660		1,230
1,660		720
1,290		350
1,290
127.3 Akita10,450
8,010		10,450
7,800		10,230
7,470		9,900
7,160		9,570
7,160		8,690
6,620		8,360
6,620		7,810
6,620		6,930
5,850		6,600
5,850		5,720
4,960		5,060
4,960		4,620
4,960		4,180
4,080		3,850
4,080		3,520
4,080		3,190
4,080		2,420
2,110		2,090
2,110		1,790
1,660		1,410
1,660		1,040
1,660

Akita Shinkansen (Komachi) Overview

  • The Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” connects Tokyo and Akita in the fastest way.
  • Between Tokyo and Morioka, the train runs together with the Hayabusa Shinkansen as a coupled train. At Morioka Station, they are separated, and Komachi continues to Akita.
  • All seats on Komachi are reserved. There are no non-reserved seats.
  • If all seats are sold out, a special standing ticket may be available. On the Morioka–Akita section, passengers may use empty seats if they are available, following specific rules.
  • The Akita Shinkansen uses a “mini-shinkansen” system.
    Between Morioka and Akita, it runs on conventional railway tracks instead of dedicated high-speed tracks.
  • This means the train shares tracks with regular local trains on the Tazawako Line and the Ou Main Line.
  • Information as of April 2026.