Hiroshima, Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP Pass): Price, Coverage, and Purchase Locations

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The “San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass” (abbreviated as SEP Pass) is the second highway pass introduced by NEXCO West Japan (NEXCO West Japan) for foreign self-driving tourists, following the KEP in Kyushu. It covers highways operated by NEXCO West Japan in the western Chugoku region (San’in, Sanyo) and Shikoku, including ten prefectures: Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Tottori, Shimane, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, Tokushima, Ehime, and Kochi.

SEP Pass

 

With airlines now offering flights to Hiroshima, Okayama, Yonago, and Takamatsu, the San’in, Sanyo, and Shikoku regions in western Japan have become increasingly popular tourist destinations. Due to the scattered attractions, many visitors prefer self-driving tours in these areas. The introduction of the “San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass” is great news for those planning road trips in Hiroshima, Okayama, and Shikoku. Using this pass not only makes highway access more convenient but also helps save on toll fees.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Coverage of the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass

 

The San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass allows unlimited use of highways operated by NEXCO West Japan in the San’in region (Tottori, Shimane), Sanyo region (Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi), and Shikoku (Kagawa, Tokushima, Ehime, Kochi) during its validity period. The specific coverage includes:

  • The section west of Takarazuka IC in Hyogo Prefecture on the Chugoku Expressway [from Takarazuka City, Hyogo to Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi],
  • The section south of Kasuga IC in Hyogo Prefecture on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway [from Tamba City to Sanda City, Hyogo],
  • The section west of Kawanishi IC in Hyogo Prefecture on the Shin-Meishin Expressway [from Kawanishi City to Kobe JCT, Hyogo],
  • The entire Sanyo Expressway [from Kobe City, Hyogo to Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi, and from Ube City to Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi],
  • The entire Bantan Renraku Toll Road [from Asago City to Himeji City, Hyogo],
  • The entire Harima Expressway [from Aioi City to Tatsuno City, Hyogo],
  • The entire Kitakinki-Toyooka Expressway [from Tamba City to Asago City, Hyogo],
  • The entire Yonago Expressway [from Yonago City, Tottori to Maniwa City, Okayama],
  • The entire Okayama Expressway [from Maniwa City to Okayama City, Okayama],
  • The entire San’in Expressway [from Matsue City to Izumo City, Shimane],
  • The entire San’indo [from Yonago City, Tottori to Matsue City, Shimane, and from Gotsu City to Hamada City, Shimane],
  • The entire Hamada Expressway [from Hamada City, Shimane to Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima],
  • The entire Hiroshima Expressway [from Kitahiroshima JCT to Hiroshima JCT, Hiroshima],
  • The entire Hiroshima-Iwakuni Road [from Hatsukaichi City to Otake City, Hiroshima],
  • The entire Hiroshima-Kure Road [from Hiroshima City to Kure City, Hiroshima],
  • The entire Matsue Expressway [from Izumo City, Shimane to Miyoshi City, Hiroshima] (most sections are toll-free),
  • The entire Onomichi Expressway [from Miyoshi City to Onomichi City, Hiroshima] (most sections are toll-free),
  • The entire Takamatsu Expressway [from Naruto City, Tokushima to Shikokuchuo City, Ehime],
  • The entire Tokushima Expressway [from Tokushima City, Tokushima to Shikokuchuo City, Ehime],
  • The entire Kochi Expressway [from Shikokuchuo City, Ehime to Susaki City, Kochi],
  • The entire Matsuyama Expressway [from Shikokuchuo City to Uwajima City, Ehime],
  • The entire Imabari-Komatsu Expressway [from Saijo City to Imabari City, Ehime].
SEP Pass Coverage

 

Although the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass covers most major highways in the San’in, Sanyo, and Shikoku regions, some important highways are not included. For example, the three routes connecting Honshu and Shikoku—Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, Seto-Chuo Expressway, and Nishi-Seto Expressway—are not covered by SEP. If traveling from Honshu to Shikoku, tolls for these highways must be paid separately. Additionally, several key highways in Kobe, such as the Hanshin Expressway and Meishin Expressway, which connect to Osaka and Arima Onsen, are not included. Lastly, the Hiroshima Expressway within Hiroshima City is also excluded, so tolls must be paid separately for access to the city.

 

Highways in the San’in, Sanyo, and Shikoku regions not covered by SEP include:

  • Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway,
  • Seto-Chuo Expressway,
  • Nishi-Seto Expressway,
  • Hanshin Expressway,
  • Meishin Expressway,
  • Harbor Highway,
  • Nishinomiya-Kita Toll Road,
  • Rokko Tunnel,
  • Rokko-Kita Toll Road,
  • Royu Driveway,
  • Daini-Shimmei Road,
  • Sanroku By-pass,
  • Hiroshima Expressway,
  • Hiroshima-Kumano Road,
  • Akinada Ohashi Bridge,
  • Kaita Ohashi Bridge,
  • Yashima Driveway,
  • Tsunomine Skyline Road,
  • Hirano Rindo.

 

When using highways not covered by SEP, the tolls for those sections must be paid separately upon returning the rental car based on the ETC card records. In Japan, toll stations are typically located at highway junctions to collect fees for each section. Even without toll stations, the ETC card records the tolls for each segment. Therefore, when transitioning from a SEP-covered highway to a non-covered one (or vice versa), simply pass through the ETC lane as usual. The tolls for non-covered sections will be recorded on the ETC card and settled when returning the car.

 

However, among the highways covered by SEP, three have only partial coverage: the Chugoku Expressway, Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, and Shin-Meishin Expressway. The Chugoku Expressway is covered only west of Takarazuka IC, the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway is covered only south of Kasuga IC, and the Shin-Meishin Expressway is covered only between Kawanishi IC and Kobe JCT.

 

If you drive from areas east of Takarazuka IC or Kawanishi IC, or north of Kasuga IC, into the SEP coverage zone without exiting the highway, there will be no toll station to record the fees for the covered and non-covered sections separately. According to the SEP official website, in such cases, you only need to pay the tolls for the non-covered sections. The rental company will calculate the fees for the non-covered sections when you return the car.

 

In the San’in and Sanyo regions, some highways are toll-free, including the Tottori Expressway, Matsue Expressway, Onomichi Expressway, and Higashi-Hiroshima-Kure Expressway.

 

 

Eligibility for Purchasing SEP Pass

 

Like the previous four highway passes, SEP is designed for foreign tourists traveling in Japan by car. Therefore, only foreigners or Japanese citizens residing overseas are eligible to purchase the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass.

 

The SEP official website does not specify vehicle restrictions or whether the pass duration must match the rental period. Based on similar passes like HEP, CEP, and KEP, the rental vehicle must be a standard passenger car (i.e., vehicles with 660cc or larger engines and seating for up to 10 passengers). Vehicles with engines smaller than 660cc (kei cars) are not eligible for SEP. Additionally, rental companies typically require the pass duration to match the rental period.

 

 

Pricing of the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass

 

The SEP Pass is available for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 10 days. The price from October 1, 2019, ranged from 6,100 yen (3 days) to 13,200 yen (10 days). After resuming sales in April 2023, the prices remained unchanged. However, starting October 1, 2024, SEP prices increased significantly, with an average rise of 33%.

 

Duration Price Before October 1, 2024 Price From October 1, 2024
3 Day 6,100 yen 10,700 yen
4 Day 7,100 yen 11,700 yen
5 Day 8,100 yen 12,700 yen
6 Day 9,200 yen 13,700 yen
7 Day 10,200 yen 14,700 yen
8 Day 11,200 yen 15,700 yen
9 Day 12,200 yen 16,700 yen
10 Day 13,200 yen 17,700 yen

 

The highway pass itself is not a physical item. When purchasing SEP, the rental company will provide an ETC card, typically charging a rental fee of 330 yen (including tax). Therefore, in addition to the SEP price, this ETC card rental fee must also be paid.

 

The average toll fee for Japanese highways is approximately 25 yen per kilometer, plus 10% consumption tax, totaling around 28 yen. Under the old pricing, purchasing SEP would save money if you drove an average of over 80 kilometers per day on covered highways in the San’in, Sanyo, and Shikoku regions. However, with the significant price increase, SEP is now cost-effective only if you drive an average of over 140 kilometers per day on covered highways.

 

To determine if purchasing SEP is worthwhile, estimate the total toll fees for your trip by multiplying the total distance traveled on covered highways by 28 yen, then compare this amount to the SEP price.

 

If your trip includes areas outside the SEP coverage or you are renting from ToCoo!, purchasing the ToCoo! Expressway Pass might be more suitable.

 

 

Purchase Locations for SEP Pass

 

To purchase the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass, you must rent a car from a SEP-affiliated rental company and pick up and return the car at a designated SEP sales location. In other words, SEP cannot be purchased separately; it must be purchased when picking up the rental car.

 

Currently, seven rental companies partner with SEP: Toyota Rent a Car, Times Car Rental, Budget Rent a Car, Orix Rent a Car, Nissan Rent a Car, JR Rent-A-Car (West), and Heisei Rent a Car. These seven companies have a total of 94 locations where you can purchase the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass.

Purchasing SEP

 

Although the “San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass” covers only highways in the San’in, Sanyo, and Shikoku regions, SEP can also be purchased at some rental company locations in Osaka and Fukuoka. Therefore, if you are starting your road trip from Kansai Airport, Osaka, or Fukuoka to San’in, Sanyo, or Shikoku, you can still purchase SEP. Additionally, except for Orix Rent a Car and JR Rent-A-Car (West), which do not allow one-way rentals, the other five companies permit one-way rentals, but only between SEP-affiliated locations. However, Toyota Rent a Car allows one-way rentals only at certain locations, and Times Car Rental’s Kansai Airport branch does not permit one-way rentals.

 

A. Which rental companies at Kansai Airport sell SEP?

 

Currently, Toyota Rent a Car and Orix Rent a Car offer SEP at their Kansai Airport branches, but neither allows one-way rentals. You must pick up and return the car at the Kansai Airport branch.

 

B. Which rental companies in Osaka sell SEP?

 

If you want to rent a car and purchase SEP in Osaka, the only option is JR Rent-A-Car (West)’s Shin-Osaka Station branch.

 

C. Which rental companies in Kyoto sell SEP?

 

If you want to rent a car and purchase SEP in Kyoto, the only option is JR Rent-A-Car (West)’s Kyoto Station branch.

 

D. Which rental companies in Kobe sell SEP?

 

If you want to rent a car and purchase SEP in Kobe, the only option is JR Rent-A-Car (West)’s Shin-Kobe Station branch.

 

E. Which rental companies in Fukuoka sell SEP?

 

Nissan Rent a Car has three branches in Fukuoka Prefecture where you can purchase SEP: Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Shinkansen Station, and Kokura Shinkansen Station. One-way rentals are allowed.

 

 

List of Rental Company Branches Selling the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass

 

Note: Due to rental company operational decisions, the branches selling SEP may change. The following list reflects the latest information as of the article’s update (October 1, 2024) and may not match current data. It is recommended to check the official website for the most up-to-date sales locations before renting.

 

1. Toyota Rent a Car Branches Selling SEP (41 locations) [Some branches allow one-way rentals]

 

  • Osaka
    • Kansai Airport Branch [No one-way rentals]
  • Hiroshima
    • Hiroshima Airport Branch [No one-way rentals]
    • Hiroshima Shinkansen Exit Branch [No one-way rentals]
    • Fujimicho Branch [No one-way rentals]
    • Shin-Onomichi Station Branch [No one-way rentals]
    • Fukuyama Station Branch [No one-way rentals]
  • Okayama
    • Okayama Airport Branch
    • Okayama Station Branch
    • Okayama Station West Exit Branch
    • Okayama Station West Exit Plaza Branch
    • Aeon Mall Okayama Branch [Allows returns from other branches but does not accept returns from other branches here]
    • Kurashiki Station North Exit Branch
    • Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter Branch
    • Bitchu-Takahashi Station Branch
    • Tsuyama Station Branch
  • Yamaguchi
    • Shin-Yamaguchi Station Branch
    • Yamaguchi-Ube Airport Branch
    • Shin-Shimonoseki Station Branch
    • Hofu Branch
    • Tokuyama Shinkansen Exit Branch
    • Iwakuni-Kintaikyo Airport Branch
    • Shin-Iwakuni Station Branch
    • Hagi Branch
  • Tottori
    • Tottori Station Branch
    • Yonago-Kitaro Airport Branch
    • Yonago Station Branch
    • Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport Branch
  • Shimane
    • Matsue Station South Branch
    • Izumo City Station Branch
  • Shikoku
    • Takamatsu Airport Branch
    • Takamatsu Branch
    • Takamatsu Sunport Branch
    • Marugame Station Branch
    • Kan-onji Branch
    • Tokushima-Awaodori Airport Branch
    • Tokushima Branch
    • Naruto Branch
    • Matsuyama Airport Branch
    • Matsuyama Branch
    • Kochi Airport Branch
    • Kochi Station Branch

 

2. Times Car Rental Branches Selling SEP (7 locations) [All branches allow one-way rentals except Hiroshima Station]

 

  • Hiroshima
    • Hiroshima Airport Branch
    • Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit Branch
    • Hiroshima Station Branch [Allows returns from other branches but does not accept returns from other branches here]
    • Hiroshima Otemachi Branch
    • Mihara Station Branch
    • Fukuyama Station Branch
  • Shimane
    • Izumo Airport Branch

 

3. Nissan Rent a Car Branches Selling SEP (18 locations) [All branches allow one-way rentals]

 

  • Hiroshima
    • Hiroshima Airport Branch
    • Hiroshima Shinkansen Station Branch
    • Hiroshima Hacchobori Branch
    • Fukuyama Shinkansen Station Branch
  • Okayama
    • Okayama Airport Branch
    • Okayama Station West Exit Branch
    • Kurashiki Station Branch
  • Tottori
    • Yonago Airport Branch
  • Shimane
    • Matsue Station Branch
    • Izumo Airport Branch
  • Shikoku
    • Takamatsu Airport Branch
    • Takamatsu Station Branch
    • Matsuyama Airport Branch
    • Kochi-Ryoma Airport Branch
    • Kochi Station Branch
  • Kyushu
    • Fukuoka Airport Branch
    • Hakata Shinkansen Station Branch
    • Kokura Shinkansen Station Branch

 

4. Budget Rent a Car Branches Selling SEP (9 locations) [All branches allow one-way rentals]

 

  • Okayama
    • Okayama Station West Exit Branch
    • Okayama Branch
  • Shikoku
    • Takamatsu Airport Branch
    • Takamatsu Station Branch
    • Matsuyama Airport Branch
    • Matsuyama Branch
    • Tokushima Airport Branch
    • Kochi Airport Branch
    • Kochi Branch

 

5. Orix Rent a Car Branches Selling SEP (3 locations) [All branches do not allow one-way rentals]

 

  • Osaka
    • Kansai Airport Branch
    • Grandfront Osaka Branch
  • Tottori
    • Yonago Airport Branch

 

6. JR Rent-A-Car (West) Branches Selling SEP (9 locations) [All branches do not allow one-way rentals]

 

  • Osaka
    • Shin-Osaka Station Branch
  • Kyoto
    • Kyoto Station Branch
  • Hyogo
    • Shin-Kobe Station Branch
    • Himeji Station Branch
  • Okayama
    • Okayama Station Branch
  • Hiroshima
    • Hiroshima Station Branch
    • Fukuyama Station Branch
  • Shimane
    • Izumo City Station Branch
  • Yamaguchi
    • Shin-Yamaguchi Station Branch

 

7. Heisei Rent a Car Branches Selling SEP (7 locations) [All branches allow one-way rentals]

 

  • Okayama
    • Okayama Airport Branch
    • Okayama Station Branch
    • Shin-Kurashiki Station Branch
  • Shikoku
    • Takamatsu Airport Branch
    • Takamatsu Station Branch
    • Marugame Station Branch
    • Matsuyama Airport Branch

 

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