Japan Rails Pass

The JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR PASS) offers an incredibly economical way to travel throughout Japan by rail. With this ticket you will enjoy unlimited rail travel throughout Japan over a 7, 14 or 21 consecutive day period. It is available in either an Ordinary (coach class) or Green (first class) version. Because Japan Railways has 12,400 miles of track, it is possible to travel almost anywhere in the country by train. The Japan Rail Pass can provide you with convenience and great savings if used wisely, but it is a discount ticket and some restrictions on trains do apply. There are no restrictions on date or season.

For Shinkansen, please take note that the pass is not valid for “NOZOMI” trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.

Price

Eligibility

• The regional Passes are available to travelers entering Japan on a non-Japanese passport with “Temporary Visitor” entry status.
• It is very important to note that Japanese citizens resident abroad can use the Japan Rail Pass under either one of two conditions;a. permanent residency status in a foreign country, or
  b. marriage to a foreign national

  It is up to the individual Japanese citizen to present full proof of his/her status when buying the rail pass and exchanging the Rail Pass voucher in Japan

Validity JR pass

The Japan Rail Pass is valid on almost all trains on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including urban train lines and the shinkansen (bullet trains), as well as on many JR bus lines and the JR Miyajima ferry. Pass holders are also eligible for free seat reservations.

Not covered by the Japan Rail Pass is the nozomi, the fastest of several train categories on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Furthermore, the Japan Rail Pass is not valid for couchettes and private rooms on night trains and other special compartments.

There are also a few JR trains, which partially run on the tracks of different railway companies. When riding on such a non-JR owned section, pass holders will have to pay the fare for it on board of the train or at the station. View a list of affected JR lines.

Naturally, the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on any train operated by companies other than the Japan Railways (JR).

Where and how to Buy ?

The Japan Rail Pass is sold as an exchange voucher only outside of Japan. Please contact the nearest distributor. On arrival in Japan you can exchange the voucher for the actual rail pass at any JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office and proceed to make reservations for specific trains, free of charge.

• The voucher must be exchanged within three months from when the voucher was issued. (Three months is defined by calendar date, not by number of days, as follows: a voucher issued on 15 April will be valid only through 14 July, not 15 July.)
• When you make the exchange you must show your passport with the Temporary Visitor stamp in it in order for your Rail Pass exchange order to be screened. Without your passport, the pass exchange will not be made. (A photocopy of your passport is also not acceptable because you must show the “Temporary Visitor” stamp in it.)
• If you are a Japanese national resident in a country other than Japan and with permanent resident status in that country, please show, in addition to your passport, documents testifying to your status.
• The exchange can be done at various major railway stations, including Narita Airport and Kansai Airport. It is not until the time of exchange, when you determine the starting date of validity of your Japan Rail Pass.

Recommendation

The JR Pass is good if you plan to travel more than 1 region in Japan. It is not recommended if your visit is very focus on one area only for example Tokyo.

For details, please visit Official Japan Rail Pass website.