Japanese Rail Passes are issued by the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), and they are the most economical means of travelling throughout Japan by rail. There are two types of pass: green (for superior-class green cars), and ordinary. Each is available as a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day pass.
The Japanese Rail Pass allows you to ride on all bullet trains except nozomi and mizuho. Keep reading for more information.
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The Japanese Rail Pass is a discounted pass offered to tourists by the JR Group, to help travelers explore Japan more affordably. JR has an extensive network of trains and bullet trains (shinkansen) throughout the country.
The pass is simply a pass for traveling on JR lines and is one of the best-value deals for touring Japan. If you’re traveling to multiple regions on Japan’s main islands and you would like to save money, a JR pass is a must-have.
The passes are exclusively for foreign visitors to Japan who are visiting on a tourist visa (under 90 days). You should know about them early in your travel planning, for it’s too late once you arrive in Japan: as things stand, you have to purchase your pass before you arrive in Japan.
The pass provides free travel on nearly all trains in the JR system. It can also be used on some JR buses and the JR West-run ferry to Miyajima Island off Hiroshima. Read the validity section below for more information.
The JR Pass is available for 7, 14 or 21 days. When purchasing, you can choose between standard class (known as ordinary) and first class (known as green car). Choosing the green car will, of course, incur an extra charge. Read the section ‘Purchasing a JR Pass’ for more information.
The pass is valid for reserved and non-reserved ordinary car travel on all JR Group shinkansen (bullet trains, except for the “nozomi” and “mizuho” services), limited express trains, express trains, local trains and the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system. The pass itself does not ensure seating. If you want reserved seating, be sure to get seat reservations before boarding.
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Great job!
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May 2018
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In addition, I want to specifically mention the guides provided in certain locations. Rum, in Siem Reap, made the most memorable experience possible. His positivity was contagious - even when it felt like 1000 degrees and we were tired. He brought it all to life, and created a couple days of Ankor Wat, etc. that we will never forget! He heard my daughter's request for specific Cambodian food, and changed our itinerary to go to a village and eat at a locally known shop. He brought the dessert she asked about to us in the car! Overall, he and his driver "Lucky" were a reason to go to Siem Reap. In addition, the other guides (minus one which was switched out immediately) were stupendous. Mon in Bangkok was friendly and provided a great day there; Eak in Chiang Mai gave us a world-class food-tour and day touring the city and its surrounding temples with lots of laughs; Tommy in Hanoi kept us from getting killed in the traffic and gave a stupendous food and architecture/history tour - so very friendly and funny; the fishing village tour in Hoi An, as well as the side-car tour in Saigon, were both unforgettable! Thank you Sharon, and Asia Highlights. Would definitely use again for future trips! More
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Apr 2023
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Simply buy your JR Pass voucher online or through a travel agency, and once you have reached the country, you can exchange the voucher for your pass. Here is further information on how to purchase the JR Pass:
Here are some steps on how to buy the JR Pass:
1. The most important is: when purchasing the JR Pass, you must purchase an Exchange Order at an authorized sales agent or sales office before coming to Japan.
2. Get a “temporary visitor” stamp in your passport at the immigration counter when you enter Japan.
3. Hand in your voucher in return for a pass at a JR Pass office at JR hubs. You’ll be asked to show your passport as well.
You can buy your JR Pass at a designated travel agent, official JR website, or other official distributor. From March 2018, some Japanese train offices will sell the JR Pass, but at a higher price than what you pay by buying beforehand through a travel agency or online.
Prices shown below are yen (¥) prices for a JR Pass, current in July 2018
| Type: | Green | Ordinary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Adult | Child | Adult | Child |
| 7-day | 38,880 YEN | 19,440 YEN | 29,110 YEN | 14,550 YEN |
| 14-day | 62,950 YEN | 31,470 YEN | 46,390 YEN | 23,190 YEN |
| 21-day | 81,870 YEN | 40,930 YEN | 59,350 YEN | 29,670 YEN |
Order your pass online by credit card and upon completion receive an order summary. You can buy the pass up to 90 days ahead of when you plan to use it, and when you have bought it, you will receive a voucher for the pass, not the pass itself. You need to exchange the voucher for the pass when you arrive in Japan.
Pass vouchers are issued within 24 hours of receiving your order and will be available for collection the following business day. Please allow up to several days for delivery if you request the pass to be sent to you. Delivery fees apply. (Note: fees may vary between travel agencies, official websites and countries.)
When you order your JR Pass you will receive an Exchange Order. This is a physical voucher you take with you to Japan where you can swap it for the actual JR Pass at one of many designated exchange offices. As it’s a physical voucher it can’t be e-mailed to you.
If you are departing within 7 days, you will not be able to order passes online and will need to go to a designated office to purchase your JR Pass over the counter.
Your exchange coupon must be exchanged within 3 months from when it is issued. You must exchange it in Japan at a valid exchange office within these three months in order to receive your pass. If you fail to make the exchange, your exchange coupon will no longer be valid and you will not be able to receive the pass.
Using the JR pass is simple. Follow the steps below and you can board the bullet trains faster.
1. When you begin using your pass, present it to the attendant at a manned ticket gate. The attendant will apply a stamp in the space provided for official use. When passing through the gate, always ensure the period of validity is visible when you present your pass to the attendant.
2. You must carry your passport and be prepared to present it if requested by a station attendant or car conductor.
3. After entering the station, find your platform. After passengers have alighted, board the train.
4. The JR Pass itself does not ensure seat availability. If you want reserved seating, be sure to get seat reservations before boarding (no additional payment is needed).
To obtain a reserved-seat ticket, present your JR Pass at the ticket office (midori-no-madoguchi) of a JR station, at a Travel Service Center, or the sales office of a major travel agency. For some trains it is obligatory to reserve a seat.
Unless you have reserved a seat, you can only use non-reserved seating with the pass. Please note that some trains do not have non-reserved seating, so you need to book a seat in advance. Neither an exchange coupon nor a JR Pass can be reissued if lost or stolen, so please keep it safe.
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Q: Can you email me the JR Pass?
A: No. When you purchase a JR Pass you will receive a physical voucher (Exchange Order) that you must take with you to Japan and swap for the actual pass.
Q: My child is 11 now but will be 12 when we go to Japan. Is he/she eligible for the JR children’s pass?
A: Yes, children who are 11 years of age at the time the Exchange Order is issued are eligible for the discounted children’s JR Pass.
Q: Are JR Pass prices seasonal?
A: No, but prices do vary with exchange rates. The prices are set in yen by JR and then you can convert them into your home currency.
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