Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass): How to Buy and Use, Price, and Benefits

Japan Rail Pass: Cost-efficient Travel in Japan

If you plan to explore various regions in Japan, consider using the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass). The JR Pass is a convenient travel pass available for foreign visitors with a tourist visa.

It comes in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day options and is valid only on train lines operated by Japan Railways. The JR Pass allows visitors to save on transportation costs.

Read on to learn about the features of the JR Pass and how to buy it.

Japan Rail Pass Guide

1. JR Pass: General Features and Coverage Area
2. Japan Rail Pass Types and Prices
3. The Benefits of Using the Japan Rail Pass
4. How to Buy the JR Pass Before Arriving in Japan
5. How to Buy the JR Pass in Japan
6. How to Use the JR Pass
7. Points to Note When Using the Japan Rail Pass
8. How to Reserve Shinkansen Seats with the Japan Rail Pass

1. JR Pass: General Features and Coverage Area

The Japan Rail Pass is a special discount ticket offered jointly by the six companies of the JR Group (Hokkaido, East Japan, Central Japan, West Japan, Shikoku, and Kyushu).

Holding it allows you to enjoy unlimited travel on all train lines and local buses (limited to those operated by JR companies) throughout Japan, making it an excellent deal.

The Japan Rail Pass is recommended for foreign tourists visiting multiple cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other regional cities. Additionally, those using public transportation like Shinkansen and conventional trains to travel across Japan can save on transportation costs by using the Japan Rail Pass.

Japan's public transportation system runs like a network across the country. It is convenient, so using conventional trains and Shinkansen is highly recommended!

Who is Eligible to Use the JR Pass?

Those who qualify for the Japan Rail Pass fall into one of the following two categories:

1. Foreign tourists visiting Japan for sightseeing purposes under the "Short-Term Stay" entry qualification.

2. Japanese nationals residing overseas who hold a Japanese passport and have documentation confirming that they have resided abroad continuously for over 10 years, such as a certificate obtained at a foreign diplomatic mission.

2. Japan Rail Pass Types and Prices

Duration	7 Days	14 Days	21 Days
Regular Price	50,000 yen (25,000 yen)	80,000 yen (40,000 yen)	100,000 yen (50,000 yen)
Green Car Price	70,000 yen (35,000 yen)	110,000 yen (55,000 yen)	140,000 yen (70,000 yen)

The prices in parentheses are for children aged 6 to 11 years. These are the prices as of September 2024 and may be subject to change.

The Japan Rail Pass is available for use in three durations: 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. You can choose between ordinary cars and green cars for each duration.

In the case of the green car, you can use the green seats on Shinkansen and conventional trains.

Green seats are akin to first-class seats in trains, featuring spacious seating with footrests and power outlets. They are suitable for those who want to relax comfortably while traveling or for those who need to work on the train.

3. The Benefits of Using the Japan Rail Pass

For those wondering if they should purchase the JR Pass or not, as stated above, it is an ideal pass when seeing multiple areas in Japan. In general, it will save money for those traveling to two or more places in Japan using the Shinkansen.

For example, if you travel from Tokyo to Osaka, then to Hiroshima and Kanazawa, and return to Tokyo without using the pass, your total will be:

Tokyo to Shin-Osaka: 13,870 yen
Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima: 9,890 yen
Hiroshima to Kanazawa: 17,610 yen
Kanazawa to Tokyo: 13,850 yen
Round-trip total: 55,220 yen

Since the 7-day JR Pass costs 50,000 yen, you will save 5,220 yen on bullet train travel alone. The JR Pass covers the cost of your tickets on JR trains and buses at your destination, too, allowing you to save even more.

The Japan Rail Pass is also very convenient if you want to travel over long distances, like Tokyo - Hakodate, and explore the entire Hokkaido region using JR lines; or Tokyo - Fukuoka (Hakata), which is the gateway to the entire Kyushu region, including Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.

4.How to Buy the Japan Rail Pass Abroad

This section introduces the usual method of reserving and exchanging the Japan Rail Pass before your arrival in Japan.

1. Obtain an Exchange Order Before Your Visit

To use the Japan Rail Pass in Japan, you need to purchase an Exchange Order before your visit and then exchange it for the pass after arriving in Japan. The Exchange Order can be purchased from major travel agencies in Japan (such as JTB, Kintetsu Japan Travel, Nippon Travel Agency, and Tobu Top Tours) or their partnered agencies overseas.

If you are flying with JAL or ANA to Japan, you can also make reservations through these airlines. Additionally, starting June 1, 2020, reservations can also be made through the dedicated Japan Rail Pass reservation site, “JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation.”

Furthermore, you can also purchase it from online booking sites like Klook or Japan Experience.

2. Exchange Your Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Pass in Japan

Once you arrive in Japan, take your Exchange Order to a "JR Travel Service Center" located at major airports and train stations in Japan. You will be asked to present your passport at the counter, so make sure to have it ready.

By exchanging your Exchange Order, you will finally receive your actual Japan Rail Pass.

For more details on the locations of JR Travel Service Centers, please visit the official JR website.

5. How to Buy the Japan Rail Pass in Japan

The Japan Rail Pass must typically be purchased before arriving in Japan, either from designated sales agents for the Japan Rail Pass or from travel agencies partnered with JR.

However, while domestic sales are not available, you can purchase it from the official website (JRP Reservation) from within Japan.

Until March 31, 2021, you could purchase it at the "R EAST Travel Service Center in Narita Airport's Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, as well as at major stations and airports in Japan such as Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, and Osaka Station.

For more details on purchase locations and prices, please visit the official JR website.

6. How to Use the Japan Rail Pass

Once you have obtained the Japan Rail Pass, you can freely board public transportation listed within its applicable range, including Shinkansen, conventional trains, and ferries to Miyajima in Hiroshima. However, there are some important points to keep in mind when using it.

Insert your Japan Rail Pass into the ticket slot of the automatic ticket gates, and after passing through, be sure to retrieve your pass from the output slot. Please note that you cannot use automatic gates labeled for "IC cards."

If you are passing through a manned ticket gate, please show your pass to the staff member so that they can verify your usage period and stamp it. Manned ticket gates are usually located at the ends of the ticket barriers.

7. Points to Note When Using the Japan Rail Pass

There are some routes where the Japan Rail Pass cannot be used. Before boarding a train, make sure to check whether the route is applicable.

As mentioned earlier, the Japan Rail Pass is only valid on JR lines. It cannot be used on non-JR lines such as Tokyo Metro or Tobu Railways, and separate fees will apply for those services. Additionally, highway buses operated by JR are also excluded from its usage.

Moreover, you can ride the Shinkansen trains Nozomi and Mizuho by purchasing an additional Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket. For more details, please see here.

8. How to Reserve Shinkansen Seats with the Japan Rail Pass

The Shinkansen offers two types of seats: reserved seats and non-reserved seats.

With non-reserved seating, there may be times when you cannot find a seat and may have to stand. This situation is common during busy times such as weekdays' rush hours, holidays, and public holidays when the Shinkansen can be crowded.

Some of the notable public holidays in Japan include the following:

Golden Week (around April 27 to May 6): This is a major holiday season with comfortable weather, resulting in a high volume of travelers.

Obon (around August 10 to 19): This period sees crowds due to people returning to their hometowns.

Year-End and New Year (around December 28 to January 6): This is especially crowded as people travel for homecoming or holiday trips.

If you want to travel comfortably, it is recommended to make a seat reservation.

With the Japan Rail Pass, you can use reserved seats without any additional fees. Reservations are required in advance, so please make your booking at the "bilingual ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi)" before departure or ideally at least one day before your trip.

If you purchased your pass through the dedicated site "JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation," you can also reserve your seats directly on that website.

By booking early, you can avoid the hassle of last-minute scrambling for tickets or finding that seats are sold out. The Midori no Madoguchi ticket offices are located at major JR stations and offer comprehensive language support.

Make the Most of Your Japan Rail Pass!

Using the Japan Rail Pass can significantly reduce your transportation costs. It is especially perfect for those who want to explore various places during their first trip to Japan!

Remember to make your reservations in advance and check the points to note for usage to enjoy a comfortable journey.