JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020: Only 12,000 Yen For 3 Days Of Travel!

A New Travel Pass from JR East

Picture courtesy of East Japan Railway Company

On October 16th, JR East will begin selling a new travel pass available to those with overseas passports. The JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020 will be on sale until February 26th, 2021. This three-day, unlimited pass offers both visitors and residents with overseas passports a great opportunity to explore eastern Japan.

About the Welcome Rail Pass

Picture courtesy of East Japan Railway Company

Let’s take a look at the price and features of the JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020. It costs 12,000 yen for adults, and 6,000 for children. The pass is available to anyone in Japan with an overseas passport, regardless of visa status.

The pass is valid for 3 days, and allows unlimited rides on local, limited express, and Shinkansen trains operated by JR East. It can also be used to receive a reserved seat at a ticket counter or terminal, and can even be used at automatic ticket gates!

In addition to JR East lines, the JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020 covers a number of local lines within its area, including the Aoimori Railway, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR), Sanriku Railway, Echigo TOKImeki Railway (between Myoko-Kogen and Naoetsu), and the Shinano Railway Line.

Picture courtesy of East Japan Railway Company

As you can see, the JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020 supports one of the largest areas of any JR travel pass; be sure to take advantage of this limited time offer during the Fall and Winter holidays.

How to Buy Your Welcome Rail Pass

Picture from https://matcha-jp.com/en/672

You can purchase the new pass either in person, at a JR East Travel Service Center, or online. JR East counters are located in most major JR stations, including Tokyo, Ueno, Shinjuku, and Shibuya Station. For a full list of purchase locations, you can check this JR East page.

If you’d prefer to purchase your pass online, they will be available from JR partner WAmazing starting on October 16th. Passes purchased through WAmazing can be picked up from an automated terminal in Ueno Station, starting on October 17th.

Travel Opportunities

The JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020 is a fantastic opportunity for anyone planning to travel around eastern Japan. For travel inspiration, and destinations convenient to this new pass, you can check JR East’s website, and our in-depth articles below.

Picture courtesy of JNTO

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) is running a social media campaign called #MyOwnPersonalJapan where you can post pictures from your travel and personal experiences in Japan!

Make sure to add the hashtags #myownpersonaljapan and #visitjapanjp to your Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook posts to be eligible for the raffle. 10 selected participants will receive travel vouchers and goods for trips around Japan! The application deadline is December 6, 2020. Read more details about this campaign on this page.

Use the incredibly convenient JR-EAST Welcome Rail Pass to travel to amazing destinations in eastern Japan this fall and take wonderful pictures!