JR Pass
There are two types of JR Nationwide (All Area Japan) : PASS for Green Cars and PASS for Ordinary Cars. Each type can be purchased for 7 days, 14 days or 21 days.
There are certain conditions for use. For example, “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen Lines cannot be used.
Eligibility for use
Before buying JAPAN RAIL PASS, carefully check the following to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements!
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is a special fare ticket that is available only to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing. To be eligible to purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you must meet one of the following two conditions. Even if you have purchased a PASS online or have an Exchange Order, if you do not meet the qualifications for using the JAPAN RAIL PASS, you will be unable to pick it up or exchange it. Please confirm the usage qualifications thoroughly prior to purchasing a PASS or Exchange Order.
Also, if you do not meet the usage qualifications due to factors such as insufficient documentation (including due to insufficient or incorrect instructions from the travel agency where you purchased your Exchange Order) and you are unable to receive a PASS, the JR Group takes no responsibility for any transportation expenses incurred during your stay in Japan as a result. Please confirm that you have all of the required confirmation documents prior to leaving your country.
You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor."
Temporary Visitor entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for “sight-seeing, etc. “If you apply for a “stay for sight-seeing” when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport as “Temporary Visitor,” as shown below.
* In order to receive or use JAPAN RAIL PASS, your passport must bear this stamp or sticker.
Examples of the “Temporary Visitor” entry status stamp
When you use an automated gate at the airport, no stamp/sticker will be stamped or put on your passport. Therefore, you need to either use a manned automated gate or ask a clerk to apply a stamp/sticker in your passport.
However, a customer who has a “registered user card” under the Trusted Traveler Program will be required to show the card to confirm the “Temporary Visitor” status.
Caution
If you purchased a JAPAN RAIL PASS online or have an Exchange Order, you cannot pick up or exchange the JAPAN RAIL PASS unless you have a “Temporary Visitor” visa; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as “Trainee”, “Entertainer”, or “Reentry Permit”, you cannot pick up or exchange the JAPAN RAIL PASS. According to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary Visitor” status differs from “short term stay”.
Japanese people living abroad who meet the following conditions
Eligibility requirements that will be in effect from June 1, 2017
JAPAN RAIL PASS types and prices
Notice about the prices
The child PASS prices are applicable to children who are age 6 through 11(Prices are subject to change. The applicable price is the valid price on the date when purchased
JAPAN RAIL PASS Scope of Validity
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferry boats shown in the table below.
All JR Group Railways-Shinkansen”bullet trains”(「except any reserved or non-reserved seat on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains)limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains, and the BRT. (With some exceptions)
- JAPAN RAIL PASS holders can also use the Tokyo Monorail (Haneda Airport Access)
Caution
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.
(The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.) If you use a “NOZOMI” or “MIZUHO” train, you must pay the basic fare and the limited express charge, and for a Green Car, the additional Green Car surcharge.
In addition, if you use the GranClass car of the Tōhoku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen, Jōetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen, you must pay the limited express charge and the GranClass car surcharge.
Note also that passengers using JR trains on non-JR lines must pay additional fares and charges for sections traveled on such lines. Some JR trains use the lines of private railways for direct services.
Depending on the train car or railway section, if there are restrictions in place on the maximum number of seats, it may not be possible to secure designed reserved seats even if there is a vacancy.
Map
- Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
- Rates and all details above are subject to change without prior notice.
