The JAPAN RAIL PASS is the most convenient, efficient, and economical way to travel in Japan. Travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing can purchase this pass.
Japan Rail Pass Validity
Transportation Services
Many JR trains have Green Cars (First class): all have ordinary cars. You can use Green cars or Ordinary cars with a Green-type JAPAN RAIL PASS, and you can use ordinary cars with an Ordinary-type JR Pass without paying additional charges.
Shinkansen NOZOMI / MIZOHO
| Green Car ※1 |
Mizuho and Nozomi trains are available with additional charges. Please purchase "Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket" for each ride at the JR train office or ticket-vending machine at the JR train station in Japan.
|
| Compartment ※2 |
| Ordinary Car |
| Ordinary private Compartment ※3 |
| GranClass ※4 |
| Sleeping Car ※5 |
Shinkansen HIKARI / SAKURA / KODAMA / TSUBAME
| Green Car ※1 |
Green Pass |
| Green private Compartment ※2 |
N/A |
| Ordinary Car |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
| Ordinary private Compartment ※3 |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
| GranClass ※4 |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
| Sleeping Car ※5 |
N/A |
Limited express and ordiary express ※5
| Green Car ※1 |
Green Pass |
| Green private Compartment ※2 |
Green Pass |
| Ordinary Car |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
| Ordinary private Compartment ※3 |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
| GranClass ※4 |
N/A |
| Sleeping Car ※5 |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
Local and rapid trains
| Green Car ※1 |
Green Pass |
| Green private Compartment ※2 |
N/A |
| Ordinary Car |
Green Pass / Ordinary Pass |
| Ordinary private Compartment ※3 |
N/A |
| GranClass ※4 |
N/A |
| Sleeping Car ※5 |
N/A |
[Green Cars ※1] There are no Green Cars on Hikari and Kodama trains between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, or on some Sakura and Tsubame 800 Series trains on Kyusyushu Shinkansen line.
[Green private Compartment ※2] Additional charges required
[Ordinary private Compartment ※3] Additional charges required
[GranClass ※4] RAIL PASS coveres only the basic fare. You will need pay the limited express charge and the GranClass car surcharge additionally.
[Sleeping Car ※5] Additional charges required
All JR Group railways
Shinkansen super express, limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains. (Not usable on some trains)
Trains from Airport
-Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport
-Narita express from Narita Airport
-Haruka from Kansai Airport
JR Local Bus (Except Airport shuttle Bus, highway Bus)
JR Ferry (Miyajima - Miyajimaguchi)*required to additionally pay a Miyajima Visitor Tax of 100 yen when visiting the island), except 'Beetle II' (Hakata- Pusan, South Korea)
JAPAN RAIL PASS holders special discounts in tourist facilities in Japan.
Special discounts : Hokkaido / East Japan / Central Japan / West Japan / Shikoku / Kyushu / Accommodation benefits
*Updated: as of Oct 2023. The validity and rules may change without notice.
How to turn in an Exchange Order to receive a JAPAN RAIL PASS
Your "Exchange order" must be activated to a JAPAN RAIL PASS before you get on board.
You cannot use an Exchange Order when you travel on JR lines. Turn in your Exchange Order and obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS at one of the JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange offices. Your Exchange Order must be turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS within 3 months of the date the Order was issued. At the JAPAN RAIL PASS Exchange office, fill in an application form to accompany your Exchange Order, and submit it, along with your passport, when you turn in your Exchange Order. The type of PASS described on the Exchange Order can not be changed.
How to use a reserved seat
Shinkansen and most limited express and ordinary express trains have reserved Green car seats and both reserved and non-reserved ordinary car seats.
A non-reserved seat can be used simply by showing your JAPAN RAIL PASS. To use a reserved seat, apply at any Travel Service Center or reserved-seat ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or Ticket-vending machine at a JR station, or at a sales office of a JR-associated travel agency. There, show your JAPAN RAIL PASS, and obtain your reserved-seat ticket before your trip.
Caution:
Please note that during crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed a seat on a specific train.
The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows.
* Seat reservations cannot be made outside Japan.
●Dec 29 - Jan 5
The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returning to hometown areas.
●Apr 29 - May 5
Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is large scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
●Aug 13 - Aug 15
Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the o-bon season.
Other conditions for the JAPAN RAIL PASS
You can reserve seats in advance before boarding with no extra charge at JR ticket offices or Ticket-vending machine at a JR station.
The information on the voucher is not allowed to be changed.Refunds for vouchers can be obtained at the place of issue within one year of the date of issue.
The specified service fee and communication charges will be deducted from the refund amount. The original exchange order must be presented for the refund. If purchased with a credit card, it will be refunded to the credit card used when paying. It may take time to refund depending on the confirmation of cancellation.Refunds for exchanged rail passes can be obtained at the place of the exchange office before the starting date. A service fee corresponding to 10% of the price in Japanese yen stated on the rail pass concerned will be charged per rail pass. No refund is made for rail passes on or after the starting date.