JAPAN RAIL PASS, a joint offering of the six companies comprising the Japan Railways Group (JR
Group), is the economical and convenient means of traveling throughout Japan by rail.
There are two types of PASSes: PASS for Green Cars and PASS for Standard 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.
Eligibility for use①
You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the
entry status of "temporary visitor."
Examples of the "Temporary Visitor" entry status stamp
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.
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".
How to purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS under this eligibility:
Customers who do not meet either of the conditions ①, ② above will not be able to purchase an
Exchange Order or exchange one for a PASS. In addition, if the documentation customers prepare
does not meet the conditions for eligibility, they will not be allowed to purchase an Exchange
Order or exchange it for a PASS. Please confirm that the issued date for both your “Overseas Residential
Registration” and your “Certificate of Overseas Residence” is prior to the purchase date of
your Exchange Order (and within the last 6 months).
(The “Overseas Residential Registration” and “Certificate of Overseas Residence” you
presented at the time you purchased your Exchange Order must also be presented when
exchanged it for a PASS.)
＜For individuals who possess passports issued by both Japan and another country＞
In accordance with the Japanese Immigration Law, please present your Japanese passport to
immigration when entering the country. In this case, your Japanese passport and “documentation
verifying your stay in another country for 10 or more consecutive years, such as a certificate
issued by a government office overseas” will be required.
As a general rule, Exchange Orders cannot be purchased and JAPAN RAIL
PASSES cannot be exchanged for young children who have spent less than 10 years living in
another country. (There are some exceptions. Please confirm the details above.)
JAPAN RAIL PASS types and prices
If you purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS online or
at a ticket office in Japan
Until March 31, 2024, it has been released in some parts of Japan. The sales period is subject to change. Thank you for your understanding in advance.Use is limited to those who have a passport only outside Japan（Not available
for Japanese nationals residing overseas）.
The above are yen (¥) prices for a JAPAN RAIL PASS. When purchasing online or at a ticket office
in Japan, the purchase amount will be settled in Japanese yen. The actual cost in local currency
outside Japan is calculated based on the Banker’s Selling Rate (BSR), etc. at the time the
Exchange Order is issued. Note that the purchase exchange rate may differ from the exchange rate
when you actually visit Japan.
The local currency price, applicable exchange rate, and issue date for an Exchange Order are
specified on the Exchange Order itself.
The child PASS prices are applicable to children who are age 6 through 11 as of the purchase
date in the case of purchasing online, as of the issue date of the Exchange Order, or as of the
date of purchase at a ticket office in Japan.
(Prices are subject to change. The applicable price is the valid price on the date when
purchased online or at a ticket office in Japan, or on the date when an Exchange Order is
issued.)
・The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferry boats shown in the table below.
Railway
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.
Aoimori Railway services between Aomori and Hachinohe (but only for travel
on local or rapid service trains encompassing the segments between Hachinohe and Aomori,
Aomori and Noheji, and Hachinohe and Noheji. Travel is not covered if you disembark at any
other station on the Aoimori Railway line other than Aomori, Noheji, and Hachinohe.)
The IR Ishikawa Railway Line between Kanazawa and Tsubata. However, travel
must be conducted on local or limited express trains and must encompass the full segment
between these two stations. Travel is not covered if you disembark at any station on the IR
Ishikawa Railway line, within or outside the segment (excluding Kanazawa or Tsubata).
The Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line between Toyama and Takaoka. However,
travel must be conducted on local trains and must encompass the full segment between these
two stations. Travel is not covered if you disembark at any station on the Ainokaze Toyama
Railway line, within or outside the segment (excluding Toyama or Takaoka).
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.
・Major JR Trains Running Through Non-JR Lines and the Sections Concerned
Train
Main route
Section requiring separate fares - charges
Private railway company involved
Shirayuki
Niigata - Joetsumyoukou/Arai
Naoetsu - Joetsumyoko/Arai
Echigo TOKImeki Railway
Nikko
Shinjuku - Tobu Nikko
Kurihashi - Tobu Nikko
Tobu Railway
Kinugawa, Spacia Kinugawa
Shinjuku - Kinugawa Onsen
Kurihashi - Kinugawa Onsen
Odoriko, Saphir Odoriko
Shinjuku/Tokyo - Izukyu-Shimoda
Ito - Izukyu-Shimoda
Izukyu
Odoriko
Tokyo - Shuzenji
Mishima - Shuzenji
Izuhakone Railway
FUJI EXCURSION
Shinjuku - Kawaguchiko
Ōtsuki - Kawaguchiko
Fujikyu Railway
Mt.Fuji
Gotemba - (Odakyu) Shinjuku
Matsuda - (Odakyu) Shinjuku
Odakyu Electric Railway
Nanki
Nagoya - Shingu
Kawarada - Tsu
Ise Tetsudo Railway
Rapid “Mie”
Nagoya - Toba
Hashidate, Tango Relay
Kyoto - Amanohashidate/Toyooka
Fukuchiyama - Toyooka
Kyoto Tango Railway
Kounotori
Shin-Osaka - Amanohashidate
Super Hakuto
Kyoto - Tottori/Kurayoshi
Kamigori - Chizu
Chizu Express
Super Inaba
Okayama - Tottori
Shimanto, Ashizuri
Takamatsu/Kochi - Nakamura/Sukumo
Kubokawa - Nakamura/Sukumo
Tosa Kuroshio Railway
Buses
Local lines of JR Bus (excluding some local lines. Pass validity for particular routes is
subject to change.)
(JR Bus : JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku
JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus)
The PASS is not valid for travel on express bus routes operated by JR Bus.
Ferry
Only the JR-WEST Miyajima ferry is covered.
Hydrofoil ferry service operated by JR-KYUSHU between Hakata and Pusan
(Korea) is not covered.
JAPAN RAIL PASS Train accommodations
・Most of JR trains have standard (second class) cars, and many of the long-distance trains have Green
(first class) Cars.
・You may use without paying any additional charges both standard cars and Green Cars with a Green Car
pass and only standard cards with a standard car pass.
Please see the table below for the available trains, cars and facilities.
Cars with ○: Can be used with JAPAN RAIL PASS.
Cars with ▲: Can be used with JAPAN RAIL PASS by paying additional charges.
Cars with ×: Cannot be used for any seats, either reserved (including Green Car) or non-reserved, on ”NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains of the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen Lines.
Trains
Accommodations
Green
Ordinary
“NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen
Green Car
×
×
Ordinary Car
×
×
“HIKARI”, “SAKURA”, “KODAMA” and “TSUBAME” trains
on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines and all trains
on the Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Hokkaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku
and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen lines
GranClass ※4
▲
▲
Green Car
○※1
▲
Ordinary Car
○※2
○※2
Ordinary private Compartment
▲
▲
Limited express and ordinary express
Green Car
○※3
▲
Ordinary Car
○
○
Green private Compartment
▲
▲
Ordinary private Compartment
▲
▲
Sleeping Car
▲
▲
Local and rapid trains
Green Car
○
▲
Ordinary Car
○
○
There are no Green Cars on most “HIKARI” and “KODAMA” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen line (Shin-Osaka−Hakata), on some “SAKURA” and “TSUBAME” Series 800 trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen line, and on all "KAMOME" trains on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line.
It cannot be used for “TRAIN DESK” cars on the Tōhoku, Hokkaido, Jōetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines (starting from the sales on April 1, 2023).
If you use a “DX Green” (operated by JR Kyushu) or "Premium Green" (operated by JR East), you
are required to pay the limited express charge and the DX Green or Premium Green surcharge
additionally. Furthermore, when using the “36+3” train, you are required to pay the limited
express charge and the “36+3” Green Car surcharge additionally.
If you use the GranClass car, only the basic fare is covered with your JAPAN RAIL PASS for both
Green Car and Ordinary Cars and you are required to pay the limited express charge and the
GranClass car surcharge additionally.
Shinkansen regular compartments are a part of the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Green Private Compartments are available on certain limited express trains, such as “Saphir
Odoriko.”
Use of certain trains such as the “Home Liner,” etc. require an additional charge.
Conditions for Use
The JAPAN RAIL PASS (hereinafter referred to the “PASS”) is only valid for the person who
meets the usage qualifications such as being a foreign national visiting Japan with the
entry status of a Temporary Visitor.
At the time of the purchase and exchange order of the PASS, your passport information will
be registered to the PASS. The PASS is only valid for the person whose passport information
is registered (hereinafter referred to as the “User”) and may not be reassigned to another
person. In order to be issued the PASS, the User needs to exchange for it at the ticket
office.
A PASS with overlapping periods of use regardless of the type of PASS cannot be purchased or
exchanged with the same passport information.
When using your Pass, you can either pass through the automatic ticket gate or present it to
an attendant at a manned ticket gate. At the manned ticket gate, the attendant will apply a
stamp to your Pass. When passing through the manned ticket gate, always present your Pass to
the attendant so that the period of validity is clearly visible.
While using the PASS, you must always carry your passport and be prepared to present it to a
station attendant or a car conductor when requested.
The PASS is valid on all Japan Railways (JR) Group Shinkansen “bullet trains” (except
for the “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains), limited express
trains, express trains, and local trains (Green Car passes are valid for Green Car
travel) in addition to the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit system). The Pass is also valid for
travel on the JR WEST Miyajima Ferry between Miyajima and Miyajimaguchi, buses operated
by JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Tohoku Bus, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus,
Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus, and the Tokyo Monorail. However, please
note that the PASS is not valid for travel on JR Group buses that travel on express bus
routes and some local bus routes.
The PASS is not valid for travel on the “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” Shinkansen trains (including
non-reserved seats on both). In order to board these trains, you must pay for the
basic fare and the limited express charge.
The routes covered by the PASS are subject to change.
When using the PASS to travel on JR Trains that extend through
lines operated by companies other than JR Railways, JR West Miyajima Ferry, JR Bus
(excluding some routes such as express bus routes), and the Tokyo Monorail, you must
pay a separate fare and other charges of the distance traveled on such sections.
However, no separate fare or charges are required when you just pass through the
following sections without a stopover.
The Aoimori Railway between Hachinohe and Aomori, Aomori and Noheji, or Hachinohe
and Noheji (Valid only for use on ordinary trains).
The IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata (Excluding travel on trains
other than JR lines extending beyond that section).
The Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka (Valid only for use on
ordinary trains, excluding travel on trains other than JR lines extending beyond
that section). You must purchase a Liner ticket in addition to the PASS to use the
“Ainokaze Liner.”
The PASS itself does not guarantee you a seat. If you want to use a reserved seat, be sure
to book a reserved seat (no additional payment needed). You can obtain a reserved-seat
ticket at a reserved-seat ticket machine, at any JR station ticket office
(Midori-no-madoguchi), or at any Travel Service Center, etc. before boarding. In addition,
if you purchased the PASS on the “JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation” (hereinafter referred to as
“JRPR”), you can also book a reserved seat on the JRPR. Please note, you can use a
non-reserved seat with the PASS, however, some trains do not have non-reserved seats. Also,
if you wish to travel in a private compartment on a Shinkansen or a limited express train,
you will be required to pay the limited express charge for the private compartment, as well
as the Green Car charge if the private compartment is a Green Car accommodation. If you wish
to travel in a sleeping car, a DX Green Car, Premium Green Car, or Gran Class Car, you will
be required to pay the sleeping car charge, the Green Car charge applicable to a DX Green
Car, the Premium Green Car charge, or the Gran Class Car charge, as well as the limited or
regular express service charge. If you ride in a Green Car using an ordinary car pass, you
will be required to pay the Green Car charge, as well as the limited or regular express
service charge (No extra charge applies when using a Green Car pass). You must also pay an
extra charge in advance to travel on a local train requiring a numbered ticket or a liner
ticket. The PASS does not allow you to change to a reserved seat or sleeping car after
boarding.
When issuing a reserved-seat ticket and booking a reserved seat on the JRPR, a reserved-seat
ticket may not be newly issued when falling under any of the following conditions.
The reserved -seat ticket you are booking is on the same day and has overlapping
departure and arrival times with a reserved-seat ticket that has been issued
previously.
On the JRPR or at a reserved-seat ticket machine, the reserved -seat ticket you are
booking is on the same day and has the same departure and arrival stations with a
reserved-seat ticket that has been booked previously.
On the JRPR or at a reserved-seat ticket machine at a JR station, if reserved-seat
tickets for more than 110 trains have already been issued on the PASS.
You may not book reserved seats even if they are open in situations such as when the
number of seats is limited according to trains or section.
Please be aware that reservation numbers are printed on the PASS and the reserved-seat
tickets. Each User must use the reserved-seat tickets with the same reservation number as
his/her PASS.
In the case of change or cancellation of a reserved seat, please
perform the cancellation procedures for the reserved -seat ticket before the departure time
of the train you booked.
If you use a non-reserved seat, or if you travel in an ordinary
car using a Green Car pass, no refund will be paid for the fare or other charges.
The PASS can be used only within its periods of use.
The PASS cannot be exchanged for other types of passes or
tickets, nor can the periods of use of the issued PASS be changed.
Please note that the PASS cannot be reissued in the event that
it is lost or stolen.
If the ordinary PASS fails to be issued in the event of system
failures, etc., the PASS limiting a part of functions (for example, the reserved-seat ticket
machines or automatic ticket gates are not available) may be issued. However, a refund is
not available for this reason.
A refund is only available before the starting date of periods
of use, in principle. For a refund, if there are any issued reserved-seat tickets, it is
necessary to cancel all the issued reserved-seat tickets.
If the PASS is purchased on the JRPR you have not been issued the PASS, a refund is
available on the JRPR. Refunds are available until 11:30 p.m. (Japan time) on the
day preceding the starting date of periods of use of the PASS. If you already
received the PASS, you can apply for a refund at the ticket offices where the PASS
is distributed. In either case, a handling fee of 560 yen will be charged per PASS.
If you purchased an Exchange Order in a country other than Japan, a refund for the
exchanged PASS is available at the domestic exchange offices. A 10% handling fee of
the sales price (Japanese yen) will be charged per PASS. If you want to get a refund
for the Exchange Order itself, apply for it at the sales office from which you
purchased the Exchange Order. For the handling fee, please confirm with the sale
office.
If you purchased the PASS at a domestic sales office, a refund is available at the
domestic sales offices. Please be aware that if you have purchased the PASS with a
credit card, a refund is available only at the sales office of the travel agency
from which you purchased it. A 10% handling fee of the sales price (Japanese yen)
will be charged per PASS.
Once you start using the PASS, the periods of use cannot be
extended, nor will any refund be issued, even if trains and other qualifying transportation
services are suspended or delayed for any reason, including natural disasters. Moreover, the
JR Group will not bear additional costs due to changes in your route, such as alternative
transportation costs or accommodation charges.
In addition to the terms and conditions set forth above, when
using the PASS, you must obey the JR Group’s regulations, terms and conditions, and the laws
of Japan.
Violation of the terms and conditions above or the JR Group’s
regulations of use of the PASS may result in the invalidation and confiscation of the PASS,
as well as assessment of a penalty amounting to twice the basic fares and charges for all
transportation services for which the PASS was used.
In the event of questions that may arise regarding these terms and conditions written in other languages, the text of the Japanese version will be given priority of interpretation.
