Japan is a major and internationally recognized country for it’s railroad system and famous as a pioneer of it’s high speed bullet trains.
A train ride which is almost equal to the speed of air travel,safest and most enjoyable.
“Japan Rail Pass” is an affordable travel pass that allows the most economical and unlimited travel on trains, buses and ferries throughout Japan.
Please check out the options of using “Japan Rail Pass”.
We will introduce the types and rates of “Japan Rail Pass” popular with foreign visitors and how to purchase them.
What is Japan Rail Pass ?
This is a special pass covers all over Japan for people who wish to travel around.
And can only be purchased by foreign visitors for sightseeing purposes to explore Japan by trains, buses and ferries.
“Japan Rail Pass” is a special ticket provided by six JR Group companies jointly.
The six JR Group companies are JR companies in Hokkaido, East Japan, Tokai, West Japan, Shikoku, Kyushu and rest of the Japan.
If you have a “Japan Rail Pass”, you can get unlimited, multiple all you can ride ticket on trains, local buses and ferries all over Japan operated by JR.
JAPAN RAIL PASS types and fees
There are two types of “Japan Rail Pass” with green seats and regular seats.
You can choose three different types of tickets from 7 days to 14 or up to 21 days.
The charges for “Japan Rail Pass” as of December 2019 are as follows.
Price list of「Japan Rail Pass」
| Type | Green car (1st class) | Standard | ||
| Days | Adult | Child | Adult | Child |
| 7days | 39,600Yen | 19,800Yen | 29,650Yen | 14,820Yen |
| 14days | 64,120Yen | 32,060Yen | 47,250Yen | 23,620Yen |
| 21days | 83,390Yen | 41,690Yen | 60,450Yen | 30,220Yen |
Rates for childrens are from age 6 to 11 and starts for the day the tickets are issued.
The validity period of the pass starts counting from the day of first usage and It will be valid for 7-14 or 21 consecutive days.
If you purchased the pass outside of Japan please redeem the pass within 3 months from the date of purchase.
The price of “Japan Rail Pass” is subject to change so please check their website for any changes.
「Japan Rail Pass」
https://japanrailpass.net/en/
The trains where you can use the Japan rail pass
The “Japan Rail Pass” offers unlimited rides on the following railways, buses and ferries.
- All JR Group lines
- Limited express train, express train, rapid train, ordinary train and BRT
- Tokyo Monorail
- JR Bus company local lines
- JR West Miyajima Ferry (Miyajima-Miyajimaguchi)
- JR Kyushu Expressway Ferry
- Aoimori Railway (between Aomori and Hachinohe)
- IR Ishikawa Railway (between Kanazawa and Tsutsumi)
- Ainokaze Toyama Railway (between Toyama and Takaoka)
JR route map route map【PDF】
https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/rosen_ja.pdf
Shinkansen（bullet train）route map【PDF】
https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/shinkansen_ja.pdf
Green car,regular car usage range
The range of use of green cars and regular cars are as follows.
Shinkansen “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” cannot be used with “Japan Rail Pass”.
but rail pass can be used with an additional charge.
| Types of train | Vehicles | Green car | Standard |
| Except Nozomi Shinkansen | Green car | ✕ | ✕ |
| Standard | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Tokaido,Sanyo,Kyushu Shinkansen/「Hikari」「Sakura」「Kodama」「Tsubame」Tohoku,Yamagata,Akita,Jyoetsu,Nagano | Green car | ○ | ✕ |
| Standard | ○ | ○ | |
| Private room | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Limited express | Ordinary express Green car | ○ | ✕ |
| Standard | ○ | ○ | |
| Green car Private room | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Standard Private room | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Sleeper | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Local train Express train | Green car | ○ | ✕ |
| Standard | ○ | ○ |
How to purchase JAPAN RAIL PASS
Step ① “Japan Rail Pass” Please purchase a voucher at an agency before departing for Japan.
Until March 31, 2021,Those tickets can also be purchased in some parts of Japan.
Step ② After arrival in Japan please exchange the voucher for a pass.
Step ③ After filling in the application form ,please submit a passport (short-term stay stamp) and a certificate that confirms your eligibility for purchase.
Qualifications
Please check your eligibility before purchasing “Japan Rail Pass”.
Only qualified users can purchase a voucher and redeem for a pass.
Who can use
Foreign tourists visiting Japan for sightseeing purposes with a “Short Stay” immigration status from abroad (stay for up to 90 days)
※Training, performance,Re-entry is not allowed
Japanese citizens who lives in overseas meets the following conditions
Japanese【PDF】
https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/conditions_ja.pdf
English【PDF】
https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/conditions_en.pdf
Summary
Those who visit Japan for sightseeing purposes are eligible for the “Japan Rail Pass”.
With the “Japan Rail Pass” you can save money and time by not purchasing a new ticket every each time.
Please make good use of “Japan Rail Pass” and visit not only urban areas but also local areas to discover wonderful things and enjoy your trip !
