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The Japan Rail Pass (ジャパンレールパス, japan rēru pasu), also called the JR Pass, is a rail pass for overseas visitors sold by the Japan Railways Group, and is valid for travel on all major forms of transportation provided by the JR Group in Japan, with a few exceptions. The Rail Pass is designed to stimulate travel and tourism throughout the country.
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Rail Pass
The Rail Pass comes in two varieties, one for each class of service, Standard Car (普通車, Futsūsha) and Green Car (グリーン車, Gurīnsha) (first class car). Furthermore, the pass is time limited based on the length of pass purchased. Three time periods are available: seven-day, fourteen-day and twenty-one-day passes, which provide the user unlimited use of JR transportation services. The table below summarizes the prices for each pass. The amounts are listed in Japanese Yen. When purchasing the Exchange Order (see below), the purchaser will pay the appropriate amount in the purchaser's home country currency based on the current exchange rate.
Exchange Order
While the Rail Pass is sold by the JR Group, it is obtained by purchasing an Exchange Order from a travel agency located outside Japan. The exchange order can also be purchased from Japan-based airlines such as Japan Airlines or All Nippon Airways. The Exchange Order cannot be obtained in Japan. However, from Mar 8, 2017 to Mar 31, 2018, as part of a trial basis, the Japan Rail Pass will be available for direct purchase in Japan at a select number of major airports and train stations, though at a higher price.
The Exchange Order itself cannot be used for travel, and must be exchanged at a JR Midori no Madoguchi ticket office. It can be exchanged at the following designated major JR train stations.
*This station is on the Tokyo Monorail line. JR East maintains a travel service center at this station where the pass can be obtained.
Valid transportation
The pass is valid for travel on Japan Railways Group (JR) transportation throughout the country in the class of service indicated on the pass on the following lines:
Train
The pass is also valid on the following non-JR lines:
Bus
The pass is valid on the local routes of the following bus companies:
Highway bus
The pass is valid on the following highway bus routes:
Effective with passes issued April 1, 2013, the Japan Rail Pass will no longer be valid on express bus routes.
Ferry
The pass is also valid for travel on JR Ferry service on the following route:
Conditions of exchange
The Rail Pass is designed for tourist use, and therefore has conditions for its purchase and exchange.
Eligibility
The user must meet one of the following two conditions:
Validity period of the exchange order
The exchange order must be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass within three months from the date the order was issued.
Exchange procedure
- The person designated on the Exchange Order must apply for the Rail Pass at an exchange office, and there,
- Present the order, along with passport.
- Fill in the application form provided at the office.
- Specify the desired first day of use, which must be within one month from the date of exchange. For example, if the exchange is made on January 1, then the date of first travel must be selected before February 1.
Conditions of use
The Rail Pass is valid on almost all forms of transportation (train, bus and ferry) operated by the companies of the JR Group. However, there are exceptions and conditions of use of the Rail Pass.
Other information
The Japan Rail Pass can normally be purchased only outside Japan, but one exception was made during 2002 FIFA World Cup when the JR Group sold the Rail Pass locally in Japan. JR Group has announced that it will be selling Japan Rail Passes inside Japan to tourists on an experimental basis from March 8, 2017 ‒ March 31, 2018.
The Japan Rail Pass also allows the holders to obtain discounts when staying at JR Group Hotels.