JR Pass Basic guide

Navigate the Japan Rail Pass confidently with our handy guide! Tailored for international travelers, this discounted, all-you-can-ride rail ticket is your key to seamless travel across Japan.

Enjoy boundless travel on major Japan Railways National trains and high-speed ‘Shinkansen’ bullet trains, connecting key cities like Tokyo to Kyoto. Explore the country's grandeur and top attractions hassle-free.

Beyond the Shinkansen, your pass grants access to local trains and metro in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, along with additional transportation options such as JR Buses, JR Ferry, Monorails, and convenient airport transfers like the Narita Express in Tokyo and Haruka Express in Kyoto.

How does the JR Pass work?

The JR Pass is available for 7, 14, and 21-day itineraries, exclusively available to foreign visitors with a 'Temporary Visitor' stamp or Japanese nationals residing abroad for 10 years or more.

After purchasing your JR Pass, an exchange voucher will be mailed to your designated address. Upon your arrival, you must validate and exchange the voucher for the actual pass within 90 days of purchase. Therefore, it's recommended to acquire your Japan Rail Pass no more than 90 days before the exchange.

Visit a JR Exchange Office, conveniently located at airports and major train stations, to complete the validation process and start enjoying the perks of your JR Pass.

At the office, you'll need to complete a form providing personal details and present your passport along with the entry stamp. During the voucher exchange, you'll be asked to select a starting date, or the first day of use, for your Japan Rail Pass.

The starting date doesn't have to match the exchange date but must fall within 30 days of the exchange. Note that the chosen date cannot be change once your JR Pass is activated.

Once validated, your pass becomes active on the chosen date, offering consecutive days of travel based on the pass's validity period.

Is it possible to share or transfer the Japan Rail Pass? 

No, the Japan Rail Pass is strictly non-transferable and can only be utilized by the individual whose name is explicitly printed on the pass. Railway staff may request pass holders to present their passports to verify ownership of the pass.

Seat reservation

With your JR Pass in hand, embark on your Japanese adventure using the Shinkansen and the extensive rail network. Head to any JR ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) to secure a seat reservation, and there's no extra charge for this service.

At the ticket office, share your destination and preferred departure time, or plan ahead by checking train schedules. The friendly staff will assist you in finding the best travel option. Once you receive the reservation ticket, proceed to the train platform. Show your Japan Rail Pass at the ticket gate and follow the platform monitors for guidance to your reserved seat or the unreserved carriage.

How to find your car and seat

To locate your car and seat, check your ticket for the car number and stand at the designated car point on the platform. Wait behind the white line until your train arrives. Enter the train, find your seat with numbers indicated above the window, and feel free to sit in any seat if in an unreserved carriage.

Are seat reservations mandatory?

On most trains seat reservations are optional. On most urban and local trains they are not even possible. However, there is a small number of trains, which carry only reserved seating and require seat reservations. They include the following trains:

• Narita Express (Tokyo - Narita Airport)

• Hayabusa and Hayate trains along the Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen

• Komachi trains along the Akita Shinkansen

• Tsubasa trains along the Yamagata Shinkansen

• Kagayaki trains along the Hokuriku Shinkansen

• Limited express trains from Osaka/Kyoto in the direction of Amanohashidate, Kinosaki Onsen and Kumano.

• Sunrise Seto/Izumo night trains

In addition, Nozomi trains along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen become temporarily fully reserved during the New Year, Golden Week and Obon holidays.

Are seat reservations recommended?

Many trains do not book out, but some do, especially during rush hours and busy travel periods. For peace of mind it is always recommended to make seat reservations especially when traveling in groups and you wish to sit together. After all, seat reservations are free for rail pass holders. On a few trains reservations are mandatory (see above).

What happens if I miss a train for which I have seat reservations?

This may cause inconvenience to other passengers and the railway company and should be avoided by all means. If it does happen, try to cancel your reservation at a ticket office before it is too late. You can then ride a later train in the non-reserved section or make a new reservation for an upcoming departure.

Validity

The Japan Rail Pass is valid on:

• JR trains
  The pass is valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, rapid and local trains. The map below shows the major train lines that are covered by the pass.

• Tokyo Monorail to/from Haneda Airport

• JR Ferry to Miyajima

• Some non-JR trains to access isolated JR lines
  The pass is valid on a small number of non-JR trains to access remote, isolated JR lines that would otherwise be inaccessible. However, pass holders may only get on and off at stations that provide a transfer to a JR line. The following non-JR trains may be used:

  • Aoimori Railway between Aomori, Noheji and Hachinohe to access the JR Ominato Line to the Shimokita Peninsula.

  • IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata to access the JR Nanao Line to the Noto Peninsula.

  • Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka to access the JR Himi Line and JR Johana Line.

Is the Japan Rail Pass cost-effective? 

Prior to the significant price hike in October 2023, the Japan Rail Pass offered considerable savings even with just a few long-distance journeys. However, following the increase, the pass may exceed the cost of standard train tickets or flights for many routes. It remains a cost-effective choice primarily for those covering extensive distances in a short timeframe, such as the Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Kanazawa-Tokyo route within 7 days, or for travelers undertaking multiple extended side trips from a central base.

Nonetheless, the pass retains its value for novice travelers and those daunted by the intricacies of Japanese train ticketing. For those who appreciate the ease and flexibility offered by the all-encompassing access of the pass, it remains a worthwhile option. Pass holders, for instance, are spared the need to purchase tickets for every train journey and can embark on spontaneous side trips without incurring extra expenses.