JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass) – Inclusions, How To Use, Etc

Japan is one of the most exciting destinations in the world and for people traveling to the country to see all of the sights, the JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass) is the easiest and most convenient way to discover Japan!

When planning a trip to Japan and wondering how you’re going to get around, a Japan Railway Pass is valid for not just Tokyo but the whole of Japan too.

These JR Passes are only available to visitors to the country and offer unlimited train travel on all of the Japan Railway networks, bus, and ferry routes, and can be personalized to suit your holiday duration and travel needs while there.

The only downside can be the complications in acquiring one, there are some limitations in place and lots to think about when looking to purchase one, however, because the benefits of these far outweigh the process of purchasing one, this JR Rail Pass guide is here to make it all a little bit easier and a little clearer to help you on your travels.

QUICK ANSWERS – JR PASS (JAPAN RAIL PASS)

Let’s start this guide with the essentials you should know about the Japan Rail Pass, such as the inclusions, which pass to buy, and more.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE JR PASS?

Japan’s extensive railways and bullet trains mean you can now explore the country in a very fast and easy manner, moving from city to city in a relatively straightforward way.

Japan Railways has over 15,000 miles of railway lines that cover nearly all of the country.

A JR Pass gives you unlimited rides on these railways during your visit to Japan and can be personalized for the length of your stay, the areas you are looking to travel in and whether you want Ordinary or Green Car travel (Green Car being a 1^st class equivalent).

A rail pass in Japan gives access to nearly all JR trains that operate on:

• Japan Railway lines
• Some local buses operated
• The JR ferry to Miyajima
• Selected non-JR trains in the more remote areas with ordinary cars

Of course, the pass acts as a round-trip ticket, so you won’t need to worry during your trip.

The full list of what can be included in your JR Pass are:

• All JR Shinkansen trains and JR train lines, Limited Express Trains, Express, Rapid, local trains, and the BRT (with some exceptions).
• Tokyo Monorail
• Airport transfers, such as the Narita Express and the Haruka Express.
• Aomori Railway between Aomori and Hachinohe, Aomori and Noheji, and Hachinohe and Noheji.
• IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata.
• Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka.
• Local JR Buses: JR Hokkaido Buses, JR Bus Tohuku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus.
• JR-West Miyajima Ferry.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 DAY JAPAN ITINERARY

WHICH JR PASS TO BUY?

Rail passes can be ordered to suit you, customizing the length of your stay, the areas in which you wish to travel, and the level of comfort you want onboard.

The most common Japan Rail Passes to purchase are for 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days.

CHECK NOW → JR PASS PRICE

The Ordinary Car or Green Car option is the difference between standard travel and first-class travel, however, the standard cars are comfortable for long-distance travel with plenty of room and come with a charge port, and Green JR passes can cost up to 50% more.

You can also purchase for your area of travel – they offer a JR Tokyo Pass for just Tokyo station and city, and also regional ones such as:

• JR West Rail Pass for West Japan
• JR East Rail Pass for East Japan
• JR Kansai Pass for Kansai
• JR Hokkaido Pass for Hokkaid
• Passes for Central Japan and Shikoku

So you can buy a whole Japan Rail Pass to access them all. Once you get to each JR station, you’ll be able to validate your ticket.

WHERE TO BUY A JAPAN RAIL PASS?

You can purchase a pass online through an official JR Pass reseller and I recommend using Klook.

Klook tends to have some great discounts and the best deals for purchasing a Japan Train Pass.

Klook also offers a voucher scheme where you can collect your Exchange Order from a Klook Office in Japan.

However, it is recommended that you have an Exchange Order delivered to your home before you travel, as it saves the hassle of having to find the Klook office once in the country as well as the JR Network Office to obtain your actual pass.

Klook can mail exchange orders to Australia, the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and most European countries.

There are three steps to purchasing a pass, these are:

1. Purchase online before you travel
2. Receive an Exchange Order in the post before you travel
3. Trade your Exchange Order for a pass once you arrive in Japan and travel on the JR lines.

One of the main things to remember when ordering your pass online is that the details you enter must match your passport exactly. When changing your Exchange Order for your pass they will require your passport as proof of ID and if the two do not match exactly you may be denied your pass.

The other piece of documentation you will need to obtain your passes is proof of your tourist visa, this is easily proved with the stamp in your passport when entering the country.

Just make sure you use a manned gate when entering the country rather than the electronic gates or ask a clerk to stamp your passport for you.

With all of this in place, your JR Railway Pass can be collected from any JR ticket office, a list of their locations can be found on japanrailpass.net but check the opening times as they are not 24 hours.

The Ticket Office

Exchanging the voucher for a pass

PURCHASING YOUR JR PASS VOUCHER ONLINE WITH KLOOK

Here is a quick guide for Japan Rail Pass holders on how to buy a rail pass online with Klook:

1. Select your pass type, seat, class, and exchange order collection preferences
2. Select ‘date of departure to Japan’ if you are choosing to have your Exchange Order delivered to your home, or ‘date of pick up’ if you are choosing to collect your Exchange Order from a Klook office
3. Select your ticket quantity and the number of JR Pass holders.
4. Review your booking details. Once confirmed, click ‘more info required’
5. Enter the shipping address and name/contact details of the recipient
6. Enter the information of each traveler who will use the JR Japan Pass – remember that the info entered here must match your passport details exactly to obtain your pass once in Japan

NOTE: A child is classed between ages 6 and 11. Children under 5 are free if they are with a ticket-holding adult and will sit on the lap of said adult, if you would like your child to have a seat to themselves a child pass will need to be purchased for them.

BOOK NOW → JR PASS PRICE

REDEEMING YOUR PASS IN JAPAN

To redeem your JR Pass online, once in Japan, see these easy-to-follow steps:

• Make sure you have purchased your pass
• Collect your Exchange Order (either delivered to your home or from a Klook Office in Japan)
• Get a temporary visitor stamp at Japan immigration when entering the country
• Go to any Japan Rail Pass office and present your Exchange Order and passport to get your actual pass
• Select your starting date (this must be within 30 days from the redemption date) and proceed with seat reservations if you need it
• Use the pass on the date you selected. Please be aware that you can’t use the pass at the automatic gates, you must go through manned gates when entering the station and it is advised to carry your passport with you as you may be asked to provide ID to go with your pass

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ORDER

Japan Rail Passes have to be purchased online before you travel, these can not be bought once in the country and you need to allow enough time for your Exchange Order to be mailed to you before you depart on your travels.

Your Exchange Order is the document you need to exchange for your actual pass once in the country so it is vital that you receive this document.

These usually take around 7 business days to arrive but some travelers have received theirs in as little as 3 business days.

Your train pass for Japan can be paid for online up to 90 days before you travel, however, the pass has a 90-day expiry so you are best to look into ordering them between 6 and 8 weeks before you travel to allow some leeway on collection dates once arriving in Japan.

The main things to think about before ordering your pass are:

• Do you have enough time to receive your Exchange Order in the post? (takes at least 7 business days)
• Are you traveling to Japan within the next 90 days? (vouchers can only be redeemed within 90 days of the confirmation date, it is recommended you book these about six weeks before your travel date)
• Are you eligible for a pass? (you can’t purchase one on a business or work visa or if you are a Japanese citizen)
• Do you have a temporary visitor visa? (proof obtained from Japanese immigration when entering the country when they stamp your passport)

IS A JAPAN RAIL PASS WORTH IT?

The Japan Rail Pass is definitely worth it and it’s the best ticket to have when planning your Japan itinerary!

Japan is one of my absolute favorite countries to visit, and definitely the kind of place you could spend months exploring.

But don’t worry – if you only have a short time frame to visit, seeing Japan in a few weeks with the use of a JR Railway Pass is totally possible!

Whether you’re looking for a diverse range of amazing food, beautiful scenery, or unique cultural experiences, every region in this breathtaking country has something different to offer!

BOOK NOW → JAPAN RAIL PASS

HELPFUL TIPS FOR JAPAN

The currency in Japan is Yen (¥) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 149 ¥.

Purchasing a sim card in Japan is very simple and you will save money instead of using the roaming on your phone.

You can do this at the airport on arrival or find a convenience store close to your accommodation. For approximately $40 USD, you can get a local sim card that comes with 10GB of data.

There are plenty of ATMs in Japan located in most convenient stores, in front of banks, inside hotels, etc, where you can easily withdraw cash to have with you during your 7 days in Japan.

Most Japanese people can speak English, so if you are ever lost or need help with something you will be able to converse in English.

Also, all the signs at the airports, JR stations, all metro lines, shopping malls, etc. are written in both Japanese and English.

VISA FOR JAPAN

Japan is visa-free for travelers from over 65 countries and you can stay in Japan for up to 90 days on a tourist visa. 

Click Here to see the full list of nationalities that are eligible for the free 90-day tourist visa. 

You don’t need to apply online for this as you will be granted a 90-day tourist visa at the airport when you arrive.

BEST TIME TO VISIT JAPAN

The best time to visit Japan depends on what you plan to do. I personally prefer the spring and summer months in Japan (April – September) when temperatures are warm and the landscapes are vividly green.

However, visiting Japan in winter (December – March) is absolutely magical because the landscapes are completely covered in glistening white snow.

Visiting Japan in winter also means you have to opportunity to go skiing and snowboarding in Japan’s alpine regions.

WHAT TO PACK FOR JAPAN

When visiting Japan, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – JR PASS JAPAN

I hope this guide on how to use your railway pass in Japan has made the process a little easier to understand and make sense of.

If you have any questions at all about how to use your pass, where to buy a pass, or anything else of the like, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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