About Japan Rail Pass and Regional Pass

Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail Pass is offered by the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) that consists of 6 rail companies(JR Kyushu, JR Shikoku, JR West, JR Central, JR East and JR Hokkaido). Japan Rail Pass offers a highly economical and convenient way to travel throughout Japan by rail. Please be aware that some restrictions apply; for example, the pass is not valid for “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

There are various regional passes available, which cover the railways in a particular area of Japan.

Who is eligible for a Japan Rail Pass/Regional Pass

1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing,under the entry status of “temporary visitor.”

“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 a “Temporary Visitor”, as shown below. The use of Japan Rail Pass is limited to the ones that have a passport with this stamp.

Caution
Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange Order, to be turned in for a Japan Rail Pass, the exchange cannot be made unless you have the “Temporary Visitor” status; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as “Trainee,” “Entertainer,” or “Reentry Permit,” you cannot exchange the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Pass. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary Visitor” status differs from other types of stays however short time they are.

Examples of the “Temporary Visitor” entry status stamp

2. You are a Japanese national living in a country other than Japan (having entered the country on a Japanese passport).

Pass Types and Prices

  • Japan Rail Pass

    Japan Rail Pass has 2 types: Green (for superior-class Green cars), and Ordinary. Each of these types is available as a 7 Day, 14 Day, or 21 Day pass.

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    Below are prices in Japanese yen for a Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order; the actual cost in local currency is calculated based on the Banker’s selling Rate (BSR) (or equivalent), at the time the Exchange Order is issued. Note that the purchase exchange rate may differ from the exchange rate in effect 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. Children who are age 6 through 11 as of the date on which the exchange order is issued are eligible for child pass prices. Prices are subject to change. The applicable price is the price valid on the date when an Exchange Order is issued. *Prices shown are accurate as of April 2014. Prices are subject to change. Please see the Japan Rail Pass website for more information.

  • JR Kyushu

    There are two types including 1) Northern Kyushu Area and 2) All Kyushu Area

    All Kyushu Area pass is valid on all JR Kyushu lines.

    Ride as many times as you like throughout the designated Kyushu area, on local, limited express and Kyushu Shinkansen “bullet” trains.

    The pass is not valid on the Sanyo Shinkansen, sleeper trains or JR Kyushu buses.
    A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass.
    Access to trains is free for babies under 5 years of age.

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    JR NORTHERN KYUSHU PASS

    JR KYUSHU ALL AREA PASS

  • Hokkaido Rail Pass

    JR Hokkaido offers Hokkaido Rail Pass, which allows you to travel at a reduced price, from Naka-Oguni as far as Wakkanai as well as Sapporo, thanks to unlimited access to JR Hokkaido lines, as well as certain buses, for 3, 5, or 7 consecutive days.

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    Hokkaido Area

    There is also a Flexible 4-day version, for use within a 10 day period.
    A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for the pass.
    Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under. Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

  • KANSAI AREA PASS

    JR West offers Kansai Area Pass, which gives unlimited access to JR trains in the region for 1, 2, 3 or 4 consecutive days.
    You can thus visit emblematic Japanese towns such as Kyoto, the former capital, Kobe, the port city, Osaka, Himeji and Nara.The pass also gives you access to the Kansai International airport.

    KANSAI AREA PASS

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  • KANSAI WIDE AREA PASS

    ansai Wide Area Pass covers Wakayama, Shingu and all the way to Kurashiki in addition, with the use of Sanyo Shinkansen Bullet Train between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.

    KANSAI WIDE AREA PASS

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  • JR KANSAI-HIROSHIMA AREA PASS

    R KANSAI-HIROSHIMA AREA PASS, Get unlimited rides on the Sanyo-Shinkansen(Between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima), the limited express, Rapid service and local trains with non-reserved seats, and th JR-WEST Miyajima Ferry.

    Not valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto)

  • JR SANYO SAN'IN AREA PASS

    JR SANYO SAN'IN AREA PASS, Get unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Hakata), the limited express with reserved seats, rapid service, local trains (Incl. Chizu express line) and the JR-West Miyajima Ferry, available to Kansai, Sanyo and San’in areas.

  • JR SAN'IN-OKAYAMA AREA PASS

    JR SAN'IN-OKAYAMA AREA PASS Get unlimited rides on the Limited Express and local trains (Incl. Rapid service) in the area (incl. the Chizu Express Line ) with non-reserved seats.

  • JR KANSAI - HOKURIKU AREA PASS

    Get unlimited rides on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Kanazawa and Kurobe-Unazukionsen), Limited Express and local trains (Incl.Rapid services) in the area with non-reserved seats, and WEST JR Bus in the area. Not valid on the Hokuriku Shinkansen "KAGAYAKI", as all seats are reserved. If travelling on the Himi, Johana or Nanao lines, Limited Express services can also be used as an exception, if no stops are made on the IR Ishikawa Railway and Ainokaze Toyama Railway services, Liner fare is payable if using the Rapid "AINOKAZE LINER" operated by the Ainokaze Toyama Railway.

  • JR SETOUCHI AREA PASS

    JR SETOUCHI AREA available for riding on non-reserved seats of Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Hakata), Non-reserved seats of limited express, rapid-service, and regular trains. And also available on Okaden Bus (Okayama Station – Shin Okayama Port), Ryobi Ferry (Shin-Okayama port – Shodoshima (Tonosho Port)), Shodoshima Ferry (Takamatsu Port – Shodoshima (Tonosho Port)), Onomichi Bus “Shimanami Cycle Express”(Onomichieki-mae or Shin-Onomichi Station – Imabarieki-mae or Imabari Sambashi (Pier)), Ishizaki Kisen or Setonaikai Kisen “Super Jet” (Hiroshima Port – Kure Port – Matsuyama Kankoko Port), JR West Miyajima Ferry (Miyajimaguchi – Miyajima)

  • JR OKAYAMA-HIROSHIMA-YAMAGUCHI AREA PASS

    JR OKAYAMA-HIROSHIMA-YAMAGUCHI AREA PASS Get unlimited rides on the sanyo Shinkansen (incl. NOZOMI and MIZUHO, between Hakata and Okayama), Limited Express and local trains (incl.Rapid services ) in the area with non-reserved seats, the JR-West Miyajima Ferry, and Chugoku JR Bus in the area. Valid also on Sanyo Shinkansen "NOZOMI" and "MIZUHO". Not valid on Sanyo Shinkasen (Okayama⇔Shin-Osaka) Not valid on the conventional lines within JR Kyushu (e.g. between Hakata and Shimonoseki).

  • JR OKAYAMA-HIROSHIMA-YAMAGUCHI AREA PASS

    JR HOKURIKU AREA PASS Get unlimited rides on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Kanazawa and Kurobe-Unazukionsen), Limited Express and local trains (Incl.Rapid services) in the area with non-reserved seats, and WEST JR Bus in the area. Not valid on the Hokuriku Shinkansen "KAGAYAKI", as all seats are reserved. If travelling on the Himi, Johana or Nanao lines, Limited Express services can also be used as an exception, if no stops are made on the IR Ishikawa Railway and Ainokaze Toyama Railway services, Liner fare is payable if using the Rapid "AINOKAZE LINER" operated by the Ainokaze Toyama Railway.

  • JR EAST PASS

    Once you completed all booking processes, you will get a voucher called "Exchange Order" which is looks like the below picture.The voucher (Exchange Order) must be exchanged within 3 months after you got the voucher by presenting the voucher together with your passport at the JR office in Japan.

    JR EAST PASS - Tohoku Area

    JR EAST PASS - Nagano, Niigata Area

    JR EAST South Hokkaido Rail Pass

  • JR OSAKA TOKYO HOKURIKU ARCH PASS

    The Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass is a rail pass provides unlimited travel on JR trains (including Hokuriku Shinkansen) between Tokyo and Osaka via the less traveled Hokuriku Region. The pass is valid for seven consecutive days. Recommended for the travelers who make a trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka via the Hokuriku Region instead of via the more popularly traveled Tokaido Shinkansen route.