Japan Rail Pass FAQ
Before you purchase your Japan Rail Pass, please check this section where you can learn more about the JR Pass and how to use it. There are many common questions related to the Japan Rail Pass which should hopefully be answered here!
1. What is a Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass is a special ticket which allows unlimited use on all Japan Rail operated trains over all of Japan. It is available in a selection of validity periods including 7, 14 and 21 days types. Apart from offering convenience and flexibility to your travel itinerary, the Japan Rail Pass gives you a significant saving over purchasing single tickets.
2. Who can use a Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass can only be used by visitors to Japan. This means that you will need to show that you have a temporary sight-seeing visa in your passport when you validate your passes. If you are a normal visitor to Japan and are travelling for a holiday you will automatically receive this visa when you enter Japan.
If you are travelling to Japan for work or to study, you will not be eligible for a Japan Rail Pass.
Japanese passport holders are not eligible for using a JR Pass unless they have right to remain outside of Japan or are married to an non-Japanese citizen residing outside of Japan. Please check the terms of use for more information
3. Where can I use a Japan Rail Pass?
You can use your Japan Rail Pass on all JR operated trains in Japan and also on a selection of JR buses too. It is even valid on the ferry between Hiroshima and Miyajima Island!
4. How do I use a Japan Rail Pass?
When you purchase a Japan Rail Pass with us, we send you what is called a Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order. This exchange order needs to be taken to Japan and validated at an authorised Japan Rail office where they will exchange it for a full pass. You will need to provide your passport at the time of validation so it is recommended to validate as soon as you have arrived at the airport. Once you have received your JR Pass you can use it like a normal train ticket to travel over Japan.
5. When can I start using my Pass?
You can nominate yourself the day that you wish to start using your Japan Rail Pass at the time of validating it. You can choose any date within the following month to start using your pass, which is useful if you do not want to activate it immediately, but the areas you will be staying in does not have a valid Japan Rail office at which to exchange the pass at.
6. What restrictions are there?
The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all JR operated trains, including the Shinkansen bullet train. It is not valid on any private train lines such as Odakyu or Kintetsu. Similarly, it in not valid for use on overnight trains and the Metro underground network is not included for use with a JR Pass. The only JR train which you cannot use a pass with is one class of bullet train called "Nozomi".
7. What is Nozomi?
The main line which runs from Tokyo to Hakata in Kyushu is referred to as the JR Tokai Line and operates three classes of bullet train. These are divided up between the frequency of stops at intervening stations. Nozomi stops at only the largest stations, Hikari at Large and medium and Kodama stops at all stations. Although the JR Pass is not valid for the Nozomi trains, you can use both Hikari and Kodama without limitations. The difference in journey time from Tokyo to Kyoto is about 20 minutes with the Nozomi taking 2 hours 20 minutes vs 2 hours 40 minutes for the Hikari. The Nozomi train only operates on this line so the rest of Japan has no problems.
8. How can I find out train times and routes?
The best way to check for train times, routes and other train journey related information is to use an online resource called Hyperdia. This website allows you to enter in your departure and arrival stations and it will automatically find the fastest route for you with detailed information including changes, journey times and even costs of the journey.
Go to Hyperdia Website
9. I am travelling from a to b, is a JR Pass worth it?
A Japan Rail Pass is really designed for travelling longer distance, particularly on the bullet train as it offers such a great saving. If you are only going to be staying in one city for your stay in Japan, it is probably not worthwhile to have a JR Pass.
If you are not sure if the amount of journeys you plan to take will benefit from having a Japan Rail Pass, use these following single journey costs as an example: (correct as of Dec '08)
- Narita Airport to Tokyo = £22
- Tokyo to Kyoto = £99
- Tokyo to Nikko = £40
- Tokyo to Hiroshima = £135
- Tokyo to Hakata = £162
If you want to check the price for a single journey to and from and other destinations, you can check all of them from the Hyperdia website where you simply enter the two cities and press go!
Go to Hyperdia Website
10. What are "Green" Passes?
The Japan Rail Pass is also available in a "Green" variety which offers the pass holder access to the green carriages which are located on most trains in Japan. These green cars are the Japanese equivalent of First Class and offer the passenger extra leg room and better quality, more comfortable seats. If you are planning any particularly long train journeys during you time in Japan, a green class JR Pass is recommended for absolute comfort.
11. What delivery options do you offer?
After we make your Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order, we can either post it to you or you can collect it from our office in Piccadilly, London. We currently have the following delivery options available:
- Royal Mail Special Delivery, Domestic - This is our standard option which guarantees next day delivery from Royal Mail. This delivery requires a signature so someone will need to be at home to sign for the item. This service does not offer delivery on Saturday, but we can arrange it for a small extra cost. Please contact us for more details.
- Royal Mail International Signed For, International - This is our standard overseas delivery service. Please note that once the package has left the UK it is not possible to track using Royal Mail track and trace service. The estimated delivery time is between 5-10 days, but this can vary with individual countries and the efficiency of the postal service available.
- Yamato Delivery, Japan Only - If you are already in Japan and still wish to purchase a Japan Rail Pass, you can select this delivery method. Delivery takes between 5-10 days.
- FedEx International Priority, International - This is our fastest delivery option with many countries in Europe offering next day delivery. This is a great option if you need a JR Pass delivered within a short period of time, or you live in a country where the postal service is less reliable. Please contact us if you would like to confirm an exact delivery time estimate.
12. How do I make seat reservations?
The Japan Rail Pass allows you to make free seat reservations, which is useful for travelling on dates which might be busy or you want to guarantee a seat. All seat reservations need to be made in Japan by visiting the green window at the train station. A normal bullet train has 16 carriages and carriages 1-5 are all for unreserved seating. This means that you can choose any seat from within these without making seat reservations in advance. By making a seat reservation any time up to a month in advance of your planned journey, you can guarantee a seat if there is one available for you to reserve.
13. Who can Use the Regional Passes?
- The regional Passes are available to travelers entering Japan on a non-Japanese passport with "Temporary Visitor" entry status.
- It is very important to note that Japanese passport holder cannot use any of the regional passes; they can only use the standard Japan Rail Pass if they meet the overseas residence requirements.