Japan Rail Pass: the affordable hassle-free way to travel through Japan

You must purchase your JR Pass BEFORE your arrival in Japan. We recommend the first thing you do after buying airfare is to order your JR Pass online. It`s easy, fast and safe.

After ordering your JR Pass online, you`ll receive a voucher in the mail shortly thereafter which ultimately is presented to a JR official when you arrive in Japan. DO NOT LOSE YOUR VOUCHER! This is your only valid receipt of payment and cannot be re-issued by the JR office. If you lose your voucher prior to departure for Japan, contact the company that sent you the voucher to see if a replacement can be sent in time (fees likely apply).

JR Pass prices differ between Ordinary Car and Green Car (1st class). Prices fluctuate based on exchange rates. Approximate 2015 JR Pass prices below:

1-week JR Pass : 240USD (2nd class), 320USD (1st class)

2-week JR Pass : 380USD  (2nd class), 515USD (1st class)

3-week JR Pass : 485USD (2nd class), 670USD (1st class)

Go to any JR train station office in Japan to redeem your Japan Rail Pass, including at your arrival airport.

You will need to show your passport, sign a form and hand-in the voucher that was sent to you via mail. You`ll be issued an official JR Rail Pass, valid for use immediately or at a later date of your choice.

Please be aware that each person must validate their own JR Pass. It`s not possible for one member of a group to validate everyone else`s JR Passes. Each person must be physically present with their passport & voucher to be issued the official JR Pass.

You can purchase 1-week, 2-week or 3-week JR Passes.

You`re free to begin using your pass when you choose and is only activated from the first day of use. This means that you can ride the Narita Express directly from the airport with a reservation for free immediately or begin using your pass days later. Your pass is valid through the entire final day of the designated time period of use.

No, but the JR train/bus network is incredibly extensive and will serve most traveler needs in Japan, including skiers & snowboarders accessing the high country. Almost all shinkansen lines across the country (including Hokkaido) are covered by the JR Pass. There are far more “do`s” than “dont`s” with the JR Pass, so don`t stress it.

Metro (subway) systems in cities along with various city bus lines do not accept the JR Pass. However, most local and rapid trains in big cities allow JR Pass use, making it an extremely versatile travel tool from city sidewalk to mountain trail. Tokyo also has an extensive network of JR rail lines (including the main JR Yamanote Line connecting all major stations around the city) making it quite useful downtown.

When entering/exiting a JR station, you will see a row of multiple ticket gates where you would normally insert your ticket or scan your automated pass if you were a resident. At the end of the row you will see a glass window attended by a JR staff member. Go to the glass window, show your JR Pass to the attendant and they will kindly wave you through. Normally there is barely any stopping required. If there is a traffic jam at this window because someone is asking the JR attendant for help, simply say sumimasen (excuse me) to those blocking the line, show your JR Pass then away you go.

All shinkansen travel requires that you make a reservation before boarding the train. You can go to any JR train station office (does not need to be at your departure station) to make a reservation. The process is extremely simple and often fast. In many instances you can drop by the JR office 10 minutes before your train departs and still have enough time to secure a reservation and make it to your departure platform. If you know in advance what your travel plans will be, you can even schedule every long distance shinkansen ride immediately after arriving in Japan at the airport. Otherwise, we recommend allowing at least a half-day in advance as some shinkansen can be booked quickly during busy holiday periods. Reservations are also required for the Narita Express between Tokyo & Narita International Airport.

Green Car (1st class) seats are a bit wider but there is very little benefit to buying a 1st class JR Pass over an Ordinary Car JR Pass. Japanese trains are extremely clean throughout and unlike Tokyo hotel rooms, offer a lot of space to stretch out.

One advantage of a Green Car JR Pass might involve the amount of storage space available for your skis-snowboard as fewer people purchase the 1st class seats. But generally, a 2nd class JR Pass is the way to go. The extra expenditure really isn`t worth it in our opinion. Spend your money on skiing, snowboarding, sushi, sake and sumo, not train tickets.