Japan Rail Pass Guide 2024
Here’s everything you need to know about the Japan Rail Pass, also known as the JR Pass. As the only travel pass that covers all of Japan, it is the most convenient, but also the most expensive. So, is it still worth it in 2024? Where can you buy the Japan Rail Pass? We answer these questions and far more below.
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What Is the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass, also known as the JR Pass, allows visitors to take advantage of Japan’s excellent rail system at a discounted rate. This convenient rail pass offers unlimited travel on Japan’s bullet train network, as well as a range of other train, bus, and ferry routes.
How Much Is the Japan Rail Pass in 2024?
There are two types of passes: Ordinary Car and Green Car. They are separated by validity duration: 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days.
Ordinary Car vs Green Car Passes
Green Car passes allow access to first-class carriages which have larger seats, more leg room, more luggage space, and free amenities such as wet towels and snacks. They are available on most shinkansen and limited express trains, as well as a few local trains.
Get the Green Car pass if you’re traveling with family or friends, or visiting Japan during peak travel season.
Where to Buy the Japan Rail Pass?
You can buy the Japan Rail Pass online through the official Japan Rail Pass website. This is the only method that lets you book train seats online in advance.
You can also purchase the pass from agents such as JTB USA, Kintetsu International, or Klook. Sometimes they offer the passes at discounted prices, so they’re worth checking out if you want to save a few bucks.
Who Can Buy and Use the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass is only available to foreign tourists with a short-stay status or visa. Your passport should have a stamp like the above photo that declares that you are a “Temporary Visitor.”
*Please note that you can only get this stamp if you go through a manned ticket gate at the airport. Anyone going through an automated ticket gate should later ask a clerk to stamp their passport.
This means that student visa or working holiday visa holders cannot buy or use the Japan Rail Pass.
Those with Japanese citizenship also cannot buy or use the Japan Rail Pass unless they can prove that they have been permanently residing abroad for the past 10 years. Find out the full details in English here: https://japanrailpass.net/assets/pdf/conditions_en_20240610.pdf
Where Can the Japan Rail Pass Be Used?
Train
The JR Pass can be used on all shinkansen lines (except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains), as well as limited express trains, express trains, and local trains that belong to the JR Group. It can also be used to ride the Tokyo Monorail.
Bus
The JR Pass can be used on local buses that belong to the JR Bus Company (incl. JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus).
It cannot be used on any express bus or highway bus routes. Some local bus routes are also excluded.
Ferry
You can also use the JR Pass on the JR-West Miyajima Ferry. However, you must pay the separate Miyajima visiting tax of 100 yen on site.
How to Use the Japan Rail Pass
Picking Up the Japan Rail Pass
Unless you purchase the pass through the official website, you’ll receive an exchange order that you have to turn in (with your passport) at a Japan Rail Pass exchange office (after you arrive in Japan) to get the actual pass. This exchange order is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued.
Those who purchase the pass through the official website will receive a number instead of an exchange order. This must be shown (with your passport) at a Japan Rail Pass exchange office (after you arrive in Japan) to pick up the pass.
Using the Japan Rail Pass at Ticket Gates
Your Japan Rail Pass works just like any other paper ticket.
If there are automated ticket gates, just insert the pass into the ticket slot. You cannot use ticket gates indicated to be “IC only,” just like other paper tickets.
If there are only manned ticket gates, present your pass to the attendant. They will stamp your pass before allowing you through.
Always carry your passport and be prepared to present it to a station attendant or car conductor when requested.
How to Make Seat Reservations With the Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass does not guarantee you a seat on any train, bus, or other method of transport.
If you want to use a reserved seat, you will have to book it yourself through any JR station reserved seat ticket machine. You can also reserve a seat online if you bought the pass through the official website.
While seat reservations are not mandatory, some trains don’t have non-reserved seats and they can sometimes be full, so we strongly recommend making them, ideally 1-2 days or even a week in advance.
*Seat reservations booked online through the official Japan Rail Pass website can be changed or canceled up till 6 minutes before the scheduled departure.
*If you miss a train for which you have seat reservations, you can still use the Japan Rail Pass to board the next train, but you’ll have to sit in an unreserved seat. If you want a reserved seat, you’ll have to book another one using the same methods as before.
Extra Charges When Using the Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass only covers basic travel fares, so you need to pay for any extra charges. Examples include limited or regular express service charges, sleeping car charges, Green Car charges if you have an Ordinary Car pass, and so on.
Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It in 2024?
While the Japan Rail Pass is the most comprehensive discount travel pass in Japan as it covers the entire country, there are also many other passes that cover smaller regions of Japan, such as:
There are even passes that cover a specific city, such as the JR Tokyo Wide Pass.
What they all have in common is that they’re significantly cheaper than the Japan Rail Pass.
So, our recommendation is to get another pass if you only want to travel to 1-2 areas. The Japan Rail Pass is the most worth it if you plan to travel all across the country or make multiple long-distance trips during your time in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Japan Rail Pass
Can You Change the Dates of the Japan Rail Pass?
When you turn in your exchange order to receive the Japan Rail Pass, you’ll be asked to select the day you want to start using it. Past this date, you can no longer change the dates of your Japan Rail Pass.
Can the Japan Rail Pass Be Shared or Transferred?
No, only the person registered to the pass can use it.
When you go to pick up the actual pass in Japan, even if you placed an order for multiple people, everyone who will receive and use a pass must accompany you to pick up their pass.
Can I Cancel and Get a Refund for the Japan Rail Pass?
Yes, so long as you don’t use the pass.
If you have not handed in your exchange order to receive the Japan Rail Pass yet, you can apply for a refund through the agent you bought the pass from. Please note that they may charge a handling fee of around 10-15%.
If you have already received the Japan Rail Pass, you can get a refund at any Japan Rail Pass exchange office. A 10% handling fee will be charged per pass.
Once you start using the pass, you cannot get a refund for any reason, even if any JR transportation services are suspended or delayed for any reason.
What Happens If I Lose My Japan Rail Pass?
JR will not reissue your pass if it is lost, damaged, or stolen. So, you should take good care of your pass, just like you would your passport!
How Many Times Can You Use the Japan Rail Pass?
You can use it as many times as you like during the validity period.
Please note that once you start using the pass, it can only be used consecutively for the number of days specified on the pass. For example, if you buy a 7-day pass and start using it, any days that you don’t use during those 7 days will still count towards your travel.
The validity period of the Japan Rail Pass is based on calendar days, so from midnight to midnight. This means that even if you start using the pass at night on day 1, it will expire at midnight on day 7 instead of midnight on day 8.
Please plan your trip carefully before you start using the Japan Rail Pass!
Will You Buy the Japan Rail Pass?
Although the Japan Rail Pass has significantly gone up in price over the years, it is still a handy purchase for many travelers today. On top of not having to purchase tickets for every trip or recharge a card when it runs out of balance, what few know is that the Japan Rail Pass also offers little discounts and freebies for hotels and tourist facilities across the country.
After reading all of the above in mind, what do you think? Is it still a good deal to you?
If you've decided to buy the pass after reading our article and are now looking for more Japan travel ideas, you can start with our in-depth guides on each region of Japan on our homepage, or check out the following three articles below:
・Top Things to Do in Tokyo
・Top Things to Do in Osaka
・Top Things to Do in Kyoto
Thumbnail credit: fernando Monet/Shutterstock.com
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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