JR RAIL Pass
What is the JR RAIL PASS?
In Japan public transportation is a big part of the countries culture, and if you plan on visiting it will be a big part of your experience! Normally it’s pretty affordable, but it can get expensive if you want to go from city to city in a timely manner. That’s where the JR Rail Pass comes in! The JR Rail Pass is a discount pass for foreign visitors to Japan that allows for unlimited travel on most JR trains, including the shinkansen (bullet train) and limited express trains. This pass can save you a load of money if you use it right, and that’s why it’s limited to use by foreigners only. There are several types of JR Rail Passes available, including a nationwide pass and regional passes for specific areas of Japan. However, if you want to travel from between regions, like from Tokyo to Osaka, you’ll want the nationwide pass. Here is a map provided by JR of their routes included in the nationwide pass:
The pass can be purchased online or at certain locations outside of Japan, and it must be exchanged for a physical pass at a designated exchange office in Japan before it can be used. If you’re worried about finding the place to exchange your JR Rail Tickets for a physical pass, don’t worry. There are plenty of places to exchange them including in the Narita and Haneda international Airports. Just in case, The red button below has a link to JR Rail Pass’s page with more detailed information about pick up locations.
The JR Rail Pass is a good option for foreign visitors who plan to travel extensively by train during their stay in Japan, as it can save a significant amount of money compared to purchasing individual tickets. However, it is important to note that the pass is not valid on all trains and buses in Japan, and it cannot be used on some private railways and subways. Additionally, the pass must be used within a certain time frame, usually within one, two, or three weeks of the exchange date.
If you are planning to visit multiple cities in Japan and will be using the train frequently, the JR Rail Pass may be a good option for you. It is important to carefully consider your travel plans and compare the cost of the JR Rail Pass to the cost of individual tickets to determine whether it is the most cost-effective option for your trip.
Eligibility
Like I mentioned before the JR Rail Pass is exclusively available to foreign tourists. How is that defined? Essentially, you need to be someone who is visiting Japan on a temporary visitor visa. Basically, when you enter the country with your visa, as long as it’s not for business and you haven’t lived in Japan recently, they will stamp in your Passport that you are a temporary visitor. So it is not available to you if you are a Japanese citizen or foreign resident living in Japan.
Just to be sure everything is in order, These are the eligibility requirements you must meet to purchase a JR Rail Pass:
· You must be a foreign national visiting Japan on a temporary visitor visa.
· You must be entering Japan for sightseeing or other purposes, such as visiting friends or relatives.
· You must be entering Japan with the intention of leaving the country again at the end of your visit.
· To purchase a JR Rail Pass, you will need to provide proof of your temporary visitor status and your travel plans, such as a copy of your passport and a return flight ticket.
Please note that the JR Rail Pass is not available to foreign residents of Japan or Japanese citizens, even if they are visiting from abroad. Additionally, the pass cannot be initially purchased within Japan. It must be purchased before arriving. After which, you can exchange the ticket for a physical pass at a designated exchange office.
For more information about the exact prices this button will take you to the actual page with all the real time information.
Cost and Options
There are essentially 4 factors, or options, that can affect the cost of your JR Rail Pass tickets:
Your Age - essentially if you're buying a ticket for an adult or young child. (Children are cheaper... You probably guessed that...)
Where you purchase the tickets for the pass - It's cheapest to pick up tickets from a JR designated tourist agency or office, but most people pick it up online which is slightly more expensive.
How long you want the pass to last - The JR Rail pass has 3 options for the length of time that it can be used. It can be a 7 day pass, 14 day pass, or a 21 day pass.
Do you want to ordinary car or green car pass - Essentially green cars are just slightly nicer and because they cost more they are a little less crowded. The two cons are that it cost more to use them and they required reserved seats, which you can reserve seats at no additional cost, but it's less convienient. If you're planning your first trip, I'd recommend just sticking to the ordinary pass. It's perfectly acceptable and easy to use.
When is it beneficial to purchase a JR RAil Pass?
You should consider purchasing a JR Rail Pass if you plan to travel extensively by train during your stay in Japan and you meet the eligibility requirements for the pass. The JR Rail Pass is a good option for foreign visitors who want to save money on train travel and have the flexibility to explore different areas of Japan without worrying about purchasing individual tickets. This is especially important if you want to take the shinkansen (bullet train). A trip one way on the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka can cost upwards of 13,000 yen. So, if you plan to explore more than just Tokyo and plan to use the shinkansen more than 4 times, it’s of great value. Please keep in mind though, that this won’t eliminate all travel costs. There are a number of private trains and transportation companies that are not a part of JR.
To determine whether a JR Rail Pass is a good value for your trip, you should compare the cost of the pass to the cost of individual tickets for the trains you plan to take. If you plan to travel long distances by shinkansen or limited express train, the JR Rail Pass may be a more cost-effective option, as these tickets can be quite expensive. On the other hand, if you only plan to take a few short trips by local trains, the JR Rail Pass may not provide as much value.
It is also important to consider the duration of your trip and the area of Japan you plan to visit. The JR Rail Pass is available in different versions for different regions of Japan and for different time periods, so you should choose the pass that best fits your travel plans.
To sum it up, you should consider purchasing a JR Rail Pass if you:
· Are a foreign visitor to Japan on a temporary visitor visa
· Plan to travel extensively by train in Japan
· Want to save money on train travel
· Meet the eligibility requirements for the pass
FAQ
Can I use the JR Rail Pass to go to from Tokyo to Osaka?
Yes, you can use the JR Rail Pass to travel from Tokyo to Osaka by train. The JR Rail Pass is valid on most JR trains, including the shinkansen (bullet train), which operates between Tokyo and Osaka.
There are several shinkansen lines that operate between Tokyo and Osaka, including the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Sanyo Shinkansen, and the Kyushu Shinkansen. The JR Rail Pass is valid on all of these lines, as well as on most other JR trains in Japan.
To travel from Tokyo to Osaka using the JR Rail Pass, you will need to exchange your pass for a physical ticket at a designated exchange office in Japan, such as at a major train station or at an airport. You will then be able to board a shinkansen or other JR train and use your pass to travel to Osaka.
It is important to note that the JR Rail Pass is not valid on all trains and buses in Japan, and it cannot be used on some private railways and subways. Additionally, the pass must be used within a certain time frame, usually within one, two, or three weeks of the exchange date.
How do I use the Physical pass?
Essentially for most of your traveling when getting on local JR trains you just need to walk by the windowed counter at each train gate and show the attendant your pass. They will let you through to the other side and you’ll be on your way!
For Shinkansen it’s a little more difficult. Understandably, you can’t just walk onto any shinkansen you want so you’ll need to reserve a seat or register for an unreserved seat. You can go online to reserve seats, but if you want to do it in person you will need to go to the station’s seat reservation counter. It can seem a little difficult if you don’t know Japanese, but If you have the route in google maps on your phone and go to the counter with your pass, they’ll likely be able to help you.
Do the shinkansen (bullet trains) have lugguage limitations?
Yes, the link below will take you to a PDF made by JR that has been in affect since 2020. Hopefully it will answer any of your lugguage limit questions.