Japan Rail Pass

Where can I use the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all JR limited express trains, all express and local trains on JR lines, JR buses, the JR Miyajima ferry and airport transfers such as the Narita Express and Haruka Express. All Shinkansen high-speed trains are also included, except the Nozomi and Mizuho services.

Who can use the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass can be used by anyone except Japanese citizens living in Japan. Special rules apply to Japanese citizens living outside Japan.

Benefits

With the Japan Rail Pass you can use the regional bus routes of the JR bus companies (except for some local routes), e.g.:

• 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

The Miyajima ferry (JR WEST) is also included in the Japan Rail Pass.

Children get a 50% discount on the price of a Standard or Green Pass/First Class ticket. The discount applies to children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 travel free if they do not occupy a seat and are accompanied by an adult holding a Japan Rail Pass.

Good to know

Different passes

The Japan Rail Pass can be used on 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days in Green Class (1st class) or Standard Class. The Japan Rail Pass is offered by the six companies of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), including

• JR Kyushu
• JR Shikoku
• JR West
• JR Central
• JR East
• JR Hokkaido

The Japan Rail Pass can also be used on the Tokyo Monorail.
These Shinkansen high-speed trains can be used with the Japan Rail Pass:

• Tohoku Shinkansen
• Kyushu Shinkansen
• Joetsu Shinkansen
• Nagano Shinkansen
• Yamagata Shinkansen
• Akita Shinkansen
• Sanyo Shinkansen
• Tokaido Shinkansen
• Hokuriku Shinkansen

You can travel in either Standard or Green Pass/First Class.

The green carriages, aptly called “Green Cars”, are marked by a four-leaf clover next to the entrance doors on the side of the first-class carriage. The doors are usually at the front of the train, so they are always easy to find. The benefits of the JR Green Pass are:

• A spacious and comfortable seat in the air-conditioned carriages on all JR lines. All you need to do is reserve your seat free of charge in advance (you can do this on the same day or the day before)
• Spacious carriages in a separate section at the front of the train, more comfortable than Standard Class
• Sometimes free oshibori (small towels that can be warm or cold depending on the season) are handed out.
• Free drinks and magazines

JR East Pass (Tohoku area)

With the JR EAST PASS you can travel between Tokyo and the north-east of the main island. Enjoy unlimited travel throughout the Tohoku region, including on the 5 Shinkansen super-express lines (also known as high-speed trains). With the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) you can travel on 5 days within 14 days of the date of issue (5 days of flexible use).

JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area)

The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is ideal for travelling between Tokyo and the central part of the main island. You can travel without limits throughout the Nagano and Niigata area, including on the 4 Shinkansen super-express lines (also known as high-speed trains). With the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) you can travel on 5 days within 14 days of the date of issue (5 days of flexible use).

Hokuriku Arch Pass

With the Hokuriku Arch Pass you can travel between Tokyo and Osaka, including popular stops such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Kansai, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, Haneda and Narita. The pass lets you travel without limits between Tokyo and Osaka and the stops in between, including on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. You can use the Hokuriku Arch Pass for 7 consecutive days from the date of issue. The date of issue is the date on which passes bought abroad are collected.

Hokkaido Rail Pass

You can travel on all JR Hokkaido trains (except the Hokkaido Shinkansen) and visit key destinations such as Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru and Asahikawa. The Hokkaido Rail Pass lets you use all JR Hokkaido trains (except the Hokkaido Shinkansen). This includes reserved and non-reserved ordinary-class seats on JR Hokkaido limited express, express, local and special trains (limited express/express/local). With the Hokkaido Rail Pass you can travel on 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days, or on 4 flexible days within a 10-day period.

Shikoku Rail Pass

With the Shikoku Rail Pass you can travel around the small island famous for its 88 temples and beautiful scenery. The Shikoku Rail Pass covers travel on all trains. It can be used on all six railway lines in Shikoku, including reserved and non-reserved seats on express and regular trains on the JR Shikoku Line and the Tosa Kuroshio Line, Iyotetsu Line, Tosaden Line, Asato Line and Kotoden Line. With the Shikoku Rail Pass you can travel on 3, 4, 5 or 7 consecutive days.

Kyushu Rail Pass

Kyushu is Japan’s third-largest island and lies south-west of the main island of Honshu. With the Kyushu Rail Pass you can discover destinations all over Kyushu. The Kyushu Rail Pass can be used on Kyushu Railway Co. limited express trains in ordinary reserved and non-reserved seats, as well as on ordinary Kyushu Railway Co. trains within the area covered by the pass. With the Kyushu Rail Pass you can travel on 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days.

Northern Kyushu Pass

Kyushu is Japan’s third-largest island and lies south-west of the main island of Honshu. With the Northern Kyushu Rail Pass you can explore destinations throughout the northern part of Kyushu. The Northern Kyushu Rail Pass can be used on Kyushu Railway Co. limited express trains in ordinary reserved and non-reserved seats, as well as on ordinary Kyushu Railway Co. trains within the area covered by the pass. The Northern Kyushu Rail Pass lets you travel on 3 or 5 consecutive days.

Southern Kyushu Pass

Kyushu is Japan’s third-largest island and lies south-west of the main island of Honshu. With the Southern Kyushu Rail Pass you can explore southern Kyushu and its many attractions. The Southern Kyushu Rail Pass can be used on Kyushu Railway Co. limited express trains in ordinary reserved and non-reserved seats, as well as on ordinary Kyushu Railway Co. trains within the area covered by the pass. The Southern Kyushu Rail Pass is available as a 3-day consecutive pass.