The Japan Rail Pass (or commonly called “JR Pass”) is a special pass valid for unlimited travel nationwide on transportations operated by Japan Railways (JR).
It can be used by foreign tourists only(*), and offers cost-efficient unlimited use of JR trains for 7 days, 14 days or 21 days.
There are two class types to this pass: 1) Ordinary, and 2) Green type.
The Green type is valid on green cars (equivalent to business class cars) which offer more spacious and less occupied seats than the regular cars.
(*) Japanese people living abroad who meet certain conditions can use the pass. Please visit the section: Who is eligible? for details.
Prices* of Japan Rail Pass
Type | Adult/Child | 7 days | 14 days | 21 days |
Green |
Adult Age 12 up |
¥39,600 | ¥64,120 | ¥83,390 |
Green |
Child Age 6-11** |
¥19,800 | ¥32,060 | ¥41,690 |
Ordinary |
Adult Age 12 up |
¥29,650 | ¥47,250 | ¥60,450 |
Ordinary |
Child Age 6-11** |
¥14,820 | ¥23,620 | ¥30,220 |
*Prices shown above are accurate as of June 2018. They are subject to change.
** Child aged between 6 and 11 years as of the purchase date is eligible for Child Pass prices.
While the Japan Rail Pass covers across the nation, there are Regional Japan Rail Passes also available for those who travels within a certain region of Japan. Please visit the section: Regional Japan Rail Pass if you are interested in Regional Japan Rail Pass.
The Japan Rail Pass is mainly available only to overseas visitors who enter Japan as a Temporary Visitor(*). This includes sightseeing, visiting relatives, inspection tours, conferences and meeting or other activities during a short stay in Japan.
Please check the points below before purchasing your Japan Rail Pass.
(*) Japanese people living abroad who meet certain conditions can use the pass. Please visit the section Who is eligible? for details.
Please use the checklist below if you are suitable for using Japan Rail Pass.
☑ Your trip in Japan is longer than 7 days.
☑ You have NOT arrive in Japan yet. You have to buy the pass BEFORE arrival(*).
☑ You plan to ride long-distance trains often; if your stay is 7 day, maybe riding long distance trains among more than three cities would worth Japan Rail Pass.
If you stay in ONE or TWO CITIES for many days, it may be NOT for you.
☑ You are a Non-Japanese tourist who enters Japan with "temporary visitor" stamp on the passport upon entry. The pass cannot be purchased by residents of Japan.
(*) You can purchase the pass in Japan after arrival but it will be high-priced.
Your train cost can be reduced especially if you plan to ride long distance Shinkansen frequently; If you travel more than three cities during your 7-day stay in Japan, then Japan Rail Pass would be your choice.
Other than cost saving which would be the main reason to purchase Japan Rail Pass to most of the users, below are the advantages of using the pass.
There are many advantages of using Japan Rail Pass, but on the other hand there are some restrictions for it’s usage.
Please check the disadvantages below and see which choice will suit you better for your travel plan in Japan; purchasing the pass, or purchasing individual tickets.
Please see also:
> Compare Japan Rail Pass and Single Shinkansen Tickets
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/pages/compare-japan-rail-pass-and-single-shinkansen-tickets
The Japan Rail Pass is valid on:
Please refer to JAPAN RAIL PASS Scope of Validity page offered by Japan Railways for the latest information in details.
Not Valid for…Again, please be aware that the Japan Rail Pass cannot be used to take “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO”, the fastest type of Shinkansen connecting between Tokyo area and Kyoto, Osaka (Shin-Osaka) and further western cities in Japan.
To be eligible to purchase the Japan Rail Pass you must meet one of the following two conditions; however, please make sure that you visit the official Japan Rail Pass page offered by Japan Railway Groups and check the latest eligibility requirements BEFORE PURCHASING YOUR Japan Rail Pass FROM US.
The Japan Rail Pass is aimed to be used by tourists; it is basically only available to non-Japanese people staying in Japan for a short time for tourism purposes.
To be eligible for a Japan Rail Pass, it is necessary to have an authorization giving a 'temporary visitor' status (for a stay under 90 days).
People who are visiting Japan for non-tourism purposes (working holiday, military, diplomatic, cultural, research, work, etc.) are not eligible to use the Japan Rail Pass so please be careful.
What is ‘Temporary Visitor’?
The visa status ‘Temporary Visitor‘ is a visa for people visiting Japan for tourism and are staying for less than 90 days. (Multiple entry visa (Include Temporary Visitor Visa Multiple Entry status) is not eligible).
For many countries’ citizens this visa is granted automatically on your arrival into Japan thus it is not necessary to take any specific steps to obtain it.
Below is a list of these countries:
USA, UK (British Citizens), Brunei, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, former Yugoslavia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay.
For other countries it is necessary to make a visa application to your local Japanese Embassy. The visa ‘Temporary Visitor’ is the only visa which will allow you to use the Japan Rail Pass.
In order to exchange your voucher for the Japan Rail Pass, the JR employee will ask to see the visa in your passport. All other kinds of visa will not permit exchange.
A Japanese citizen who living outside Japan for 10 consecutive years or more can use the pass. Please visit Eligibility for Use section in the official Japan Rail Pass page for the latest eligibility requirements.
Below are the easy two steps to purchase and use your JR Pass.
1) Purchase voucher from our JR Pass item page
All the details from purchase to delivery (Our service process) are explained in From purchase to delivery (Our service process) page.
2) Once you arrive in Japan, visit any JR Pass exchange office and exchange your voucher with the actual JR Pass.
Please visit From purchase to delivery (Our service process) page for details.
In addition to the Japan Rail Pass which can be used across the nation, there are 24 types of Regional Japan Rail Pass.
Please visit each page for the prices and details.