JR Pass Basic guide

Navigate the Japan Rail Pass confidently with our handy guide! Tailored for international travelers, this discounted, all-you-can-ride rail ticket is your key to seamless travel across Japan.

Enjoy boundless travel on major Japan Railways National trains and high-speed ‘Shinkansen’ bullet trains, connecting key cities like Tokyo to Kyoto. Explore the country's grandeur and top attractions hassle-free.

Beyond the Shinkansen, your pass grants access to local trains and metro in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, along with additional transportation options such as JR Buses, JR Ferry, Monorails, and convenient airport transfers like the Narita Express in Tokyo and Haruka Express in Kyoto.

How does the JR Pass work?

The JR Pass is available for 7, 14, and 21-day itineraries, exclusively available to foreign visitors with a 'Temporary Visitor' stamp or Japanese nationals residing abroad for 10 years or more.

After purchasing your JR Pass, an exchange voucher will be mailed to your designated address. Upon your arrival, you must validate and exchange the voucher for the actual pass within 90 days of purchase. Therefore, it's recommended to acquire your Japan Rail Pass no more than 90 days before the exchange.

Visit a JR Exchange Office, conveniently located at airports and major train stations, to complete the validation process and start enjoying the perks of your JR Pass.

At the office, you'll need to complete a form providing personal details and present your passport along with the entry stamp. During the voucher exchange, you'll be asked to select a starting date, or the first day of use, for your Japan Rail Pass.

The starting date doesn't have to match the exchange date but must fall within 30 days of the exchange. Note that the chosen date cannot be change once your JR Pass is activated.

Once validated, your pass becomes active on the chosen date, offering consecutive days of travel based on the pass's validity period.

Is it possible to share or transfer the Japan Rail Pass?

No, the Japan Rail Pass is strictly non-transferable and can only be utilized by the individual whose name is explicitly printed on the pass. Railway staff may request pass holders to present their passports to verify ownership of the pass.