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UPDATED! Japan Rail Pass: The Ultimate Guide (2024 Edition)
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Selecting a start date for the Pass
When you exchange your voucher for the actual pass, you can select any start date provided it is within one month from the day you exchange . Note: once the actual pass is issued, the start date cannot be changed.
If you purchase passes through the official JR website you will need to select the start date of the passes at the time of purchase, and again, the start date cannot be changed later.
Where can I activate my Japan Rail Pass?
For Japan Rail Passes purchased in advance outside of Japan, you need to activate them at an exchange office after arriving in Japan . Exchange offices can be found in several major train stations and airports.
The official JR Pass website has a complete list of exchange offices here: https://japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html .
How to make seat reservations
Seat reservations are free with the Japan Rail Pass . After exchanging your voucher for the actual pass, you can make seat reservations for JR trains for free at ticket machines or ticket offices across Japan. Note: reservations cannot be made on board trains.
The official Japan Rail Pass website includes a list of all of the exchange offices: https://japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html .
Feb 9, 2024 • 9 min read
On local trains in Japan, such as the Wakayama Electric Railway, you might be the only non-local on board © Shutterstock/george photo cm
Japanese railway enthusiast John Walton shares advice on how to stretch your yen as far as possible on a train trip through Japan.
Whether you’re a train fanatic like me or not, exploring Japan by rail is a pleasure.
The country leads the way for the sheer variety of rail experiences. The network has ultramodern trains, vintage carriages, steam locomotives and every kind of rail runner in between – from slow-travel rural journeys to the fast Shinkansen bullet trains that rocket between the country’s biggest cities.
Anyone traveling to Japan will likely end up on a train at some point. But if you want to create a thorough train itinerary to see the best of the country, some advanced planning is necessary. Where to start? Which trains to take? Where to go? How much time will you need? Should you buy a Japan Rail Pass or not?
I’ve spent more than a decade visiting Japan, often multiple times a year. Traveling across this beautiful and fascinating country by train is one of my favorite things to do in the entire world. Here’s how to build your own Japan rail trip.
1. Define your must-do list
Figure out how much time you have and which destinations are on your must-visit list, and build a route from there
As with any trip, what you can do will be determined by how much time you have and what time of year you visit. Japan is at its most delightful in spring and autumn as summers are very hot and humid everywhere south of Hokkaidō . Avoid national holiday periods like Golden Week (early May) and Obon (summer; usually July or August), when tickets and accommodation are scarce and many attractions close. If you want to do a lot of things that appeal to Japanese kids (amusement parks, anime or manga attractions, and so on), try to visit outside school holidays when they're packed.
Picking the “where” of your trip is entirely up to you and your interests. I'd recommend you think about a theme like visiting Japan’s 12 remaining original historic castles . Or its best temples, shrines and Zen gardens. You might focus on dazzling big-city life, quiet rural trains that wind their way through the mountains, or a specific bit of Japanese popular culture like Pokémon, Studio Ghibli or Evangelion. Plotting out your stops on a map will help you build a route.
2. Figure out where you want to start and finish
Where you fly in and out of may influence your route
The easiest option for most international travelers is to fly to Tokyo . The capital has two airports: Haneda Airport (HND), which is the closest to the city center, and Narita Airport (NRT), about an hour east of the city. Haneda is usually more convenient, though Narita is connected directly to Tokyo Station (and several others) by train. It’s a good option if you want to get out of the capital and on the rails straight away.
Other major international airports like Osaka Kansai (KIX), Nagoya ’s Chubu Centrair (NGO), Sapporo ’s New Chitose (CTS) and Fukuoka (FUK) are also great alternatives if you’re heading to their respective regions. An open-jaw itinerary – where you start in one city and leave from another – is a great way to maximize your time in Japan and is particularly suited to those who want to slow down and explore by train.
Still, chances are you’ll be starting and ending your trip in Tokyo. I usually try to build a few days at the beginning and end of my trips here to plan and do a few of the many amazing things that the capital has to offer .
3. Find the right pass for your journey
Figuring out your precise travel times could save you money
If you want to do more than just take a return trip between Tokyo and Kyoto the national Japan Rail Pass is great value. is Designed specifically for travelers, there are three versions of the pass, which you can use over consecutive days:
the seven-day pass costs ¥50,000 (around US$335);
the 14-day pass costs ¥80,000 (around US$540);
the 21-day pass costs ¥100,000 (around US$675).
Considering a one-way Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥13,080 (around US$90), these passes are a no-brainer for most travelers.
Another money-saving option is the regional passes but these can get complicated. I usually recommend them to visitors on longer trips or those who want to cover specific areas of Japan:
- On the westernmost island Kyūshū , JR offers passes in three- (¥20,000; around US$135), five- (¥22,500; around US$152) and seven-day (¥25,000; around US$169) versions;
- JR-East to the north of Tokyo offers the five-day Tohoku Area Pass for ¥30,000 (around US$202) and the five-day Nagano-Niigata Area Pass for ¥27,000 (around US$182);
- JR-West , covering the main island of Honshū west of Kyoto , offers a staggering and frankly confusing range of 10 passes for specific areas.
4. Choose how much time you want to actually be on a train
Separate passes for different legs can make things easier
Though the value of a rail pass increases the more you use it, it will constitute a big chunk of your travel budget. For me, the pass will typically cost about a third of the total outlay of a trip. Even as an avid rail fan whose idea of a great time includes whizzing around the country on a Shinkansen at 200mph (320km/h) or relaxing on a fancy Limited Express, I don't usually do more than a week of rail travel without settling down in one place for a few days. The same goes when I'm taking a cultural Joyful Train trip or a countryside trundle on tiny rural trains.
As a rule, if I’m spending two weeks in Japan, I’ll book a seven-day Japan Rail Pass that begins a few days after I arrive in Tokyo and ends a few days before my flight home. If I’m here for three weeks, I might buy two separate seven-day passes, with some free time for a cultural city like Kyoto, Nara , or Kanazawa in between. Sometimes, I'll stick with one rail pass plus a one-way trip that takes me back to Tokyo.
5. Plan your weekend travel early
Some of the most delightful trains run on weekends
Plan your weekends first. This is when cultural excursion trains known as Joyful Trains run. They are themed trains covering specific routes (think Hello Kitty or Pokémon). Both the JR-East and JR Kyūshū regions have lots of Joyful Trains, many made especially for sightseeing. They cover some incredible terrain.
I highly recommend JR-East’s SL (for “steam locomotive”) Gunma Yokokawa , which chugs from Takasaki to the Usui Tōge Railway Village at Yokokawa. JR Kyūshū’s Two Stars 4047 in the Nagasaki area follows the beautiful seaside route of the old main line. I also love JR-East’s High Rail 1375 , which travels along Japan’s highest railway line and also offers a nighttime stargazing trip.
Although it's best to book via the automated ticket machines, these usually require some previous experience with Japanese train travel. Newbies should book their trips at any JR Service Center or ticket counter (the midori no madoguchi , with a green symbol of a person relaxing on a seat).
6. Plan scenic trips and other highlights during the week
Hit popular attractions in the quieter mid-week period
Once you’ve planned your weekend trip(s), think about how else you want to fill in your journey in between your starting point, weekend Joyful Trains and your endpoint. With fewer tourists, weekdays are a great time to visit popular attractions.
You’ll also find reduced midweek rates at traditional Japanese resort hotels, ryokan , minshuku and other accommodations. Take a couple of days out of your schedule to take a soak at a mountain hot-spring onsen . It's a wonderfully Japanese way to relax.
Weekdays are made for longer train trips into Japan’s beautiful countryside, including on the long-distance Limited Express trains (slower than the Shinkansen, yet faster than local trains) or the wonderfully charming rural local trains that crisscross Japan’s countryside. Many have beautiful views; some of my favorites are JR Central’s Hida from Nagoya to Toyama through the Japanese Alps and JR East’s Tsugaru from Aomori to Akita across the Tsugaru plain – a snowy must-do in winter.
I also love JR Hokkaido ’s Okhotsk/Taisetsu from Sapporo/Asahikawa to Abashiri, which offers a peek into this remote island, and JR Shikoku ’s Shiokaze from Okayama to Matsuyama, across the incredible Great Seto Bridge and beautiful countryside. Local trains are beautiful, too. JR-operated and private railway lines often trundle through areas of Japan without any other kind of rail service. Chances are you’ll be the only non-local in a small railcar where the other passengers are schoolchildren, grandmothers and folk going about their daily business.
JR Hokkaido’s Senmo Line between Abashiri and Kushiro runs through the Kushiro marshlands, where Japanese red-crowned cranes make their home . The Shinano Railway in Nagano Prefecture uses delightful vintage 115 series trains along the old Shinetsu Main Line. JR East’s Yamada Line from Morioka to Miyako is a springing-off point for the gorgeous Sanriku Coast , while the Wakayama Electric Railway south of Osaka is famed for its stationmaster cats at Kishi. And you can’t go wrong on almost any local line in Kyūshū, particularly in the area around Nagasaki.
If I could do it all again…
I’d eat more ekiben , the local bento-box lunches available at many stations that are made to take on board. Tiny rural stations may have a soba, ramen or udon noodle store or something similar in the waiting room – I’d eat more of that, too.
Bring a few essential things with you: a two-pin US-style fast phone charger, a power bank (as not all trains have power points) and a reusable shopping bag for snacks and drinks. Use the layers strategy when you pack – Japanese trains are much warmer than many other countries in cool weather and the air conditioning may not be as frosty as you’d expect elsewhere.
Take nothing bigger than a medium carry-on on the train, and use Japan’s excellent luggage delivery services like Kuroneko Yamato to deliver your suitcases between cities rather than toting them with you. This is especially important in peak hours or on non-express trains. Note: on some Shinkansen, you must make a baggage reservation if your luggage is more than 160 linear cm (length x width x height).
This article was first published March 2023 and updated February 2024
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Boutique Japan
Getting Around Japan: A Complete Guide to Train Travel
Japan’s railway system, including its world-renowned shinkansen (bullet train), is famously clean, safe, modern, and efficient. But to a first-time visitor, getting around Japan can also seem a bit confusing — especially at first.
Don’t worry if the idea of navigating Japan by train feels a little overwhelming to you now. After you read this introductory guide to train travel in Japan, you’ll be ready to:
- Use an IC transport card to navigate the Tokyo Metro subways (and buy drinks at vending machines)
- Understand the difference between Japan Railways (JR) and other railway companies operating throughout the country
- Purchase train tickets — and avoid some of the most common mistakes most travelers make –– including how to read shinkansen timetable
- Decide whether to reserve ordinary, Green Car, or Gran Class seats
- Map out your travel plans utilizing a combination of shinkansen , limited express trains, and local trains
There’s no shame in feeling daunted by Japan’s extensive network of trains and rail operators, veritable web of stations, and dozens of different types of trains. But after experiencing Japan’s wonderful rail system for yourself, you’ll find it’s an absolute joy to travel by train in Japan!
Also, as if it weren’t enough that the trains are spotless (and run on time), it’s also worth remembering that Japanese people are extraordinarily helpful. If you are ever lost or in doubt, simply find the nearest station attendant and ask for help — unlike in many countries, they’ll actually be happy to assist (one of the many amazing things about Japan )!
Guide to Train Travel in Japan
If you’re not sure where to begin, we suggest starting at the top. But if you’re wondering about a specific topic, refer to the Table of Contents below:
Types of Trains (Train Categories)
Ic cards (refillable transport passes), how to buy train tickets in japan, how to use train tickets in japan, planning your journey (and japan travel apps), useful rail and transport passes, non-train travel in japan.
Let’s be honest: The terminology below may not sink in for you immediately, but as you read the rest of this article, it should come in handy.
In Japan, as in any other country with a robust rail network, there are various types of trains, ranging from slower to faster. The classifications can get painfully specific in Japan, but for most travelers, it’s not necessary to get into excessive detail.
To avoid overwhelming you, here is a brief summary of the main types of trains you will encounter while traveling around Japan, in order of relative speed:
- Express (急行)
- Limited Express (特急) / Special Express (特急)
- Shinkansen (Bullet Train) (新幹線)
If you want to nerd out, here is an excellent guide to the various types of trains in Japan .
You don’t need to do anything with this information yet. Just keep this in mind as we proceed. All aboard!
Let’s start with the single easiest “travel hack” that will make your trip to Japan smoother and more pleasant: obtaining an IC card.
If there is one thing you can do to make exploring a city easy, it’s getting that city’s version of a transit card. Some well-known examples include London’s Oyster card, Hong Kong’s Octopus card, and New York City’s MetroCard.
In most ways, Japan’s IC cards put them all to shame.
IC cards are rechargeable passes that you can use to pay fares on public transportation. You can also use them to buy drinks and snacks at most conbini (convenience stores) and vending machines.
Japan’s IC cards come by different names across Japan, with several regional variants. Most travelers to Japan are likely to come into contact with the Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA cards, but they are essentially all interchangeable.
For example, if you have a PASMO (issued by Tokyo Metro), you can still use it on trains in other cities (for example, in Osaka). Or say you have an ICOCA (issued by JR West, where Kyoto and Osaka are located): Fear not, as you can use it elsewhere, including in Tokyo, for example.
Imagine being able to use your New York MetroCard in Boston or San Francisco!
You don’t strictly need an IC card. If you prefer inconvenience (why?!), you could simply buy tickets each time you need to hop on the subway.
But if you favor simplicity and ease of travel, an IC card is essential. With an IC card, you can explore much more freely, seamlessly switching between trains and buses, and even different railway companies.
IC cards are also easy to refill. On occasion, you may reach the end of your journey, perhaps after an evening exploring Tokyo nightlife , only to find that you don’t have enough credit to exit the station.
Don’t worry! There are always “fare-adjustment” machines in the vicinity of the ticket gates, where you can top up as needed.
IC cards are ideal for short-distance travel and an essential part of getting around within cities in Japan. Referring back to the types of trains introduced above, IC cards are generally useful for these types of trains:
But for the following types of trains — this includes longer journeys and most intercity travel — you’ll need train tickets, or a rail pass:
Do You Need the Japan Rail Pass?
One of the most persistent myths about traveling in Japan is that the Japan Rail Pass is a must. We won’t bore you with all the details, but the short answer is that it’s not.
Yes, it’s true that the Japan Rail Pass can be the best option in certain circumstances (and it’s often ideal for budget travelers). But for travelers who prioritize convenience and comfort, the Japan Rail Pass is rarely the best option.
For more information on its pros and cons, check out our Japan Rail Pass guide .
Where to Buy Train Tickets in Japan
The easiest place to purchase train tickets is typically at your local station. In Japan, there are countless railway companies, with routes crisscrossing the country. But one railway company stands above them all: Japan Railways .
While traveling around Japan, it is likely you’ll come across other companies including Tokyo Metro, Keikyu, Odakyu, Tokyu, Hankyu, Kintetsu, and many others. But for most long-distance trips — including via the shinkansen (bullet train) — you’ll be on JR.
In major cities, most large stations have a ticket office (at JR stations, they’re called Midori no Madoguchi ) where you can speak with an agent to purchase the tickets you need. While you may feel daunted by the Japanese language barrier , most ticket agents are used to helping non-Japanese speakers, so don’t worry!
If you’d rather try your luck at an automated ticket machine, there is usually an option to go through the process in English. JR West has a useful video and visual guide to purchasing train tickets .
Types of Train Tickets in Japan
Now that you’re ready to buy your tickets, a little train ticket terminology may help you make the right choices.
Reserved Versus Non-Reserved Tickets
If you’re traveling solo, or on a tight budget, then you may want to consider non-reserved seats.
Most bullet trains have a few non-reserved carriages, and finding a seat is usually not too challenging — provided you’re traveling on a busy route with frequent trains, it’s not peak season, and your travel party is small (naturally, if you’re traveling in a party of two people or more, you may not be able to sit together).
For most travelers, reserved seats are the way to go.
Classes of Service: Ordinary, Green Car, and Gran Class
Even ordinary class in Japan is of a very high standard, but if you’re looking for a bit of extra comfort, you may want to consider splurging on Green Car or Gran Class seats.
As you might expect, ordinary car seats are clean (the usual, in Japan), and they’re also surprisingly spacious. But if you’re looking for more space, consider springing for Green Car. In the Green Car, you have a bit more space (ordinary class seats are laid out in 3×2 configurations, while Green Car seats are 2×2).
Generally speaking, even ordinary car seats have electrical outlets, but on the whole, the higher-category seats are most likely to have electrical outlets and heated seats (it can vary by train).
We recommend browsing for ekiben (bento boxes designed for train travel) before departure. In most stations, you’ll find a colorful array of fresh, beautifully packaged meals to enjoy on the train, including local and seasonal specialties.
As for Gran Class: This is a whole different experience altogether. Gran Class cars have their own attendant, and come with lovely bento lunch boxes, and unlimited drinks (including beer, sparkling wine, sake , Japanese whisky , and more). The seats are also extra plush and spacious.
Unfortunately, most bullet trains don’t yet have Gran Class carriages, but more are being added to cater to demand!
For “advanced studies,” check out JR East’s detailed chart on the various types of tickets .
You have tickets in your hand. Now what?
Japan Train Ticket Dos and Don’ts
Tip 1: hold onto — i.e., don’t lose — your ticket(s).
This is not the New York subway! When riding trains in Japan, you always need your tickets for the whole journey.
Here’s how it works:
- When entering the station, insert your ticket at the ticket gate. It will pop back up at the other end almost immediately.
- Walk through the open gate and retrieve your ticket.
- At the end of your journey, insert your ticket into the exit ticket gate.
- This time, you can walk right through (your ticket stays in the machine).
The general rule is: If you haven’t left a station yet, you should still have your ticket on you.
Warning: If you get to the end of your journey and you’ve lost your ticket, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to pay for the entire journey again.
Another reason you shouldn’t lose your ticket: Train attendants may ask to see your ticket while you’re on the train, so keep it handy.
Tip 2: Deal With Multiple Tickets
This is something that probably won’t make sense to you until you get to Japan … and then you’ll see what we mean!
For many long-distance journeys — for example, on the shinkansen or limited express trains — you’ll be provided with more than one ticket.
One of them is a joshaken (乗車券), or “base fare ticket,” which is essentially the basic fare from point A to point B. The other is a tokkyuken (特急券), or “special fare ticket,” which tells the ticket machine or agent that you’ve paid for the privilege of riding an extra-fast train, such as a bullet train or an express train.
You need both tickets!
The counterintuitive part for most travelers is what to do when passing through the ticket gates. Which ticket do you insert? The answer is both, simultaneously.
Simply insert both tickets into the gate at the same time. The machine will automatically process the tickets, and one or both will pop out at the other end. Retrieve the ticket(s) and proceed to your train.
Then remember tip 1 above. When you reach your destination, you’ll once more put the ticket(s) into the exit ticket gate to be on your merry way.
If you’re ever in doubt, simply ask a station attendant for help!
Tip 3: Know Your Train Number
Your train ticket contains a plethora of information, and much of it may be undecipherable if you don’t read Japanese. But you’ll also find plenty of useful information here, including travel times, plus your train and seat number.
After reaching your departure train’s platform, you’ll want to go ahead and make your way to the proper boarding point. Train and bullet train doors always open at the right place on the platform, and you’ll see car numbers labeled clearly on signs above and on the floor in front of the train doors.
When it comes to shinkansen platforms, keep in mind that they’re extremely long, so it’s not a bad idea to head to your boarding spot a little early … walking from one end of the platform to the other can take as long as 10 minutes or more.
Once you reach your spot, enjoy the delightfully orderly queues before boarding the train and finding your seat.
Of course, the easiest way to plan your travels is by asking an expert: whether a friend in Japan, a ticket agent, or a company such as Boutique Japan.
But if you prefer to do all the legwork yourself, there are some really helpful travel apps we recommend.
Useful Train Travel Apps for Japan
HyperDia is an essential transport app if you’re visiting Japan. It can take a little while to get used to the interface, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find virtually everything you need within this app. Search routes, look up hyper-accurate train timetables, and plan away!
Like HyperDia, Jorudan is a super-powerful transport app, with a slightly more intuitive interface.
Google Maps
While not quite as robust as HyperDia or Jorudan when it comes to detailed routes and timetables, Google Maps is still a handy reference tool. It’s also ideal for navigating within a city, as you can compare train times versus estimated travel times via other means (such as taxi or walking).
If you plan to use travel apps, make sure you have reliable Wi-Fi in Japan , too!
Navigating the Subway and Local Trains
The apps mentioned above are great for planning, but what if you’re already at the station — and don’t have Wi-Fi? The best thing to do is probably ask a station attendant, but if you want to map out your own trip, here are some basic tips to keep in mind:
- Determine whether your destination station is a local-only stop, or whether express trains stop there. Train maps will have a color-coded legend, and you can tell which trains (local versus express) stop at which stations.
- Make your way to the departure platform, and consult the signs above to ensure you board the correct type of train. If you’re not sure, ask someone! Most people will be happy to help.
- When the train arrives, make sure it is the train you want. Again, if you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to ask a stranger!
In addition to the famous Japan Rail Pass (mentioned above), many cities and regions in Japan have their own rail and transport passes local to their own area.
They vary by pass, providing unlimited travel over a set period of time in a given region, and might include a round trip to a particular station.
There are too many to list in detail here, but we like the following passes for their ease and convenience in their respective areas.
Tokyo Transport Passes
- Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket (600 JPY): Unlimited rides for 24 hours on the Tokyo Metro underground. You’ll recoup the cost with three or four rides on the subway.
- Common One-Day Ticket for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway (900 JPY): Unlimited rides on both subway lines for 24 hours.
- Tokyo Combination Ticket (1,590 JPY): Unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and JR Lines. Valid only on the same day. If you’re traveling extensively around central Tokyo in a single day, this is a good pass to get.
Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka) Transport Passes
- Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass : With only two subway lines in Kyoto, there’s much in the city that’s accessible only by bus. Most people who rely on public transportation will ride the city buses. At 230 JPY per ride, you recoup the 600 JPY pass in just three rides.
- Subway, Bus One-Day (Two-Day) Pass : Gives you unlimited bus and subway rides within the central Kyoto area. Available in one- or two-day versions.
- Osaka 1-day or 2-day pass: Gives you unlimited rides on the Osaka Metro and Osaka City Bus for one or two days.
Other Destinations
- Hakone Freepass : Whether you choose the 2-day or 3-day pass, this gives you unlimited rides throughout the Hakone area on almost any mode of transport: trains, cable cars, buses, and even the sightseeing cruise boat. You can choose to include a round-trip ticket from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station.
- Koyasan World Heritage Pass : Valid for two consecutive calendar days, this rail pass gives you a round trip to Mount Koya from one of Osaka’s Nankai Railway stations (such as Namba Station), along with unlimited bus travel on Mount Koya.
While Japan does have an extensive train network, other forms of public transportation aren’t too shabby either. You’ll find buses in most major cities, and some more remote areas in rural Japan are accessible only by bus.
When in major cities, it is incredibly easy to hail a cab. Find a main road rather than a quiet side street, and chances are that a taxi will come drifting past.
Don’t bet on always being able to use ride-sharing apps such as Uber in Japan — due to a strong taxi industry lobby, these companies haven’t made significant inroads into the country. But given the quality of Japanese taxi services — the cars are clean, and the drivers unfailingly polite — we don’t miss ride-sharing apps in cities here. Much.
You can go to most places in Japan by train. Sometimes, though, the travel time and number of transfers make it more trouble than it’s worth.
A good rule: If your train journey looks like it’s going to be more than four to six hours and isn’t a direct train, and you have the option to take a domestic flight, just do it.
Ferries are a more unorthodox but fun way to travel in Japan. It’s an interesting option to look into if you’re keen on traveling to more remote parts of the country — especially if you like slow travel, and have good sea legs!
Need more reasons to get excited about exploring Japan by train? Don’t miss our article on the best time of year to visit Japan .
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The best way to get around Japan is by train. On this page you'll find an introduction to train travel in Japan, with advice on times, routes, tickets and passes.
Japan Rail pass guide 2024
What are japanese trains like, airport links & other useful info, ferries to & from japan, useful country information, maps of the rail network, how to check train times & fares, the classic network, shinkansen high-speed lines, ordinary class or green car, reserved or non-reserved , busy periods to avoid.
The busy periods when reserved seats sell out way ahead and unreserved cars are very crowded are:
- Golden Week between late April & early May;
- Obon in mid-August;
- New Year from 29 Dec to 3 January.
The most crowded trains tend to be the ones heading out of the big cities into the country at the beginning of the holiday and back into the big cities at the end. If you can, time your visit to Japan to avoid these times. Christmas itself isn't such a big issue in Japan.
If you can't avoid travelling at these busy holiday periods:
Aim for the less popular first & last trains of the day;
Try booking the slower trains such as the all-stations Kodama shinkansen rather than the faster & busier Hikari or Sakura trains;
Try splitting the booking: If you can't get reserved seats from Tokyo to Kyoto, try Tokyo to Nagoya then Nagoya to Kyoto, that may work;
When using unreserved seats, pick a train that starts at the station you're at, not one which comes from elsewhere, already heavily-loaded.
Example journey times & prices
£1 = 180 yen. $1 = 140 yen.
* Nozomi = fastest Shinkansen stopping pattern.
** Hikari = next fastest train type, Japan Rail Passes can be used.
*** Fare by Nozomi with reserved seat.
Check Japanese train times & fares at www.jorudan.co.jp .
Children aged 0 to 5 travel free, children aged 6 to 11 travel at half fare, children aged 12 and over pay full fare.
Rail fares in Japan are expensive, and if you are an overseas visitor a Japan Rail Pass can be the cheapest way to travel even if you are only planning one return trip from (say) Tokyo to Hiroshima. See the Japan Rail Pass section .
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How to buy tickets
You can of course buy tickets at the station, either at the staffed counters or using ticket machines, these have a touch screen with an English language facility. There are many trains & seats, so buying at the station is unlikely to be a problem unless you hit one of the busy national holiday periods - and even then, you can always travel in the unreserved seats cars.
How to buy local tickets
Use the self-service ticket machines. At any main station you'll find a row of these with a big network map above them near the ticket gates onto the local platforms, see the photo in the Tokyo station section below . You'll soon get the hang of buying tickets, like this:
- Look at the big network map on the wall above the machines. Find your destination station & note the fare shown next to it.
- On the touch screen, press English .
- Press the side button for the number of adults/children in your party. For 2 adults & 2 children you have to buy as 2 transactions.
- You'll now see a screen full of possible one-way fares for one adult.
- Touch the fare for your destination. So if the fare shown on the map against your destination is 350, touch the 350 button.
- It'll now show the total cost for the number of adults & children you have selected.
Japan Rail Pass guide
Japan Rail Pass or point-to-point tickets?
Train fares in Japan are expensive as there are no cheap advance-purchase fares, just one hefty fixed price for each journey. A Japan Rail Pass can save money over point-to-point tickets even for one round trip, if it's a long-distance one. A significant Japan Rail Pass price rise in October 2023 means it's no longer a foregone conclusion, but here are some comparisons after the pass price increase:
A 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs ¥50,000 = £268 or $340 .
The normal return fare from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥27,940 = £150 or $190.
The normal return fare from Tokyo to Hiroshima is ¥39,120 = £210 or $270.
The normal return fare from Tokyo to Nagasaki is ¥52,620 = £290 or $360.
So a 7-day Japan Rail Pass saves money for one round trip from Tokyo to Nagasaki, but not for a round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. It may be worth buying a Japan Rail Pass for a round trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima if you do one or more side trips as well.
How to work out if a pass makes sense
First check Japan Rail Pass prices at www.jrailpass.com . Then use japantravel.navitime.com to check point-to-point fares for the journeys you intend to make.
Remember that the total point-to-point price you'd pay = basic fare + the reserved or unreserved seat fee. A pass covers both of these elements, reservations are free.
Big price rise in October 2023
Green car or ordinary class?
A green class pass is great if you can afford it, but ordinary class on Japanese trains is perfectly adequate, there's no need to pay more if you don't want to. Green car simply gets you more leg and elbow room, and carpet rather than synthetic flooring, that's all.
Personally, I find shinkansen ordinary class seats a little cramped where they are arranged 2+3 across the car width, the 2+2 seats in the green car are much more spacious. On the other hand, if you plan to be spontaneous much of the time and not pre-plan everything you'll end up in the unreserved ordinary class cars, so don't fork out for a green car pass if you're not going to use it.
What does a Japan Rail Pass cover ?
You can buy a Japan Rail Pass for 7, 14 or 21 days in either ordinary class or green car (1st class).
The pass gives unlimited travel on all JR trains across the whole of Japan, including high-speed shinkansen (bullet trains), the local, rapid, express and limited express trains on the classic network and even the Narita Express between Narita Airport & Tokyo and the monorail to & from Haneda Airport .
There are just the following exceptions:
You can't use a Japan Rail Pass on lines run by private rail operators , only lines operated by one of the six JR companies. For example, it doesn't cover the Tobu Railway from Tokyo to Nikko, or the Tokyo subway trains which aren't run by JR either.
But it does cover the Narita Express airport train as that's run by JR. It also covers JR local trains in Tokyo & other cities including the useful Yamanote loop line linking Tokyo main station, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shimbashi, Ikebukuro every few minutes, which you can use to get around Tokyo.
Sleeper trains: There there's only one sleeper train left in Japan, the Sunrise Seto / Sunrise Izumo , but you can use this with a Japan Rail Pass if you either pay the hefty sleeper supplement for a private sleeper - we're talking ¥20,000 per room for a private 2-berth B-type sleeper - or use the open-plan shared nobinobi or 'carpet berths' which are free of charge with a Japan Rail Pass, reservation required. Indeed, if you're on a budget, saving a hotel bill by taking the Sunrise Seto between Tokyo & (say) Himeji is an interesting option!
Nozomi or Mizuho shinkansen trains: Until October 2023, Japan Rail Pass holders couldn't use the fastest limited-stop Nozomi or Mizuho category shinkansen trains. You can now use them, but must pay an extra fee, typically ¥4,000-¥6,500 ($27-$44) depending on distance.
You'll find more detailed info at www.jrailpass.com .
How does a Japan Rail Pass work ?
Order your pass & receive a voucher
You order your Japan Rail Pass online at an official pass agency website such as www.jrailpass.com and an exchange voucher is sent by tracked courier to your home address. You'll also get a free Japan rail map and a Japan railways timetable booklet.
You need to buy the pass before you leave home, you can't buy a Japan Rail Pass in Japan.
When you get to Japan, exchange the voucher for the pass
When you arrive in Japan, you exchange this voucher for a Japan Rail Pass at any of the JR ticket offices & travel centres designated as a Japan Rail Pass exchange office.
The voucher can be exchanged for a pass any time within 3 months of buying the voucher, so there's no need to specify exact travel dates when you order it.
There are Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at around 50 JR stations, including Tokyo's main station which has Japan Rail Pass exchange counters on both the Marunouchi (west) & Yaesu (east) sides of the station, Tokyo's Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro stations, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and even Sakaiminato where (if & when operating) the ferry arrives from Vladivostok.
Tip: The Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at Narita and Haneda airports are usually fairly relaxed places to exchange your voucher. In Tokyo the JR East Service Centre in the historic North Entrance on the quieter Marunouchi (west) side of the station is also a good and relaxed place to exchange your voucher, more relaxed than the Japan Rail Pass counter on the more hectic Yaesu (east) side of the station.
When you exchange the voucher, you'll be asked to show your passport and to fill in a simple form with your name and passport number which they incorporate into the pass itself. You'll be asked on what specific date you want the 7, 14 or 21 days to start, this can be any date within the next 30 days - the pass does not need to start on the same day you exchange the voucher for the pass.
For example, in July I booked a flight to Japan for travel in late October. I ordered my 7-day Japan Rail Pass in September. I didn't need to decide in advance exactly what days I would use it, as long as I exchanged the voucher for a pass within 3 months of ordering it. So I could have delayed my visit until November and still used the same voucher. Arriving in Japan on 20 October, I exchanged my voucher for a pass at Tokyo station on 21 October, asking for my 7 days of unlimited travel to start on 22 October.
Then ride as many trains as you want! Once you have your pass and your 7, 14 or 21 days of unlimited travel have started, you use as many JR trains as you like, travelling whenever and wherever you like. There is no limit on the number of trains you can take or the distance you can travel - that's what unlimited means.
Making reservations with your pass
Local & Rapid trains: You don't need a reservation to travel on local or rapid trains on the classic network, such trains don't even have seat reservations. Just hop on and show your pass when the conductor comes along. Easy!
Unreserved seat cars: Express, limited express and shinkansen trains usually have several non-reserved ordinary class cars, as the name suggests you don't need a reservation to travel in these. Platform announcements, departure boards and platform signs in English will tell you which car numbers these are, and where you should stand on the platform for them - it's all very efficient.
If you are happy travelling in the non-reserved cars you can just get on and sit where you like, and show your pass to the conductor when he comes long. Normally there's little problem finding a seat, indeed you may even be spoilt for choice. But a seat isn't guaranteed, and at busy times of day or at busy holiday periods you may have to stand or sit on your luggage in the aisle if you find all the seats are taken.
Reserved seat cars: To be sure of a seat on a shinkansen, limited express or express train, or to sit in a Green Car seat with a Green Car pass, you must reserve a seat in one of the reserved cars.
You are unlikely to have any problem getting the reservations you need, even booking at short notice when you get to Japan, unless you hit a busy holiday period . And even then, you can always use the unreserved cars so you'll never be stranded, although it may be crowded so you may have to stand.
Reserving seats at stations: You can reserve seats this free of charge at any JR ticket office or travel centre where you see the green seat reservation symbol. Just show your Japan Rail Pass and passport and ask for a reservation in the class you want on the train you want. You can make reservations at any time right up to a few minutes before the train leaves.
Reserving seats using a ticket machine: You can also make reservations using self-service ticket machines, these have an English language facility. Select the rail pass option. Select the number of passengers. Then scan the QR code on your Japan Rail pass and enter your passport number, repeating this for each passenger (so you’ll need their pass & passport numbers). You then enter the starting station, destination, date & time and it will find trains and let you choose seats. It will also let you select oversized baggage seats if available. It’ll issue a seat reservation ticket.
You can't make seat reservations before you get to Japan
You can't reserve seats to go with your pass until you reach Japan and can get to a station. There's one key exception: JR East have set up a website for Japan Railpass holders to make reservations on their high speed trains north & east of Tokyo, including the Narita Express and the Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen, but not the Tokaido, Sanyo or Kyushu shinkansen linking Tokyo, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata, Nagasaki as obviously these aren't run by JR East, but by JR Central & JR West.
To make reservations on JR East services, see www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu (if this link stops working, try www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass and please let me know ). Seat reservations made using this service must be collected before 21:00 the day before travel or they will be cancelled.
Green car seats: Green car (1st class) seats on shinkansen & limited express trains are always reserved , if you sit in a green car seat without a reservation you'll be charged the hefty green car shinkansen reserved seat fee, even if you have a Green Car Japan Rail Pass. So if you have a Green Car pass, either make a reservation to use the Green Car, or if you want to be spontaneous and hop on a train without a reservation, use the ordinary class unreserved cars.
Reservation tips
There's no penalty for not using a seat reservation you've made with a Japan Rail Pass. Bad manners not to cancel it perhaps, but if you had a reservation for (say) the 18:45 and decided to leave earlier, you could hop on the 17:45 and sit in the unreserved cars, no problem.
If you know your itinerary, there's no reason why you can't make all the necessary reservations for your trip in one go when you exchange your voucher for the pass. But do the legwork first. Look up each of the trains you want using world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en then type out a clear written list of reservations specifying date, journey, train number, departure time, class and number of passengers. If it's not too busy, the staff at the Japan Rail Pass counter may work through the list for you, issuing a reservation ticket for each reserved seat. But if it's busy and there's a queue behind you, don't be surprised of they turn you away, asking you to make reservations as you need them at the ticket office. Staff at the JR East Service Centre did all my reservations for me, no problem. But a notice at the Haneda Airport travel service centre said they were only prepared to do reservations for today. Feedback appreciated !
Suggested 7-day itinerary
Click here for my recommended itinerary using a 7-day Japan Rail Pass, starting in Tokyo and visiting Kyoto for its temples & geisha district, Himeji for its castle, Hiroshima for its museum and Peace Park and Nagasaki for its history as the only point of contact with the outside world from the 17th to 19th centuries. I think this is the ideal tour for a first visit to Japan!
Buy a Japan Rail Pass
You need to buy your Japan Rail Pass before you leave your home country as you can't (generally) buy a pass once you're in Japan.
Option 1 , buy a Japan Rail Pass at www.jrailpass.com .
Passes can be sent any address worldwide, you can book up to 180 days in advance, prices are shown in various currencies. A reliable agency I've been recommending for some years now.
Option 2 , buy a Japan Rail Pass at www.klook.com , here's a direct link to their all-Japan pass page .
When you buy your pass
1. Exchange Voucher. When you order your pass online, you are sent an Exchange Voucher (above, on left) plus a handy Japan Rail Pass user guide, a Japan rail timetable and a Japan rail map. The voucher can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass at any time in the 3 months after ordering.
2. Japan Rail Pass. You exchange the voucher for a Japan Rail Pass at any one of 50 designated JR exchange offices in Japan, including Tokyo main station (2 offices), Ueno, Shinjuku, Narita International Airport, Haneda International Airport, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki. The photo above shows an old-school pass, from 2023 passes are being issued as credit-card-size card tickets which can operate ticket gates.
Regional rail passes
Japan east pass, sanyo pass, kansai pass.
There are also regional Japan Rail Passes covering smaller areas.
The Japan East Pass covers Tokyo, Nagano, Niigata, Sendai, Morioka, Misawa & Akita.
The JR West Pass covers Osaka-Fukuoka and all trains run by JR West, for 7 days.
The Sanyo area pass covers an area including Osaka, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima & Hakata.
The Kansai area rail pass covers Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara & Himeji and costs only around £15/$23 a day, a pretty good deal.
For more information and to buy a pass , see www.klook.com (passes sent to any address worldwide) or www.japan-rail-pass.com .
Seishun 18 Kippu
The Seishun 18 Kippu (Youthful 18 Ticket) gives 5 days unlimited travel on Japan Railways' local trains and kaisoku (accelerated local) trains for ¥12,050, about $97 or $20 per day. It's possible to travel all the way across Japan this way, incredibly cheaply, but only using the narrow-gauge local trains.
It's sold to both Japanese citizens and overseas visitors of any age (in spite of its name), but only during specific Spring (March-April), Summer (July-September) & winter (December-January) periods.
Rather than explain it further here, see this page for details: www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seishun_18_Ticket or www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html .
1, 2 & 3-day metro passes for Tokyo
Foreign visitors can buy Tokyo metro 24 hour, 48 hour & 72 hour tickets, see www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/travel .
If you like, you can buy a 1/2/3 day Tokyo metro pass online in advance at www.klook.com and collect it from the metro ticket machines.
You can buy one-day passes covering the Tokyo metro, or Tokyo metro+Toei Subway+JR local trains (called the Tokyo Combination ticket), see www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day .
What are Japanese trains like ?
Shinkansen high-speed trains.
Everyone has heard of Japan's bullet train lines, more properly known in Japan as shinkansen which means new trunk line . These are high-speed lines, built to European and North American standard gauge with rails 4' 8½" apart. The first shinkansen was the Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964 between Toyo, Kyoto and Osaka, later extended as the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima, Kobe and Hakata. There are now a whole range of shinkansen lines linking all the most important cities in Japan, including Niigata, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata and Kagoshima.
Tokaido & Sanyo shinkansen N700A
These 16-car N700As owned by JR Central & JR West operate the Nozomi and Hikari services on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. Many Nozomis and a few Hikaris extend to Hiroshima, Kobe & Hakata over the Sanyo Shinkansen. These trains operate at up to 285 km/h (175 mph) on the Tokaido Shinkansen and up to 300km/h (186 mph) on the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Shinkansen seats are always rotated to face the direction of travel, and all seats come with a drop-down table attached to the seat back in front. If there are four of you, you can rotate one pair of seats to make a face-to-face group of four. There are power sockets (Japanese 2-pin) at all seats on these N700s.
Sanyo & Kyushu shinkansen N700
These 8-car N700 shinkansen trains owned by JR West & JR Kyushu operate the Mizuho & Sakura services on the Sanyo & Kyushu shinkansen lines between Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Himeji, Hakata and Kagoshima.
On most shinkansen trains, ordinary class seats are the same whether reserved or non-reserved. But on these particular trains, ordinary class reserved seats (above left) are arranged 2+2 across the car width, much more spacious than the non-reserved cars (above right). An added benefit of reserving a seat!
Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen
You'll find a range of exotic trains on the Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen routes heading north & east of Tokyo.
Limited Expresses
An extensive network of classic 3' 6" narrow-gauge lines covers the whole of Japan taking you to almost every city and town of any size. The fastest trains on the classic network are classified Limited Express , and these train come in all shapes and sizes. Indeed, the classic network often parallels the shinkansen: For example, you can travel between Kyoto, Osaka and Himeji by Limited Express on the classic network just as easily as by shinkansen. Give it a try!
Local & rapid trains
Completing the picture, there are many local & rapid trains on the classic 3' 6" narrow-gauge network, again of many shapes and sizes.
Sleeper trains : See the video
There's now only one sleeping-car train left in Japan, the Sunrise Express . It runs as one combined train from Tokyo to Himeji & Okayama and then splits, the Sunrise Seto heading for Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku and the Sunrise Izumo heading for Izumoshi.
You can use the Sunrise Express at no extra charge with a Japan Rail Pass if you make a reservation for one of the basic nobinobi berths (see the photo below left) or you can pay the room fee to have a private compartment. Expect a private sleeper compartment for one person to cost around ¥8,000 for a B-type single , around ¥7,000 for a similar but slightly smaller B-type solo , or ¥15,000 for a more spacious A-type deluxe single-bed sleeper with washbasin. For two people, it costs around ¥15,000 per compartment in a B-type single-twin with upper & lower berths or ¥16,000 per compartment in a B-type Sunrise twin with two lower berths side by side. Without a pass, you pay the regular fare and limited express extra fare plus these berth costs.
The sleeper train runs on the classic narrow-gauge network, but it can save time compared with daytime shinkansen travel but more importantly it's a unique experience, watch the Sunrise Express video . It could save a hotel bill too! See the official Sunrise Express information page , in Japanese, translatable with Google Chrome, to see photo of each accommodation type and check current berth fees.
Travel tip: Himeji is a popular destination, but the Sunrise Express arrives there very early westbound and leaves late at night eastbound. Remember that with a Japan Rail Pass you can easily double back, leaving or boarding the train an hour away in Okayama at a more attractive time instead. The useful Tokyo-Nagasaki sleeper train is long gone, and the Hokutosei & Cassiopeia sleeper trains between Tokyo & Sapporo disappeared in late 2015/early 2016 with the expansion of high-speed shinkansen services to Hokkaido.
Travel tips
Ticket gates.
When entering (or leaving) the platform area at any principal Japanese station, you'll need to pass through a set of automatic ticket gates like the ones shown here. To catch a shinkansen train you may need to pass through two sets of gates, the first to access the JR Lines platform area serving the classic network, then another to access the Shinkansen platforms. The gates are usually open by default, they'll spring shut if you try to pass through without a ticket. All gate lines have a staffed side-gate, and if you have an old-style Japan Rail Pass you'll need to use this. Just flash your pass at the side gate and you'll be waved through. However, Japan Rail Passes are now being issued in the same format as normal magnetic-stripe card tickets, and passes in this format will operate the gates.
Finding your platform, train & seat
Many visitors worry about language in Japan, but signs are in both Japanese and English and the system is so efficient and easy to use. The photos below show how easy it is to find the right platform, stand in the right place for your car when the train comes in, and be sure you're getting on the right train.
Tip: The board also tells you which cars are unreserved. If you want to use Sakura 557 without a reservation, you can see that cars 1-3 are the non-reserved ones.
Luggage on Japanese trains
Luggage is no real problem on Japanese trains. Within reason, you can take what you like, nobody weighs it, measures it or argues about it. You simply take it with you onto the train and stick it on any suitable luggage rack. The overhead racks on shinkansen trains take anything up to backpack size. If you have a huge suitcase or don't want to lift heavy bags to the overhead rack, go to the back of your car and put your bags in the gap between the wall and the rearmost seats, as in the photo below right.
Rules for very large suitcases from 2020
Extra large luggage rules have applied to the Tokaido, Kyushu & Sanyo shinkansen lines since May 2020. Passengers with very large suitcases over 160 linear centimetres (linear cm = length + width + depth) will have to reserve a place for their suitcase at the same time they reserve their shinkansen seat, it's free of charge. But if they don't reserve, they face a ¥1,000 fine (about $8) on the train. It will no longer be possible to travel in an unreserved seats car with very large suitcases. The suitcases will go in behind the rear row of seats, or (when modifications are completed) in a new lockable luggage area which will replace some of the washbasins in designated cars. Obviously, the 160cm cut-off means this won't affect backpacks or normal-sized luggage, just over-sized cases. For more details see www.tsunagujapan.com/large-suitcases-shinkansen-policy .
Luggage lockers at stations
All principal stations have luggage lockers in various sizes in various locations. Expect a small locker to start at around ¥300 or ¥400, and you'll need coins. It's not usually difficult to find vacant lockers at any time of day. Below right, arriving in Himeji at lunchtime it was no problem to find a vacant large locker which took two backpacks and a holdall for ¥700. There's also a small staffed left luggage office at Tokyo station, inside the Marunouchi central entrance inside the JR Lines gated area.
Food on board: Eki-ben
First the bad news. Japanese trains don't have restaurant cars or even a bar car, just vending machines and in some cases a refreshment trolley. The trolley on premier shinkansen trains such as Nozomi, Hikari, Mizuho or Sakura services sells tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, sake, snacks, small tubs of ice cream. The trolley accepts both cash and credit cards.
Now the good news. You can of course take your own food and drink onto Japanese trains, and one of the joys of Japanese train travel is the ekiben - eki meaning station, ben short for bento , meaning traditional Japanese packed lunch. Ekiben is sold at ekiben shops found at all main stations, and also from the refreshment trolley on principal shinkansen services. Ekiben comes in all sizes, shapes and qualities, but expect a decent large box to cost perhaps ¥800 bought at the station or ¥1,000 bought from the trolley on board a train. The ekiben boxes include chopsticks and finger wipes.
If you want to buy ekiben from the shinkansen refreshment trolley, just ask the trolley lady - she'll show you pictures of the what she has available in a little laminated menu booklet, just point to the one you want. You'll soon be a Black Belt in the ancient and honourable Japanese martial art of Eki-ben...
Power sockets & WiFi
You can reckon on finding power sockets for standard Japanese plugs at seats on almost all shinkansen and most limited expresses. Free WiFi is now available on most shinkansen routes including the Tokaido, Sanyo & Tohoku lines. Check your mobile provider for a data package for Japan, there is good mobile data reception along most shinkansen routes. You'll also find JR Free WiFi at a key stations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Nagoya, Kyoto & Shin-Osaka.
Tokyo station : See location map
Tokyo's main central station is shown as plain Tokyo in timetables. Unlike most main stations worldwide, Tokyo station lacks a main entrance and main concourse. It's something of a rabbit warren, but as most visitors end up there sooner or later, here are some tips. You can read more about the station and its history at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Station . It's the busiest station in Japan in terms of trains, though not in terms of passenger numbers.
The west side of the station is called the Marunouchi side , and it features the historic station building built in 1915 and now beautifully restored, with it's upper floors housing the wonderful Tokyo Station Hotel . It's the quieter side of the station, close to the Imperial Palace.
There are Marunouchi North, Central & South entrances, each with a row of ticket gates to access the JR lines (classic network) platforms 1-10. If you are catching a shinkansen, you'll need to pass through one of these gatelines and cross the JR Lines area to another set of ticket gates at the entrance to either the Tokaido/Sanyo shinkansen platforms 14-19 or the Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido/Yamagata & Akita shinkansen platforms 20-23. It's all well-signed in English.
Which platform?
Tokyo station, marunouchi side, tokyo station, yaesu side.
Buying local tickets in Tokyo. There's a row of ticket machines like this near every entrance to the platform area.
The yellow & green machines on the left sell Shinkansen & Limited Express reserved & unreserved tickets & reservation changes.
One-day metro & local train passes for Tokyo: There are 1-day passes you can get to cover either metro trains or metro trains + JR local trains in the Tokyo area. You need to clock up perhaps 5 or 6 journeys in a day to make one of these worthwhile. See www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day .
The Tokyo Station Hotel : Check prices
The lovely 5-star Tokyo Station Hotel is another unique place to stay that deserves a special mention, even if (unlike capsule hotels) it's not a budget option! The hotel occupies the 2nd & 3rd floors of the historic and beautifully-restored 1915 station building on the quieter Marunouchi side of Tokyo station. Given that so many of Tokyo's classic hotels have been destroyed by earthquakes or wartime bombing then rebuilt as modern tower blocks, this has to be one of the most historically-interesting places to stay. It's a luxurious and well-located choice, too, with a first-rate breakfast buffet served in the Atrium located inside the large central pitched roof above the 3rd floor. And it's so handy for the trains.
Ryokans & capsule hotels
Any visit to Japan is a cultural experience. Don't just stay in western hotels and visit the sights. Make the places you stay part of the experience, by staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan, or even a capsule hotel.
Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns. The rooms don't have beds, the floor is covered with tatami matting on which you place a bedroll. You may be offered a hot cup of green Japanese tea when you first arrive. You can sometimes find ryokans online on hotel booking sites such as www.booking.com . The very best and most famous ryokans can be fabulously expensive, but cheaper ones can be a budget option. Search for Ryokans in Tokyo . Search for Ryokans in Kyoto .
In Kyoto, the excellent Gion Ryokan Q-Beh (pictured above) is 10-15 minutes walk from the Kyomizu-dera temple, 10 minutes walk from the Gion Geisha district. It has budget dorm rooms and private rooms, and free WiFi. The photos above show a family room with shower & toilet.
In Hiroshima, try the Chizuru Ryokan , 10 minutes walk from the Peace Park.
Capsule hotels
Another classic Japanese experience is to spend a night in a capsule hotel - which coincidentally is also a money-saving option for staying a night in the heart of Tokyo or another big city. These are more civilised than you might think.
The hotel reception looks like any other hotel reception. Remember to take your shoes off before you walk in, and place them in one of the lockers in the lobby. Upstairs, there will probably be several floors of fibreglass sleeping capsules, each floor with its own locker room and shared showers. You change in the locker room and put your clothes and bags into your locker. Your capsule has radio, alarm clock and TV, and a screen or curtain pulls over the capsule entrance for privacy. The main drawback is that the main clientele for these hotels is Japanese businessmen who have missed their last train home, so capsule hotels are usually male-only. But capsule hotels for women do exist. The pictures below show end-entry capsules, but some capsule hotels have side-entry types, and you'll now find some capsule hotels with larger, more hotel-style capsules too.
You can usually walk into a capsule hotel and ask for a bed for the night, but if you want to pre-book this unique experience, try the Capsulevalue Kanda in downtown Tokyo near Kanda station, one stop north of Tokyo station, a bed in downtown Tokyo for as little as ¥3,400 (about £26 or $32) per night. Men and boys over 10 can stay there, but not women or children.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Emerging into the Haneda Airport International Arrivals hall, follow the signs to the Monorail which is just a few metres straight ahead of you.
Narita Airport to Tokyo
Option1, narita express to tokyo main station, option 2, keisei skyliner from narita to ueno station, cheaper options, europe to japan by trans-siberian railway.
You can travel from London to Tokyo in just 12-14 days by Trans-Siberian Railway for roughly £800 in round figures.
Update 2024 : War in Ukraine & sanctions on Russia currently make this route impractical. Moscow-Beijing trains are suspended.
Option 1, via Vladivostok
- Travel from London to Moscow, see the London to Russia page . This takes 48 hours using the Paris-Moscow Express .
- Take the Rossiya from Moscow to Vladivostok, this runs every second day taking 7 days, see the Trans-Siberian page .
- Take the ferry from Vladivostok to Sakaiminato in Japan, sailing once a week taking 36 hours, see the Vladivostok-Japan ferry section .
Option 2, via Beijing & Shanghai
- Travel from Moscow to Beijing on one of two weekly Trans-Siberian trains, taking 6 days, see the Trans-Siberian page .
- Take an overnight or high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai ( see the Beijing to Shanghai page ).
- Take one of the two weekly ferries from Shanghai to either Osaka or Kobe in Japan, see the China to Japan ferry section .
Going via Vladivostok is simpler to organise as you need fewer visas, but going via Beijing more varied and interesting, and the one I'd recommend.
Ferries between Japan & China, Korea, Vladivostok
For the weekly ferry from Sakaiminato in Japan to Vladivostok in Russia, see the Trans-Siberian page .
For ferries between Japan and Shanghai in China, see the China page .
For ferries between Japan and South Korea, see the Korea page .
Tours of Japan by train
If you want a tour agency to organise a tour of Japan for you with train travel, transfers & hotels included as a package, Railbookers specialise in train-based tours and have several suggested tours of Japan by rail, including Best of Japan, Scenic Japan and Golden Route of Japan. These can be adjusted to your specification.
UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk .
us call free 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com ., canada call free 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com ., australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au ., new zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website ..
Japan by Rail & Lonely Planet guides: In the age of the internet, a printed guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but you'll see so much more and know so much more about it if you have a decent pocket guidebook. The Trailblazer Japan by Rail guide is specifically aimed at train travel around Japan, with both city and train information - highly recommended! Other than that, for the serious independent traveller, the best guidebooks to take are either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. I personally prefer the layout of the Lonely Planet, but others prefer the Rough Guides. Both guidebooks provide excellent levels of both practical information and historical background.
Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk
Flights to japan.
Overland travel around Japan by train is an essential part of the experience, so once there, don't cheat and fly, stay on the ground! But a long-haul flight might be unavoidable to reach Japan in the first place.
1) Check flight prices at Opodo, www.opodo.com
2) use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....
Travel insurance & other tips
Always take out travel insurance.
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list . Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .
Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android . 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
Get a VPN for safe browsing. W hy you need a VPN
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained . ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.
Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .
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Welcome to JPRail.com
JPRail.com offers the resources of the train travel in Japan. I show you the major train guide, a lot of rail passes, how to reserve a seat, how to find the timetable, the access guide to major destination by train and/or bus, sample itineraries, my travel report and many more. Please find the page index below to exlpore JPRail.com.
Future outlook on travel ban
I summarized all information about the current situation about the travel to Japan in the post below:
If you are planning your trip plan now
I recommend you to read the following posts. This is very important to avoid traveling in busy season.
Popular posts
List of rail pass
- JR Pass user guide
- Hokkaido Rail Pass
- Tokyo Wide Pass
- Platt Kodama
- Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
- Kansai Thru Pass
- Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
See full list.
Timetable, reservation
- List of timetable
- How to reserve a seat
- How to choose reserve seat or non reserve seat
- Regular ticket rule
See full list .
Sample itineraries
- Day trip to Hakone and Fuji from Tokyo
- Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka
- Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka
- Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka 7 days
- Kyoto and Osaka 5 days
JR trains list
- The limited express Thunderbird
- The limited express Wide View Hida
- Tokaido, Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen
- Tohoku-Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata Shinkansen
- Overnight train Sunrise Seto
See full list
My trip report
- Koyasan and Wakayama 2 days
- Sapporo, Furano, Biei, Noboribetsu, Toya and Hakodate 4 days
- Hiroshima, Kakunodate, Yamadera, Magome, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama and Nagano 6 days
Destination guide
- Tokyo train network guide
- Hakone access guide
- Lake Kawaguchi access guide
- Nikko access guide
- Nagano, Matsumoto, Shishu region access guide
- Kanazawa and Toyama access guide
- Takayama access guide
- Kansai train network guide
Station guide
- Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
Airport access guide
- Narita airport
- Haneda airport
- Kansai airport
- Chubu airport (Centrair)
- New Chitose airport
- Fukuoka airport
- Itami airport
Travel tips
- Signage in the station and the train
- How to handle luggage on board
- Eat and drink on board
- Wi-Fi connection
Train operation status
This page show you the closed segment by the natural disaster
Please see the information here.
About JPRail.com
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A Complete Guide to the Japan Rail Pass
Japan is one of my favorite countries in the world. The serene beauty of the mountains and temples, the hustle and bustle of the sprawling cities, the exquisite food, and its long history make for a fascinating place to visit.
However, Japan has a reputation, especially among budget travelers, as being too expensive. “Better skip Japan and head to Southeast Asia , where your money goes further,” they say.
Yet you can travel Japan on a budget . Food, attractions, and even accommodation (it’s the land of capsule hotels!) can be found for a relatively low cost if you know where to look.
Yet one aspect of traveling in Japan that does live up to its costly reputation is transportation — particularly train travel.
Japan’s iconic bullet trains (called shinkansen ) are beautiful, comfortable, convenient, and fast. They are world-class wonders of transportation, racing around at speeds up to 320 kilometers (200 miles) per hour. They run on special tracks separate from the other trains and are an impressive feat of engineering.
Yet they’re super expensive. There’s just no way around that fact.
Thankfully, there is one easy thing you can do to cut your train ticket prices in half (or more): buy a Japan Rail Pass . You really shouldn’t be traveling around the country without one (and I’m pretty sure they price the pass and regular tickets out in a way that really forces you to buy one).
In this post, I’ll introduce the JR Pass and explain how it works, how much it costs, and answer common questions I get about the pass.
Table of Contents
What is the Japan Rail (JR) Pass?
- How the JR Pass Works
- Getting and Using Your JR Pass
- Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It?
- JR Pass Frequently Asked Questions
The Japan Rail Pass (also known as the JR Pass) was created to help travelers get around the country (similar to the Eurail pass in Europe). JR is the largest train operator in Japan, and the pass provides unlimited access to all its trains for a set price.
The pass comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day options. Note that these are consecutive days, not travel days. So, if you want to travel around Japan for two weeks, you’ll need to purchase the 14-day option, even though you won’t be taking the train every day.
Several JR trains are included in the pass. The most popular is the shinkansen (bullet) train, which is the fastest train and goes to nearly every destination and region. The next fastest is the tokkyu (limited express). The kyuko (express) train comes next, followed by the kaisoku (rapid) and kakueki-teisha or futsu-densha (local trains that make every stop).
In short, this means that there are JR trains that rapidly travel between regions, some that go between cities with multiple stops, and local commuter-style trains that are slow (but cheap).
Additionally, JR trains also serve some metropolitan areas, so they can be used within cities. For example, on my last visit, I used my JR Pass to get around Kyoto and Tokyo instead of buying local metro tickets.
The JR Pass needs to be purchased before you arrive in Japan and it has to be mailed to you so you’ll want to order it well in advance (more below).
How the JR Pass works
The JR Pass is very easy to use — you just need to remember to purchase it beforehand, in your home country. As the pass is only available to visitors, you cannot get it within Japan.
The pass has several options (each valid for consecutive days, not just travel days):
- 7 days: 50,000 JPY (70,000 JPY for a Green Pass)
- 14 days: 80,000 JPY (110,000 JPY for a Green Pass)
- 21 days: 100,000 JPY (140,000 JPY for a Green Pass)
The Green Pass is the first-class option. Since the trains in Japan are already amazing, you likely don’t need to buy the Green Pass unless you really want some luxury. Additionally, traveling in green cars can be more of a hassle if you like to be spontaneous, as you must always reserve a seat in advance in green cars, requiring you to visit the ticket office or automatic reservation machines ahead of time to do so. In ordinary cars, you can just hop on and take any available seat.
In addition to the standard and green JR passes, there are regional passes in case you’re not traveling across the entire country. These options can save you even more money since they are cheaper than the regular JR passes. Each region has several pass options, usually ranging between one and seven days.
You can buy JR passes for six regions:
- JR East (for the main island)
- JR West (for the main island)
- JR Central (for the main island)
- JR Hokkaido (for the northern island)
- JR Kyushu (for the southwestern island)
- JR Shikoku (for the southeastern island)
If you’re just going to be focusing on one region of the country, consider buying a JR regional pass. If you want access to the entire country, get the regular JR Pass.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Japan, you’ll likely want the regular JR Pass , as it covers all the major destinations.
In sum, to get a pass, you need to:
- Pick the time duration for your pass (7, 14, or 21 days)
- Choose your class (Green or standard — again, standard is more than sufficient for most travelers)
- Decide what geographical area you want to visit (all of the country or a single region)
- Pay the fee and order the pass before you leave home
Getting and using Your JR Pass
The easiest way to get a Japan Pass is by ordering it online (there are many official online providers but I recommend this one as it’s been selling passes for the longest time).
Once you purchase a pass, you’ll receive an “exchange order” in the mail, stamped with a date, that you’ll turn in to pick up your actual pass in Japan. Don’t forget your exchange order at home, as you must bring this document to pick up your pass in Japan!
Once you get to Japan, you will exchange your exchange order (hence the name) for a JR Pass at a JR office. Make sure you have your passport on you (not a photocopy) when you go to collect it, as they will check to make sure that you have a temporary visitor stamp in your passport. The JR Pass is only available to visitors, and they are pretty strict about verifying you’re a tourist.
You have three months from the date printed on the exchange order to pick up your JR Pass, but you do not need to start using the pass on the same day that you pick it up.
For example, say that you want to pick up the pass once you arrive but you want to spend some time in Tokyo before heading on to see the rest of the country. You can select any date within one month of exchanging the order as your starting date. (But once the pass is issued, you can’t change the starting date.)
Once you’ve got your pass in hand, you don’t need to worry about getting tickets, as you simply use your pass to go right through the automatic turnstiles.
In addition to using the shinkansen and other trains, the JR pass gives access to:
- Local buses operated by JR (such as the tourist loop bus in Hiroshima or JR buses around Sapporo)
- Ferries operated by JR (such as the one from Hiroshima to the island of Miyajima)
- JR lines running through metropolitan areas (such as Tokyo and Osaka)
- Free seat reservations (otherwise, seat reservations cost around 320-730 JPY)
The JR Pass is not valid for:
- The Nozomi and the Mizuho shinkansen lines
- Japanese citizens or residents, such as foreigners working in Japan (only those with a tourist visa can use the pass)
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
Absolutely! Even though you might get sticker shock initially when purchasing a pass, you’ll save hundreds of dollars during your trip with one — even if you just visit 2-3 cities. For example, without a rail pass, a ticket from Tokyo to Osaka costs around 36,000 JPY (round-trip), yet you can get a seven-day rail pass that includes unlimited travel on JR trains for 50,000 JPY.
Given that you’ll likely be using the train for more than just for one trip, it’s a no-brainer. While the drastic price increase of the pass in the fall of 2023 makes it less of a steal than it used to be, it’s still the best option for most travelers as it pays for itself in just a few trips.
Here are some more examples of one-way train tickets on the shinkansen trains with non-reserved seats in the “ordinary” (non-green car) class:
- Tokyo-Hiroshima: 23,480 JPY
- Tokyo-Kyoto: 17,950 JPY
- Tokyo-Fukuoka: 27,620 JPY
- Kyoto-Hiroshima: 10,570 JPY
- Kyoto-Osaka: 4,030 JPY
- Hiroshima-Fukuoka: 12,690 JPY
- Nagano-Kanazawa: 12,490 JPY
- Tokyo-Yokohama: 4,370 JPY
- Hakodate-Tokyo: 27,870 JPY
As you can see, it only takes two longer-distance journeys (such as Tokyo to Hiroshima or Hakodate to Tokyo) to justify the cost of the pass. And you’ll likely use it much more than that!
And even if you aren’t taking the bullet trains, the pass still makes sense. For example, a trip on a local train from Kyoto to Tokyo costs around 10,000 JPY — instead of 17,950 JPY for the bullet train. However, the local train journey takes nine hours and requires several transfers, instead of a direct three hours, making it a less than ideal choice for most travelers (especially if you’re tight on time). It’s often simply not worth the cost savings.
You’re better off using the bullet trains and reveling in the high-speed experience as it whisks you from one incredible destination to another!
Japan Rail Pass Frequently Asked Questions
Is JR Pass only for tourists? Yes. Only people visiting on a tourist visa can use the JR Pass .
Can Japan Rail Pass be used on the Tokyo subway? Yep, some of the subway lines (though not all) in Tokyo are run by JR, which means you can access them for free with your JR Pass. This is true for the entire country. Metro lines and local subway lines are excluded from the pass.
Can I change the days on which I wish to use the Japan Rail Pass? No. Once the pass has been activated, the dates are set in stone.
How do I activate the Japan Rail Pass? To activate the JR Pass, bring your exchange order and your passport to a JR office in Japan. Once they verify your identity and visa status, they will activate your pass.
Can I use JR Pass from Tokyo to Kyoto? Yep! The distance is 445 kilometers (283 miles), and the trip takes under three hours on the bullet train.
Are buses included in JR Pass? Yes, JR does run some bus lines, which are included in the JR Pass. Some destinations where JR has buses include Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Can I cancel my Japan Rail Pass? You can cancel your pass as long as it has not been activated, but once it is activated, you can’t.
Train travel is the best way to see Japan . The trains are clean, fast, and the scenery gorgeous. I love traveling the country by train. While buying a rail pass might seem like a costly choice, it will save you a ton of money — and it’s a uniquely Japanese experience that you won’t forget!
Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Some of my favorite places to stay in Japan are:
- K’s House (Tokyo)
- Len Kyoto (Kyoto)
- Roku Hostel Hiroshima (Hiroshima)
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!
Want More Information on Japan Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Japan for even more planning tips!
Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.
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Purchasing tickets
To use the train, first purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Pass your ticket through the automated ticket gate or show your ticket to the inspector. Please keep the ticket as you will need it once you arrive at your destination. Most, if not all trains stop operating late at night or around midnight.
Booking long-distance trains
To book tickets for long-distance trains, follow either one of two different procedures:
If you do not have a JAPAN RAIL PASS, please visit the JR Travel Service Center to purchase the necessary ticket.
Train Service Updates & Status
Check with each JR group for up-to-the-minute information about current operation status, service disruptions including cancellations and delays on Japan Railways Group.
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Ticket infomation
[Hakodate, Sendai, Yamagata] Side trips along the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen lines
Enjoy mainly Hakodate and Yamagata in the Tohoku area while maximizing use of the Shinkansen connecting Tokyo and Hakodate in Hokkaido. Features a sightseeing train, nature, gourmet cuisine, hot springs, temple visits, and many other diverse delights of Japan!
[Osaka/Kanazawa/Takayama] Make the Most of the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass”!
Have fun exploring central Japan! Visit the bustling metropolis of Osaka, the historic city of Kanazawa, and the World Heritage Site at Shirakawa-go
[Ise, Kyoto, and Izumo]Feel the power: journey to Japan’s famous Shinto shrines
Take a train journey to visit famous shrines from Ise in Mie Prefecture to Izumo in Shimane Prefecture. Feel good ki energy throughout your entire body at these leading spots of Japan.
[Kyushu and Setouchi area] Enjoy a journey with hot springs and sightseeing trains
Journey to Shikoku along the Setouchi Inland Sea from Kyushu, where there are many sightseeing trains that are a special experience just to ride. Spend the night relaxing at a hot spring hotel!
Special contents
What is TETSUFUDA ?
Take the train to a hatsumode experience!
【Autumn 2019】 A promotional tourism campaign is being held in the Niigata and Shonai, Yamagata areas!
Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Castle
Fruit Parfait City – Okayama
Let’s get on a train!
Digital JR Jikokuhyo Pro
Digital JR Jikokuhyo Pro is the tablet app version of JR Jikokuhyo (JR TIME TABLES), a monthly publication with comprehensive Japanese railway information. The app is multilingual with information in five languages (Japanese, English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and Korean).
- Japan Travel Info
- Shinkansen Bullet Trains
- Regional Passes
- Hokuriku Arch Pass
- Kansai Area Pass
- Kansai Hiroshima Pass
- Kansai Wide Area Pass
- Sanyo-San'in Area Pass
- Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
- JR East - South Hokkaido Rail Pass
Japan Rail Pass
What is japan rail pass.
The Japan Rail Pass (also known as JR Pass) is a multi-use ticket that allows you to efficiently travel around Japan . It is valid for journeys on all major JR national trains including Shinkansen bullet trains and Narita Express trains. Passengers can select a pass which is valid for 7, 14 or 21 days and there is the option of Standard Pass or a Green Pass (first class).
Order your JR Pass online and you will receive an Exchange Order which you can swap for a JR Pass when you arrive in Japan.
Stay connected while in Japan
Jr pass exchange process.
Order online
Order your JR Pass online by following a few simple steps.
Receive your exchange order
You need to have a physical copy of the JR Pass voucher in order to exchange it in Japan.
Exchange order for the JR Pass
Go to any of the JR Exchange Offices in Japan. Exchange your order for the actual Japan Rail Pass.
Start your Japan experience!
Catch as many JR trains, buses, and transfers as you like with your multi-use JR Pass.
JR Green Pass
On-board service
First class comfort
Seat reservations
Separate train facilities
Larger seating and luggage space
Our clients feedback
Fast delivery and on time, I liked how easy it is to communicate with them, we were able to take full advantage of the days in Japan. Thank you very much jrailpass.com for making it possible for us to visit so many places.
This service is really good. The trains are very clean and quiet. Also their Pocket Wifi service is super good for long trips. We stayed in Japan 1 week and the 7 days pass was great for us. I highly recommend it!!!
The team at Jrailpass.com was incredibly responsive to my questions and concerns, making the entire experience stress-free. They were knowledgeable and helpful, guiding me through the process and ensuring that I had all the information that I needed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can i buy the japan rail pass in japan.
The Japan Rail Pass is available at a higher price at several stations and airports in Japan until October 1, 2023. After this date, it will no longer be possible to buy the JR Pass locally in Japan.
Is there a children's discount?
Yes, there is a children’s discount of 50% and kids between 6 and 11 are eligible. The discount applies to Standard and Green JR Passes.
Can I have my order sent to Japan?
Yes, all orders (JR Pass, Pocket WiFi, Data SIM Card) can be sent to wherever you stay in Japan. You can choose the delivery address, whether it be your home address or your place of stay. Please note that due to Airbnb policy, we cannot deliver to an Airbnb in Japan, but we can have the order sent to the nearest post office.
What is included in the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass is valid on JR express, express and local trains on JR network lines, JR local buses, the JR Miyajima ferry, and airport transfer trains such as the Narita Express and Haruka Express. All Shinkansen high-speed trains are also included, including the Nozomi and Mizuho trains, with the purchase of a special ticket to complement the JR Pass (from October 2023).
Do the 7 / 14 / 21 days need to be consecutive?
Yes, the selected number of days need to be consecutive. Once activated, the validity period of each pass cannot be changed or extended.
Can I book a seat on the JR Trains?
Yes, all JR Pass holders can book a seat on any of the JR trains. Reservations need to be made in advance before boarding the train.
Suggested itineraries
Japan travel blog, jr pass vs jr regional passes: which should i choose, how to ride trains with a wheelchair in japan, tourist facilities benefits and discounts with the jr pass, big eye: the new inspection train by kyushu railway.
- Eligibility
- Pocket WiFi
- Japan Visas
- Destinations
Japan travel guide: Best time to visit, things to do and everything you need to know, explained
By Jemima Skelley | 3 days ago
Japan has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for Aussies who are looking to take a holiday in 2024.
Thanks to their weak Yen which makes our dollar go further, relatively short and inexpensive flights, plus a wealth of things to do from surfing and skiing to exploring big cities, it makes sense that Japan is so popular.
So what should you know before you go?
9Travel chatted with a verified Japan tourism expert to get all the hot tips.
Luvena Lee has been a travel agent with Flight Centre for nearly 11 years, and is one of the top consultants in NSW.
Here's what she recommends.
READ MORE: What to know about Japan's famous cherry blossom season
Best things to do in Japan
"Honestly, there's no bad place to visit in Japan, it all just depends on what you like to do. You'll likely be flying into Tokyo, which is worth at least a few days of your trip," Lee said.
The other top two cities for visitors are Kyoto and Osaka.
Lee says that Kyoto, the original capital of Japan, is a must-visit.
"Kyoto is a bit more similar to Melbourne, whereas Tokyo is more like Sydney," she explains. Kyoto is easy to navigate and is set on a grid, while Tokyo - like Sydney - is more of a jumbled mess of streets.
Kyoto is also a better place to get a sense of Japanese culture, with temples, traditional older buildings, and Shinto shrines.
READ MORE: Secret spots to visit in Kyoto
Money in Japan
Get a Suica card. It's basically like a prepaid money card which you can load cash onto, and use on public transport, in stores, and at vending machines.
Also carry cash ravel Money Group General Manager Scott McCullough says.
"While most large merchants in Japan accept cash or card, a lot of smaller businesses and some transport operators only accept cash, so it's important to make sure you have some Yen in hand before you travel," he said.
"If you're short on time and looking for the most convenient way to do it, we've recently launched the equivalent of UberEats, but for foreign cash. It offers same-day delivery or pick-up to your home or workplace and is available across Travel Money Oz's 80 plus stores nationwide."
READ MORE: The key things to know about visiting Paris on the cheap
Best time to visit Japan
If you want to ski, visit Japan between December and April. There are a few places that are popular with Aussies: There's an area called Hakuba, which you can access by train from Tokyo, or up at the very north of the island called Hokkaido is a ski area called Niseko.
If you want to see the cherry blossoms, March is your best bet.
If you hate the cold, try to visit in the middle of the year - they have opposite seasons to us so experience winter over Christmas.
How long do I need in Japan?
Lee says that you need at least seven to ten days in Japan.
You could spend a month exploring the country, but that's not always possible when it comes to getting time off work.
If you can aim to be in the country for two weeks - or 12 days when you factor in flights there and back - you'll be cheering.
READ MORE: Magnetic Island is Queensland's most underrated tourist destination
When is cherry blossom season in Japan
This can vary based on the year, and where you are.
9Travel has a full guide to seeing cherry blossoms in 2024 , including the best places to go and the predicted blooming dates.
So where will you see them?
Tokyo's Ueno Park has more than 1000 cherry blossom trees in its surrounds, with most of them creating a tunnel-like effect along both sides of the pathway between Keisei Ueno Station and the Tokyo National Museum.
You could also hire a paddle boat to see the cherry blossoms on the banks of Chidorigafuchi Park's river and their reflection in the water while in it.
What to know about Japan's culture and customs
The Japanese culture tends to be very polite and reserved, says Lee. One thing that she notices when she's there is that public transport is quiet. "They don't really talk," she says. "Everyone kind of keeps themselves."
In a similar vein, don't jaywalk. "If the street is completely empty, and there's no cars, they will still wait for the lights," she says.
Also, tipping definitely isn't a thing, and workers will find it strange if you try to tip.
Train travel in Japan explained
The Japan Rail pass is the best way to get around the country on their high-speed trains.
READ MORE: Broken Hill was voted the best town in NSW
While there are 7-day passes which offer unlimited rides, prices on these have gone up, so it's worth doing some rough maths before you go. If you're jumping from place to place, it makes sense. But if you're travelling slowly, maybe not.
"Have a rough plan of what you want to do. And then work backwards to see if it's actually worthwhile purchasing a seven-day pass, or if you could get away with doing point-to-point tickets.
Visa requirements
For short stays in Japan under 90 days, you don't need to get a visa.
Australians are eligible for Japan's visa exemption scheme for short-stay tourism and business travel.
Your passport must be valid up until your date of departure from the country.
Auto news: Chinese supercar half the price of a Lamborghini.
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Learn about the advantages, options, and tips for traveling by train in Japan, from the punctual and reliable Shinkansen to the convenient and diverse subway systems. Find out the types of railway systems, the routes, the tickets, the passes, and the services for your trip.
The Japan Rail Pass (also known as the JR Pass) is the #1 most popular travel option for foreign visitors to Japan. It's a joint offering from the six companies comprising the Japan Railways Group (JR Group). It is the most economical means of travelling throughout Japan by rail, and includes most of the famous shinkansen - or bullet trains.
the 14-day pass costs ¥80,000 (around US$540); the 21-day pass costs ¥100,000 (around US$675). Considering a one-way Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥13,080 (around US$90), these passes are a no-brainer for most travelers. Another money-saving option is the regional passes but these can get complicated.
Learn how to navigate Japan by train, from types of trains and IC cards to tickets and passes, with this comprehensive guide. Find out how to use an IC card, buy tickets, plan your journey, and more with tips and examples.
The Japan Rail Pass tends to be more cost effective the more you travel and the longer the distance. A round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto could cost between 26,000 and 27,000 yen. Given that the 7-day standard Japan Rail Pass has a cost of 29,110 yen, adding very few rides you are already saving money.
Guide to Japanese Train Tickets. Below is a list of the various railway tickets available in Japan: Regular tickets. Regular tickets simply get you from A to B. Our page about regular train tickets provides an introduction to the various fares and fees, such as the base fare and limited express fee, and the rules for using tickets.
Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) The Japan Rail Pass (also commonly called JR Pass) is a nationwide rail pass for long-distance train travel in Japan. The pass can be used only by foreign tourists and offers unlimited rides on JR trains for one, two or three weeks. It comes in two types: ordinary and green car.
You can add money to your card at almost all train stations in Japan at the automatic ticket machines. You just need to insert your card into the machine, follow the instructions, select and insert the desired amount of money you'd like to add, and your card will come back out charged and ready to go.
From October 1st, 2023, a regular seven-day adult pass costs 50,000 yen, while those looking for a little more luxury can buy a Green Car (first class) pass from 70,000 yen. The 14-day regular adult pass is 80,000 yen, while the regular 21-day pass costs 100,000 yen. Kids' passes are reduced by 50 percent for children aged between 6 and 11.
A 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs ¥50,000 = £268 or $340. The normal return fare from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥27,940 = £150 or $190. The normal return fare from Tokyo to Hiroshima is ¥39,120 = £210 or $270. The normal return fare from Tokyo to Nagasaki is ¥52,620 = £290 or $360.
Japan's four major islands - Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku - are covered by an extensive and reliable network of railways. Trains are a very convenient way for visitors to travel around Japan, especially in conjunction with the Japan Rail Pass.. About 70 percent of Japan's railway network is operated by the Japan Railways (JR), while the rest is served by dozens of other private railway ...
JPRail.com offers the resources of the train travel in Japan. I show you the major train guide, a lot of rail passes, how to reserve a seat, how to find the timetable, the access guide to major destination by train and/or bus, sample itineraries, my travel report and many more. Please find the page index below to exlpore JPRail.com.
To put it simply, the Whole Japan JR Pass: ️ Allows tourists unlimited travel on all Japan Railways Group (JR) Shinkansen, trains, buses, and ferry services across the country. ️ Is available in 7, 14, or 21-day validity depending on the duration of your trip. ️ Price starts from USD 206.95 for 7-day pass.
Departures from Shinjuku Station are 5,140 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children for two days. Keio runs trains from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station westward to Mount Takao (Takaosan), a popular hiking day trip. It offers the Mt. Takao Round-Trip Discount Ticket, with 20% off train and cable car or chairlift fares.
The Japan Rail Pass (also known as the JR Pass) was created to help travelers get around the country (similar to the Eurail pass in Europe). JR is the largest train operator in Japan, and the pass provides unlimited access to all its trains for a set price. The pass comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day options.
Japan's leading railway company, Japan Railways (JR), has an elaborate and well-established network of trains throughout the country. From scenic local trains to the super express shinkansen, if you are traveling on rail in Japan, the chances are it will be with JR.
Price: 2 days (from Shinjuku) 6,100 yen. 3 days (from Shinjuku) 6,500 yen. More details... Fuji Hakone Pass click here for details. Type: 1) A one-day trip between Tokyo and Hakone by Odakyu Railway and 2) unlimited use of designated trains, cablecars, ropeways, boats and buses in Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region.
Plan your Japan rail trip with Japan Rail Planner. Easily create your route on a map, search for accommodation, estimate costs, and more! ... See how long it takes to travel between Japanese cities by rail. Share. Share your plan to visit Japan with the world. Passes. Track how many days your Japan Rail Pass would need to cover.
Everything you need to know to ride the train in Japan and enjoy it. First time visitors to Japan are often nervous about taking the trains, but once you un...
Osaka Station/Nagoya Station ⇔ Takayama Station/Hida Furukawa Station/Toyama Station. Dosan Line Anpanman Train. Okayama Station ⇔ Kochi Station. Hayabusa(H5-Series). Tokyo Station ⇔ Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. 36+3 (Sanjyu-Roku plus San) Hakata Station ⇔ Kagoshima Chuo Station and beyond. See all trains.
The following is a guide on how to use trains in Japan. We also have more specific pages on shinkansen (bullet trains), train tickets, timetables, luggage, night trains and train manners.. 1) Train categories. Trains in Japan, from local to shinkansen, are classified typically into the following categories:
Order your JR Pass now and SAVE up to 60%! 7, 14 or 21 Days Best Price Free Delivery Japan Travel Guide + Map 24/7 Customer Service. ... The Japan Rail Pass is valid on JR express, express and local trains on JR network lines, JR local buses, the JR Miyajima ferry, and airport transfer trains such as the Narita Express and Haruka Express. ...
Among the most complete nationwide timetables are the JR and JTB timetable books, which are published monthy in full and pocket versions. Besides the full schedules of all train lines operated by Japan Railways (JR), they contain the basic schedules of trains by other railway, bus, ferry and airline companies as well as a wide array of ...
Try Japan. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Best time to visit Japan. If you want to ski, visit Japan between December and April. There are a few places that are popular with Aussies: There's an area called Hakuba, which you can access by train from Tokyo, or up at the very north of the island called Hokkaido is a ski area called Niseko.
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