Are you planning to travel to Japan but worried that transportation costs will be too expensive?Recommended for such people, in this article, we will introduce the Japan Rail Pass.
Japan rail pass is a special value-added excursion pass for tourists visiting Japan, which saves you the trouble of buying a ticket each time and saves you money on transportation costs.
In this article, we will tell you more about the Japan Rail Pass. We will also introduce some reviews from actual users.
What is the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass, jointly offered by the six companies of the JR Group, is a convenient and economical ticket suitable for train travel throughout Japan.
It is an excellent product that allows unlimited rides on all trains and buses in Japan (limited to those operated by JR companies).
Eligibility for use
The Japan Rail Pass is a special ticket that can only be purchased by foreign visitors to Japan for sightseeing purposes! Purchasers must meet one of the following two qualifications.
- You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor."
- Japanese living abroad,who have both their Japanese passport and written proof—obtained from the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where they live—that they have been living legally in the country for 10 consecutive years or more
Japan Rail Pass Scope of validity
With the Japan Rail Pass, you can use not only the routes of the six JR Group companies, but also buses and ferries operated by the JR Group.
The JR Group's routes are among the largest in Japan. As shown in the figure above, it covers from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, and can reach most of Japan's major cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.
Caution
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.
Please use "HIKARI," "SAKURA," "KODAMA" and "TSUBAME" trains. Only when an [ONLY WITH JAPAN RAIL PASS] NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket is purchased separately before boarding the train and used together with a valid JAPAN RAIL PASS, a "NOZOMI" or "MIZUHO" train can be used for the section and facility indicated on the purchased ticket.
Quoted from the official website
Please refer to JR's official website for more information on scope of validity.
Types of Shinkansen
- "NOZOMI", the nickname for the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, has the fewest number of stops, traveling from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station at a maximum speed of 300 km/h in approximately 2.5 hours.
- ”KODAMA",the nickname for the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, is a local train that stops at every station and takes approximately 4 hours from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station.
- "HIKARI", the nickname for the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, is a train that stops at stations in medium-sized cities such as Shizuoka Station. Stops are mixed, with some stations making one stop every hour and others making one stop every two hours, making the stop pattern as complex as a puzzle.
- ”MIZUHO” is the nickname for the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen trains, and is the fastest train with the fewest stops, traveling from Shin-Osaka Station to Kagoshima Chuo Station in approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
- ”SAKURA” is the nickname for the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen trains．This is a train with more stops than ”MIZUHO”.
- ”TSUBAME” is the nickname for the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen trains and is a local train that stops at every station.
Types and Prices of Japan Rail Pass
| Type | Green | Standard | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Adult | Child | Adult | Child |
| 7-day | ¥70,000 | ¥35,000 | ¥50,000 | ¥25,000 |
| 14-day | ¥110,000 | ¥55,000 | ¥80,000 | ¥40,000 |
| 21-day | ¥140,000 | ¥70,000 | ¥100,000 | ¥50,000 |
Japan rail pass can be selected from 7, 14, and 21 days according to your travel schedule.You can choose between standard or green car for vehicle facilities.
If you choose the Green Car type, you can sit in a green seat on the Shinkansen or a conventional train. The Green Car, which is a higher seating class than the standard car, is equipped with more luxurious seats than the standard car. While the general seating arrangement of a standard Shinkansen bullet train is 2-3 rows side by side, the Green Car has 2-2 rows side by side. Since there is one less row of seats, each seat is wider.Recommended for those who want to travel at a leisurely pace.
Review by Japan rail pass user
Most users were satisfied with the Japan Rail Pass, as it was rated 4.8 out of 5. The following is a summary of the most frequent reviews.
Positive Reviews
Cost-effectiveness
Many people say that the Japan Rail Pass makes long-distance travel on the Shinkansen and JR lines very economical. In particular, when touring around multiple cities, the Pass is valued for its ability to significantly reduce costs compared to purchasing individual tickets.
Convenience
Some customers say that the smooth reservation process for Shinkansen and limited express trains makes it easier to plan travel and manage their time.
Widespread use
In addition to routes operated by the JR Group, some buses and ferries can also be used, which is cited as an advantage of having a wider range of activities.
Ease of procedure
From purchasing in Klook to redeeming the voucher and starting to use Conditions of use: There are several conditions for using the JR Pass, and some say that you need to be careful because, for example, you cannot board some Shinkansen trains such as “Nozomi” and “Mizuho”., some say the procedure is simple and straightforward.
Tourist services
Since the Japan Rail Pass is offered to foreign tourists, even travelers who are not proficient in Japanese say they can use it with ease.
Negative Reviews
Conditions of use
There are several conditions for using the the Japan Rail Pass, and some say that you need to be careful because, for example, you cannot board some Shinkansen trains such as “Nozomi” and “Mizuho”.
Crowded reservations
Some say it is necessary to make reservations early, especially during peak season when it can be difficult to get a reserved seat.
Comparison with the Regional Passes
Some people argue that the Japan Rail Pass may be more cost-effective when focusing on a the Regional Passes.
How to purchase a Japan Rail Pass
Please note that the Japan Rail Pass must be purchased before coming to Japan, either from the official Japan Rail Pass website, an authorized sales agent, or a travel agency affiliated with JR.
The official Japan Rail Pass website can be a bit challenging for international users.The website requires users to create an account just to purchase the pass, which can be a tedious process.
One of the easiest ways to purchase a Japan Rail Pass is through an authorized online seller.We recommend KLOOK. KLOOK is a local optional tour site offering more than 100,000 travel activities in over 400 areas worldwide.
KLOOK makes it easy to purchase Japan rail passes, as well as purchase and make reservations for Japanese theme parks, local tours, airport transfers, WiFi rentals, and more. It is very convenient to use a single KLOOK account to manage the purchase of optional tours and tickets for a trip.
KLOOK's Popular Optional Tours in Japan
- Tickets to USJ (Universal Studios Japan)
- Tokyo Disneyland Tickets
- Kyoto Raikway Museun Ticket
Klook is an official partner agency of the Japan Rail Pass.
Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order can be purchased at KLOOK. You have to turn in your Exchange Order (with your passport) to receive your JAPAN RAIL PASS at a JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office in a major JR station. Please note that you cannot use the JR line with the Exchange Order.
Summary
The Japan Rail Pass, jointly offered by the six companies of the JR Group, is a convenient and economical ticket suitable for train travel throughout Japan.
One of the easiest ways to purchase a Japan Rail Pass is through an authorized online seller.We recommend KLOOK.
By purchasing a Japan Rail Pass prior to arrival, you can save time and money while enjoying unlimited travel on Japan's extensive rail network.
