What is the Japan Rail Pass?
If you are a foreign visitor, you can purchase a very convenient pass called 'Japan Rail Pass' or JR pass. With this pass, you can unlimited travel on all JR Group Railways-Shinkansen "bullet trains" (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains) limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains, and the BRT. (With some exceptions). You can also use it on many JR buses and some ferries too.
How much is the JR Pass? Is it worth it?
The biggest JR pass advantage is that you pay a fixed price for the pass, which costs 29,110 yen for 7 days, 46,390 for 14 days, and 59,350 for 21 days (prices for ordinary tickets for adults, as of September 2017). When you plan to travel a lot, especially through long distances, this can make your trip lighter on you pockets! However, if you're only traveling short distances and are not planning to take the Shinkansen during your trip, then this may not be the best option for you.
There are other passes available which don't include the bullet train. They are a lot more limited in ride options, but also considerably cheaper. We will discuss them later in this post. Whichever you choose, you will always have the advantage of not having to buy tickets at the station, saving you quite some time and maybe also some stress between you and your travel partner(s). Just remember that you will still have to make reservations for the Shinkansen bullet trains.
Who can buy Japan Rail Passes?
Since this pass was created to promote and facilitate tourism in Japan, it is exclusive for short-term visitors to the country. That means that Japanese or foreigners living in Japan who have their friends or family over can't use it and will have to pay the full price for the separate tickets. For more information about the eligibility for the JR pass, click here.
How to buy the Japan Rail Pass?
Since you cannot buy it in Japan, you will need to buy your Rail Pass before your trip starts. But don't worry, travel agents and agencies, as well as travel websites which offer the Rail Passes are very easy to find. Just be sure to buy yours from an authorized dealer. Here you can check the official list of JR Pass dealers and information about how to purchase and receive your JR Pass.
Riding the Japanese trains!
You've made your purchase and received your 'exchange order', what now?
You cannot board trains with just this exchange order, of course. First, you'll have to complete some paperwork at a Japan Rail Pass desk, which can be found at the airports of Narita, Haneda, Kansai and New-Chitose, and many railway stations throughout Japan (click here for a comprehensive list). It takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on how busy is the ticket window and how big your group is. After the exchange, you receive the actual pass and are free to use it however you want. The validity period only starts counting from the first day you use your pass, so plan in advance to find when will be the best time to start using it. Keep in mind that you cannot use the automated ticket gates, but should always pass a booth.
Here you can find more information on how to select and book Shinkansen Bullet Trains. If you want more information about how to navigate the local train system in Japan, click here.
Here's a video showing the Shinkansen Bullet train from the Japan Fan Youtube Channel:
Other Japanese Rail Passes
As we mentioned before, the Jr Pass may not be so advantageous to you if traveling far is not on your trip. So, what are the other options available?
1- The Seishun 18 Kippu
The Seishun 18 Kippu (青春１８きっぷ, which translates to something like "Youthful 18 Ticket") is a seasonally available railway ticket that allows nationwide unlimited rides on local and rapid JR trains (excluding reserved seats) for five days for only 11,850 yen (or 2,370 yen per day). The use days don't need to be consecutive, so you can use whenever is more convenient.
It also includes the use of the JR Miyajima Ferry for travel from Hiroshima to the famous island of Miyajima, a beautiful and exotic place known as “The Island of the Gods”. You can't use it on Shinkansen and limited express trains, but it is a good and convenient way to enjoy your trip in a more relaxed pace.
Unlike the JR pass, the Seishun 18 Kippu is available for both tourists and locals (Japanese nationals and foreign residents of Japan) and despite its name, it can be used by people of any age. Another difference between this pass and the JR Pass is that you don't need to buy it beforehand. To buy the Seishun 18 kippu, you just need to find a JR Ticket Office in any of the JR stations across Japan.
However, the Seishun 18 Kippu is only available three times a year during school holiday seasons on Spring (Haru yasumi), Summer (Obon) and Winter (Shougatsu). If you wish to know more about the Seishun 18 Kippu sale dates and validity periods, click here.
2- IC Cards
This option will not help you to save money, but for sure will make you save time! IC cards are rechargeable cards that can be used not only to pay fares on public transportation but also to make payments at a variety of vending machines, shops, and restaurants. All you need to do is simply touch your card for about one second on a reader, which makes this an easy and convenient payment way.
They are valid on almost all trains, subways and buses in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Fukuoka and several other areas with exception to Limited express trains requiring a supplement fee, Shinkansen and airport and Highway Buses
The ten major IC cards available are Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, Pitapa, Toica, Manaca, Kitaca, Sugoca, Nimoca and Hayakaken. They cover virtually the same things (although the Icoca card is also valid on non-JR transportation in Okayama and Hiroshima), so basically, the only difference is where they can be purchased and refunded.
You can buy IC cards at ticket counters and ticket machines at the corresponding railway stations. The price consists of a 500 yen (which can be refunded) plus the initial amount that you want to charge onto the card. To recharge your IC card, you just need to use the ticket machines (same as the ones you use to buy it) and special re-charging machines found at the railway stations and other strategically meaningful locations.
Here's a video about this article on the Japan Fan Youtube Channel:
