Green Pass vs Ordinary Pass: The different types of Japan Rail Passes

The Japan Rail Pass is a popular option for travelers for its affordability, ease-of-use, wide range of access, and flexibility. The access provided by the pass even includes the world-renowned Shinkansen bullet train that has a network that traverses almost the entirety of the Japanese archipelago. 

Ordinary Pass

The ordinary pass operates in a way that provides unlimited access to the ordinary Shinkansen bullet train car, be it either reserved or non-reserved cars. Reservations for these cars can be made with no additional cost (as opposed to individual tickets), though they are not required to board the train. If the desired train to board has non-reserved seats available, they are open-access to pass-users.

Platform for the Shinkansen Bullet Train

Platform for the Shinkansen Bullet Train displaying certain cars with free suiting and certain cars with assigned seating.

@Wikimedia

HTML Table Generator
Pass Type7 Day14 Day21 Day
 Ordinary Adult29,650 JPY 47,250 JPY 60,450 JPY 
 Ordinary Children's14,820 JPY  23,620 JPY30,220 JPY 

For holders of the Green National Pass, the cost of the seat and reservation for the Green Car is included in the initial cost, meaning that these more luxurious seats can be accessed without any additional fees.

However, as previously mentioned, the Green Car requires a prior reservation, even for pass holders. This doesn’t mean that every train Green Pass holders wish to ride need a reservation however, as the ordinary cars are also available at no extra cost with this pass. Meaning, that if the Green Car is filled, standard seats can be reserved, or non-reserved seats can be used. Essentially, the Green Pass offers all of the utility of the ordinary pass, but with included access to the Green Cars. This also means the option to upgrade to the Gran Class if desired is available, but this will incur an additional cost as usual. 

Narita Rapid Train Platform

Narita Rapid Train Platform

@Japan Visitor

HTML Table Generator
Pass Type7 Day14 Day21 Day
 Green Adult40,551 JPY 64,120 JPY 83,390 JPY 
 Green Children's19,800 JPY 32,060 JPY41,690 JPY 

Book your Japan Rail Pass before September 29th to benefit from the current prices!

  • Included : Economic and simple, Unlimited travel
Japan Rail Pass

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