The Japan Rail Pass: journey across Japan

The Japan Rail Pass provides access to all train lines operated by Japan Railways (JR) throughout Japan (except for some high-speed trains including the 'Nozomi' Shinkansen) for a period of 1, 2 or 3 weeks.

The Japanese railway network consists of more than 20 000 km of track. With this ticket, you can reach the main attractions on the 4 main islands of the Japanese archipelago.

The Japan Rail Pass can be used 24/7, all year long, even if it is sometimes difficult to get a seat during the holiday periods:

• From December 28th to January 6th: New year holiday during which most Japanese go back to their hometowns
• From April 27th to May 6th: 'Golden week', time during which Japanese people travel in the country
• Around August 15th: 'O-bon Festival', which brings families together.

The JR Pass allows unlimited use of JR trains, including bullet trains, for a certain period of time, and can save you money if you plan on taking multiple long-distance train journeys.

If you are traveling to multiple cities in Japan and plan on using the bullet train (Shinkansen) or other long-distance trains (local, express or limited-express trains), then the JR Pass can be a cost-effective option.

We recommend taking the Joetsu Shinkansen. Trains mainly depart from Tokyo station and Ueno Station, offering direct connections to Niigata Station without the need for transfers. Shinkansen seats are designed for comfort, and there is usually space available for luggage, including standard-sized suitcases. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on this line, making it an economical option for pass holders.

Networks that do not belong to JR

Subway lines, trams, city buses and private railway companies are not included, even when they run in the same cities as JR lines: for example the Odakyu, Tozai and Keio lines in Tokyo, the Kintetsu network in Kansai, the Midosuji, Tanimachi and Yotsubashi lines in Osaka, or the Kuko, Hakozaki and Nanakuma lines in Fukuoka. For these journeys you can use a prepaid IC card such as Suica, or consider a dedicated day pass in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto.

JR long-distance buses

Local JR buses are included, but JR Expressway Buses, which connect major cities, are not.

The ferry to Korea

The JR ferry to Miyajima is included; the JR Hakata–Busan crossing is not.

The Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen

These are indeed JR trains, but they are not covered by the pass. You can still take them by booking a paid seat reservation — expect ¥4,000 to ¥8,000. The Hikari and Sakura, by contrast, are included, serve the same stations and run roughly every 30 minutes.

Sections running on private track

Some JR trains run on tracks belonging to private companies. You then pay the full fare for that section, at the counter before boarding or directly on board. This is the case for services to Hakone and Kawaguchiko, and for the train from Shinjuku to Nikko, which leaves the JR network at Kurihashi: the pass only covers you as far as that station.

Careful: passing through a ticket gate does not guarantee that your train is covered!

For a day trip to Nara from Kyoto, the train is the most convenient and efficient mode of transport. We recommend using the JR Nara Line. Rapid trains (Rapid or Miyakoji Rapid) offer a direct and shorter journey. It is also possible to use the Kintetsu line, but this often requires a train change at Yamato-Saidaiji if you depart from Kyoto Station, and its departure point in Kyoto is not the main JR Kyoto Station concourse. The JR line is generally preferred for its simplicity and its coverage by the Japan Rail Pass.

By Shinkansen: The most efficient way to travel to Karuizawa from Tokyo station is by taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. The "Asama" services are those that most frequently serve Karuizawa Station from Tokyo station . "Kagayaki" trains are faster but generally do not stop at Karuizawa.
Departure Station: Tokyo station is the main departure point.
Arrival Station: Karuizawa Station.
JR Pass Validity: The Japan Rail Pass is valid for Asama Shinkansen services on the Hokuriku Line. It covers both unreserved and reserved seats in Ordinary Car class.

Ordinary (standard)

Reclining seats, tray tables, coat hooks, opening windows and power sockets. Reserved or non-reserved seats, as you prefer. This is the class included in the standard JR Pass.

Green Car

More legroom and seats that recline further. Access requires a reservation and a supplement — unless you have chosen the JR Pass Green Car, which gives you access at no extra cost.

Gran Class

The most luxurious level, with a premium interior and maximum comfort. It is only offered on certain trains on the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines.

These are indeed JR trains: you can board them with your JR Pass. However, only the base fare is covered, whether your pass is ordinary or Green. To travel in Gran Class, you must also pay the limited express fare as well as the Gran Class supplement.

Advance reservation is not possible: enquire directly at the JR ticket office ("midori no madoguchi").

Is the Green Car worth the supplement?

The gain in comfort is real, but two points are worth knowing before you decide.

Reservation is compulsory: unlike non-reserved cars, you cannot board the Green Car spontaneously. And each train has only a limited number of Green cars, which sell out quickly in high season — some travellers who paid the supplement were unable to use it on all their journeys.

If your trip falls during Golden Week, Obon or the New Year period, book your Green Car journeys as soon as you exchange your order.

We recommend using the Shinkansen network to travel to Yamagata from Tokyo station. This option is the most efficient and comfortable, providing a direct and fast connection between central Tokyo station and Yamagata Prefecture.

The Shinkansen journey between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes. The 'Mizuho' services are the fastest, followed by the 'Sakura' services. These high-speed trains operate frequently throughout the day, providing excellent flexibility for travelers.

Yes, as long as your exchange order has not yet been exchanged for the pass in Japan.

Cancellation fee

15% of the total ticket amount, whatever the cancellation date. Shipping costs are not refunded.

Deadline

Your unused exchange order must reach one of our offices within 365 days of its issue date.

The date on which we receive the exchange order is what counts. Please allow enough time for it to reach us: a postal delay cannot justify missing the deadline, and no extension is granted.

If you lose your pass

If you lose your Japan Rail Pass, a refund is only possible if the exchange order has not yet been exchanged. The fee remains 15%, whatever the cancellation date, within one year of the exchange order's issue date. The request can only be processed, however, once a period of 4 months has elapsed from that same issue date.

If your exchange is refused in Japan

Japan Experience cannot be held responsible if the exchange of your order for the Japan Rail Pass is refused once you are in Japan, for whatever reason.

The Shinkansen journey between Hiroshima and Okayama is quick. With the Nozomi or Mizuho trains, the journey time is around 35 to 40 minutes. For the Sakura or Hikari trains, the journey usually takes between 40 and 50 minutes. Kodama Shinkansen trains make more stops and therefore take longer. All of these trains run on the Sanyo Shinkansen line, which is known for its punctuality.

To get to Matsumoto Castle from Kyoto, the journey involves two main train stages. We recommend taking a Shinkansen (Tokaido Shinkansen) from Kyoto Station to Nagoya Station. From there, it is necessary to make a transfer to take the Limited Express Shinano train towards Nagano, and alight at Matsumoto Station. Once at Matsumoto Station, Matsumoto Castle is accessible on foot in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Local buses are also available from the station, with the journey taking about 5 to 10 minutes. Japanese trains are renowned for their punctuality.

The journey from Hakata to Nagasaki is a two-step process. Travelers first take the Limited Express Kamome from Hakata Station to Takeo-Onsen Station. At Takeo-Onsen, they make a seamless transfer to board the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome, which takes them directly to Nagasaki. This transfer is designed to be smooth, often involving a same-platform connection.

To travel from Sapporo to Noboribetsu Onsen, the most common route combines a train journey and a short bus transfer.

Train: From Sapporo Station, take a JR Limited Express train (e.g., Limited Express Hokuto or Suzuran) bound for Hakodate. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes to Noboribetsu Station. These trains are equipped with comfortable seats and luggage racks for travelers.
Bus: Upon arrival at Noboribetsu Station, local Donan Buses are available directly in front of the station. These buses provide direct service to the Noboribetsu Onsen area, including hotels and Jigokudani, in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The bus service is frequent and synchronized with train arrivals.