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.

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.

You have already ordered your Japan Rail Pass, and upon reflection, you would like to change the duration, or switch from a normal pass to a Green pass. Either of these options are possible.

All you need to do is place a new order immediately. 

You must then return to us your first voucher for a full refund (excluding delivery costs of the first order), by registered mail, with a note of explanation, to the following address:

Japan Experience

Suite 14, 137-139 High Street Beckenham 

BR3 1AG, London

United Kingdom

Please note that there is still a delivery charge for the new delivery. We thank you in advance for checking that you will receive your delivery before your departure (estimate your delivery time) prior to confirming your Japan Rail Pass purchase online..

While JR's website may seem like the obvious choice, official third-party sellers often offer better customer service, a more user-friendly purchase experience, more flexible usage dates, and dedicated assistance. It's recommended to check that your seller of choice appears on JR's official list of approved overseas dealers.

This depends on where you buy it. If purchased on JR's official website, you have 30 days to exchange your voucher for the actual pass in Japan. With third-party sellers like Japan Experience, you benefit from up to 90 days, giving you more flexibility to buy your pass well ahead of your trip.

With Japan Experience, you can choose to pick up your JR Pass at one of its physical stores in France, the UK, Spain, Germany or Italy, receive it at an address of your choice, pick it up at the airport in Japan, or have it delivered to your hotel in Japan.

Prices vary by pass type and duration. For adults, the Ordinary National pass costs 50,000 yen (7 days), 80,000 yen (14 days), or 100,000 yen (21 days), while the Green Car pass costs 70,000 yen (7 days), 110,000 yen (14 days), or 140,000 yen (21 days). Children's passes are available at roughly half these prices.

The pass covers nearly the entirety of Japan's JR-operated network, excluding Okinawa. This includes local JR lines (marked with a "JR" suffix or logo), all Shinkansen bullet trains including the express Nozomi and Mizuho (additional fee applies for these two), the Tokyo Monorail, overnight sleeper trains like the Sunrise Seto, select local JR bus networks, and the ferry to Itsukushima Island in Hiroshima.

Subway lines, 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 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.

One exception: the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen are indeed JR trains, but they are not covered by the pass. You can still take them by paying a supplement. The Hikari and Sakura, on the other hand, are included and serve the same stations.

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

When ordering through Japan Experience, you receive an exchange voucher by mail rather than the pass itself. This voucher must be exchanged for the actual JR Pass at a registered exchange office ("midori no madoguchi") in Japan within 3 months of purchase. The activation date is chosen at the time of exchange (it doesn't have to be the same day) and marks the start of the pass's validity countdown — the first day counts as day one regardless of the time of activation.

Seat reservations for standard car seats are free with the JR Pass and can be made at JR Offices or ticket kiosks in stations. Travelers with oversized luggage (between 160cm and 250cm in total dimensions) also need to reserve storage space located at the front or back of the train car.

The pass, in paper card form, is inserted into the slot at the ticket gate and automatically returned to you before you pass through, since it's reusable. The same process is repeated when exiting at your destination. If you have a seat reservation, a second ticket is inserted alongside the JR Pass when entering, but only the JR Pass is needed when leaving.

Ordinary (standard) cars offer reclining seats, trays, coat hooks, openable windows, and power outlets, and include reserved and non-reserved options. Green Class Cars offer more legroom and further reclining seats, requiring a reservation and an extra fee unless you hold a Green Class JR Pass. Gran Class is the most luxurious tier, with an upscale interior and maximum comfort; it has no dedicated pass but can be accessed with either National JR Pass for an additional fee.

Japan Experience offers a JRP Care service, giving travelers access to a local hotline for help and advice regarding their JR Pass, along with a full refund guarantee if the order needs to be canceled.

Regional rail passes are offered by individual JR companies (JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu) for travelers exploring a specific part of Japan rather than the entire country. They provide unlimited travel within a designated area and are often more economical for shorter or region-focused itineraries. Many also include extra transportation such as select buses, ferries, or private railway lines.

The Japan Rail Pass covers most JR lines throughout Japan, is available for 7, 14, or 21 days, and is best suited for long-distance, multi-region trips. Regional rail passes cover one specific region, are typically available for 2 to 7 days, usually cost less, and are best suited for exploring one region in depth.

Neither pass is automatically the better choice — it depends on your itinerary. The Japan Rail Pass offers excellent value for travelers making several long-distance Shinkansen journeys across multiple regions, while a regional rail pass often provides better value and similar convenience at a lower price for travelers focusing on a single region, such as Kansai, Kyushu, or the Japanese Alps and Hokuriku.