Japan Rail Pass: travel across Japan
  • Official Japan Railway partner
  • 4.6/5 (+15K reviews)
  • 1M passes sold
Japan Rail Pass advantages
Flexible itinerary
No advance booking necessary
One ticket for all your journeys

What's included in your Japan Rail Pass package?

  • All Shinkansen lines in Japan
  • Japan Railway express trains
  • Narita Express (Airport transfer)
  • Tokyo Haneda Monorail
  • JR buses (except express)
  • Segment of the IR Ishikawa line
  • JR-West Miyajima ferry service
  • How does the Japan Rail Pass work ?

    Purchase a train ticket in japan online
    Purchase

    Order your Japan Rail Pass securely online

    Japan Rail Pass Voucher
    Receive

    Receive your Japan Rail Pass voucher within 2 to 3 days

    JRP & Suica Safe Wallet
    Activate

    Exchange and activate your JR Pass voucher upon arrival in Japan

    Everything You Need to Know About the Japan Rail Pass

    See prices
    See prices
    Adult(s)
    Child(ren) -12yo
    TOTAL
    $363

    Other transport options recommended by our experts

    Japan Rail Pass
    From $348

    • Unlimited travel on Japan Railway trains, buses and ferries
    • No need to book trains in advance
    • Cost efficient for itineraries with more than 3 steps a week
    Individual Train Tickets
    From $23

    • Book your seat up to 9 months before travel date
    • Flexible cancellation and modification policy
    • Cost efficient for itineraries with less than 3 steps a week
    Regional Passes
    From $17

    • Unlimited travel within a specific region
    • Good addition to train tickets
    • Cost efficient for extensive local travel

    Itineraries with the Japan Rail Pass


    7 days itinerary


    For your 7-day train journey through Japan, follow the famous “Golden Route”, which takes you from the current Japanese capital, Tokyo, to the historic capital, Kyoto, in an enhanced version!

    Excursions included: Nara and Osaka from Kyoto, Miyajima from Hiroshima.

    Save 21% on this trip with a JR Pass!

    14 days itinerary


    If you've got two weeks ahead of you to explore Japan by train, take the opportunity to add even more destinations to your “Golden Route” journey.

    Excursions included: Nikko Kamakura and Hakone from Tokyo, Amanohashidate Bay, Nara and Osaka from Kyoto, Miyajima from Hiroshima, Seto Sea islands (Naoshima, Inujima...) from Uno.

    Save 12% on this trip with a JR Pass!

    21 days itinerary


    In 3 weeks, you can cross Japan from North to South! From Tokyo, fly to Sapporo, Hokkaido. Stop off at Morioka and Sendai, which will give you access to the natural gems of Tohoku.

    You can extend your journey to Kyushu Island in the south, and discover dynamic Fukuoka and resilient Nagasaki. On the way back from Kanazawa, stop off in Nagano, the ideal starting point for exploring the Japanese Alps.

    Save 28% on this dream itinerary with a JR Pass!


    Complementary information about the Japan Rail Pass

    How to exchange the JR Pass Voucher?

    • The voucher can be exchanged for a 3-month period following the date of issue.
    • To exchange the voucher for the Japan Rail Pass, you will need your passport.
    • The activation date of the pass, once the pass has been exchanged, cannot be changed.
    • JR exchange points: Read More

    Validity of the JR Pass

    • The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all JR lines throughout Japan. This includes free use of almost all Shinkansen (Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, Hayabusa etc). Since 1st of October 2023, the Shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho can also be used with the Japan Rail Pass. To take these two trains, travellers have to pay an extra charge in stations for the mandatory seat reservation (4.000 - 8.000 Yen).
    • The JR Pass is valid on the Tokyo Monorail, some lines of Aomori Railways and some local JR buses.
    • The JR Pass is valid on the JR Miyajima ferry in Hiroshima.
    • The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on private (non-JR) railway lines such as: Hakone-Tozan, Nankai-Koya, Fujikyu, Kitakinki-Tango. Some JR trains do travel over non-JR tracks and JR Pass holders are required to pay a supplement for this part of the journey (either on board or at the station).

    Who is eligible for a JR Pass?

    The Japan Rail Pass is accessible to any traveler, with a foreign passport, traveling to Japan with a "temporary visitor" visa of 90 days or less: tourist, business trip, family visit, etc...

    People who travel to Japan for more than 90 days (working holiday, military, diplomatic, cultural, research, working visa, etc.) are not eligible. Japanese citizens can buy and use the JR Pass if they reside abroad and have proof of a ten-year consecutive residency. This proof must be issued before purchasing the Japan Rail Pass.

    Be aware, however, that the conditions are very restrictive.

    You must obtain and fill in one of the following documents:

    1 - An "Overseas Residential Registration" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence

    2 - A "Certificate of Overseas Residence" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence

    3 – For the United States, Brazil and Canada, a permanent residency card (the length of residence must be at least 10 years on the day you purchase the JR Pass).

    For more information, please see our JR Pass FAQ below

    Frequently Asked Questions about the Japan Rail Pass

    Hear from our Customers

    Reviews from our customers

    See the detailed map of lines included in the JR Pass

    Why book with Japan Experience?

  • Free travel guide
  • Assistance available 7/7
  • Free Delivery options
  • Why not upgrading to a Green pass?

    The "Green Pass" allows you to travel in the "Green Car", the equivalent of First Class, on all valid Shinkansen (excluding Nozomi and Mizuho) and certain express lines.

    The Green Japan Rail Pass is not as well-known by foreign travelers but, considering the comfort it offers, the extra luggage space, additional legroom, along with other ammenities (such as a hot towel and complimentary drinks on certain lines), it is good value for the money.

    If you plan on travelling during peak travel seasons (such as May, August, and September), purchasing the Green JR Pass is an excellent option. The
    Green Car is often less crowded, giving you a better chance of getting a seat reservation.

    Modalities

    How to exchange the JR Pass Voucher?
    The voucher can be exchanged for a 3-month period following the date of issue.
    How to exchange the JR Pass Voucher?

    We will send you a voucher to your shipping address in your home country or even to your place of accommodation in Japan. 

    This voucher is not the pass itself but will be used to exchange for your pass in Japan. The process is as follows:

    • Take your voucher(s) to one of the many JR exchange offices. Many offices will be located inside JR train stations, but as well as a number of major airports. Note that not all major airports in Japan will have an exchange office. 

       
    • Present your voucher(s) to the JR exchange office staff along with the passport(s) associated with each. You will be asked to confirm your activation date. Remember, your activation date and exchange date DO NOT have to be the same. If you intend to use your pass from a later day, you are free to do so, as long as it is within 30 days of the exchange date. 

       

    Receive your usable JR Pass and, if you wish, you'll be able to make reservations for any upcoming train rides with reserved-seating options. This can also be done at a later time at a JR office or at the machines also available at JR stations. 
     

    Pass activation
    -The voucher can be exchanged for a 3-month period following the date of issue.
    -The activation date of the pass, once the pass has been exchanged, cannot be changed.
    Validity of the JR Pass
    The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all JR lines throughout Japan. This includes free use of almost all Shinkansen
    Validity of the JR Pass

    The Japan Rail Pass is accessible to any traveler, with a foreign passport, traveling to Japan with a "temporary visitor" visa of 90 days or less: tourist, business trip, family visit, etc...

    People who travel to Japan for more than 90 days (working holiday, military, diplomatic, cultural, research, working visa, etc.) are not eligible. Japanese citizens can buy and use the JR Pass if they reside abroad and have proof of a ten-year consecutive residency. This proof must be issued before purchasing the Japan Rail Pass.

    Be aware, however, that the conditions are very restrictive.

    You must obtain and fill in one of the following documents:

    1 - An "Overseas Residential Registration" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence

    2 - A "Certificate of Overseas Residence" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence

    3 – For the United States, Brazil and Canada, a permanent residency card (the length of residence must be at least 10 years on the day you purchase the JR Pass).

    For more information, please see our JR Pass FAQ below

    Who is eligible for a JR Pass?
    The Japan Rail Pass is accessible to any traveler, with a foreign passport, traveling to Japan with a "temporary visitor"
    Who is eligible for a JR Pass?

    The Japan Rail Pass is accessible to any traveler, with a foreign passport, traveling to Japan with a "temporary visitor" visa of 90 days or less: tourist, business trip, family visit, etc...

    People who travel to Japan for more than 90 days (working holiday, military, diplomatic, cultural, research, working visa, etc.) are not eligible. Japanese citizens can buy and use the JR Pass if they reside abroad and have proof of a ten-year consecutive residency. This proof must be issued before purchasing the Japan Rail Pass.

    Be aware, however, that the conditions are very restrictive.

    You must obtain and fill in one of the following documents:

    1 - An "Overseas Residential Registration" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence

    2 - A "Certificate of Overseas Residence" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence

    3 – For the United States, Brazil and Canada, a permanent residency card (the length of residence must be at least 10 years on the day you purchase the JR Pass).

    For more information, please see our JR Pass FAQ below