Can You Buy a Jr Rail Pass in Japan

If you're traveling to Japan, the JR Laissez passer can be a huge money saver. We'll explicate exactly when y'all should purchase the Japan Rail Laissez passer and if it is worthwhile for your route. This is everything you lot need to know including where to buy the rail pass.

Roughly the size of California, Nippon is a relatively small-scale land, yet it is packed with an uncanny number of places to visit. And planning your transportation around Nippon can be overwhelming, even to a seasoned traveler.

The skilful news is that the country is very well-connected with roads, autobus lines, metro systems, and the crown gem of Japan's transportation network: Trains.

Known around the world for being clean, fast and efficient, the trains in Japan are an excellent mode to run into the country. Plus, riding in one of those famous Shinkansen bullet trains is a bucket list experience in itself!

The just major downfall about the trains in Japan is that a single ride tin be expensive. Depending on where you're going, it can be very expensive.

But fear not, friend, there'southward good news:

Travelers in Japan are eligible for a special laissez passer that gives you unlimited railroad train access at a steeply discounted rate . Yes, that means that you as a tourist become a better toll on transportation than Japanese people make it their ain land! Sounds foreign, but it's true.

Now it's about fourth dimension we introduce you to the Nihon Track Pass (as well called the JR Laissez passer).

For about travelers, this pass will relieve money. Sometimes a LOT of money, so heed up…

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What is the Nippon Rail Pass?

This is a disbelieve laissez passer for Nippon's rail system that is available just to tourists. Past purchasing this pass, you will accept unlimited access to specific trains during a seven-day, 14-twenty-four hours, or 21-day menstruation.

Article Contents

In this article, we're going to become over how to calculate whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth information technology for your trip, as well as everything you need to know nigh it — from where to purchase the JR Laissez passer, to how to reserve railroad train seats, and etiquette so y'all know what not to do on the trains.

And we're non stopping at that place. We're going over everything you need to know near getting around Japan. From figuring out the trains to navigating the metro systems and even the local buses, we're hitting it all!

We've broken this article up into sections so you can leap around based on what you're looking for:

• Japan Rail Pass Toll

• Is the JR Pass worthwhile?

• How much money we saved with the JR Pass

• Which trains does the JR Pass cover?

• Where to buy a Nippon Rail Pass

• How to Buy a Japan Rail Pass

• How to Reserve Seats on a JR Train

• Communicable a JR Train

• Japanese Etiquette on Trains

• Tin can yous use the JR Pass in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto?

• Nihon Rail Pass FAQs

This commodity is a large one, but it has everything you'll demand to know near transportation in Japan. So bookmark it, accept screenshots, or pivot it for afterwards! It is packed with advice that will salvage you money (and numerous headaches!) on train travel in Nihon.

We condensed a lot of this commodity into this video below. Nosotros'll explain why the JR Pass is worthwhile and how to apply it once you're in Nihon:

If you can't see the video, turn off advert blocker.

Nippon Rail Laissez passer Price

Let's start by going over the toll of the JR Pass.

Below we've broken down the prices for a standard pass, as well as what it works out to be as a daily cost.

Adult Standard JR Pass:

• seven-day Pass: $273 USD, or $39 USD per twenty-four hours

• fourteen-day Pass: $433 USD, or $xxx.93 USD per 24-hour interval

• 21-day Pass: $544 USD, or $25.90 USD per solar day

As you can see, the longer the laissez passer, the less expensive information technology is per twenty-four hours. And when you call back about it, even at its near expensive, $39 per twenty-four hour period for unlimited railroad train travel isn't too bad — particularly when you consider some routes are upwardly of $100 USD for a single journey.

If you're looking for a bit more than luxury, at that place is an option to upgrade to the Green Pass, which is just another manner of proverb "Starting time Grade".

Adult Light-green Laissez passer (aka Commencement Grade)

• 7-solar day Pass: $363 USD, or $51.86 USD per day

• 14-twenty-four hour period Pass: $588 USD, or $42 USD per day

• 21-twenty-four hour period Pass: $764 USD, or $36.38 USD per day

The Green Pass will go you:

• Wider and softer Lazyboy-manner chairs that recline further

• More than legroom than standard class seats

• Larger windows

• Snacks and drinks served on some lines

• Larger baggage compartments

• Typically cabins will be less crowded and quieter

Is the Green Pass worthwhile?

People will accept different opinions on whether the upgrade is worthwhile, but we found the regular laissez passer to be very comfortable and just right for what nosotros needed. Compared to trains in many other countries, the regular grade felt like get-go!

Even so, if you're very alpine, are planning to exercise several long railroad train journeys, or just like livin' the Outset Grade Life (and got some money to spare!), yous might find information technology well worth the actress dough.

The only time we think this upgrade might be worth the money is during very busy times of the year, similar during Golden Calendar week in Japan. Having the Light-green Pass means you don't have to deal with waiting in lines or crowded cars.

Tip: Browse through the pictures in this article, which will give you a feeling of what the "regular class" looks like so yous can make the best conclusion for your personal preferences.

Traveling with kiddos?

Children 5 and under are free (yay!), and kids between the ages of half dozen-11 are eligible for a cheaper charge per unit:

• 7-twenty-four hour period Pass: Standard Pass= $137 USD, or Light-green Pass= $182 USD

• fourteen-day Laissez passer: Standard Pass= $217 USD, or Green Pass= $294 USD

• 21-day Pass: Standard Pass= $277 USD, or Light-green Pass= $382 USD

Now that you know exactly how much a JR Laissez passer costs, permit's figure out if it will actually relieve y'all money…

Is the JR Pass worthwhile?

In general, Japan is a pretty expensive country to travel, and if you're anything like usa, y'all'll be trying to find every way possible to cut your costs in gild to maximize your travel budget!

The JR Laissez passer is 1 of our height tips for traveling in Nippon on a upkeep, but we'll be upfront and tell y'all it is nonetheless non inexpensive. And it might not be a proficient selection for everyone.

Then the big question is this:

"Will the Japan Rail Laissez passer relieve me coin?"

Honestly, the respond varies for each traveler. In this section, nosotros're going to help yous decide whether or not the Japan Rail Pass will be worthwhile for your trip.

I'll commencement by maxim that the cost of a vii-24-hour interval JR Laissez passer is cheaper than purchasing a round-trip ticket from Tokyo to Osaka (when you include transport to and from the airport).

Read that again, because it pretty much sums up the value of this pass.

Non but do you get unlimited train rides on the famous Shinkansen bullet trains (one of the fastest trains in the earth), but y'all can also utilize some of the local buses, subways and ferries throughout Nippon.

Only take a wait at this sample costs for someone visiting only Tokyo and Osaka:

• Tokyo to Osaka: 14,720 yen ($135.50)

• Osaka to Tokyo: xiv,720 yen ($135.50)

Just those ii tickets add together up to be $271 USD. That's only $2 less than you'd pay for the vii-day JR Laissez passer!

Bonus Tip: Utilize your J-Rail pass to go from Osaka to Hiroshima on a day trip and explore the highlights of this historically significant city.

Then when yous consider that the very cheapest transportation between Tokyo and Narita International Airport costs $ix.20 each way, it's piece of cake to see that the Japan Rail Pass easily pays for itself. Plus, the pass gives you gratis access to the JR Narita Express train, which is the fastest manner to the airdrome and costs 3,000 yen ($27.60 USD) each style if y'all don't have the JR Pass.

The Nippon Runway Pass is worthwhile if…

• Y'all plan to visit Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto. AND you fly in and out of the same urban center.

  • Every bit we explained above, the price of the 7-day pass is virtually equivalent to the roundtrip fare from Tokyo to Osaka. Add together in the cost of getting to and from the airport and you're more than covered. And if you programme to visit any more these two locations, well, the pass volition absolutely pay for itself.

This is going to be true of nearly travelers in Nihon. However, there are exceptions. Go along reading to run into if you fit into any of these categories:

The Nihon Runway Laissez passer is probably not worthwhile if…

• You're only visiting Osaka and Kyoto.

  • These cities are very close together and the most time-consuming journey between the two is merely shy of an 60 minutes and tin exist as cheap at 400 yen ($3.70) depending on which train line you take. That said, fifty-fifty the fastest route (15 minutes!) between them is inexpensive at just 1420 yen ($xiii USD). So if these are the only two cities on your Japan itinerary, you may not demand to purchase the JR Pass.

• You wing into Tokyo and fly out of Osaka (or vice versa).

  • When you add the toll of getting to and from the airports, the roundtrip fare from Osaka to Tokyo is more expensive than the 7-twenty-four hours JR Pass. Then fifty-fifty if you're only visiting two places, information technology sometimes does make sense to still get the laissez passer. However, if yous only need to get i way (aka you lot're flying in and out of different airports), this cuts your train cost in half, meaning the JR Pass will in fact be more expensive than the single train journeying.

• Yous are traveling very slowly.

  • If you program to spend several days in one area of Nihon, the JR Pass may not be worthwhile, as it must exist used for consecutive days. For example, if you are a backpacker and are planning to do some hiking or WorkAways to keep costs low on your trip to Nippon, the JR Pass might not be the best option for you.

    • Tip: Y'all may want to consider getting a shorter pass, similar the seven-twenty-four hour period, and employ those days to exercise the majority of your traveling.

• Most of your traveling is in remote parts of Japan or areas not covered by the JR Pass.

  • If you've looked at your itinerary and virtually of the places you'll be going are not covered on the JR Pass (for case, you're traveling but in Okinawa), it wouldn't brand sense to purchase the pass.

What it boils down to is this: The Japan Rail Pass will likely save you money if you are visiting two or more cities in Japan.

Money-Saving Tip: Keep in listen that you may desire to become a JR Laissez passer for just a portion of your trip. For case, if you plan to travel in Japan for 2 weeks, a seven-twenty-four hours pass might exist all you need if yous plan to spend the offset and end of your trip in one place.

How to summate if the JR Pass will save you coin

Be sure to expect up how much each private train ticket costs — check on Hyperdia or by plugging in your route to the fantastically user-friendly (and free!) Nippon Official Travel App to see how much each train journeying will be without the JR Laissez passer.

Nosotros did just that and recorded our findings beneath to show you how much money the Japan Rail Laissez passer saved us.

How much coin we saved with the JR Pass

We've traveled in Nippon twice, and each trip had a very unlike time frame, itinerary, and budget. During both trips, nosotros had a Japan Rail Laissez passer, and both times it saved u.s. money.

Nihon Trip #ane

• When: February 2015

• Duration: 1 calendar week

• Budget: Tiny!

• Itinerary: Osaka > Kyoto > Tokyo > Nagano > Tokyo > Osaka

During this trip, we purchased the 7-day pass, which was a lot of money for usa to fork over at the time. We were living and educational activity English language in South korea at the time, and compared to the cost of trains in Korea, we felt like the JR Laissez passer was super expensive.

We know it tin be frustrating handing over a big chunk of money like that before your trip — our JR Laissez passer was more than expensive than our flight to and from Korea, after all! Simply it turned out to actually save us a ton of money.

• What we paid for the vii-mean solar day JR Pass: $273 USD

• What we would take paid for transportation without the JR Pass: $463 USD (50,260 yen)

• How much coin the JR Pass saved united states of america: Nosotros saved $190 USD each!

Japan Trip #ii*

• When: August 2019

• Elapsing: 3 weeks

• Budget: Medium, but even so trying to be mindful of our spending

• Itinerary: Osaka > Mountain Koya > Kii Peninsula > Hiroshima > Nara > Osaka > Kanazawa > Takayama > Alpine Route > Matsumoto > Magome  > Kamakura > Tokyo**

*Disclosure: JRail Pass gave us complimentary tickets for our most recent trip. We've also purchased a laissez passer through them on a previous trip to Japan, and had great experiences both times. This in no way affects our writing.

**Some of the destinations on this trip were not part of the JR lines, then we incurred additional costs.

During this trip, we ordered the 21-mean solar day pass, since we were traveling to many places and doing and then quite quickly. Since we were traveling around so much of Japan, we knew the pass would be well worth the money. Just run into our savings below, information technology's kind of heed-extraordinary!

• Cost of the 21-day JR Pass*: $544 USD

• What we would have paid for transportation without the JR Pass: $889.l USD (96,650 yen)

• How much money the JR Pass saved united states: We saved $345.50 USD each!

That means on our ii trips to Japan, the JR Pass saved u.s. a combined $1,071. That's one hell of a savings if you lot inquire me! Do yous want to save money when traveling in Nippon?

Notation: These estimates don't include the JR metro lines nosotros used within Osaka and Tokyo, which saved united states additional money.

Which trains does the Nihon Runway Pass cover?

Alright, let'due south get into the nitty gritty.

The JR Laissez passer covers:

• many train lines around Japan

• nigh Shinkansen bullet trains

• Narita Express (between Tokyo and Narita Aerodrome)

• some metro lines in cities similar Osaka and Tokyo, denoted as JR lines

• some JR bus routes around the land

• some ferries around the country, similar the ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima Isle

The JR Pass does Not embrace:

• Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen lines are NOT covered in the JR Pass

• another private train lines are not covered

• the majority of buses and ferries around the country are non covered

It's also worth noting that some popular tourist areas are non covered in the JR Pass.

Below are just a few areas worth noting, just it certainly is not an extensive list:

• Hakone: This small mountain boondocks known for onsen and views of Mount Fuji can exist reached by JR trains, simply once y'all're there, getting around the area is non covered. Instead, most tourists purchase the Hakone Free Pass, which includes all bus, gunkhole, and cable auto transportation in the area.

• Koyasan: This area known for Buddhist temple stays and stunning Okunoin Cemetery cannot be accessed with JR trains. The Koyasan Earth Heritage Ticket is what most visitors utilise for this expanse.

• Shirakawago: JR trains do non pass through this UNESCO site. Instead, visitors must purchase coach tickets, which can be quite expensive.

• Tateyama Kurobe Tall Route : To travel through this area, visitors must take a scattering of unlike modes of transport, including buses, cable cars, and funiculars, all of which is included in the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket.

• Kamikochi National Park: Some other region that is not connected past JR trains.

• Okinawa: This prefecture is fabricated up of a grouping of islands that lie 400 miles southwest of mainland Japan, and most travelers will get in that location by air. Taxis and buses are a decent way to go around, just renting a automobile will be your best option for exploring Okinawa.

Alternative Transportation: In some of these places, like Okinawa, Hokkaido, Kamikochi, and near Shirakawago, information technology may even brand sense to rent a car.

When planning your Japan travel budget, be sure to consider which additional transportation passes you will need in addition to the JR Laissez passer. Many travelers won't need whatsoever at all, as the JR Pass really does a fantastic job of connecting the land.

However, if you plan to visit whatever of the above places (good for you – they are all highly recommended!), they exercise come at an boosted cost. Once more, this is not an exhaustive list of places not covered.

Where to buy a Japan Runway Laissez passer

Hopefully, yous're reading this article in grooming to your trip to Nippon, because purchasing your JR Pass is actually quite a bit cheaper online than it is to buy in Nihon itself.

Can yous buy a JR Pass in Nihon?

Ownership the pass in Japan is only possible at certain train stations and airports and for a limited fourth dimension (through March 2020). It's non clear if it volition exist possible to buy the JR Pass in person after this fourth dimension period.

Below are the prices for purchasing a standard adult JR Pass IN Japan, just so you tin can run across the cost difference:

Standard Developed Pass purchased IN Japan (not online)

• 7-day Pass: $309 USD (vs. $273 USD online, a $36 savings!)

• fourteen-day Pass: $487 USD (vs. $433 USD online, a $54 savings!)

• 21-twenty-four hour period Laissez passer: $609 USD (vs. $544 USD online, a $65 savings!)

Purchasing your JR Pass online

Nosotros tin probably all hold that information technology's a better idea to purchase your Japan Runway Laissez passer from dwelling before you leave on your trip. And then where exactly do yous buy it?

You can purchase a JR Pass online through an official Nippon Track Laissez passer reseller. There are a handful of companies out there, but with any purchase this big, nosotros similar to be certain nosotros are going through a reliable, trustworthy source.

When it comes to different vendors, the prices are within dollars of each other. Then you don't really have to worry nearly spending besides much or seeking out the all-time deal possible – the difference is negligible.

What does affair though, is finding a visitor with excellent shipping records and bully customer service.

Before both our trips to Japan (in 2022 and 2019), nosotros ordered passes through JRail Pass (www.jrailpass.com), an official vendor. Both times, our communications with JRail Pass were professional and timely.

Plus, our passes arrived incredibly apace, which brings me to our next point…

JRail Pass tin can ship your pass(es) straight to your dwelling. Anywhere in the world. Yes, really! Here'due south proof:

• In 2015, we received our JR Pass package in South Korea.

• In 2019, we received our JR Pass package in Bali.

Another pick is to have your JR Pass delivered straight to your hotel in Japan. This is a skillful idea if you are ordering your pass last infinitesimal, or just don't want to take chances forgetting to pack information technology!

Our personal opinion: We liked having our JR Pass in manus before our trip, and nosotros activated our pass at the aerodrome.

Quick Facts about JRail Pass:

• They can ship anywhere in the world (or yous tin can have your pass delivered to your hotel in Japan)

• They have a standard ii-mean solar day aircraft with costless shipping (when the order is over a minimum amount)

• They have a 24/7 customer service message line

• Every purchase comes with a free Japan Guide

• JRail Pass has some of the well-nigh competitive prices on the market, and is actually the cheapest we've found. Like we said above, it's only a couple dollars less than the competition

• They accept excellent reviews!

Overall, we were very happy with the service and can highly recommend them to anyone else looking for a trustworthy company that sells JR Passes.

Don't just take our advice! We always encourage readers to practise their own inquiry earlier making big purchases.

How to Buy a Japan Rail Pass

When yous purchase your JR Pass, it'due south not as simple as giving your credit card info and receiving a digital  Maybe it volition be that easy anytime! Merely for now, there are a few more steps involved.

Steps for ownership your JR Pass

1. Society your JR Laissez passer online

2. Your pass parcel will be mailed to your abode in 2 days (or delivered to your hotel in Japan if you cull)

3. One time you're in Nihon, exchange your order for the Existent pass!

4. Activate the pass when you ride your start train!

Alright, that's the super trimmed downwards version, but if you want to know what "exchanging your order for the REAL pass" actually looks similar, keep reading…

ane. Buy Japan Rail Pass online

Just similar booking a flying, fill out the name of each rider, length of pass (7-, 14- or 21-day pass), standard or Green Laissez passer (get-go course), estimated date of arrival in Japan, and delivery address for the ticket voucher.

Enter your digits for payment, confirm your information and submit your order. That's it. Now you're going to Japan! Don't yous honey that feeling of clicking that "order complete" or "purchase ticket" push? Ohhh, so satisfying.

2. Receive your Ticket Voucher in the mail

One time you complete your purchase online, you'll exist sent a confirmation email with a tracking number so you lot can follow your ticket voucher (also called an substitution order) delivery all the way to your doorstep. JRail has a standard ii-24-hour interval shipping delivery and so you should plan appropriately. With your ticket voucher in hand, yous're ready to head off to Japan.

Alternatively, you tin choose to accept your JR voucher be delivered to your hotel in Nihon. This is a preferred choice for some travelers, and hotels in Japan are very used to this sort of delivery. Simply one thing to note if you choose to do this is you will have to pay for your transportation from the drome into the city, equally you won't accept your physical JR Pass with you.

Important: The exchange order is NOT your J-Track Pass, but instead is a voucher of sorts. You will need to nowadays your substitution social club along with your tourist visa (stamp in your passport) at the train station, as explained beneath.

three. Travel to Nihon and go a tourist visa postage stamp

When you state in Japan, you'll be guided through clearing where you'll get a tourist visa in your passport. You'll need your tourist visa stamp to substitution the ticket voucher for the real Nippon Rails Pass.

For Americans and many other nationalities, the visa is free if you're traveling less than 90 days. (For Americans, you don't need to use in advance for this visa. You will simply receive a sticker in your passport equally you lot pass through immigration at the airport.) Past the way, going through Japan immigration is one of the smoothest processes we've ever had!

Other nationalities: If yous're not certain if there is a fee or not, it's always good to double-check on your embassy's website.

4. Visit a Japan Rail (JR) Station to exchange your club for your Existent Japan Rail Pass!

You lot're finally in Nihon with the ticket voucher and a tourist visa, woohoo!

At present, head to the nearest JR Exchange function. They are located in many train stations, especially the larger ones. (Here is a listing of the JR Substitution offices and hours)

This is where you will trade the voucher for your 7-, 14- or 21-twenty-four hours Japan Rail Pass ticket. At the office, yous can specify the date y'all'd like your pass to first. The only rule is that it cannot be more than 30 days in the future.

One time you accept fabricated the substitution and received your physical laissez passer, you're almost ready to start exploring Japan!

But don't exit the JR Office just yet…

The next affair you'll need to do is to reserve your seats, which you tin can do this at the same counter you get your pass.

How to Reserve Seats on a JR Train

Beginning of all, it's good to know that you do not need to reserve seats for every single railroad train y'all plan to take in Japan.

By and large, the JR Trains yous will ride will be within the aforementioned metropolis or volition be labeled as regional or local trains. These trains volition seem similar to metro trains where you lot can sit where ever you want on the train. You cannot reserve seats on these trains.

The JR Trains y'all should reserve seats in are the Shinkansen (bullet) trains that run in between major cities. Many local Japanese people travel on these routes and then they tend to book up.

So if you know the dates and times you'll exist traveling from one major city to the adjacent on a Shinkansen, nosotros would recommend booking those tickets at the aforementioned time when yous exchange your voucher.

Here is our best advice:

Before your trip to Japan, make certain you know which days and times you'll be making your longer train journeys, and write down the information and so y'all can hands reserve your seats in person.

Below, we're sharing exactly how to do this:

1. Open Hyperdia (website) or the Japan Official Travel App.

2. Plugin the date, time and cities you lot'll exist traveling between.

3. There will be an option to "prioritize Nippon Track Pass routes," which you lot will desire to select. (This removed the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansens that are not covered in the JR Pass)

4. You should get a listing of all bachelor times and trains for your intended road.

5. Choose the best one and write down the following information:

   1. Appointment, Departure Time (in Military Time), Departure Urban center, Arrival City, Railroad train Type and Number

6. Echo this process for all major routes that you lot plan to take within Japan.

When you lot arrive in Japan, go to one of the JR ticket offices and bear witness them each train yous'd like to reserve.

They will reserve your seats and impress off tickets, which y'all will need to store in a safe identify. This ticket will tell you the departure fourth dimension, station, auto, and seat.

Local Train vs. Shinkansen

You may have noticed we've referenced "local trains", "regional trains", and "Shinkansens" a few times in this article. If yous're confused, don't worry — we're nigh to explain.

Local Trains:

Similar to a city metro, local JR trains stop frequently within the same city. You enter through a gate at a station and yous can sit down anywhere on the train that you similar. Sometimes the trains accept seats along the windows (subway style) or the seats are 2 past two, it just depends on the train.

Japanese railroad train etiquette: It's is frowned upon to eat while riding on local trains. Please expect until yous go off at the station.

You cannot reserve seats on a local JR Train. On the Nihon Official Travel App, JR local trains have a normal train icon and are denoted with the JR Pass symbol like this:

Regional Trains:

Almost identical to the local trains, but regional trains brand fewer stops and tend to be routes that link two towns together. The seats on the train tend to face up all one direction, only sometimes they don't.

Yous cannot reserve seats on a regional JR Train. On the Japan Official Travel App, regional trains await merely similar a local railroad train, only may say "Express Line" or "Limited Express Line".

Shinkansen (Bullet) Trains:

Shinkansens are the bullet trains that Nippon is famous for. The Shinkansen trains stations tend to be HUGE so make sure to budget extra fourth dimension to get to your train. You'll accept to become through the JR ticket gate and and so follow the signs to the Shinkansen tracks, where you'll accept to pass through some other JR Shinkansen ticket gate (yous'll have your Japan Rail Pass so you have costless entry to these trains).

The trains look super sleek and are actually nice inside. There are assigned seats in Shinkansens then make certain you're in the right car, row, and seat. Typically at that place will be bathrooms in at least every other railroad train car.

Good to know: You can eat on Shinkansen trains! Merely be mindful of your neighbors and don't consume annihilation too smelly.

You should reserve your seats ahead of fourth dimension at any JR ticket service counter considering Shinkansens tend to book up. On the Nippon Official Travel App, Shinkansen trains have a Shinkansen looking icon and evidence prices for reserving a seat, just you don't take to worry about paying this considering you lot'll have the JR Pass. Hither is what it looks similar this:

What happens if there are no seats available?

Sometimes Shinkansen trains completely book upward, peculiarly during big holiday weeks (Apr 27-May 6, Aug eleven-20, & Dec 28-Jan 6). If the reservable seats on a train you lot want are completely full, you are still in luck! On each Shinkansen train, there are iii train cars that have not-reservable seats (first come, first serve) at either the front or dorsum of the train.

Follow signs at the railroad train station to go in the not-reservable Shinkansen cars. Try to get to the platform early because there tends to be a line for the non-reservable cars.

Nosotros even rode in a non-reservable car from Hiroshima to Osaka and we had to stand in the alley for the entire hour and a half ride because there were no seats open up. We learned our lesson to volume seats far in accelerate.

If at that place are no seats available on Local or Regional trains, try entering some other car to find an open seat. If in that location are none, unfortunately, you'll take to stand until someone get upwardly and leaves their seat.

Catching a JR Train

Once you arrive at the railroad train station, you will need to look for the JR counter.

Typically, information technology is on the left-manus side of the entrance gates, and there will be a person at the berth. Yous will show your ticket (if y'all have one) and your JR Pass. They will look at your laissez passer and wave yous through.

Now, discover your train platform by reading the digital signs and finding your destination.

When you lot get to the platform, it's important to figure out where to queue. Look at your ticket, which has the machine and seat number.

The platform ground has markers indicating where your car will stop, so you can expect in the correct spot.

Japanese Etiquette on Trains

Manners are taken to another level in Nihon, and certain things that you lot might not call up twice about could exist considered as very rude.

Take a quick await over this list to brand sure you don't embarrass yourself on the Japanese trains!

1. Don't consume on local trains. Japanese people are very mindful of where they consume, and you won't see anyone eating on local trains. The exception to this rule is on Shinkansen (bullet trains), which are typically longer journeys. Yous'll usually see locals eating food, which gives you lot the indicate that it's okay.

2. Be quiet. You'll detect that fifty-fifty super packed trains in Nihon are eerily placidity. If yous've ever ridden the trains in India, this is the exact contrary! Don't be that person who is talking loudly to your partner or watching Netflix without headphones! Keep your noise level to a minimum.

3. Don't litter. I don't remember this needs much explanation! Be sure to grab everything you brought onto the train — trash included — and take it with you lot when you exit.

4. Don't smoke. On some Shinkansen trains, which are typically longer journeys, there is a designated smoking car. Other than that, information technology is strictly prohibited.

5. Be mindful of priority seating. In that location are signs marking seats for the elderly, pregnant, or those in need. It is okay to sit here if there is nobody in need, yet, we preferred to avert sitting in these sections but to be extra cautious.

6. Know which cars are women only. Some trains have a couple "Women Only" cars during certain hours of the solar day (typically during commuting times). This has been done in response to many women reporting inappropriate incidences on the trains. If in that location is a "Women Simply" car, it volition be marked with a pink or reddish sign on the car likewise equally on the ground on the station platform. If you lot are a human (or traveling with one), exist extra mindful about this.

7. Don't take upwardly excess seats. Unless the railroad train is very empty with plenty of seats, don't ready your belongings on the seat side by side to you. Instead, store it overhead or in a designated luggage section in the car. You can also ready information technology on your lap or put it at your feet, but do your best to leave seats bachelor for others to utilise.

8. Don't put your feet up. In many Asian cultures, feet are seen as dingy, and propping them on the seat is considered rude.

9. Go out speedily. Pay attention to when your terminate is approaching and set up your things. Trains are very punctual, meaning they don't accept time to spare at stations. Gather your belongings and stand virtually the door as the train approaches your station to avoid a rush.

Helpful Tip: When navigating transportation, knowing the Japanese word for "excuse me" can come in quite handy. The simplest mode is to say "sue-mee-mah-sen" (sumimasen).

Can you use the JR Pass in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto?

Yes, but probably not exclusively.

Here's why:

The JR Pass includes complimentary access on some metro lines in both Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. It'south groovy considering taking the metro to a lot of big sites — similar the Fushimi Inari Shrine, as an example — is on a JR line, which means getting there as a pass holder is Gratuitous! *Cue the pouring of champagne!*

Okay, I suppose I just got alee of myself… While y'all tin can go some places inside Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto for free past using your JR Pass, in that location are many gaps.

For example:

In Osaka, getting to Dotonbori, the pop downtown commune, it takes a bit longer with just the JR Pass. The closest JR station is JR Namba which is still a 10-minute walk to get to the centre of Dotonbori.

In Tokyo, the closest JR station to the Tokyo Belfry is a xvi-minute walk away, where the closest metro is half that distance.

So in addition to using our JR pass, nosotros also recommend getting a local transit card in each metropolis. Like with everything in Nippon, it is a little confusing at get-go glance, and so we're delving into the different options in Tokyo and Osaka, and we'll help you determine which are best (and cheapest!) for yous:

Tokyo Metro – Suica Bill of fare

For Tokyo, we recommend getting the Suica refillable metro bill of fare. Yous can purchase this carte at sure kiosks at any station. You'll offset with putting 2,000 yen ($xviii.45 USD) on the card at first, 500 yen of which is a deposit, so you'll accept 1,500 yen for riding the metro.

It works just like an Oyster card in London, where you tap in and out of the metro gates. It even works on buses and convenience stores also! If your residual begins to run low on funds, you tin always recharge the bill of fare at ticket kiosks.

In one case you are done riding the metro, get to any JR station and they can refund your rest and 500 yen eolith. However, in that location is a 220 yen fee to refund the deposit, so if you have more 220 left on the card, the fee will be subtracted from the balance and then yous will be refunded the remainder.

The Suica menu issued from the Tokyo metro can only exist refunded within the Tokyo area. You can use the Suica card in Osaka and other parts of Japan, but y'all can not get it refunded in that location.

Osaka Metro – ICOCA Card

For Osaka, we recommend getting the ICOCA refillable metro card. It is exactly the aforementioned bill of fare as described above for the Suica bill of fare, but the sole difference is the ICOCA carte du jour can only be refunded in the Kansai region at JR stations. The ICOCA bill of fare can be used throughout Nihon, just like the Suica card, but tin can only be refunded in the Kansai surface area (Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, etc.)

Nihon Runway Pass FAQs

Am I eligible for the Japan Rail Pass?

Most probable, yes.

The master dominion is yous need to be a tourist in Japan.

This means that Japanese nationals are not eligible for the special deal that JR pass holders receive. When you think nearly it, it's pretty crazy that foreign tourists get a better deal on the trains than locals!

When y'all land in Japan, you'll take to go through immigration where you will get a stamp in your passport, which serves equally your Tourist Visa. You lot must present this postage stamp in the JR office to receive your concrete Japan Rails Laissez passer.

For most nationalities, including US citizens, it's gratis to enter Japan for less than 90 days. Exist sure to cheque with your state'south travel department to see if in that location is a cost for a Tourist Visa.

Tin I purchase my Nippon Rail pass when I become to Japan?

That'south a bang-up question. We wondered the aforementioned thing before our trip. Nihon Rail recently (as of March 8th, 2017) started selling the passes a college toll at major stations and airports for a trial menstruation. But I would rather purchase it ahead of fourth dimension online to give me the peace of mind before a big vacation, and it volition save yous money for an already pricey trip.

It kind of stinks that you take to fork over a (big) chunk of modify before you even board your flying, but that's just how it is.

Your laissez passer will be mailed to your home accost, then do not delay this process. We cut it pretty close past ordering ours a calendar week before our trip, just thankfully, the aircraft is fast and we got it merely in time.

Tip: Our proffer would be to book further in advance so you lot don't freak out as nosotros did! Even though shipping is fast, things happen, and y'all don't desire to worry near it.

Tin can I have my voucher shipped to Nihon?

Yes, you can transport out a voucher to a temporary address in Japan, like your hotel. Y'all tin can choose your home or a temporary accost during the check-out process.

How much money will the Nihon Rail Pass save me?

A 7-day Nippon Rail Pass cost well-nigh $273 USD and a round trip from Kyoto to Tokyo toll near $255 USD. I told you lot trains in Nippon are expensive. The crazy thing is that a circular trip ticket only lasts 4 hours and 36 minutes. That doesn't include any other transportation within the cities themselves or traveling to other big cities, which you would take to pay for if y'all didn't get the pass.

When you crisis the numbers, it'southward a no-brainer. The Nippon Rail pass will perchance relieve you hundreds of dollars when traveling in Nippon.

What happens if I miss my train?

The biggest reason to get a JR Pass is that it typically saves quite a chip of coin (read above!), merely there is another perk too:

If you misplace a ticket or miss a train y'all take reserved seats for, you won't lose any coin. Each reservation you brand is complimentary with a JR Pass, so all you lot need to do is get tickets for the next available train. If it is a decorated road, yous may not be guaranteed to have seats, but at least yous don't accept to pay twice!

What happens if my Japan Track Pass is lost or stolen?

Become to the nearest JR station equally soon as you tin. Lost passes can be returned to a Lost and Establish expanse of the station (yay for kind people!). Withal, if you lot completely lose your pass and you can't find it, you are out of luck. Do contact the JR Laissez passer to see what they can do, but ticket companies cannot refund or replace a lost laissez passer.

This is i reason why we e'er travel with insurance. If your pass is stolen, you might be covered for additional expenses needed to complete your trip, but you will have to file a police written report.

Act similar your JR Pass is as valuable equally your passport. Keep it in a special folder in your day pack and don't accept your eyes off of it. It is your golden ticket around the country and should be treated like it.

Can I use the JR Laissez passer to go to and from the airport?

Brusque answer: YES!

You tin can use the JR Laissez passer to get to and from major airports in Japan.

Narita Airport to Tokyo using the JR Pass:

The quickest and near comfy option to get to Narita Airport is on the JR Narita Express, which takes but hour and is costless every bit part of the JR Laissez passer (Narita Limited train costs 3,000 yen ($27.60 USD) one way without the pass)

If you don't take the pass or have run out of days, the cheapest way to Narita Aerodrome is past taking the Tokyo Shuttle Autobus or the Access Narita Omnibus, both of which accept 90 minutes and price 1,000 yen ($9.20 USD) in the daytime, and ii,000 yen ($18.40 USD) at night.

Haneda Airport to Tokyo using the JR Pass:

The easiest style to travel to and from Haneda Airport is on the Tokyo Monorail, which is free to ride with the JR Pass. It takes betwixt 13 to 19 minutes to Haneda Airport from Hamamatsuchō Station, which is on the Yamanote Line connecting to Tokyo Station. If you lot don't have the JR Pass, the Monorail ticket costs 500 yen.

Kansai Airport to Osaka using the JR Laissez passer:

The Kansai Airport still out on its ain airport isle in the eye of Osaka Bay. The fastest mode to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka is on the Haruka Express. Leaving every thirty minutes from KIX, the Haruka Limited takes 30 minutes to get to Tennoji (due south Osaka), 51 minutes to Shin-Osaka, and 75 minutes to Kyoto. And information technology is free with the JR Pass!

If yous can't make it on the Haruka Express or want to connect to other stations, you can use the Kansai Airport Rapid railroad train which takes l minutes to become to Tennoji and so you lot have access to the JR Osaka Loop line, which you ride for free with the JR Pass.

When planning travels to the airports in Japan, be certain to cheque train times using the Official Nihon Travel App. Information technology'southward gratis and super easy to find the right train that will get you to the airport on fourth dimension.

However have a question about the JR Pass? Check out this FAQ page or shoot us a bulletin with the subject: "JR Pass Question"

Are y'all planning a trip to Nihon?

We take TONS of resources on travel in Nippon and destinations throughout the land. Cheque out our Ultimate Nippon Travel Guide for all the answers to your about burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost: Budget Travel Tips

• xv Best Japan Travel Apps

• 45 Foods to Swallow in Nihon: Guide to Japanese Cuisine

• Ultimate Nihon Travel Guide: Everything You lot Demand to Know for Your First Visit

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We want to hear from you!

Practise you take any more questions about how the JR Laissez passer works? Or where to buy the Japan Rails Laissez passer? Are you confused nearly railroad train travel in Japan? You're non alone. And we are here to help. Allow us know your questions below in the comments and we'll try our best to reply them.

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Source: https://www.twowanderingsoles.com/blog/how-to-purchase-japan-rail-pass-ticket

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