About Japan Rail Pass and Regional Pass

Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail Pass is offered by the 6 rail companies(JR Kyushu, JR Shikoku, JR West, JR Central, JR East and JR Hokkaido) that make up the Japan Railways Group (JR Group). Japan Rail Pass offers an incredibly economical way to travel throughout Japan by rail. Please be aware, however, that some restrictions apply; for example, the pass is not valid for “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

Regional Pass

There are various regional passes available, which cover the railways in a particular area of Japan.

Who is eligible for a Japan Rail Pass/Regional Pass

1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing,under the entry status of “temporary visitor.”

“Temporary Visitor” entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for “sight-seeing, etc.” If you apply for a “stay for sight-seeing” when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport as a “Temporary Visitor”, as shown below. The use of Japan Rail Pass is limited to the ones that have a passport with this stamp.

Caution: Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange Order, to be turned in for a Japan Rail Pass, the exchange cannot be made unless you have the “Temporary Visitor” status; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as “Trainee,” “Entertainer,” or “Reentry Permit,” you cannot exchange the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Pass. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary Visitor” status differs from other types of stays however short time they are.

Examples of the “Temporary Visitor” entry status stamp

2. You are a Japanese national living in a country other than Japan (having entered the country on a Japanese passport).

Pass Types and Prices

Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail Pass has 2 types: Green (for superior-class Green cars), and Ordinary. Each of these types is available as a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day pass.

All Japan

The below are yen prices for a Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order; the actual cost in local currency is calculated based on the Banker’s selling Rate (BSR), etc., at the time the Exchange Order is issued. Note that the purchase exchange rate may differ from the exchange rate in effect when you actually visit Japan.

The local currency price, applicable exchange rate, and issue date for an Exchange Order are specified on the Exchange Order itself. Children who are age 6 through 11 as of the date on which the exchange order is issued are eligible for child pass prices. Prices are subject to change. The applicable price is the price valid on the date when an Exchange Order is issued. *Prices shown are accurate as of April 2014. Prices are subject to change. Please see the Japan Rail Pass website for more information.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car	7-days	¥29,110	¥14,550
	14-days	¥46,390	¥23,190
	21-days	¥59,350	¥29,670
Green Car	7-days	¥38,880	¥19,440
	14-days	¥62,950	¥31,470
	21-days	¥81,870	¥40,930

More Details

Hokkaido Rail Pass

JR Hokkaido offers Hokkaido Rail Pass, which allows you to travel at a reduced price, from Naka-Oguni as far as Wakkanai as well as Sapporo, thanks to unlimited access to JR Hokkaido lines, as well as certain buses, for 3, 5, or 7 consecutive days.

Hokkaido Area

There is also a flexible 4-day version, for use within a 10 day period.
A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for the pass.
Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under. Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car	3-days	¥15,430	¥7,710
	5-days	¥20,060	¥10,030
	7-days	¥22,630	¥11,310
	Flexible 4-days	¥20,060	¥10,030
Green Car	3-days	¥22,110	¥11,050
	5-days	¥27,770	¥13,880
	7-days	¥30,860	¥15,430
	Flexible 4-days	¥27,770	¥13,880

JR East Pass

JR East Pass allows you to travel from Tokyo as far as Nagano, Niigata, Shinjo, Akita and Aomori on the bullet trains as well as all other JR East lines at a reduced price thanks to unlimited access for 5 flexible days.

East Area

The flexible pass, which is valid for 14 days, allows you to choose 5 days of use, from the day of exchange.
It is an ideal alternative for those wishing to take their time to visit.
A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass.
Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under. Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car	Flexible 5-days	¥22,000	¥11,000

Kansai Area Pass

JR West offers Kansai Area Pass, which gives unlimited access to JR trains in the region for 1, 2, 3 or 4 consecutive days.
You can thus visit emblematic Japanese towns such as Kyoto, the former capital, Kobe, the port city, Osaka, Himeji and Nara.The pass also gives you access to the Kansai International airport.

Kansai Area

A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass. Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under. Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car	1-days	¥2,060	¥1,030
	2-days	¥4,110	¥2,050
	3-days	¥5,140	¥2,570
	4-days	¥6,170	¥3,080
Ordinary Car Kansai Wide Area	4-days	¥7,200	¥3,600

* How are Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Wide Area Pass different?

Sanyo Area Pass

JR West offers Sanyo Area Pass, which lets you travel at a reduced cost thanks to an unlimited access to JR West lines in the region for 4 or 8 consecutive days.

Sanyo Area

The lines included in the pass: JR West lines, Sanyo shinkansen (Nozomi, Mizuho, Hikari, Sakura, Kodama), Kansai ariport express Haruka, The JR-West Miyajima Ferry to Miyajima.
A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass. Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under. Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car	4-days	¥20,570	¥10,280
Ordinary Car	8-days	¥30,860	¥15,430
Ordinary Car Sanyo-Shikoku-Northern Kyushu Area	5-days	¥22,640	¥11,320
Ordinary Car Sanyo-Shikoku-All Kyushu Area	5-days	¥25,720	¥12,860

* What are the differences between Sanyo Area Pass, Sanyo-Shikoku-Nothern Kyushu Area Pass and Sanyo-Shikoku-All Kyushu Area Pass?

All Shikoku Rail Pass

JR Shikoku offers the JR Shikoku Pass, which allows you to travel as a reduced price in Shikoku island for 2,3,4 or 5 consecutive days.

Shikoku Area

A chilid price (6 to 11 yaers of age) is available for this pass.
Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under.
Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car	2-days	¥6,300	¥3,150
	3-days	¥7,200	¥3,600
	4-days	¥7,900	¥3,950
	5-days	¥9,700	¥4,850

Kyushu Rail Pass

All Kyushu Area pass is valid on all JR Kyushu lines.

Ride as many times as you like throughout the designated Kyushu area, on local, limited express and Kyushu Shinkansen “bullet” trains.

Kyushu Area

The pass is not valid on the Sanyo Shinkansen, sleeper trains or JR Kyushu buses.
A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass.
Access to trains is free for babies under 5 years of age.

Type	Duration	Adult	Child
Ordinary Car All Kyushu Area	3-days	¥14,400	¥7,200
Ordinary Car All Kyushu Area	5-days	¥17,490	¥8,740
Ordinary Car Northern Kyushu Area	3-days	¥7,200	¥3,600
Ordinary Car Northern Kyushu Area	5-days	¥9,260	¥4,630

* About Nothern Kyushu Area Pass