Place an order for the JRPass
Receive the Exchange Order
Activate the JR Pass in Japan
Enjoy Unlimited Travel
If you do not have the required qualifications for the JAPAN RAIL PASS, you will be unable to buy an Exchange Order or submit one to receive a PASS.
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is a special fare ticket thai is available only to travelers visiting japan from foreign countries for sightseeinng. To be eligible to purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS you must meet one of the following two conditions.
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 "Temporary Visitor," as shown below. *In order to receive or use JAPAN RAIL PASS, your passport must bear this stamp or sticker.
*If you use an automated gate, no stamp will be applied to your passport. Either use a manned automated gate or ask a clerk to apply the stamp to your passport.
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 "Temporary Visitor" status; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as "Trainee," "Entertainer," or "Reentry Permit," you cannot change the Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, "Temporary Visitor" status differs even from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods.
Customers who do not meet either of the conditions (1), (2) above will not be able to purchase an Exchange Order or exchange one for a PASS. In addition, if the documentation customers prepare does not meet the conditions for eligibility, they will not be allowed to purchase an Exchange Order or exchange it for a PASS.
※ Please confirm that the issued date for both your “Overseas Residential Registration” and your “Certificate of Overseas Residence” is prior to the purchase date of your Exchange Order (and within the last 6 months).
(The “Overseas Residential Registration” and “Certificate of Overseas Residence” you presented at the time you purchased your Exchange Order must also be presented when exchanged it for a PASS.)
<For individuals who possess passports issued by both Japan and another country>
In accordance with the Japanese Immigration Law, please present your Japanese passport to immigration when entering the country. In this case, your Japanese passport and “documentation verifying your stay in another country for 10 or more consecutive years, such as a certificate issued by a government office overseas” will be required.
※ As a general rule, Exchange Orders cannot be purchased and JAPAN RAIL PASSES cannot be exchanged for young children who have spent less than 10 years living in another country. (There are some exceptions. Please confirm the details above.)
Buy your Exchange Order for the JAPAN RAIL PASS at HKA Holidays
After you arrive in JAPAN, you have to turn in your Exchange Order to receive your JAPAN RAIL PASS at a JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office in a major JR station. (See "Stations with JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office")
* Some sales offices and agents may be closed over the year end/New Year holiday period. Addresses and contact details of sales offices and agents are subject to change or discontinuation without notice.
Present your Exchange Order and obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS after you arrive in Japan. You have to turn in your Exchange Order (with your passport) to receive your JAPAN RAIL PASS at a JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office in a major JR station.
After turning in your Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you can make seat reservations at a “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office).
Please note that during crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed a seat on a specific train. The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows:
April 27 to May 6
On consecutive holidays during common travel seasons, some trains are crowded.
August 11 to 20
During the Obon season, some trains are crowded with people returning to their hometowns.
December 28 to January 6
The year end/New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometown areas.
【How to read reserved seat tickets】
Type: | Green | Ordinary | ||
Duration | Adult | Child | Adult | Child |
7-day | 38,880 YEN | 19,440 YEN | 29,110 YEN | 14,550 YEN |
14-day | 62,950 YEN | 31,470 YEN | 46,390 YEN | 23,190 YEN |
21-day | 81,870 YEN | 40,930 YEN | 59,350 YEN | 29,670 YEN |
Railway |
|
Buses |
|
Ferry |
|
Train | Main route | Section requiring separate fares - charges | Private railway company involved |
Shirayuki | Niigata - Joetsumyoukou/Arai | Naoetsu - Joetsumyoko/Arai | Echigo TOKImeki Railway |
Odoriko, Super View Odoriko | Shinjuku/Tokyo - Izukyu-Shimoda | Ito - Izukyu-Shimoda | Izukyu |
Odoriko | Tokyo - Shuzenji | Mishima - Shuzenji | Izuhakone Railway |
Mt.Fuji * | Gotemba - (Odakyu) Shinjuku | Matsuda - (Odakyu) Shinjuku | Odakyu Electric Railway |
Nikko | Shinjuku - Tobu Nikko | Kurihashi - Tobu Nikko | Tobu Railway |
Kinugawa, Spacia Kinugawa | Shinjuku - Kinugawa Onsen | Kurihashi - Kinugawa Onsen | |
(Wide View) Nanki | Nagoya - Shingu | Kawarada - Tsu | Ise Tetsudo Railway |
Rapid “Mie” | Nagoya - Toba | ||
Hashidate, Tango Relay | Kyoto - Amanohashidate/Toyooka | Fukuchiyama - Toyooka | Kyoto Tango Railway |
Kounotori | Shin-Osaka - Amanohashidate | ||
Super Hakuto | Kyoto - Tottori/Kurayoshi | Kamigori - Chizu | Chizu Express |
Super Inaba | Okayama - Tottori | ||
Nanpu, Shimanto, Ashizuri | Okayama/Takamatsu/Kochi - Nakamura/Sukumo | Kubokawa - Nakamura/Sukumo | Tosa Kuroshio Railway |
Trains | Accommodations | Green | Ordinary |
“NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen*1 | Green Car | × | × |
Ordinary Car | × | × | |
“HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA” and “TSUBAME” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen and any trains on the Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen. | GranClass *4 | ★ | ★ |
Green Car | ●*2 | ★ | |
Ordinary Car | ● | ● | |
Ordinary private Comparment | ★ | ★ | |
Limited express and ordinary express | Green Car | ●*3 | ★ |
Ordinary Car | ● | ● | |
Green private Compartment | ★ | ★ | |
Ordinary private Compartment | ★ | ★ | |
Sleeping Car | ★ | ★ | |
Local and rapid trains | Green Car | ● | ★ |
Ordinary Car | ● | ● |