Japan Rail Pass

1. Eligibility to use

Eligibility for use

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.

Even if you have an Exchange Order, if you do not meet the qualifications for using the JAPAN RAIL PASS, you will be unable to submit your Exchange Order to receive one. Please confirm the usage qualifications thoroughly prior to purchasing an Exchange Order.
If you do not meet the usage qualifications due to factors such as insufficient documentation (including due to insufficient or incorrect instructions from the travel agency where you purchased your Exchange Order) and you are unable to submit your Exchange Order to receive a PASS, the JR Group takes no responsibility for any transportation expenses incurred during your stay in Japan as a result. Please confirm that you have all of the required confirmation documents prior to leaving your home country.

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.

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 "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.

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 "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.

2. Japanese people living abroad who meet the following conditions

Eligibility requirements that will be in effect from June 1, 2017

Japanese English

Caution (1) . (2)

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.)

2. Procedures of purchasing

Procedures of purchasing your JAPAN RAIL PASS in a country other than Japan

STEP 1 : Buy at JR designated sales office or agents (Before you come to Japan)

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.

STEP 2 : Turn in your Exchange Order to receive a JAPAN RAIL PASS

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.

You cannot use an Exchange Order when you travel on JR lines. Turn in your Exchange Order and obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS at one of the JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange offices.
(Please note the Service hours and closing days.)
Your Exchange Order must be turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS within three months of the date the Order was issued.
(for example, an Exchange Order issued on April 15 would have to be turned in by July 14)
*It may take time to turn in your Exchange Order and receive a JAPAN RAIL PASS if the service counter is busy. Please ensure you leave enough time when you visit the exchange office.
At the exchange office, you will be asked to fill in a short application form and to show your passport with the Temporary Visitor stamp/sticker you received on entry into Japan. When exchanging the Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you must show your passport* and the Temporary Visitor stamp/sticker.
*In order to receive a JAPAN RAIL PASS, the name appearing on the claim ticket must match the name appearing in your passport.
*Without your passport, the pass exchange will not be made. (A photocopy of your passport is also not acceptable because you must show the "Temporary Visitor" stamp/sticker in it.)

The type of PASS describe on the Exchange Order cannot be changed.
If the Exchange Order is lost or stolen, or you are unable to provide it for another reason, no exchange for a JAPAN RAIL PASS can be made.
You will not be able to exchange your Exchange Order for a PASS if you fail to satisfy the eligibility requirements.

JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange offices

STEP 3 : Make a seat reservation

After turning in your Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you can make seat reservations at a “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office).

There is no additional charge for making seat reservation. To make a reservation, go to any Travel Service Center or a “Midori-no-madoguchi” (ticket office) at a JR station, or to the sales office of a JR-associated travel agency. There, show your PASS, and obtain your reserved-seat ticket before the boarding. (“Nozomi” and “Mizuho” trains and the trains marked with ★ in this table require the payment of an additional charge.)
* Seat reservations cannot be made at unmanned stations or stations without reservation capability.
Shinkansen, most limited express and ordinary express trains have reserved Green Car seats and both reserved and non-reserved ordinary car seats.
* (The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen. Please use “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” and “TSUBAME” trains.)
* Some trains have no non-reserved seating (all seats are reserved).
A non-reserved seat (except for “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen) can be used simply by showing your JAPAN RAIL PASS.
* There are no Green Cars on most “HIKARI” and “KODAMA” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen line (Shin-Osaka—Hakata), or on Series 800 trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen line.
* Use of “Home Liner” and other “Liner” trains requires an additional charge.
* It may take time to make a seat reservation if the service counter is busy. Please ensure you leave enough time to make your reservation.
Note: Do not use an automatic ticket gate with a JAPAN RAIL PASS or a reserved-seat ticket. Please show the PASS at a Staff Attended Gate.

Caution

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】

3. Types and Prices

There are two types of JAPAN RAIL PASS: Green (for superior-class Green cars), and Ordinary. Each of these types is available as a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day PASS. Please refer to JAPAN RAIL PASS Scope of Validity regarding travel allowed with the various types of passes.

If you purchase an Exchange Order in a country other than Japan

Prices of Exchange Orders (As of January 2019)

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

The above 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 January 2019. They are subject to change.

Validity period

The validity period of a JAPAN RAIL PASS is the consecutive 7, 14, or 21 days period beginning on the date the PASS is first used.
If you have purchased an Exchange Order in a country other than Japan, you must turn in your Exchange Order to obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS within three months from the date the Exchange Order was issued (for example, an Exchange Order issued on April 15 would have to be turned in by July 14).
At that time, you have to specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received.
Once a starting date has been assigned to the PASS, it cannot be changed.

Notice

JAPAN RAIL PASS is sold at some sales offices in Japan until March 31, 2019.
* Restricted to individuals who possess only a passport issued by a country other than Japan (purchases cannot be made by Japanese nationals living overseas).
* The sale details after the above date will be announced later.

For details about the sales, please see the following:

4. Scope of Validity

Transportation services

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferry boats shown in the table below.

Railway	All JR Group Railways-Shinkansen"bullet trains" (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains) limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains, and the BRT. (With some exceptions) JAPAN RAIL PASS holders can also use the Tokyo Monorail. Aoimori Railway services between Aomori and Hachinohe (but only for travel on local or rapid service trains encompassing the segments between Hachinohe and Aomori, Aomori and Noheji, and Hachinohe and Noheji. Travel is not covered if you disembark at any other station on the Aoimori Railway line other than Aomori, Noheji, and Hachinohe.) The IR Ishikawa Railway Line between Kanazawa and Tsubata. However, travel must be conducted on local or limited express trains and must encompass the full segment between these two stations. Travel is not covered if you disembark at any station on the IR Ishikawa Railway line, within or outside the segment (excluding Kanazawa or Tsubata). The Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line between Toyama and Takaoka. However, travel must be conducted on local trains and must encompass the full segment between these two stations. Travel is not covered if you disembark at any station on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway line, within or outside the segment (excluding Toyama or Takaoka). Nationwide JR Route Map Shinkansen bullet train railway map
Buses	Local lines of JR Bus (excluding some local lines. Pass validity for particular routes is subject to change.) (JR Bus : JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus) *The PASS is not valid for travel on express bus routes operated by JR Bus.
Ferry	Only the JR-WEST Miyajima ferry is covered. *Hydrofoil ferry service operated by JR-KYUSHU between Hakata and Pusan (Korea) is not covered.

Caution

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.) If you use a “NOZOMI” or “MIZUHO” train, you must pay the basic fare and the limited express charge, and for a Green Car, the additional Green Car surcharge.
In addition, if you use the GranClass car of the Tohoku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen, you must pay the limited express charge and the GranClass car surcharge.
Note also that passengers using JR trains on non-JR lines must pay additional fares and charges for sections traveled on such lines. Some JR trains use the lines of private railways for direct services.

Major JR Trains Running Through Non-JR Lines and the Sections Concerned

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	Tobu Railway
(Wide View) Nanki	Nagoya - Shingu	Kawarada - Tsu	Ise Tetsudo Railway
Rapid “Mie”	Nagoya - Toba	Kawarada - Tsu	Ise Tetsudo Railway
Hashidate, Tango Relay	Kyoto - Amanohashidate/Toyooka	Fukuchiyama - Toyooka	Kyoto Tango Railway
Kounotori	Shin-Osaka - Amanohashidate	Fukuchiyama - Toyooka	Kyoto Tango Railway
Super Hakuto	Kyoto - Tottori/Kurayoshi	Kamigori - Chizu	Chizu Express
Super Inaba	Okayama - Tottori	Kamigori - Chizu	Chizu Express
Nanpu, Shimanto, Ashizuri	Okayama/Takamatsu/Kochi - Nakamura/Sukumo	Kubokawa - Nakamura/Sukumo	Tosa Kuroshio Railway

* The train “Asagiri” has been renamed as “Mt. Fuji” since March 17, 2018, but there is no change in its operating route, etc.

5. Train accommodations

Most JR trains have Ordinary Cars (coach class) while many long-distance trains also offer Green Cars (superior class). With a Green-type JAPAN RAIL PASS you can use either class, while with an Ordinary-type JAPAN RAIL PASS you can use only Ordinary Cars without paying an additional charge. Refer to the table below for details. The cars with ● can be used with JAPAN RAIL PASS. Use of the cars with ★ requires paying additional charges.

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	●	★
Local and rapid trains	Ordinary Car	●	●

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved (incl. Green Car) or non-reserved, on ”NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains.
There are no Green Cars on most “HIKARI” and “KODAMA” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen line (Shin-Osaka~Hakata), or on some “SAKURA” and “TSUBAME” Series 800 trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen line.
If you use a “DX Green” (operated by JR Kyushu), you must pay the limited express charge and the DX Green surcharge additionally.
If you use the GranClass car, only the basic fare is covered with your JAPAN RAIL PASS for both Green Car and Ordinary Cars and you must pay the limited express charge and the GranClass car surcharge additionally.

* Private Compartments are available on some “HIKARI” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen line.
* Green Private Compartments are on certain limited express trains, such as “Super-view Odoriko.”
* Use of “Home Liner” and other “Liner” trains requires an additional charge.

Conditions for Use

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid only for the person whose name appears on the pass. The user must meet the usage qualifications such as being a foreign national visiting Japan with the entry status of Temporary Visitor. Please note also that the pass is valid only when it has a JAPAN RAIL PASS ticket attached.
When you begin using your pass, present it to the attendant at a manned ticket gate. The attendant will apply a stamp in the space provided for official use. When passing through the gate, always present your pass to the attendant so that the period of validity is visible.
While using JAPAN RAIL PASS, you must carry your passport and be prepared to present it to a station attendant or car conductor if requested.
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for reserved and non-reserved ordinary car travel on all Japan Railways (JR) Group Shinkansen “bullet trains” (except for the “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” services), limited express trains, express trains, and local trains (Green Car passes are valid for Green Car travel) and the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit system). The pass is also valid for travel on the JR Miyajima Ferry between Miyajima and Miyajimaguchi Station, buses operated by JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Tohoku Bus, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, JR Kyushu Bus, and the Tokyo Monorail. However, please note that JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for travel on JR Group buses that travel on expressways and some local bus routes.
- The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for travel on the “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” Shinkansen services (including non-reserved seats on both). To board those services, you must pay in full for the basic fare and the limited express charge.
- The routes covered by JAPAN RAIL PASS are subject to change.
- When using JAPAN RAIL PASS to travel on JR Group transport services that extend through lines operated by companies other than JR Rail, JR Miyajima Ferry, JR Bus (excluding some routes such as expressway bus lines), and the Tokyo Monorail, you must pay separately for the fare and other charges of the distance traveled on such sections. However, no separate fare or charges are required when you just pass through the following segments without stopover.
  1. * The Aoimori Railway between Hachinohe and Aomori, Aomori and Noheji, or Hachinohe and Noheji. (Valid only for use on ordinary trains)
  2. * The IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata. (Excluding travel on trains other than JR lines extending beyond that segment)
  3. * The Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka. (Valid only for use on ordinary trains) (Excluding travel on trains other than JR lines extending beyond that segment) You must purchase a Liner ticket in addition to the PASS to use "Ainokaze Liner."
JAPAN RAIL PASS itself does not insure seating options. If you want to use reserved seating, be sure to get seat reservations before boarding (no additional payment needed). To obtain a reserved-seat ticket, present JAPAN RAIL PASS at the ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at a JR station, a Travel Service Center, or a sales office of a major travel agency. When using some trains, you are required to receive a reserved seat ticket, too. You can use non-reserved seating with JAPAN RAIL PASS alone. Please note, however, that some trains do not have non-reserved seating. Also, if you wish to travel in a private compartment on a Shinkansen or a limited express train, you will be required to pay the limited express charge for the private compartment, as well as the Green Car charge if the private compartment is a Green Car accommodation. An extra charge is also required if you wish to travel in a sleeping car, a DX Green Car or Gran Class accommodation. If you ride in a Green Car using an ordinary car pass, you will be required to pay the Green Car charge, as well as the limited or regular express service charge. (No extra charge applies when using a Green Car pass.) You must also pay an extra charge in advance to travel on a local train requiring a numbered ticket or a liner ticket. JAPAN RAIL PASS does not allow you to change to a reserved seat or sleeping car after boarding.
If you use non-reserved seating, or if you travel in an ordinary car using a Green Car pass, no refund shall be paid for the fare or other charges.
The JAPAN RAIL PASS can be used only within its validity period.
The JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be exchanged for other types of passes or tickets. Nor can the validity period of the pass be changed.
Please note that JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be reissued in the event that it is lost or stolen.
If you have purchased an Exchange Order in a country other than Japan, a refund for your Exchange Order is available only at the sales office of the travel agency from which you purchased it. If you have purchased a JAPAN RAIL PASS in Japan, a refund is available at domestic sales offices. In both cases, the application for a refund must be made before the starting date of the validity period, in principle. Please be aware that if you have purchased an Exchange Order/JAPAN RAIL PASS with a credit card, a refund is available only at the sales office of the travel agency from which you purchased it. You will be refunded the value of the PASS in yen, less a 10% handling fee.
Once you have started using JAPAN RAIL PASS, the validity period cannot be extended, nor will any refund be issued, even if trains and other qualifying transportation services are suspended or delayed for any reason. Moreover, the JR Group will not bear additional costs due to changes in your route, such as alternative transportation costs or accommodation charges.
In addition to the terms and conditions set forth above, when using JAPAN RAIL PASS you must obey the JR Group’s regulations, terms and conditions, and the laws of Japan.
The use of JAPAN RAIL PASS in violation of the terms and conditions above or the JR Group's regulations, terms and conditions may result in the invalidation and confiscation of the pass, as well as assessment of a penalty amounting to twice the basic fares and charges for all transportation services for which the pass was used.
The official terms and conditions of JAPAN RAIL PASS are written in Japanese, and the text of the Japanese version shall be given priority of interpretation in the event of questions regarding transportation conditions that may arise regarding conditions written in other languages.
(*The details shown above are current as of January 2019. They are subject to change.)

Terms & Conditions:

All listed tickets are for sale in Hong Kong market.
Tickets will not be confirmed before payment.
The details filled should be in English and according to your passport.
All bookings made and paid are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-changeable.
HKA Holidays reserves the right to change, modify and cancel any offer without prior notice.

Want a very cost effective rail pass for long-distance train travel in Japan?

Confidently travel all around the country with JR Pass for the best price

and discover its landscapes from a safe and comfortable mean of transportation.

Get your Japan Rail Pass with HKA Holidays today!

How does it work?

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

JR National Wide Pass

Eligibility for use

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

Caution

2. Japanese people living abroad who meet the following conditions

Eligibility requirements that will be in effect from June 1, 2017

Caution (1) . (2)

Procedures of purchasing your JAPAN RAIL PASS in a country other than Japan

STEP 1 : Buy at JR designated sales office or agents (Before you come to Japan)

STEP 2 : Turn in your Exchange Order to receive a JAPAN RAIL PASS

STEP 3 : Make a seat reservation

Caution

If you purchase an Exchange Order in a country other than Japan

Prices of Exchange Orders (As of January 2019)

Validity period

Notice

Transportation services

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferry boats shown in the table below.

Railway

Buses

Ferry

Caution

Major JR Trains Running Through Non-JR Lines and the Sections Concerned

* The train “Asagiri” has been renamed as “Mt. Fuji” since March 17, 2018, but there is no change in its operating route, etc.

Conditions for Use

Terms & Conditions:

JR National Wide Pass

Passenger Details

Contact Information