Frequently Asked Questions
The JR Pass offers international visitors to Japan unlimited, discounted travel on the JR Railway, selected buses and selected ferries. The JR Pass can also be used for discounted accommodation at JR-affiliated hotels!
This really depends on how much extensive travel you plan on doing. We always recommend doing your homework to see if the JR Pass is worthwhile for your trip.
You can download our Free Ultimate Guide eBook which has exclusive content around “Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It?”
When you arrange to purchase your pass from Japan Rail Pass Now, you’ll receive an exchange order voucher in the mail. When you arrive in Japan you simply take your voucher and your passport to a JR exchange office to redeem your JR pass.
Anyone who is a temporary visitor to Japan is eligible for a JR Pass.
While it may seem like a big investment on first glance, prices are significantly cheaper than locals pay for comparable train travel in Japan. We suggest using our planning section of the website to see if the Japan Rail Pass will be economical for your trip.
The validity of a 7, 14 or 21 day JR Pass is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight), rather than 24 hour periods. For example, if you start using your pass at 2pm on day 1, it will expire at 11.59pm on day 7, rather than 2pm on day 8. If you happen to be on board a train at midnight on your last day, your JR Pass remains valid until the end of your journey.
Children aged 6-11 are entitled to a 50% discount on their JR Pass. Children aged 5 and under can travel for free.
Both provide a comfortable experience, but as you’d expect, Green class offers larger seats, more foot space and enhanced facilities, in return for a higher price. The enhanced facilities depend on the Shinkansen, but can include foot rests, reading lights, radios, electrical outlets and seat warmers. Green class Shinkansen carriages also tend to be less crowded.
You will reserve your seats in Japan.
Seats can be reserved at Seat Reservation Machines, ‘Midori no Mado Guchi’ ticket offices, Travel Service Centers and JR-Associated Travel Agencies. You can make seat reservations right up until the train departs.
Yes, you can use your JR pass for designated JR lines throughout Japan’s major cities and prefectures.
You can cancel your unused exchange order within one year of its date of issue for a fee. Please see our terms of use for more information.
Yes, you can use the JR Pass on the Yamanote line (Tokyo loop line that goes around Tokyo and serves most of the big stations), the Chuo/Sobu line (Runs accross the Yamanote loop line from East to West) and the Tokyo Monorail. You can also use the JR Pass on other JR Lines that go to the outskirts of Tokyo. If you are arriving at Narita Airport you can use the JR Pass on the Narita Express.
You can find more about the JR Hotel Discounts which come with the Japan Rail Pass here
Yes, all orders will have a tracking ID. You will receive an email in 1-2 business days after your purchase with your tracking information.
You can use Hyperdia (www.hyperdia.com) to view an extensive timetable of all transport options in Japan.
You will reserve your seats in Japan.
Seats can be reserved at Seat Reservation Machines, ‘Midori no Mado Guchi’ ticket offices, Travel Service Centers and JR-Associated Travel Agencies. You can make seat reservations right up until the train departs.
We aim to have orders processed within 24 hours. Orders will then be shipped using Australia Post Express Mail. Express Mail generally takes between 2 – 4 business days.
Please note that some orders will arrive the next day via Express Shipping but it’s not guaranteed.
Yes, you can cancel your unused exchange order within one year of the date of issue for a fee. You can read more about it within our terms of use
We recommend using Hyperdia (http://www.hyperdia.com/en/) to see where you can go and at what times. The tool is fantastic for planning your trip in Japan.
Shipping is FREE. It costs $5.99 for Australia Post Express shipment which is signed on delivery.
No, unfortunately we don’t offer pick up.
All orders are delivered by Australia Post and you can get the option of Express.
We use Australia Post
We aim to have orders processed within 1 business days. Items will then be dispatched with our shipping partners and orders can expect to arrive between 1 – 10 business days depending on your shipping class. Please note that it can take over 10 days, in particular if items are shipped to remote areas of Australia.
The calculation is based on the day and not time. It doesn’t matter what time you start the pass, it will run out at midnight on the final day. For example, the 7-day pass that starts on January 6 at 1pm will still be valid until January 12 at 11:59pm – not January 13 at 1pm.
No – and it doesn’t matter which pass you buy. You can only use it for consecutive days after the start date. Even if you choose not to use the pass one day, you will not be able to keep the day for one later in the week. For example, a 7-day Japan Rail Pass with a start date of January 6 will be valid until January 12.
The start date does not have to be on the date that your voucher is exchanged. You decide the date that you want to start it on but this does have to be within 30 days of making the exchange.
If you don’t want to use the pass as soon as you arrive or you want to spread out your trips, there are options. There are ways that you can adapt your pass to suit your itinerary.
Foreign Tourists:
Travelers to Japan will be eligible for the Japan Rail Pass if they obtain the following:
- A ‘temporary visitor’ stamp in your passport (obtained on arrival for Australians for 90 days)
Japanese Nationals:
Please see updated requirements for Japanese nationals here
Please get in contact with us if you have any questions.
You will be able to travel economically and practically with the Japan Rail Pass so that you have access to the most important Japanese attractions. There are some restrictions so please follow these to keep your pass valid.
Japan Rail Pass Validity:
You will be able to use all JR railway network trains with the Japan Rail Pass. These include the JR Shikoku, JR Center, JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Ouest and JR Kyushu networks.
You will also have access to the express and local trains, but the Shinkansen trains (bullet trains) are the fastest and have connections to the main Japanese cities.
The Rail Pass is also valid on:
- The JR Bus and the JR Miyajima Ferry
- The monorails connecting Hamamatsucho Station and Haneda Airport can also be used with your pass.
- You can take the “Kodoma” and “Hikari” lines, which travel the same routes but stop at more stations. There is not that much of a time differences between the lines – about 20 minutes between the “Nozomi” and “Hikari” Shinkansens.
- You can take night trains but only using the regular standard (i.e not sleeper, private or special wagons)
Japan Rail Pass Restrictions
- You do not have access to the private rail lines with the Japan Rail Pass
- The fastest Shinkansen trains “Mizuho” and “Nozomi” are also not valid with the Japan Rail pass. These are on the Sanyo and Tokaido lines.
- The JR Hakata-Pusan ferry to get to Korea is not valid with this pass.
- You will need to buy tickets to travel on the Odakyu trains, which are in the Kanto region, and the Kintetsu trains within the Kansai region.
- You cannot use the sleeper, private or special compartment wagons. You will need to pay extra for these.
If the JR train uses another company during your journey, your pass becomes invalid and you will need to pay for that section. This can be done onboard or before getting the train. This happens when travelling from Shinjuko/Ikebukuro to Nikko, where there are JR stations in Nikko and Tokyo. From Kurihasi, the train uses the Tobu tracks. It would usually cost 3,900 yen for the whole trip but with a Rail Pass, you can travel for 1,560 yen.
You will be able to travel economically and practically with the Japan Rail Pass so that you have access to the most important Japanese attractions. There are some restrictions so please follow these to keep your pass valid.
Japan Rail Pass Validity:
You will be able to use all JR railway network trains with the Japan Rail Pass. These include the JR Shikoku, JR Center, JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Ouest and JR Kyushu networks.
You will also have access to the express and local trains, but the Shinkansen trains (bullet trains) are the fastest and have connections to the main Japanese cities.
The Rail Pass is also valid on:
- The JR Bus and the JR Miyajima Ferry
- The monorails connecting Hamamatsucho Station and Haneda Airport can also be used with your pass.
- You can take the “Kodoma” and “Hikari” lines, which travel the same routes but stop at more stations. There is not that much of a time differences between the lines – about 20 minutes between the “Nozomi” and “Hikari” Shinkansens.
- You can take night trains but only using the regular standard (i.e not sleeper, private or special wagons)
Japan Rail Pass Restrictions
- You do not have access to the private rail lines with the Japan Rail Pass
- The fastest Shinkansen trains “Mizuho” and “Nozomi” are also not valid with the Japan Rail pass. These are on the Sanyo and Tokaido lines.
- The JR Hakata-Pusan ferry to get to Korea is not valid with this pass.
- You will need to buy tickets to travel on the Odakyu trains, which are in the Kanto region, and the Kintetsu trains within the Kansai region.
- You cannot use the sleeper, private or special compartment wagons. You will need to pay extra for these.
If the JR train uses another company during your journey, your pass becomes invalid and you will need to pay for that section. This can be done onboard or before getting the train. This happens when travelling from Shinjuko/Ikebukuro to Nikko, where there are JR stations in Nikko and Tokyo. From Kurihasi, the train uses the Tobu tracks. It would usually cost 3,900 yen for the whole trip but with a Rail Pass, you can travel for 1,560 yen.
The starting date does not need to be on the date of exchanging the voucher. It is possible to start the date of the rail pass anytime within 30 days of exchanging. Think about your starting date with a 1-week rail pass. When your schedule is tight, you will be better to use the day and not waste one.
Please check the list of exchange offices here
Before you can activate the Japan Rail Pass, you need to go to the JR office and transform your exchange order in to your Japan Rail pass. You will find these offices at the main train stations and the airport.
Please check the list of offices here for their opening times as they may differ. Fill your form at the office and show your temporary visitor stamp in your passport to receive your Japan Rail Pass.
You will have the option of when to start using the pass while exchanging the voucher. This must be within 30 days of exchanging. After validation, the pass will be ready for use on the date you decided and for the length of time that it is valid for.
The Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order or Japan Rail Pass cannot be reissued if it is lost or stolen. Make sure you keep it safe at all times.
Yes, you can refund your unused Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order within one year of the date of issue for a fee. You can read more about it within our terms of use
A Shinkansen is referred to as a bullet train. You can learn more about the Shinkansen here
Yes, but only if there was an error with your name. You can not transfer the Exchange Order to someone else. This will also incur a small fee. Please read the terms of use for more information.
Don’t worry, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world and there is a great chance it would have been handed in. If you recently lost your property, you can visit one of JR’s lost property counters or even give them a call before you make the journey.
There is no specific area to place your luggage on the bullet train but you can place them behind the very last row of seats in the carriage. Japan is very safe, so don’t worry! Smaller items can be placed in the overhead storage compartment, or if you are not comfortable with leaving your luggage unattended then you can always place it in front of you.
You will reserve your seats in Japan.
Seats can be reserved at Seat Reservation Machines, ‘Midori no Mado Guchi’ ticket offices, Travel Service Centers and JR-Associated Travel Agencies. You can make seat reservations right up until the train departs.
Yes you can, but you will need to reserve a seat at the ticket office before travel. It’s compulsory.
The exchange order is valid for three months from the date it is issued with us. Within that three months, it must be presented at an exchange office in Japan with your passport and ‘Temporary Visitor’ stamp to receive your pass. If you don’t plan on using the Japan Rail Pass within three months then you can wait and book when you’re within the 3 month period.
No, they only offer adult and children fares due to their already discounted price.
The validity period is based on calendar days, from midnight to midnight. So if you start using your 7-day rail pass at 9am on day 1, it will expire at midnight of day 7. If you are on board a train and it goes in to the coming day, the pass will be valid until the end of your current train journey. So it’s good to make sure you use your JR Pass effectively and plan on when to start using it.
Once you have activated your Japan Rail Pass, then it’s valid for the next 7/14/21 days. You don’t need to use it every day, however, it’s wise to understand where you want to go and how much time you plan on staying in Japan when booking.
You are eligible to purchase a Japan Rail Pass if you hold a valid ‘Temporary Visitor’ stamp on your passport. You automatically receive this stamp on your passport when you enter Japan for your holiday.
If you are entering Japan to work or study, then you are not eligible for a Japan Rail Pass.
Well, it depends on how long you are staying for and what you want to see. Hyperdia (http://www.hyperdia.com/en/) gives you the chance to plan your route and help you make a decision on how much you think you will be using your pass.
The exchange order is the actual document you will receive from us in Australia. You will take this Exchange Order to Japan, and with your passport and valid tourist stamp, you will exchange it for your actual Japan Rail Pass. You are then ready to start traveling!
