There is a argue why JR overstep is designed solely for unusual tourists on a short-term see (max ninety days). If y'all are looking frontward to seeing every bit much of Nippon every bit y'all tin inwards an affordable, convenient manner, JR overstep is your best bet, cheers to the biggest rail provider (70% of all rail network) inwards the country, the Nippon Rail (known merely every bit “JR"). There are a lot of passes nether the JR companionship for illustration province broad pass, regional overstep as well as more, which were introduced before HERE.
The Japan Country Wide JR pass is the i nosotros are going to utter over inwards this post. This flat-fee pass grants users unlimited rides on all JR trains all over the province (there are a few exceptions, read on) which include selected bullet trains for either 1, 2 or iii weeks. On the previous post, we’ve talked most the value of the pass. This time, let’s larn deep into the details. 
If y'all are a foreigner studying, living or working inwards Nippon or fifty-fifty exactly visiting Nippon for central programs/research/business purposes, y'all are non eligible to purchase one.
Green cars are the “Premium" cars that offering larger seats amongst to a greater extent than leg room as well as ameliorate onboard service (for illustration charging ports, hot towels, costless beverages, radio set...), hence, a greenish machine overstep cost a lot to a greater extent than than an ordinary pass. Due to that, the greenish machine is ever less crowded.
Question:
Do I demand a greenish overstep to move comfortably?
- No. We genuinely observe the leg room as well as size of the ordinary seats sufficient. Charging port is besides available inwards some ordinary cars. The photograph below are mine, traveling amongst a ordinary pass.
- However, inwards for certain peak move months (April, May, June, July, August, November), y'all powerfulness desire to guide maintain i to escape the crowded ordinary car.
For example:
- If y'all start a 7-day overstep at ix pm on 24-hour interval 1, it volition expire at midnight at the halt of 24-hour interval 7 rather than at ix pm on 24-hour interval 8. So inwards this illustration scenario, y'all volition lose 21 move hours. Ideally, it makes feel to activate the overstep (by passing through the kickoff gate) every bit early on every bit possible.
However, If y'all hap to go on board of a prepare at midnight of 24-hour interval 7, your overstep volition remain valid until the halt of your journeying (the minute y'all overstep the ticket gates inwards your terminal station). That existence said, you tin yet transfer trains (only tedious trains) later midnight. However, y'all cannot transfer to a shinkansen (because to larn to the Shinkansen station, y'all demand to larn out the JR ticket gate, that volition brand your overstep invalid). You should besides avoid limited trains unless y'all are willing to pay the limited supplement fee.
That includes shinkansen, limited express, express, rapid as well as local trains. All the means from JR Kyushu upwardly to JR Hokkaido!
✅ Airport train
- Tokyo monorail connecting to Haneda Airport
- Narita Express that links Narita Airport to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku as well as Ikebukuro stations
✅ JR Ferry (return trip) to Miyajima
✅ Some non-JR trains, includes:
These are individual prepare journeys needed to access isolated JR lines (usually inwards remote areas). However, JR overstep holders may only larn on as well as off at stations that furnish a transfer to JR lines.
For example:
- Aoimori Railway betwixt Aomori, Noheji, as well as Hachinohe to access the JR Ominato Line to the Shimokita Peninsula.
- IR Ishikawa Railway betwixt Kanazawa as well as Tsubata to access the JR Nanao Line to the Noto Peninsula.
- Ainokaze Toyama Railway betwixt Toyama as well as Takaoka to access the JR Himi Line as well as JR Johana Line.
✅ Local JR buses
- Yamaguchi - Hagi
- Kyoto Station - Ryoanji - Takao
- Kanazawa Station - Kenrokuen
- JR buses to Lake Towada
- JR tourist loop charabanc inwards Hiroshima
- JR local charabanc to Kusatsu Onsen
- JR urban substance buses some Sapporo
JR overstep cannot go used on subways or city buses.
❌ Shinkansen Nozomi as well as Mizuho. trains along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen
The Nozomi as well as Mizuho are the fastest trains along respective lines (the Tokaido/Sanyo describe as well as Sanyo/Kyushu line). As alternatives, JR overstep holders should utilisation Hikari instead of Nozomi as well as Sakura instead of Mizuho along the same line. Hikari as well as Sakura halt at to a greater extent than stations but only slightly slower than the invalid trains.
Important Note:
- An upgrade to Nozomi or Mizuho is non possible, so go careful non to board them past times mistake. You’ll demand to pay the sum fare.
❌ Some JR trains
There are some JR trains that use some component division of individual tracks. In this case, JR overstep holders volition guide maintain to pay the fare of the individual section.
❌ Special Compartments
Especially when y'all are traveling on an overnight train, you’ll only go assigned to the ordinary cart that resembles budget dorm beds (without the mattresses). Hence, traveling inwards such trains isn’t pleasant unless y'all pay to upgrade to special compartments similar berths. You tin run across how my blood brother looked similar traveling on the sunrise seto... non fun.
So, delight larn a berth! It looks means to a greater extent than comfortable.
❌ Some Suburban Trains that has “Liner” inwards their names
Not all “Liner” trains require liner tickets. For example, Marine Liner, Seaside Liner, as well as Ishikari Liner are fully covered past times the pass. Only a dozen of suburban "liner" trains on the JR network requires a special ticket.
Confusing, I know. On the vivid side, these liner trains are targeted at suburban villagers, so unusual tourists are unlikely to utilisation them. But if y'all are similar me, love to venture off the beaten path, larn ready to pay.
❌ JR Highway buses
Please go aware that the overstep is non valid on whatsoever highway buses anymore (It used to before bound 2013).
I ordered mine through step-by-step explanation of how to exercise it (I recommend buying at to the lowest degree 2 weeks ahead to guide maintain it safely delivered). Then, y'all volition go sent an exchange order (via mail) that has to go exchanged to the actual JR overstep within Japan. You tin exercise this within iii months of the purchase date.
It is besides possible (on some trial basis) to purchase the Nippon Rail Pass at selected airports as well as stations within Japan. However, I exercise non recommend doing this because the overstep available within Nippon is more expensive (at to the lowest degree 4000 Yen difference because you’ll pay the premium).
During the process, you’ll go asked when exercise y'all wishing to start using the pass. You don’t guide maintain to start using it correct away, instead, y'all tin select whatsoever appointment within 1 calendar month (from the 24-hour interval y'all exchanged your pass) every bit your starting date. However, in i lawsuit the actual overstep is issued, the starting appointment cannot go changed.
Before y'all leave of absence the counter check the dates, your name and other details (it must stand upwardly for your passport).
Important Note:
- The overstep is not transferable, so only the mortal named on it tin utilisation it. On rare occasion, y'all may go asked to exhibit your passport to confirm ownership of the pass.
- The overstep can’t go reissued if it got stolen or lost.
Don’t confuse the local underground station amongst a JR prepare station. JR stations are ordinarily some (walking) distance away from the metro. Don’t worry, they are ordinarily real easily identified ( amongst a huge greenish or blueish “JR” sign). If y'all are looking for the Shinkansen station, it is located within the JR station, ordinarily at the far end.
You powerfulness realize in that place are sometimes “Shin-“ inwards forepart of a station name, for example: Shin-Osaka as well as Shin-Kobe. So don’t larn mixed upwardly amongst regular stations. Shin stations are newer stations built to arrange the Shinkansen lines.
Step 2: Pass through the JR/Shinkansen Gate
You do non demand a ticket to overstep the gates except when y'all larn a reserved spot (free amongst the JR Pass).
JR overstep holders exercise non utilisation the automatic turnstiles, they’ll guide maintain to go through the manned gate and merely nowadays their rail overstep (showing the validation dates) to the staff. In some cities, the manned gate is exactly a small window beside the automatic gates, piece inwards others, the manned gate is located within a big office that has a "Rail Pass" sign at the door. On rare occasions, overstep holders tin go asked to besides exhibit their passports.
The staff outside of major cities are a lot less stringent. In many cases, nosotros exactly guide maintain to flash the overstep (showing dates is non mandatory). In some genuinely rural area, they don’t fifty-fifty guide maintain a gate… all y'all guide maintain to exercise is to board the prepare as well as hold off for the conductor (if any, lol).
In illustration y'all guide maintain non done your query as well as y'all guide maintain nil thought of how to larn to your destination, this is the fourth dimension to ask an officeholder for advise. He volition boot the bucket on to impress y'all a route recommendation slip that looks similar this:
Note:
- When passing through the kickoff ticket gate amongst a JR pass, y'all demand to get it stamped (activation of the pass).
Step 3: Look for your platform
After passing the gates, hold off at the big shroud to know which platform to larn to (or merely inquire the station staff).
When y'all arrived at your platform, cheque the signs in i lawsuit again to reconfirm. Simple!
Step 4: Look for the correct carriage
You tin exercise this fifty-fifty before the prepare arrives. Simply hold off at the electronic board as well as it volition state y'all the place of the reserved or non-reserved carriage. Feel costless to brand your means to that component division of the platform correct away (Just follow the signs on the floor/ at the railing).
With a reserved spot ticket, y'all tin only sit down on your assigned spot inwards the reserved car. Without one, y'all tin sit down anywhere inwards the non-reserve spot car.
Non-reserved machine is ordinarily located inwards the 1st-3rd or 7th-8th cars (check the board) as well as a queue ordinarily forms far before your prepare arrives, so let’s be civilized. JOIN the queue! The greenish tiles on the flooring exhibit people how should the lines form.
Step 5: Board the correct train
Although Nippon is extremely dedicated to schedules, in that place are chances for a slight delay (It happens in i lawsuit inwards a blueish supermoon.) Thus, arriving as well as divergence fourth dimension can't go the only aspect to look at!
Here is a check-list to aid ensure that y'all board the correct prepare (I'll utilisation my ride to Nagano every bit an example):
- Company of the prepare (must go JR/Shinkansen): Shinkansen
some major stations guide maintain individual lines passing by, so it's of import to confirm that y'all ever board a JR train.
- Name of the train: Asama 617
Kodama? Hikari? Sakura? Asama? Be careful non to accidentally board Nozomi or Mizuho.
- Line of the train: non shown hither but y'all guide maintain iii out of iv info, its skilful enough.
- Last station (direction): Nagano
There are besides a small number of trains which spot reservation is mandatory every bit they only send reserved seatings. Hence, delight ever double cheque before boarding a long distance prepare particularly shinkansen, joy trains as well as overnight trains.
The costless spot reservation characteristic is besides useful when y'all would similar to guide maintain a particular seat on the train. Some trains are famous for its unbeatable watch along the tracks! I recommend sitting on the correct side when traveling south-west out of Tokyo (see Mt Fuji!)
To exercise so, exactly exhibit your JR overstep to the staff at the ticket office. You powerfulness demand to fill inwards a elementary form stating your preferred boarding fourth dimension as well as so on, but this is non ever the case. For some JR eastern trains, seats tin go reserved online.
The staff volition as well as so pose a stamp on the reservation column on your JRpass as well as effect y'all a ticket like this:
Sumber https://misshappyfeet.blogspot.com
The Japan Country Wide JR pass is the i nosotros are going to utter over inwards this post. This flat-fee pass grants users unlimited rides on all JR trains all over the province (there are a few exceptions, read on) which include selected bullet trains for either 1, 2 or iii weeks. On the previous post, we’ve talked most the value of the pass. This time, let’s larn deep into the details.
Is It worth It?
Most of the fourth dimension YES! However, in that place are situations that y'all volition non demand a JR nationwide pass. I've pose upwardly an article to aid y'all decide.
Who Can Buy One?
Strictly tourist only, those visiting Nippon for less than iii months.If y'all are a foreigner studying, living or working inwards Nippon or fifty-fifty exactly visiting Nippon for central programs/research/business purposes, y'all are non eligible to purchase one.
The Types of JR Pass
You guide maintain 2 choices: ordinary as well as green car.Green cars are the “Premium" cars that offering larger seats amongst to a greater extent than leg room as well as ameliorate onboard service (for illustration charging ports, hot towels, costless beverages, radio set...), hence, a greenish machine overstep cost a lot to a greater extent than than an ordinary pass. Due to that, the greenish machine is ever less crowded.
Question:
Do I demand a greenish overstep to move comfortably?
- No. We genuinely observe the leg room as well as size of the ordinary seats sufficient. Charging port is besides available inwards some ordinary cars. The photograph below are mine, traveling amongst a ordinary pass.
How Much Do Children Pay For The Pass?
Unlike many other western countries, obviously a 12-years-old is considered adult inwards Nippon (that was what I’ve been told at the counter). For children aged 6-11, you’ll pay for a children ticket, which is one-half the adult price. infants aged v as well as below exercise non require a ticket to board the prepare but they volition guide maintain to sit down on an adult’s lap because they are non entitled to a seat.
Validity Period
7, fourteen as well as 21 days JR passes are on the market. The Nippon Rail Pass plant on calendar days (meaning midnight to midnight), non 24-hour basis.For example:
- If y'all start a 7-day overstep at ix pm on 24-hour interval 1, it volition expire at midnight at the halt of 24-hour interval 7 rather than at ix pm on 24-hour interval 8. So inwards this illustration scenario, y'all volition lose 21 move hours. Ideally, it makes feel to activate the overstep (by passing through the kickoff gate) every bit early on every bit possible.
However, If y'all hap to go on board of a prepare at midnight of 24-hour interval 7, your overstep volition remain valid until the halt of your journeying (the minute y'all overstep the ticket gates inwards your terminal station). That existence said, you tin yet transfer trains (only tedious trains) later midnight. However, y'all cannot transfer to a shinkansen (because to larn to the Shinkansen station, y'all demand to larn out the JR ticket gate, that volition brand your overstep invalid). You should besides avoid limited trains unless y'all are willing to pay the limited supplement fee.
Valid rides
✅ JR trains nationwide except (see below)That includes shinkansen, limited express, express, rapid as well as local trains. All the means from JR Kyushu upwardly to JR Hokkaido!
✅ Airport train
- Tokyo monorail connecting to Haneda Airport
- Narita Express that links Narita Airport to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku as well as Ikebukuro stations
✅ JR Ferry (return trip) to Miyajima
✅ Some non-JR trains, includes:
These are individual prepare journeys needed to access isolated JR lines (usually inwards remote areas). However, JR overstep holders may only larn on as well as off at stations that furnish a transfer to JR lines.
For example:
- Aoimori Railway betwixt Aomori, Noheji, as well as Hachinohe to access the JR Ominato Line to the Shimokita Peninsula.
- IR Ishikawa Railway betwixt Kanazawa as well as Tsubata to access the JR Nanao Line to the Noto Peninsula.
- Ainokaze Toyama Railway betwixt Toyama as well as Takaoka to access the JR Himi Line as well as JR Johana Line.
✅ Local JR buses
- Yamaguchi - Hagi
- Kyoto Station - Ryoanji - Takao
- Kanazawa Station - Kenrokuen
- JR buses to Lake Towada
- JR tourist loop charabanc inwards Hiroshima
- JR local charabanc to Kusatsu Onsen
- JR urban substance buses some Sapporo
The JR Pass Is NOT Valid On:
❌ All individual lines except those to access isolated JR trains (see above)JR overstep cannot go used on subways or city buses.
❌ Shinkansen Nozomi as well as Mizuho. trains along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen
The Nozomi as well as Mizuho are the fastest trains along respective lines (the Tokaido/Sanyo describe as well as Sanyo/Kyushu line). As alternatives, JR overstep holders should utilisation Hikari instead of Nozomi as well as Sakura instead of Mizuho along the same line. Hikari as well as Sakura halt at to a greater extent than stations but only slightly slower than the invalid trains.
Important Note:
- An upgrade to Nozomi or Mizuho is non possible, so go careful non to board them past times mistake. You’ll demand to pay the sum fare.
❌ Some JR trains
There are some JR trains that use some component division of individual tracks. In this case, JR overstep holders volition guide maintain to pay the fare of the individual section.
❌ Special Compartments
Especially when y'all are traveling on an overnight train, you’ll only go assigned to the ordinary cart that resembles budget dorm beds (without the mattresses). Hence, traveling inwards such trains isn’t pleasant unless y'all pay to upgrade to special compartments similar berths. You tin run across how my blood brother looked similar traveling on the sunrise seto... non fun.
❌ Some Suburban Trains that has “Liner” inwards their names
Not all “Liner” trains require liner tickets. For example, Marine Liner, Seaside Liner, as well as Ishikari Liner are fully covered past times the pass. Only a dozen of suburban "liner" trains on the JR network requires a special ticket.
Confusing, I know. On the vivid side, these liner trains are targeted at suburban villagers, so unusual tourists are unlikely to utilisation them. But if y'all are similar me, love to venture off the beaten path, larn ready to pay.
❌ JR Highway buses
Please go aware that the overstep is non valid on whatsoever highway buses anymore (It used to before bound 2013).
What Else is Included inwards The Nippon Rail Pass?
- Free Seat Reservations on all JR trains.
- Discounts at JR affiliated hotels
- JR affiliated hotels are those that tin go establish nigh or fifty-fifty within the railway stations.
How to Purchase H5N1 JR Pass?
Heres a catch: it's most convenient to purchase the overstep online or from a travel agent exterior of Japan.I ordered mine through step-by-step explanation of how to exercise it (I recommend buying at to the lowest degree 2 weeks ahead to guide maintain it safely delivered). Then, y'all volition go sent an exchange order (via mail) that has to go exchanged to the actual JR overstep within Japan. You tin exercise this within iii months of the purchase date.
Exclusive discount for MHF readers: utilisation the promo code KLOOKMHF to larn RM15 off!
It is besides possible (on some trial basis) to purchase the Nippon Rail Pass at selected airports as well as stations within Japan. However, I exercise non recommend doing this because the overstep available within Nippon is more expensive (at to the lowest degree 4000 Yen difference because you’ll pay the premium).
How to Exchange for an Actual JR Pass?
To central it, you’ll guide maintain to larn to the JR Pass counter at designated major JR stations, show your passport (photocopies are non accepted) as well as fill out a form.
During the process, you’ll go asked when exercise y'all wishing to start using the pass. You don’t guide maintain to start using it correct away, instead, y'all tin select whatsoever appointment within 1 calendar month (from the 24-hour interval y'all exchanged your pass) every bit your starting date. However, in i lawsuit the actual overstep is issued, the starting appointment cannot go changed.
Before y'all leave of absence the counter check the dates, your name and other details (it must stand upwardly for your passport).
Important Note:
- The overstep is not transferable, so only the mortal named on it tin utilisation it. On rare occasion, y'all may go asked to exhibit your passport to confirm ownership of the pass.
- The overstep can’t go reissued if it got stolen or lost.
How to Use the Nippon Rail Pass
Step 1: Locate the JR StationDon’t confuse the local underground station amongst a JR prepare station. JR stations are ordinarily some (walking) distance away from the metro. Don’t worry, they are ordinarily real easily identified ( amongst a huge greenish or blueish “JR” sign). If y'all are looking for the Shinkansen station, it is located within the JR station, ordinarily at the far end.
Step 2: Pass through the JR/Shinkansen Gate
You do non demand a ticket to overstep the gates except when y'all larn a reserved spot (free amongst the JR Pass).
JR overstep holders exercise non utilisation the automatic turnstiles, they’ll guide maintain to go through the manned gate and merely nowadays their rail overstep (showing the validation dates) to the staff. In some cities, the manned gate is exactly a small window beside the automatic gates, piece inwards others, the manned gate is located within a big office that has a "Rail Pass" sign at the door. On rare occasions, overstep holders tin go asked to besides exhibit their passports.
The staff outside of major cities are a lot less stringent. In many cases, nosotros exactly guide maintain to flash the overstep (showing dates is non mandatory). In some genuinely rural area, they don’t fifty-fifty guide maintain a gate… all y'all guide maintain to exercise is to board the prepare as well as hold off for the conductor (if any, lol).
In illustration y'all guide maintain non done your query as well as y'all guide maintain nil thought of how to larn to your destination, this is the fourth dimension to ask an officeholder for advise. He volition boot the bucket on to impress y'all a route recommendation slip that looks similar this:
- When passing through the kickoff ticket gate amongst a JR pass, y'all demand to get it stamped (activation of the pass).
Step 3: Look for your platform
After passing the gates, hold off at the big shroud to know which platform to larn to (or merely inquire the station staff).
Step 4: Look for the correct carriage
You tin exercise this fifty-fifty before the prepare arrives. Simply hold off at the electronic board as well as it volition state y'all the place of the reserved or non-reserved carriage. Feel costless to brand your means to that component division of the platform correct away (Just follow the signs on the floor/ at the railing).
Non-reserved machine is ordinarily located inwards the 1st-3rd or 7th-8th cars (check the board) as well as a queue ordinarily forms far before your prepare arrives, so let’s be civilized. JOIN the queue! The greenish tiles on the flooring exhibit people how should the lines form.
Step 5: Board the correct train
Although Nippon is extremely dedicated to schedules, in that place are chances for a slight delay (It happens in i lawsuit inwards a blueish supermoon.) Thus, arriving as well as divergence fourth dimension can't go the only aspect to look at!
Here is a check-list to aid ensure that y'all board the correct prepare (I'll utilisation my ride to Nagano every bit an example):
- Company of the prepare (must go JR/Shinkansen): Shinkansen
some major stations guide maintain individual lines passing by, so it's of import to confirm that y'all ever board a JR train.
- Name of the train: Asama 617
Kodama? Hikari? Sakura? Asama? Be careful non to accidentally board Nozomi or Mizuho.
- Line of the train: non shown hither but y'all guide maintain iii out of iv info, its skilful enough.
- Last station (direction): Nagano
About Seat Reservations
On most trains, spot reservations are optional. However, I highly recommend getting your seats reserved for pop shinkansen journeys (just for peace of mind).There are besides a small number of trains which spot reservation is mandatory every bit they only send reserved seatings. Hence, delight ever double cheque before boarding a long distance prepare particularly shinkansen, joy trains as well as overnight trains.
The costless spot reservation characteristic is besides useful when y'all would similar to guide maintain a particular seat on the train. Some trains are famous for its unbeatable watch along the tracks! I recommend sitting on the correct side when traveling south-west out of Tokyo (see Mt Fuji!)
To exercise so, exactly exhibit your JR overstep to the staff at the ticket office. You powerfulness demand to fill inwards a elementary form stating your preferred boarding fourth dimension as well as so on, but this is non ever the case. For some JR eastern trains, seats tin go reserved online.
The staff volition as well as so pose a stamp on the reservation column on your JRpass as well as effect y'all a ticket like this:
About Route Planning
I establish Hyperdia.com to go the best as well as most trustable resources to hold off upwardly timetables as well as itinerary. You tin refer to this post for the sum tutorial: How to utilisation Hyperdia.com to computer programme your Nippon trip.
If y'all demand aid amongst your itinerary, hither are some 1-week trip suggestions that would aid maximize your pass!
Most popular: Tokyo- Kyoto- Osaka
Off the beaten path: Osaka- Hiroshima- Kumamoto
Ready to purchase a JR overstep for your adjacent visit? Click the banner below:
Here is an exclusive discount for MHF readers: utilisation the promo code KLOOKMHF to larn RM15 off!
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As always, it is based solely on my honest persuasion or personal experience.