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JAPAN RAIL PASS
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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is a special ticket that is available only to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sight-seeing.
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".
2. You are a Japanese national living in a foreign country,
a. who is qualified to live permanently in the country, or
b. who is married to a non-Japanese residing in a country other than Japan
Note: Person meeting conditions a or b above must show proof of same at the point of purchase of an Exchange Order and obtaining a JAPAN RAIL PASS. |
| Type |
Green |
Ordinary |
| Duration |
Adult |
Child |
Adult |
Child |
| 7-day |
¥ 37,800 |
¥ 18,900 |
¥ 28,300 |
¥ 14,150 |
| 14-day |
¥ 61,200 |
¥ 30,600 |
¥ 45,100 |
¥ 22,550 |
| 21-day |
¥ 79,600 |
¥ 39,800 |
¥ 57,700 |
¥ 28,850 |
The above are yen (¥) prices for a JAPAN RAIL PASS Exchange Order (from April 1, 1997); 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. Pass prices for child apply from age 6 to and including age 11. Prices are subject to change. The applicable price is the price valid on the date when an Exchange Order is issued. |
Transportation services
- The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferry boats shown below
Railways:
all JR Group Railways -- Shinkansen "bullet trains" (except any reserved or nonreserved seat on "NOZOMI" trains), limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains (With some exceptions) |
Buses:
JR Bus Companies:
Local lines of JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus Company, and JR Kyushu Bus.
JR Highway Bus Lines:
Sapporo - Otaru / Morioka - Hirosaki / Aomori;
Tokyo - Nagoya / Kyoto / Osaka / Tsukuba Center;
Nagoya - Kyoto / Osaka; Osaka - Tsuyama / Kasai Flower Center
(Not accepted on some lines) |
Ferry:
Only the JR Miyajima ferry is covered. The JR Hakata-Pusan (Korea) ferry is not covered. |
Important notes:
the JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or nonreserved, on "NOZOMI" trains on the Tokaido and San'yo Shinkansen lines. If you use a "NOZOMI," you must pay the basic fare and the limited express charge, and for a Green Car the Green 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. |
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.
Validity period
- The validity period of a JAPAN RAIL PASS is the consecutive 7, 14, or 21 days beginning on the date the PASS is first used.
- Within three months from the date Exchange Order was issued, you must turn in your Exchange ORder to obtain you JAPAN RAIL PASS. 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 the PASS has a starting date written on it, the date cannot be changed.
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A JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be purchased inside Japan.
- Purchase an Exchange Order before you come to Japan
- Present you 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 recive your JAPAN RAIL PASS at an applicable JR station that has a JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office.
* Without your passport, the pass exchange will not be made. A photocopy of your passport is also not acceptable. And if you meet conditions 2.a or b above, you must show proof of same at both times of Exchange Order purchase and PASS exchange. |
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- Shinkansen* and most limited express and ordinary express trains have both reserved and nonreserved Ordinary Car seats, and reserved Green car seats.
* There are no Green Cars on most HIKARI and KODAMA trains on the San'yo Shinkansen line "Shin-Osaka-Hakata), or on TSUBAME trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen line (Shin-Yatsushiro-Kagoshima-Chuo)
- A monreserved seat can be used simply by showing your JAPAN RAIL PASS.
- Seat reservations can be made without additional payment. To make a reservation. go to any Travel Service Center or a Reservation Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) 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 boarding.
 The sign for a Reservation Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) - 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.
- December 28 to January 6
The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time fro Japanese people, for vacations and returns to hometown areas.
- April 27 to May 6
Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is large - scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
- August 11 to 20
Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the Obon season.
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1. Use a JAPAN RAIL PASS is strictly limited to the person who signs the pass (hereafter "you").
2. You should carry your passport during travel, and be prepared to show it if requested.
3. Refund of Exchange Order or JAPAN RAIL PASS
- An Exchange Order that has not been turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS can be returned to the office where it was purchased for a refund, within one year of the date of issue. In such case a handling fee and communication fee will be subtracted from the refund.
- After an Exchange Order is turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS, the PASS can be turned in at any JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office for a refund if this is done before the starting date for the use of the PASS. (Ten percent of the yen price of the PASS will be charged as a handling fee.)
- No refund can be made for any r3eason on or after the stamped First Date
- Also no refund or extension of the validity period can be made in the event of train non-operation, delay, or the like.
4. Neither an Exchange Order nor a JAPAN RAIL PASS can be reissued if lost or stolen.
5. These and other usage conditions follow the Japan Railways Group Passenger transportation regulations and Japanese laws. The validity of an Exchange Order, however, shall follow the stipulations and regulations of the company that issued the Exchange Order.
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| Note: DO NOT USE AN AUTOMATIC TICKET-READING GATE WITH A JAPAN RAIL PASS OR A RESERVED-SEAT TICKET. PLEASE SHOW THE PASS AT A MANNED GATE. |
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JR East - East Japan
The JR EAST PASS is an economical and flexible rail pass to travel around Eastern Japan. It is valid for travel on all the 72 railway lines of JR EAST: 5 Shinkansen Super Express Lines & 67 Conventional Lines.
The JR EAST PASS comes in several variations to meet your itinerary and flexibility: available as a 5-day, a 10-day, and a Flexible 4-day.
Validity
The JR EAST PASS is valid for travel on all of the 72 railway lines of JR EAST: limited express trains (except private compartments or berths), including Shinkansen super express trains; express trains (except berths, etc.); local trains (except "Liner"/"Home Liner").
(If you want to use the cars or trains referred to in parentheses above, you must pay the respective additional charges in addition to the limited express or ordinary express charge. In this case, the PASS is valid for the basic fare only.)
Note: Some JR EAST-line trains also travel on other companies' lines. Passengers using such trains traveling on non-JR EAST lines must pay the respective fares and charges applicable to the distances traveled on such lines. Please note the names of the following JR EAST-line trains that travel on non-JR EAST lines: "Super-Hakucho, Hakucho", "Hakutaka", "Raicho, Hokuetsu", "Shinano", "Odoriko, Super-View Odoriko", and gTokai".
Also please note: The JR EAST PASS is not valid for the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo Shinkansen lines, which connect Tokyo and western Japan cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, or Fukuoka, and which start from Tokyo station like JR EAST's five Shinkansen lines. The Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen lines are run respectively by JR CENTRAL and JR WEST. (Between Tokyo and Atami, use "Odoriko", "Super-view Odoriko", or local trains.)
Prices
There are two types of JR EAST PASS: Green (for superior-class Green cars) and Ordinary. Each of these types is available as a 5-day, a 10-day, a Flexible 4-day Pass.
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| 5 days |
¥20,000 |
¥16,000 |
¥10,000 |
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¥28,000 |
¥14,000 |
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| 10 days |
¥32,000 |
¥25,000 |
¥16,000 |
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¥44,800 |
¥22,400 |
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| Flexible 4 days |
¥20,000 |
¥16,000 |
¥10,000 |
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¥28,000 |
¥14,000 |
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| The above are yen (YEN) prices for a JR EAST PASS Exchange Order (from January 1998);
the actual cost in local currency is calculated at the time an Exchange Order is issued.
Prices are subject to change without notice; The applicable price is the price valid on the date an Exchange Order is issued. (Ages are at the time an Exchange Order is issued.)
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Validity Period
5-Day Pass / 10-Day Pass
5-and 10-day PASSES are valid for a period of 5 or 10 consecutive days, respectively, beginning on the first day of use of the PASS.
Flexible 4-Day Pass
Usable on any 4 consecutive or non-consecutive days within a month: Useful for leisurely-stay-type travel. Flexible 4-day PASSES are valid for 4 consecutive or non-consecutive days within one month from the date the PASS was issued. (Each date on which the PASS is used will be stamped on the PASS at the respective station's ticket gate or aboard trains.)
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JR Rail West Pass
These passes are available to tourists staying in Japan for a short period of time. The passes can be purchased overseas and in Japan.
Kansai Area Pass [For the Kansai (Keihanshin) Area)]
The pass holder has unlimited use of any standard trains and Haruka non-reserved seats within the corresponding area.
Sanyo Area Pass [For the Osaka-Sanyo Area] The passenger has unlimited use of Haruka, Shinkansen, and standard trains within the corresponding area.
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| 1 day |
¥2,000 |
¥1,000 |
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-- |
-- |
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| 2 days |
¥4,000 |
¥2,000 |
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-- |
-- |
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| 4 days |
¥5,000 |
¥2,500 |
|
¥20,000 |
¥10,000 |
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| 8 days |
¥6,000 |
¥3,000 |
|
¥30,000 |
-- |
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| The above are yen (YEN). Prices are subject to change without notice;
The applicable price is the price valid on the date an Exchange Order is issued.
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Please note that:
Trains and classes that require a reserved seat ticket, etc., can only be used if the passenger has been issued a reserved seat ticket.
When boarding a train that travels over lines operated by companies other than JR, it is necessary to pay the corresponding fares for the line being traveled (standard train fare, limited express fare, etc.).
With the Sanyo Area Pass, the pass holder may use standard reserved seats on limited express Haruka trains. If the pass holder wishes to use a standard reserved seat on any other limited express train, the pass holder must purchase a separate limited express ticket.
With the Kansai Area Pass, the pass holder may use standard non-reserved seats on limited express Haruka trains. If the pass holder wishes to use a standard non-reserved seat on any other limited express train, the pass holder must purchase a separate limited express ticket.
If the pass expires while the pass holder is on a train, the pass will remain valid until the following day, provided that the pass holder continues the trip without leaving a ticket gate. However, if the pass holder boards a train that requires an additional ticket such as a limited express ticket, the rail pass will only remain valid as a standard railway ticket, and the pass holder will need to pay any additional corresponding fares such as limited express fares.
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HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS
Enjoy unlimited rides of any JR Hokkaido line for a designated period of time! A special pass to make Hokkaido tours more enjoyable.
3 Days / 5 Days HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, a convenient, economical pass available only for travelers from abroad, offers unlimited rides of any JR Hokkaido line for 3 or 5 days. You can apply for the PASS at designated places not only before leaving your country but also during your travels here. With this PASS, you can visit towns you have long wanted to see for yourself and places with beautiful views that may have captured your heart during a trip. HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS allows you to enjoy freer and more comfortable trips around Hokkaido.
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| 1 day |
¥2,000 |
¥1,000 |
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-- |
-- |
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| 2 days |
¥4,000 |
¥2,000 |
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-- |
-- |
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| 4 days |
¥5,000 |
¥2,500 |
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¥20,000 |
¥10,000 |
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| 8 days |
¥6,000 |
¥3,000 |
|
¥30,000 |
-- |
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| The above are yen (YEN). Prices are subject to change without notice;
The applicable price is the price valid on the date an Exchange Order is issued.
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Validity
The HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS is valid for all the train lines offered by Hokkaido Railway Co. and bus lines of JR Hokkaido Bus (excluding Sapporo - Asahikawa / Sapporo - Monbetsu / Sapporo - Obihiro / Sapporo - Kiroro lines and irregular lines).
Ordinary-Car: reserved ordinary car seats of express and limited express trains can be used. *Additional charges are required to ride Green or sleeping cars (limited express charge, berth charge, etc.).
Green-Car: Green cars of limited express trains can be used.
*Additional charges are required to ride sleeping cars (limited express charge & berth charge).
Valid Period
You must exchange your Exchange Order for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS within 3 months from the date of issue. At that time, you must 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 the PASS has a starting date written on it, the date cannot be changed.
*PASS is valid until the day following its expiration date when the date comes while traveling between stations (in the case of night trains etc.)
Refunds
An Exchange Order that has not been submitted for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS can be returned to the office where it was purchased for a refund; within one year of the date of issue (handling fee is to be paid separately).
After an Exchange Order is submitted for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, you may return the PASS for a refund by paying a handling fee of 10% of its fare converted to Japanese yen if done before the starting date of the PASS. No refund can be made for any reason on or after the starting date of the PASS. No refund on a PASS can be made in the event of train service delays or suspension, etc. Since a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS cannot be reissued if lost or stolen, please keep it with care.
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HOKKAIDO SINGLE/PAIR PASS
Hokkaido Single Pass (Hokkaido Furii Pasu)
Hokkaido Pair Pass (Hokkaido Furii Pasu)
Choose one from two types depending on your desired travel style Ecarefree solo travel or joyous twosome trip.
7 Days
HOKKAIDO SINGLE PASS is for travelers who want to fully enjoy a carefree solo trip, and HOKKAIDO PAIR PASS is for couples and pals hoping to double the joy of their journey. Both types offer the 7-day unlimited rides of JR Hokkaido trains, including limited express and express trains, and JR Hokkaido buses (excluding some routes), as well as the Kaikyo Line connecting Kikonai in Hokkaido and Nakaoguni in Honshu, one of the main island of Japan. You may encounter impressive scenes by moving around Hokkaido at your own pace and in your own style.
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| 1 day |
¥2,000 |
¥1,000 |
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| 2 days |
¥4,000 |
¥2,000 |
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| The above are yen (YEN). Prices are subject to change without notice;
The applicable price is the price valid on the date an Exchange Order is issued.
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Validity
Ordinary-Car: reserved ordinary car seats of express and limited express trains can be used.
*Additional charges are required to ride Green and B-type sleeping cars (limited express charge, Green Car charge, berth charge, etc.). A numbered ticket is necessary to ride the Home Liner train.
Green-Car: Green and B type sleeping cars of limited express and express trains can be used. Reserved seats of ordinary and rapid trains, including steam locomotives and the Norokko-go train, can also be used.
Please note that the PASS cannot be used for the following trains:
Express "Hamanasu" sleeping cars Cassiopeia, Hokutosei, Twilight Express, Elm and other express trains with sleeping berths that come directly from Honshu, one of the main islands of Japan.
Intercity bus routes for Sapporo EAsahikawa, Sapporo EObihiro, Sapporo EMonbetsu and Sapporo EErimo, irregular bus lines and Kiroro Resort Bus line.
Facilities & equipment available to passengers are subject to change. Please ask the staff in charge before your trip.
If you intend to use a reserved seat of your train, please apply at a reservation office (midori-no-madoguchi) before boarding. If you do not have a reserved seat ticket, please use a nonreserved ordinary car seat. You will receive the reserved seat ticket at places where the HOKKAIDO SINGLE PASS and a HOKKAIDO PAIR PASS are sold.
*Reserved seat tickets are not issued at ticket counter of JR Central and JR West reservation office (midori-no-madoguchi).
Valid Period
7 days from the date of purchase. The PASS cannot be used from May 3 to 5, from August 13 to 16, and from December 29 to January 4. The period of validity of your PASS cannot be extended even if it includes any of these days.
Refunds
You may return the PASS to the office where it was purchased for a refund, if done within its valid period and before the starting date of the PASS.
Since a HOKKAIDO SINGLE PASS and a HOKKAIDO PAIR PASS cannot be reissued if lost or stolen, please keep it with care.
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SAPPORO-OTARU WELCOME PASS
This PASS is for travelers hoping to enjoy a 1-day trip to Otaru. With this highly economical PASS, you can also ride all subway lines in Sapporo without additional charges.
Otaru, a canal town where songs of black-tailed gulls resound, has streetscapes touching the heart of travelers. Its closeness to Sapporo also makes it popular for travelers from abroad. The SAPPORO-OTARU WELCOME PASS is recommended for travelers hoping for sightseeing basically in Sapporo and also in Otaru. This PASS offers unlimited rides for designated sections of JR Hokkaido lines and all subway lines in Sapporo, ensuring convenient access not only to Otaru but also to tourist spots in Sapporo.
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| ticket |
¥1,500 per passenger |
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| The above are yen (YEN). Prices are subject to change without notice;
The applicable price is the price valid on the date an Exchange Order is issued.
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You will receive
A PASS in a holder that contains your JR tickets and subway pass, as well as a leaflet on how to use the PASS and an Otaru downtown map, handy for sightseeing in Otaru.
Validity
All JR Hokkaido lines between Sapporo and Otaru and all subway lines in Sapporo.
Valid Period
1 Day
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THE KYUSHU RAIL PASS
The Kyushu Rail Pass is the perfect ticket for Kyushu sightseeing and travel. The use of this pass enables passengers to board the Kyushu Shinkansen's Tsubame, the pride of JR Kyushu, and the Sonic, a limited express, as often as they like while the pass is valid. Ticket holders also can use any Kyushu Railway Co. trains as often as they like while the pass is valid.
Kyushu has many sightseeing destinations, such as Beppu's hot spring resorts, Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, and Sakurajima in Kagoshima. Make the most of this ticket to enjoy all of Kyushu to your satisfaction.
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| 5 day ticket |
¥16,000 |
¥8,000 |
free |
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| The above are yen (YEN). Prices are subject to change without notice;
The applicable price is the price valid on the date an Exchange Order is issued.
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Prices
A five day ticket costs ¥16,000 for 5 days and children aged 6 to 11 travel at only half the price. Children under the age of 6 may travel for free under the following conditions:
Two children under six years of age must be accompanied by one parent or guardian.
Two more children under six years of age must be accompanied by a second parent or guardian.
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----------------------- Last Updated February 2006 -----------------------
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Click for a larger image