JTB is The Largest Authorized Travel Company for Japan Rail Pass formerly known as Japan Travel Bureau

Japan Rail Pass

JR PASS

Who can buy the Pass?
* Prices are subject to change without notice
* Child 5 years of age and under not requiring a seat is free of charge.

<<Important Notices>>
  • Japan Railways Group (JR) has announced a price increase will apply to all purchases of Japan Rail Pass (including JR Regional Passes) due to consumption tax from October 1,2019.
  • JTB USA website will be change price on September 30,2019 at 5:00PM (PST)
  • If your order after 5:00PM (PST), price will be applicable for new price.
<<JR Official Website>>

What is the JR Pass? Who can buy?

What is the JR Pass?
The JR Pass is the most convenient, efficient, and economical to travel throughout Japan. A regular round-trip ticket from Tokyo to Osaka costs around 30,000 yen. You can purchase a 7-day JR pass for less.
Who can buy the JR Pass?

JR Pass (covering all Japan) is a special pass that is available only to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sight-seeing.
You are eligible to purchase a JR Pass if you meet one of the following condition:

People who have both their Japanese passport and written proof—obtained from the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where they live—that they have been living legally in the country for 10 consecutive years or more

* You must present both your passport and proof of eligibility to purchase an Exchange Order in a country other than Japan, and to exchange your Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS in Japan.
* You cannot use a photocopy of your passport to purchase an Exchange Order or to exchange your Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS.
* You can purchase an Exchange Order and exchange it for a JAPAN RAIL PASS only if your stay in the country for 10 consecutive years or more is verified by such written proof.

< Acceptable written proof >
(1) Copy of your Overseas Residential Registration issued by the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where you live (limited to an Overseas Residential Registration with a date of acceptance at least 10 years earlier)
(2) Certificate of Overseas Residence issued by the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where you live (limited to a Certificate of Overseas Residence with a date at least 10 years earlier as the date on which your address (or place of temporary residence) was established as your present address)
(3) As a special case limited to the USA, Brazil, and Canada, the Permanent Resident Card issued by these 3 countries can be used as written proof until further notice (limited to a Permanent Resident Card confirming your stay in the relevant country for 10 years or more).

More information
http://www.japanrailpass.net/img/about_jrp/file/conditions_en.pdf

If you meet Condition 2, you are able to place an order through our online system, however, you will also need to fax or email a copy of the document that makes you eligible. Agents will contact you by phone or email during business hours to confirm your understanding of the need of a copy and to notify you when such documents have been received. Please be advised that until we receive a copy of the necessary documents we will not be able to fully process your voucher. We advise that you send in your order at least 2 weeks before your departure date to allow for necessary shipping.

Remarks:
If at the time of your exchange, you are unable to provide written proof that you meet the above conditions or the clerk is unable to verify compliance using electronic data or other means, the exchange may be denied.


How to obtain? How to use?

Purchase an Exchange Order before you leave for Japan and exchange the voucher in Japan. You are able to purchase the voucher through the JTB USA website.

1. Purchase an Exchange Order before you come to Japan
You need to purchase a JR Pass Exchange Order from an authorized sales agent in the US prior to your arrival in Japan. JTB USA is one of a few authorized sales agents for Japan's National Railway Group and offers a full selection of rail pass options.
* Don't forget that the JR Pass cannot be purchased inside Japan

2. Present your Exchange Order and obtain your JR Pass after you arrive in Japan
Upon arrival in Japan, you need to turn in the Exchange Order to receive your JR Pass at an applicable JAPAN RAIL station that has a JR Pass exchange office.

3.Let's use the JR Pass!
JR Pass may be use on rail, buses and ferries operated by JR.

JR Pass Validity

Transportation Services & Accommodations & Valid Period

Transportation Services

All JR Group railways
Shinkansen super express (Except "NOZOMI"and"Mizuho"), limited express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains. (Not usable on some trains)

JR Ferry
(Miyajima - Miyajimaguchi), except 'Beetle II' (Hakata- Pusan, South Korea)

* The JR Pass is not valid for "NOZOMI" and "Mizuho" Shinkansen trains. If you use a "NOZOMI", you must pay the ordinary fare and the limited express charge, and if in a Green car, the Green car charge. Passengers using trains on non-JR lines must pay respective fares and charges applicable to the sections traveled on such lines


Accommodations

Many JR trains have Green Cars (First class): all have ordinary cars. You can use Green cars or ordinary cars with a Green-type JR Pass, and you can use ordinary cars with an Ordinary-type JR Pass without paying additional charges.

* Green private compartments are on certain limited express trains, such as "Narita Express" and "Super-View Odoriko".
* Use of "Home Liner" and other "liner" trains requires an additional charge.


Expiratoin date

The valid period of a JR Pass is the consecutive 7, 14, 21 days beginning on the date the Pass is first used. Within 3 months from the date the Exchange Order was issued, you must turn in your Exchange Order to obtain your JR 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 can not be changed.


How to turn in an Exchange Order to receive a JR Pass

Your "Exchange order" must be activated to a JRPASS before you get on board.

You can not use an Exchange Order when you travel on JR lines. Turn in your Exchange Order and obtain your JR Pass at one of the Japan Rail Pass exchange offices. Your Exchange Order must be turned in for a JR Pass within 3 months of the date the Order was issued. At the Japan Rail Pass Exchange office, fill in an application form to accompany your Exchange Order, and submit it, along with your passport, when you turn in your Exchange Order. The type of Pass described on the Exchange Order can not be changed.


How to use a reserved seat

Shinkansen and most limited express and ordinary express trains have reserved Green car seats and both reserved and non-reserved ordinary car seats.

Shinkansen and most limited express and ordinary express trains have reserved Green car seats and both reserved and non-reserved ordinary car seats. A non-reserved seat can be used simply by showing your JR Pass. To use a reserved seat, apply at any Travel Service Center or reserved-seat ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at a JR station, or at a sales office of a JR-associated travel agency. There, show your JR Pass, and obtain your reserved-seat ticket before your trip.

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.

* Seat reservations cannot be made outside Japan.
Do not use an automatic ticket-reading gate with a JR Pass. Please show the Pass at a manned ticket gate.

Dec 29 - Jan 5
The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returning to hometown areas.

Apr 29 - May 5
Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is large scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.

Aug 13 - Aug 15
Another time for traditional travel to hometown areas, called the o-bon season.


Other conditions for the JR Pass

You can reserve seats in advance before you boarding with no extra charge at JR ticket offices.

The information on the voucher is not allowed be changed.

Refunds for vouchers can be obtained at the place of issue within one year of the date of issue. The specified service fee and communication charges will be deducted from the refund amount.
Refunds for rail passes can be obtained at the place of exchange prior to the starting date. A service fee corresponding to 20% of the price in Japanese yen stated on the rail pass concerned will be charged per rail pass. No refund is made for rail passes on or after the starting date.

If you lose your voucher it can not be reissued.


More Information about the JR Pass

If you have questions, please contact your local JTB branch or call the phone number below.

JTB Reservation Center : (800)223-6104
Office hour : 9:00 - 20:30 Eastern Time (Mon-Fri)
E-mail : reservation@jtbusa.com

Who can buy the Pass?
* Prices are subject to change without notice
* Child 5 years of age and under not requiring a seat is free of charge.

Regional Japan Rail Passes

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