Home Links Sitemap

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is a special pass available only to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing.

Eligibility

1. Foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor”.

OR

2. Japanese national living in a foreign country,
   a. who is qualified to live permanently in that country, or
   b. who is married to a non-Japanese residing in a country other than Japan.

Japan Rail Pass types and prices

There are two types of Japan Rail Pass:

Green – for superior class Green cars
Ordinary – for coach class cars

Where to buy the Japan Rail Pass?

A Japan Rail Pass cannot be purchased inside Japan

You must purchase an Exchange Order from an authorized sales office or agent before you come to Japan.

After you arrive in Japan, you go to an applicable JR station that has a Japan Rail Pass exchange office to turn in the Exchange Order together with your passport to receive your Japan Rail Pass.

Authorized Japan Rail Pass sales agents in Singapore:

* In this case, you must be taking a JAL International flight.

Note:
Agents are also authorized to sell other JR passes, together with the Japan Rail Pass.

Validity

This pass is valid for all JR Group railways’ Shinkansen “bullet trains” (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on “NOZOMI” trains), limited express trains, express trains and rapid or local trains. (With some exceptions)

The Japan Rail Pass is valid for local lines of JR bus companies and some of JR highway bus services. This pass is also valid for the JR Miyajima ferry.

For detailed information on the transportation services that are valid, please go to the website of Japan Rail Pass.

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 3 months from the date the Exchange Order was issued, you must turn in your Exchange Order to obtain your 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.

Seat Reservations

You can make seat reservations on those trains with reserved seats without additional payment. (The Japan Rail Pass is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen.)

Just go to any Travel Service Center or a Reservation Office at a JR station, or to the sales office of a JR-associated travel agency. Show your Japan Rail Pass and you will be given a reserved-seat ticket.

Note:
During crowded periods, there will be no guarantee of seats on specific trains.

Busy Periods:

• December 28 to January 6
  This is the Japanese New Year holidays whereby Japanese have their vacations and return to hometown areas.
   
• April 27 to May 6
  The “Golden Week” consists of consecutive holidays in a week and many travel thoughout Japan for vacations.
   
• August 11 to August 20
  The period is for traditional travel to hometown, also called the Obon season.