The Japan Rail Pass (JR PASS) is an excellent option and the TOP japan travel tip for budget-conscious travellers. The pass allows unlimited travel on the extensive Japan Rail network, including the high-speed Shinkansen trains, for a set number of days.
But what if you didn’t purchase the pass before arriving in Japan? No worries, you can still get the pass from designated stations in Japan. until the 31st of March 2023 with a likely extension which I will keep you updated on.
You can also purchase online and do everything digitally too!
Here’s what you need to know to purchase from within Japan:
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
First, make sure that you are eligible to purchase a Japan Rail Pass. The pass is available to foreign visitors to Japan who enter the country on a temporary visitor visa, and it cannot be purchased by Japanese residents.
Step 2: Head to a JR Ticket Office
Next, head to a Japan Rail Pass exchange office or “Midori-no-madoguchi” at a major JR train station. There are many of these offices located throughout Japan, and they can easily be found by searching online or asking at your hotel.
Step 3: Provide Necessary Documents
At the ticket office, you will need to present your passport and a completed exchange order (if you have purchased before hand from your home country), which you can obtain online or at travel agencies that sell the pass. The exchange order will be exchanged for the actual pass.
You can also currently purchase your pass from within Japan too.
Step 4: Choose Your Pass
Select the type of pass that best fits your travel plans. There are options for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days of travel, and you can choose between an ordinary or green car pass (green cars are more spacious and comfortable). or maybe a regional pass.
Step 5: Pay for Your Pass
After selecting your pass, you will need to pay for it. The pass can be purchased using cash, credit card or IC card (a rechargeable transportation smart card).
Step 6: Activate Your Pass
Your Japan Rail Pass must be activated within three months of the exchange order issue date. Simply present your pass at a ticket gate to activate it, and from that point on, you can use it to travel on the Japan Rail network.
Here are a list of companies that you can check out yourself. ( Please note that I may have not personally used them all)
Jrpass.com
https://japanrailpass.net
https://www.jrailpass.com
A comprehensive guide can also be found here:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
Time stamps:
00:00 How to get a JR pass
00:16 Step 1 get to a JR station office
00:56 Go prepared to get your JR pass
02:18 What you need to know
02:56 Consider what Japan Rail Pass you need
03:37 Join the adventure!
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The JR pass is currently available for purchase from within Japan until the 31 March. Website states "*The details concerning sales after the above date will be announced later." I will update this pinned comment as needed.
*JR Pass is also available for purchase online digitally from http://www.japanrailpass.net
All questions and experience welcome!
Liked that you explained their are different level of JR passes. It was one of my best purchases as I more than got my money's worth using it. I've never had a chance to use the new system, but like it's apparently practical application. It will be interesting to see if JR continues to make the passes available for purchase by foreign tourists, in Japan after 31st of March. My former Japanese tourist agency where I used to purchase passes closed permanently during covid, so will have to find new spot.
Thanks for the tips, ill be getting a 7-day one. I prefer the pamphlet version of JR pass, it was a nice souvenir for the trip. And I wish they used an IC card instead of a flimsy paper ticket.
I love the phrase "unlock your Japan adventure!" My trip to Japan is exactly a month from today! 😁
They need to make the Rail Pass sturdier…mine could no longer be read by the end of two weeks. I had to ask for assistance cause the pass didn’t work at the ticket reader anymore.
Ohhh wow it's back, weren't they trialing this system briefly pre-pandemic that's really good , I have received mine but some people don't get them in time
I’ll be getting a 14 day one. I think it is actually cheaper online.
Good and bad with this news. Glad they finally went to a ticket sized pass that can be used electronically through the gate without having to show it to a JR gate employee, but it's also smaller and can be more likely to lose it too. Overall it seems like it's still a plus as long as you are careful.
I was constantly afraid to lose the new small ticket.
Great tips and getting a JR pass is one of the best things to do in Japan so you can explore the country!
I wouldn't run out of anything to do in Japan, It has everything i love ❤ Art, Culture ,Nature, Festivals, Games , Anime , I would never get bored 😄
🚅 no emojis proofs this video, but I still think this fits!