Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
Most international visitors coming to and from Nagano will make at least one journey on Japan’s famous shinkansen. Often referred to as the ‘Bullet Train’, the shinkansen network spans the country and connects the cities and regions of Japan with a highspeed rail network that is the envy of the world.The shinkansen is hugely convenient but also expensive, particularly for longer journeys. A couple of journeys on the famous train network can quickly add-up but fortunately, most international visitors are eligible for a Japan Rail Pass. On this page you will find the following information:
— Services Covered by the Pass
— Exchanging & Activating Your Pass
— 30 Day Trips & Getaways Near Tokyo
The Japan Rail Pass (also known as JR Pass ) is available for 7, 14 and 21-day periods and cover unlimited (with a couple of exceptions) use of the shinkansen network and many other trains around Japan. These passes represent the most economical and convenient way of navigating the rail network and in doing so, get the most out of your time in Japan. For visitors heading toward our hometown of Nagano, further information and tips for using the Hokuriku Shinkansen to travel to and from Nagano can be found through our ‘How to get to Nagano’ page.
SERVICES COVERED BY THE PASS
JR Passes are valid for use on almost all trains operated by Japan Railways including all nine shinkansen lines, limited express, express, rapid and local trains. Furthermore, passes cover use of the Tokyo Monorail to and from Haneda Airport, the Narita Express (N’EX) from Narita Airport and some non-JR train lines and local buses. Nozomi services on the Tokaido / Sanyo Shinkansen and Mizuho services on the Sanyo / Kyushu Shinkansen are not covered by the pass, nor are most non-JR trains.
For visitors heading to our home region of Nagano and Central Japan, holders of any JR Pass can however use all services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen – which runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa, stopping at Nagano – at no additional charge. For further details, please refer to our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen’ page and more information about the types of train services in Japan and how to navigate the network, see our ‘Moving Around Japan: Using Trains, Buses, Planes or Drive Yourself’ page.
TYPES OF PASSES & PRICES
As stated, passes are available for periods of 7, 14 and 21-days and can only be used by the person named on the pass. Passes can be purchased for Ordinary or Green Cars as shown above. Ordinary Cars include both reserved and non-reserved seating – as shown in the image below – and are the carriages that most people, including most Japanese, use for their journeys. They are comfortable and clean. Holders of an JR Pass covering Ordinary Cars can sit in a non-reserved carriage without need of an additional ticket however should you wish to sit in a reserved seat, you will need to arrange an additional ticket from the ticket office. This is provided at no additional cost.
From October 2023, Japan Rail Pass holders wishing to ride the “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” bullet trains are now able to do so by purchasing a discounted additional ticket before boarding.
Green Cars – as seen in the image below – are variously described as the equivalent to business or first-class on an airline. Seats are larger and more comfortable with more legroom and luggage space for each passenger.
Holders of JR Passes covering Green Cars must obtain a separate ticket from the ticket office prior to their journey as all Green Cars are reservation-only. Holders of these passes can also use Ordinary Cars should they wish to. For further information about Ordinary, Green Cars and Gran Class, please refer to our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen’ page.
ELIGIBILITY FOR A JR PASS
To obtain a pass, you must be traveling on a foreign passport and be the holder – or will be the holder – of a temporary visitor visa while you are in Japan. Any other class of visa, including other temporary visas such as students, spouses, trainees, etc. are not eligible for a pass.
PURCHASING A JR PASS
Passes can be purchased here or via a JR-affiliated overseas sales office. Once you have completed payment, you will receive an exchange order. This is a proof of payment and looks almost like a flight ticket with your personal details, type of pass, and validity (three months from the date of issue). It is important to note that the exchange order is not your actual pass and will need to be exchanged for your pass once in Japan. So whatever you do, do not lose the exchange order and prioritise exchanging it for your pass when you arrive.
EXCHANGING & ACTIVATING YOUR PASS
Prior to using your pass, you must first exchange the order/proof of purchase you received online. This can be done a numerous JR Pass Exchange Offices found at any major train station or airport, including Narita International Airport and Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Kansai International Airport in Osaka, and Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya. If you have time to do so before leaving the airport, you can use the pass immediately.
Tokyo Station is another popular place to exchange/obtain your pass at either of these offices:
— JR East Travel Service Center (Marunouchi North Exit): 07:30 to 20:30
— JR Central Ticket Office (Yaesu Central) : 07:30 to 20:30
— JR Central Ticket Office (Yaesu North): 09:00 to 19:00
— JR East Travel Service Center (JAPAN RAIL CAFE): 08:00 to 16:00
— JR Tokai Tours Tokyo Office : 10:00 to 18:00
Major train stations around the country will have offices that can exchange and activate your JR Pass with other options including (but not limited to): Ueno Station / Shinjuku Station / Kanazawa Station / Nagoya Station / Kyoto Station / Shin-Osaka. Travelers already in our hometown of Nagano can exchange/activate their pass at the Travel Service Center / View Plaza inside Nagano Station from 10:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 17:30 on weekends and holidays.
To exchange/activate your pass you will need your exchange order and passport. Make sure you allow adequate time to exchange and activate your pass if you are intending to use it on the same day or do so a day or two before you plan to start using it (you can always nominate a later activation date). Once you have your activated pass you are free to ride however you can’t insert your pass into the ticket gates. Simply walk through the side booth (permanently attended by station staff) and show your pass. You will be waved through and you can make your way to the platform.
SHOULD I BUY A JR PASS?
It depends on how long you will be in Japan and what you plan to do while here. If for example, you will be in Tokyo less than a week and not planning to travel outside of the city, then a JR Pass really isn’t worth it. If however you’re here for more than a week and/or planning to use the shinkansen more than a couple of times, the pass will quickly pay for itself. For example, a return journey from Tokyo to Nagano will cost approximately JPY17,000 for a seat in an ordinary car. Looking at the table of prices above, you will note that that return journey is already 1/3 of the price of the 7-day pass.
Once you start using the train regularly, and travelling longer distances than Tokyo to Nagano, the cost of the pass will soon justify itself. Just remember, shinkansen cover huge distances quickly and without the hassle of check-in and luggage pickup of an airport. It is definitely expensive but well-worth using, particularly with a JR Pass in hand.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, Japan’s fantastic rail netowrk making moving around the country by train easy and comfortable, opening-up all regions of the country for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
BEST TOURS IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without providing information on the nearby metropolis and capital of Tokyo! Tokyo is steeped in history. The city has faced many hardships from earthquakes, fires and the air raids of WW2, and unfortunately many of its oldest buildings and structures have disappeared over time. However, Tokyo does a fantastic job at celebrating and retaining much of its character and culture, with stunning renovations of temples and shrines, museums housing some of Japan’s finest artefacts, and hidden pockets of neighbourhoods that have managed to preserve its original architecture despite the many challenges its faced. Pop culture lovers will rejoice at Japan’s modern aesthetic, with its bright lights and neon signs that make the city glow at night. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo, especially fantastic hands on experiences to make your trip extra special. Check out our ’Best Tours in Tokyo’ page which will give you more information on the tours we offer! However, to give you a taste of what we offer, check out the tours below! We hope you book a tour with us!
1 Day Tour
| Tokyo Highlights Tour : Sumo, Sushi, Tea, Temples and Tokyo Tower | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:15 – 16:30 |
| Meeting Place | Inside of Hamacho Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
1 Day Tour
| Walking Tour in Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi : Experience Tea Ceremony and ’Yanesen’ Old Tokyo | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 10.30 – 17:10 |
| Meeting Place | Outside Nippori Station WEST exit |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30- 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | Outside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without also suggesting our wider recommendations on things to do in Tokyo which includes both the golden tourist attractions and some lesser known activities you can enjoy. Why not check out Things to Do in Tokyo page which will also give you plenty of inspiration for your time spent in Tokyo. Here you will find some of the best activities and recommendations on how to spend your time in the Capital, as well as some tours that you can join to make the most out of your trip!
From watching Sumo wrestlers train to eating the freshest sushi at local markets, playing Taiko drums to exploring hidden shrines and temples, Tokyo truly has it all. Our Tokyo tours enable you to pick and choose from a wide range of areas and activities to explore during your trip. Want to explore lesser known neighbourhoods in Tokyo, or do you want to get into the hustle and bustle of the world’s most populated city, then click the link above and start exploring what you can do in Tokyo to make your trip unforgettable.
30 DAY-TRIPS & OVERNIGHT GETAWAYS NEAR TOKYO
While Tokyo has more than enough to keep you entertained for your entire visit, it is also an ideal base from where to escape the city and explore our home region of Central Japan. Boasting the majority of Japan’s tallest mountains, verdant forests, open spaces, ancient temples and a slower way of life, Central Japan is easy to acess from Takasaki. Our ’30 Things To Do Near Tokyo: Best Day-Trips & Overnight Getaways’ page includes some fantastic tips and suggestions of what’s on offer, with many of the destinations reachable by JR Pass. Here are some examples of the tours we offer outside of Tokyo many of which already include your transportation. We hope it tempts you to explore beyond the city!
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Trip to Kamakura and Enoshima : Shrines, Seaside, Temples and Tea | |
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| Period | February – October |
| Time | 08:00 – 19:10 |
| Meeting Place | Outside of Shinjuku Station South Gate Baskin Robbins |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour : Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park | |
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| Period | April – October |
| Time | 08:40 – 19:15 |
| Meeting Place | Outside Asakusa Ekimise Department Store |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥18,900 |
1 Day Tour
| Day Trip to Kawagoe : Experience the ‘Little Edo’ of Japan | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 – 16:45 |
| Meeting Place | Inside Ikebukuro Train Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Other Nagoya & Kii Peninsula / Mount Fuji & Hakone / Tokyo / Kyoto, Nara & Osaka / Hokkaido / Tohoku & Nikko / Chugoku & Shikoku / Kyushu & Okinawa Pages
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Best Places to Stay in Nagoya
Best Places to Stay in Hakone
Best Places to Stay in Niseko
Best Places to Stay in Kiroro
Best Places to Stay in Furano
Best Places to Stay in Tomamu
