How to Use the Japan Rail Pass

Buying

Must be purchased outside Japan or at JR Exchange Offices at major airports on arrival (slightly more expensive). Buy online through the official JR Pass website or authorized resellers. You receive an exchange order to convert at a JR ticket office in Japan.

Activating

Take your exchange order to any major JR ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi) at airports or major stations. Show your passport. Choose your start date — doesn’t have to be the day you arrive. Staff will issue your physical pass.

Using the Pass

For local trains: show pass to station attendant at the staffed gate — do not use IC card gates.
For shinkansen: go to the Shinkansen ticketing office and make a free seat reservation. You can book your entire trip in advance.

What’s Covered vs Not

Covered: All JR trains + most shinkansen (Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, Haruka), JR buses and some ferries
NOT covered: Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen, Tokyo Metro, Osaka Metro, private railways

Pro Tips

• Reserve all shinkansen seats when you activate the pass
• The Haruka Express (Kansai Airport to Kyoto/Osaka) is fully covered
• Keep pass and passport together — both may be checked