Japan Rail
Japan Rail
Who is eligible for a Japan Rail Pass?
You must be entering Japan as a temporary visitor / tourist in order to purchase any Japan Rail Pass. Japan Rail officials will check your entry status stamp in your passport before issuing your rail pass.
How do I get my Japan Rail Pass?
An exchange order will be issued upon payment of your pass. On arrival in Japan you will need to exchange this order at a JR Rail Office to obtain your rail pass. Exchange orders are valid for three months from the date of issue. You will receive details of JR office locations with your documentation.
What is the difference between Ordinary and Green Passes?
An Ordinary Pass offers standard class travel and a Green Pass provides a superior level of comfort, comparable to First Class services.
Green Class is very comfortable, seats are wider and more spacious, it is carpeted and there is extra room for luggage. The train attendant will bring you a hot towel upon boarding, whereas the Ordinary Class is often crowded and there is limited space to put your luggage.
How does the cost of a Japan Rail Pass compare to individual point to point tickets?
It can be expensive to purchasing individual rail tickets in Japan.
The approximate cost of a Japan Rail Pass 7 day ordinary pass is AUD400 and the average cost of a one way ordinary class ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto AUD220.
What happens if my exchange order/pass is lost or stolen?
Unfortunately exchange orders or passes cannot be refunded or reissued. It is recommended that you take out appropriate travel insurance to cover lost or stolen passes.
Do I need to make seat reservations?
In Green class, reservations are compulsory on Shinkansen and most Limited Express and Ordinary Express trains. Ordinary class has both reserved and non-reserved seating.
Seat reservations cannot be made from Australia. Any reservations will need to be made locally at any JR Rail office or at a sales office of a JR associated travel agency.and there are no reservations fees.
When are the busy travel periods?
The morning peak is between 7.30-9.30am and the evening peak is 5.00-7.00pm
The traditional peak holiday periods are: New Year Holidays (late Dec – early Jan) Golden Week (end April - start May) and O-Bon (mid Aug).
How do I identify a station name during travel?
All JR stations display station names in both Japanese and Roman letters on their platforms.
Commonly, the station's name is in the top center of the signboard, in large letters and the names of the previous and next station are at the bottom of the signboard, in smaller letters.
Is English speaking assistance available?
JR provides a convenient telephone information service offering information such as train time schedules, routings and locations of reservation offices. The service operates 10am - 6pm (except during the year-end/new year holiday period), and the phone number is 050-2016-1603.
What is a Shinkansen train?
The Shinkansen is very reliable, and in 2003, JR Central reported that the Shinkansen's average arrival time was within six seconds of the scheduled time
Shinkansen is the high-speed rail system that is the foundation of Japan's rail transportation network. Each line and train has its own name. To most of us a Shinkansen is commonly known as a bullet train.
The Shinkansen network boasts high speeds (up to 300 kilometers per hour) and high frequency. At least six trains per hour (not per day!) operate between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka Stations during daytime hours.
What is the difference between a Super Express, Limited Express and Express train?
The basic difference is the number of stops the train makes.
Can I use my Japan Pass on the Narita Express?
Yes you can as long as you get a seat reservation before you board the train. Seat reservations are free of charge and can only be made once you arrive in Japan.
Can I use my Japan Rail Pass on the NOZOMI?
No. The super-super express train (bullet train) Nozomi is not applicable for the rail pass user. You can however travel on all other bullet trains throughout the country.
What dining facilities are available on board the trains?
Shinkansen trains offer either a dining car or buffet car. Most long distance train services will also offer a trolley service offering box meals as well as snacks and drinks.
There is no restriction on taking your own food and drink. In fact one of the great delights of rail travel in Japan is the vast variety of food, especially the traditional ‘o-bento’ boxed lunches, sold in stations and on trains.