Japan - Quick Question on JR East Rail Pass - 4 day flex pass

Thinking of getting this as it seems like what we need for our upcoming trip to Japan: Flexible 4-day JR East Pass: Any four days within one month from the date issuance.

Does this mean that we can travel on four individual days (non consecutive) on the JR East rail system within a month?

Narita to Tokyo (day 1),
4 days later to somewhere up north (day 2)
3 days later return to Tokyo (day 3)
Tokyo to Narita (day 4)?

Do you need to go to the ticket office and get a ticket by showing the pass (which I guess will be stamped with the date) for the trip you want to take?
Is it possible/compulsory to get a reserved seat?
Does it cost anything extra?

As always, any pointers are highly appreciated...

Cheers

Thinking of getting this as it seems like what we need for our upcoming trip to Japan:

Does this mean that we can travel on four individual days (non consecutive) on the JR East rail system within a month?

Narita to Tokyo (day 1),
4 days later to somewhere up north (day 2)
3 days later return to Tokyo (day 3)
Tokyo to Narita (day 4)?

Do you need to go to the ticket office and get a ticket by showing the pass (which I guess will be stamped with the date) for the trip you want to take?


Yes, that will work.

The website explains it quite well:

How to use the Flexible 4-day JR East Pass

Select any four days within a one-month period. The one month begins on the day the pass is issued. At the start of each day you use the pass, present it to a station staff or a train conductor to receive a stamp with the date. The one-month period ends on the day of the month prior to the day of issuance. For example, if the pass is issued on February 16, the last valid day of the pass is March 15.



Is it possible/compulsory to get a reserved seat?
Does it cost anything extra?


Reserved seats are possible at no extra charge. You can also make advance reservations online if you choose (http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/pc/english/common/menu/menu.aspx).

However, the mechanism for making advance reservations online is a hassle since you still have to go to a JR ticket office no later than the day before travel and pick up the tickets.

The ticket is stamped on the day of use. You can make seat reservations beforehand but make sure they don't stamp a day of use then -- generally not a worry, the ticket clerks at JR are well trained.

However, the mechanism for making advance reservations online is a hassle since you still have to go to a JR ticket office no later than the day before travel and pick up the tickets.

The ticket is stamped on the day of use. You can make seat reservations beforehand but make sure they don't stamp a day of use then -- generally not a worry, the ticket clerks at JR are well trained.

Wow - That isn't great. Is the "no later than the day before" rule new? Does it apply just to the JR East flexible pass? Or is it a rule for the all-Japan pass too?

It's many years since I used one of JR East's flexible passes. At one of the stations in Aomori prefecture there was one ticket agent who managed to stamp my pass - even though it had already been stamped once that day. That took a bit of explaining the next time I took the thing to be stamped.

Wow - That isn't great. Is the "no later than the day before" rule new? Does it apply just to the JR East flexible pass? Or is it a rule for the all-Japan pass too?

The All-Japan pass comes in 1, 2 and 3 week versions, so the question doesn't apply. I'm not sure why you think this is a problem. Let's say you get the pass on March 1. It would be valid through March 31. If it expired on the same day in the next month, it would be valid for March 1 - April 1, a period longer than one month.

The All-Japan pass comes in 1, 2 and 3 week versions, so the question doesn't apply. I'm not sure why you think this is a problem. Let's say you get the pass on March 1. It would be valid through March 31. If it expired on the same day in the next month, it would be valid for March 1 - April 1, a period longer than one month.
I don't see a problem with the validity of the pass. I think that RichardSF's comment that "the mechanism for making advance reservations online is a hassle " is not great.
Do you think it's great?

I don't see a problem with the validity of the pass. I think that RichardSF's comment that "the mechanism for making advance reservations online is a hassle " is not great.
Do you think it's great?

I mis-understood your comment as applying to the validity date - my bad.

Wow - That isn't great. Is the "no later than the day before" rule new? Does it apply just to the JR East flexible pass? Or is it a rule for the all-Japan pass too?....

Any JR East train booking made in advance via the website: with a JR East pass, with a regular JR pass, or just a purchased ticket, must be picked up at a JR East ticket window no later than 9pm of the day prior to travel.

Here is the quote from http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/PC/English/JRTicket/SeatReservation/Guide.aspx

Even if you are traveling on a JAPAN RAIL PASS, if you do not collect your Reserved Seat Limited-Express Ticket by 9:00 p.m. (21:00, Japan Standard Time) on the day before departure, cancellation fees will be applied and the reservation will be cancelled.

A couple of late observations...

If you know which trains you want to take (ObHyperdia (http://www.hyperdia.com/)), write them down and take them with you to the JR office at Narita. When you pick up your pass, the agent can make your reservations at the same time.

Remember, it's by day and not by trip, so on the days you use your pass your local JR travel is also covered. And, of course, your tickets are not for use in the magnetic readers... manual gates only!