Oct 6, 2016, 11:40 pm
Last edit by: muji
About Japan Rail Pass
JAPAN RAIL PASS, a joint offering of the six companies comprising the Japan Railways Group (JR Group).
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Eligibility
(1) You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor" or
(2) You are a Japanese national living outside of Japan who has both their Japanese passport and written proof—obtained from the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where they live—that they have been living legally in the country for 10 consecutive years or more.
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Validity Period
The validity period of a JAPAN RAIL PASS is the consecutive 7, 14, or 21 days period beginning on the date the PASS is first used.
Within three months from the date the Exchange Order was issued, you must turn in your Exchange Order to obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS
(for example, an Exchange Order issued on April 15 would have to be turned in by July 14).
more information: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html
JAPAN RAIL PASS, a joint offering of the six companies comprising the Japan Railways Group (JR Group).
__________________________________________________ _____________
Eligibility
(1) You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor" or
(2) You are a Japanese national living outside of Japan who has both their Japanese passport and written proof—obtained from the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where they live—that they have been living legally in the country for 10 consecutive years or more.
__________________________________________________ _____________
Validity Period
The validity period of a JAPAN RAIL PASS is the consecutive 7, 14, or 21 days period beginning on the date the PASS is first used.
Within three months from the date the Exchange Order was issued, you must turn in your Exchange Order to obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS
(for example, an Exchange Order issued on April 15 would have to be turned in by July 14).
more information: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/index.html
Japan Rail (JR) Pass questions (consolidated)
Feb 15, 2020, 5:11 am
#706
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,214
I've now changed my plans (for those who have read my previous posts) and am planning on visiting Kyoto and Osaka (flying in and out of Tokyo).
Say I go Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka - Kyoto - Tokyo. I will want the bullet train for the long hauls and green seats on every route.
The 7-day green pass is $360 US.
According to Hyperdia (thanks bpe ! Teach a man to fish...) individual tickets would be: 18,720 yen each way for Tokyo - Kyoto, and Kyoto - Osaka for 2,530 yen each way on limited express.
That's a total of 42,500 yen, which is $387 by today's exchange rates.
This all seems not worthwhile to save $27. Also, if I just buy regular tickets, it gives me the option of taking Nozomi on the long trip for just 320 yen more each way.
Is there anything wrong with my logic here?
Say I go Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka - Kyoto - Tokyo. I will want the bullet train for the long hauls and green seats on every route.
The 7-day green pass is $360 US.
According to Hyperdia (thanks bpe ! Teach a man to fish...) individual tickets would be: 18,720 yen each way for Tokyo - Kyoto, and Kyoto - Osaka for 2,530 yen each way on limited express.
That's a total of 42,500 yen, which is $387 by today's exchange rates.
This all seems not worthwhile to save $27. Also, if I just buy regular tickets, it gives me the option of taking Nozomi on the long trip for just 320 yen more each way.
Is there anything wrong with my logic here?
otherwise the advantages/disadvantages you already know
Feb 15, 2020, 7:01 am
#707
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
You could count that as a $5 to $10 value for the one-way trip if you compare with the cost of the cheapest alternatives. Or a higher value if you consider that it’s replacing a taxi.
Feb 15, 2020, 3:45 pm
#708
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
No .... but I wouldn't (a) bother with Green class - the regular seats are fine (sit in the DE seats if you want to be on the Mt. Fuji side) and (b) I wouldn't take the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka but take the Rapid Service to Osaka for ¥570.
Feb 20, 2020, 2:04 am
#709
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
Japan Rail Pass will start direct online sale soon.
Starting in April, japanrailpass.net will be updated to advise visitors of the upcoming changes.
On June 1, Japan Rail Pass will be sold through japanrailpass-reservation.net and it appears reservations can be made at the same time. The passes must be activated within 1 month of sale. The new pass will be compatible with automatic ticket gates and ticket vending machines for seat reservations.
Source: https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2019/20200217_ho02.pdf
Starting in April, japanrailpass.net will be updated to advise visitors of the upcoming changes.
On June 1, Japan Rail Pass will be sold through japanrailpass-reservation.net and it appears reservations can be made at the same time. The passes must be activated within 1 month of sale. The new pass will be compatible with automatic ticket gates and ticket vending machines for seat reservations.
Source: https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2019/20200217_ho02.pdf
Feb 20, 2020, 8:58 am
#710
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CMI, ORD, NYC
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 92
Japan Rail Pass will start direct online sale soon.
Starting in April, japanrailpass.net will be updated to advise visitors of the upcoming changes.
On June 1, Japan Rail Pass will be sold through japanrailpass-reservation.net and it appears reservations can be made at the same time. The passes must be activated within 1 month of sale. The new pass will be compatible with automatic ticket gates and ticket vending machines for seat reservations.
Source: https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2019/20200217_ho02.pdf
Starting in April, japanrailpass.net will be updated to advise visitors of the upcoming changes.
On June 1, Japan Rail Pass will be sold through japanrailpass-reservation.net and it appears reservations can be made at the same time. The passes must be activated within 1 month of sale. The new pass will be compatible with automatic ticket gates and ticket vending machines for seat reservations.
Source: https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2019/20200217_ho02.pdf
Feb 20, 2020, 11:11 am
#711
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
No detail was provided on how the new site will deliver the pass. I suspect the new pass will be electronic.
Also forgot to mention in the last post, the system will be unavailable daily from 23:55 to 04:00 JST.
Feb 20, 2020, 8:18 pm
#713
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
Feb 22, 2020, 7:03 pm
#714
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,460
We leave the first week of April, I have managed to get 3 nights at the Tokyo Hilton, 6 nights at the Conrad Osaka (its a points thing) then back to the Tokyo Bay our last night (resort credit) - flying home the next day at 5 pm.
I have been advised to simply take the shuttle from HND to the Hilton, arriving at 1520.
Thinking we do all our Tokyo stuff without the pass - I assume we can buy some sort of prepaid Tokyo card?
Activate the pass; take the train to Osaka - do maybe 3 all day trips (Nara, plus whatever you guys suggest), I realize we will probably go to Kyoto on 2 of these 6 days - then back to Tokyo on the 7th day.. Am I ok buying a pass?
I have been advised to simply take the shuttle from HND to the Hilton, arriving at 1520.
Thinking we do all our Tokyo stuff without the pass - I assume we can buy some sort of prepaid Tokyo card?
Activate the pass; take the train to Osaka - do maybe 3 all day trips (Nara, plus whatever you guys suggest), I realize we will probably go to Kyoto on 2 of these 6 days - then back to Tokyo on the 7th day.. Am I ok buying a pass?
Feb 22, 2020, 10:39 pm
#715
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
That is the recommended way to use the 7-day JR Rail Pass. Activate it for the longer travel - Tokyo-Osaka-Nara-Kyoto-Himeji-Hiroshima (or where ever) and back to Tokyo. Obtain and use a Suica or Pasmo prepaid travel card for local travel in and around Tokyo.
.
.
Feb 24, 2020, 7:50 pm
#716
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
May 20, 2020, 7:27 am
#717
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Kanagawa
Programs: JAL Global Club, ANA Super Flyers
Posts: 238
For when things eventually get back to normal, JR Central has now published documentation on reserving seats when traveling with large luggage (over 160 linear cm). Haven't taken the Shinkansen since the state of emergency was declared, but apparently this is effective from May 2020. If you don't reserve a seat in advance and bring on a large bag, expect to be hit with a 1,000 yen fee.
Oct 4, 2020, 3:29 pm
#719
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
New JR East Welcome 2020 Pass for foreign passport holders, regardless of Visa status.
https://www.eastjapanrailway.com/pass/wrp.html
Hat tip to https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/c...ome_pass_2020/
https://www.eastjapanrailway.com/pass/wrp.html
Adult: 12,000 yen
Child: 6,000 yen
JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020 is a special limited discount pass available only to foreign passport holders (regardless of visa status). It allows unlimited travel on all JR East trains in the areas of Tokyo, Tohoku, Nagano, and Niigata, inclusive of the Shinkansen, for 3 consecutive days. It is a great way to explore the eastern region of Japan this fall/winter!
・Limited Sales Period: October 16, 2020 to February 26, 2021
・Limited Validity Period: October 16, 2020 to February 28, 2021
Child: 6,000 yen
JR EAST Welcome Rail Pass 2020 is a special limited discount pass available only to foreign passport holders (regardless of visa status). It allows unlimited travel on all JR East trains in the areas of Tokyo, Tohoku, Nagano, and Niigata, inclusive of the Shinkansen, for 3 consecutive days. It is a great way to explore the eastern region of Japan this fall/winter!
・Limited Sales Period: October 16, 2020 to February 26, 2021
・Limited Validity Period: October 16, 2020 to February 28, 2021
Feb 20, 2021, 11:44 pm
#720
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CMI, ORD, NYC
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 92
Just a follow up to this, does this mean I can reserve a seat online after I buy the JR pass but before I arrive in Japan and pick up the physical JR pass? Also, are there any routes/dates exempt from online reservation? Looking at Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto-Hiroshima late December/early Jan.