Size (sum of height x length x width) | Reservation Required |
---|---|
160cm and below | Can be carried on board without prior reservation. |
161cm-250cm | Advance reservations are required and are free. Shinkansen reserved seats will automatically include reserved space for your luggage. These seats normally will be the last row in most (but not all carriages), and there will be a dedicated space in the back for oversized luggage. (Unfortunately, you can't recline in these seats if you have luggage behind you.) Failure to make a reservation will result in a 1,000-yen penalty, and your luggage may be carried by the conductor. |
250cm and above | Not allowed to board the train and other transportation is required. |
Purchasing the Pass is straightforward:
Using the Japan Rail Pass is easy. Here is how:
Japan offers some of the most picturesque train journeys. Here are a few you can enjoy with the Japan Rail Pass:
While JR operates most of Japan’s railways, including all Shinkansen lines, there are many other regional railway operators. These non-JR trains often serve smaller, localized networks, particularly in the suburbs of major cities. Additionally, most subway lines in Japan are not run by JR, and thus the Japan Rail Pass is not valid for travel on these non-JR trains.
Nozomi and Mizuho TrainsOn the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines, Nozomi and Mizuho trains are the fastest services. Unfortunately, the Japan Rail Pass does not cover travel on these trains without an additional fee.
The cost of this supplement, called a "Nozomi Mizuho Ticket," varies based on the distance traveled and is consistent across different seat types (unreserved, reserved, and Green cars, with only Green Pass holders allowed in Green car seats).
Here are some examples of the supplement fees for popular routes:
To travel on Nozomi and Mizuho trains, Japan Rail Pass holders must purchase the Nozomi Mizuho Ticket at major JR station ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi) across Japan.
Traveling from Tokyo to Nagoya using a Japan Rail Pass, follow these steps:Begin your adventure in Tokyo, a city that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity. With your Pass, you can visit iconic sites like:
Travel to Kyoto, the heart of Japan’s cultural heritage. The Pass makes it easy to visit:
Discover Hiroshima's poignant history and vibrant present. Highlights include:
Head north to Hokkaido for natural beauty and outdoor activities. With the Pass, explore:
Experience Osaka, known for its culinary delights and vibrant nightlife. Don’t miss:
The Pass offers unlimited travel on JR trains, including Shinkansen (bullet trains), and selected JR buses and ferries for a fixed period (7, 14, or 21 days).
The Pass is available to foreign tourists visiting Japan on a "Temporary Visitor" visa.
Children aged 6-11 can use a child Pass at half the price of the adult pass. Children under 6 travel for free but do not get a reserved seat. In non-reserved, reserved and green carriage, you can carry them on empty seats, but if the train is very busy or with reserved seats, you must carry them on your lap. Therefore, each child under 6 years of age must travel with 1 adult.
To activate the Pass, present your exchange order voucher and passport at any JR ticket office in Japan.
The Pass is valid on all JR Group trains, including Shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho trains), limited express, express, rapid, and local trains. It can also be used on JR buses and the JR Miyajima ferry.
a) Shinkansen Lines Covered by Pass:
b) Shinkansen Lines Requiring a Supplement Ticket (additional cost):
Yes, seat reservations are free with the JR Pass. You can make reservations at JR ticket offices, travel service centers, and some designated ticket machines or online through the Pass website.
The Pass is valid for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days from the date of activation.
Yes, even for short trips, the Pass can offer significant savings if you plan to travel between major cities or take multiple trains.
Yes, the Pass can be used on JR lines in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other major cities in Japan.
If you lose your Pass, you can report it to the nearest JR ticket office. They will assist you in obtaining a replacement pass