How to use your Japan Rail Pass

• Insert your pass into the slot of the automatic ticket gate and take it back when it comes out on the other side.
• At smaller stations or when in doubt, walk through the manned gate and show the pass.
• Keep the pass in a small sleeve so it stays flat and readable at the gates.

Seat reservations are included with the pass. Scan the QR code on your pass at a shinkansen or JR reserved seat ticket machine, or ask staff at any JR ticket office.

Reserve early during cherry blossom, Golden Week, summer holidays and New Year.

• Find your platform on the screens, trains run on time to the minute.
• Cars 1 to 3 are usually non reserved on most lines, the rest are reserved.
• Green cars are first class and require a green pass or a paid upgrade.

• Missed train: with the pass you simply take the next one, no fee.
• Lost pass: replacements are not issued, treat it like cash.
• Wrong train type: Nozomi and Mizuho need a supplement, pay at the conductor if you boarded by mistake.