What is the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass is a discounted rail ticket for foreign tourists that gives unlimited travel on most JR trains, including Shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho), for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days.

Who can buy the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass is available to foreign tourists visiting Japan on a Temporary Visitor visa. Japanese citizens and residents are not eligible.

How do I use the JR Pass?

After purchase you receive an Exchange Order. You bring it to a JR Pass exchange office in Japan with your passport and activate the pass on your chosen start date.

Is the JR Pass valid on all trains?

The JR Pass covers most JR-operated lines, including Shinkansen, limited express, express, rapid and local trains, plus the JR Miyajima ferry. Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen require a supplement.

Can I reserve seats with the JR Pass?

Yes. Seat reservations are free with the JR Pass and can be made at any JR ticket office in Japan or online in advance.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping typically takes 3-7 business days worldwide. We recommend ordering at least 2 weeks before your departure.

Are there any exceptions?

The Japan Rail Pass allows you to travel on MOST lines covered by JR. There are a few non-included trains like Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen. You can pay a small fee to upgrade since October 2023.

When should I order my JR Pass?

We recommend ordering at least 2 weeks before your departure to account for potential shipping delays.

Back to articles

Activation

Where to exchange your JR Pass voucher in Japan

Your GetJRPass exchange order is swapped for the actual Japan Rail Pass at an official JR ticket office or Travel Service Centre in Japan. Below is the full list of locations that accept exchange orders, grouped by region. Reserved seat ticket vending machines are not included because they only handle online e-tickets, not exchange orders.

Hokkaido

Kushiro: JR Ticket Counter, 10:00 to 18:00.
Obihiro: JR Ticket Counter, 9:00 to 19:30.
Asahikawa: JR Ticket Counter, 9:30 to 17:30.
Sapporo: JR Information Desk, 8:30 to 19:00.
New Chitose Airport: JR Information Desk, 8:30 to 19:00.
Hakodate: JR Ticket Counter for rail pass, 10:00 to 18:00.
Shin Hakodate Hokuto: JR Ticket Counter, 9:00 to 19:00.

Tohoku

Aomori: JR East Travel Service Center.
Morioka: JR East Travel Service Center.
Akita: JR East Travel Service Center.
Sendai: JR East Travel Service Center.
Yamagata: JR East Travel Service Center.
Fukushima: JR East Travel Service Center.

Niigata and Nagano

Niigata: JR East Travel Service Center.
Nagano: JR East Travel Service Center.

Greater Tokyo and airports

Omiya: JR East Travel Service Center.
Narita Airport Terminal 1: JR East Travel Service Center, plus Ticket Office 6:30 to 8:30 and 19:00 to 21:45.
Narita Airport Terminal 2 and 3: JR East Travel Service Center, plus Ticket Office 6:30 to 8:30 and 20:00 to 21:45.
Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station: JR East Travel Service Center, Tokyo Monorail 2F ticket gate.
Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station: Tourist Information Center, 6:00 to 22:00.
Kashiwa: JR East Travel Service Center.
Funabashi: JR East Travel Service Center.
Tokyo: JR East Travel Service Center, Japan Rail Cafe 9:00 to 16:00, JR Central Ticket Office Yaesu Central 8:30 to 19:00, JR Central Ticket Office Yaesu North 8:30 to 19:00, JR Tokai Tours Tokyo Office 9:00 to 19:00 weekdays and 9:00 to 18:00 weekends.
Ueno: JR East Travel Service Center.
Shinjuku: JR East Travel Service Center at the New South Gate and at the East Gate.
Shibuya: JR East Travel Service Center.
Ikebukuro: JR East Travel Service Center.
Shinagawa: JR Central Ticket Office, 9:00 to 19:00.
Takanawa Gateway: Travel Service Center, credit card payments only.
Tachikawa: JR East Travel Service Center.
Kawasaki: JR East Travel Service Center.
Yokohama: JR East Travel Service Center.
Shin Yokohama: JR Central Ticket Office, 9:00 to 19:00.

Central Japan

Odawara: JR Central Ticket Office, 9:00 to 19:00.
Mishima: Ticket Office North and South, 9:00 to 17:30.
Shizuoka: Ticket Office, 8:00 to 20:30.
Hamamatsu: Ticket Office, 8:00 to 20:30.
Nagoya: JR Information Center 10:00 to 19:00 (credit card only), Ticket Office 5:30 to 23:00, JR Tokai Tours Nagoya Office and Hirokoji Entrance Office.
Central Japan International Airport: Central Japan Travel Center, 9:00 to 19:00. Note that the Japan Rail Pass does not cover transport between this airport and the nearest JR station.
Toyama: Ticket Office Central, 7:00 to 20:00.
Kanazawa: Ticket Office Central 7:00 to 20:00, plus Nippon Travel Agency TiS Kanazawa Branch 10:00 to 17:00 except Thursdays.

Kansai

Kyoto: JR West Central Ticket Office 6:30 to 21:00, overseas customer counter 8:00 to 20:00, JR Central Hachijo Shinkansen Ticket Office 8:30 to 20:00, Nippon Travel Agency TiS Kyoto Branch 9:00 to 17:00.
Higashi Maizuru: Ticket Office, 8:10 to 18:40.
Shin Osaka: Travel Service Center Shin Osaka 8:00 to 22:00, JR West East Ticket Office 6:00 to 22:00, JR Central Ticket Office 6:00 to 22:00, JR Tokai Tours Shin Osaka Office 9:00 to 18:00.
Osaka: Central Ticket Office 6:00 to 22:00, Nippon Travel Agency TiS Osaka Branch 8:30 to 20:30.
Kansai Airport: Ticket Office, 5:30 to 23:00.
Nara: Ticket Office, 8:00 to 20:00.
Sannomiya: Ticket Office 6:00 to 22:00, Nippon Travel Agency TiS Sannomiya Branch 10:30 to 18:30 weekdays.

Chugoku and Shikoku

Okayama: Ticket Office, 8:00 to 20:00.
Tottori: Ticket Office, 8:00 to 19:00.
Yonago: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 19:30.
Matsue: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 19:00.
Hiroshima: Ticket Office, 5:30 to 22:00.
Shin Yamaguchi: Ticket Office, 6:00 to 20:00.
Shimonoseki: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 11:00 and 15:00 to 19:00.
Takamatsu: Travel Service Center, 10:00 to 18:00 weekdays and 10:00 to 17:30 weekends.
Matsuyama: Travel Service Center, 10:00 to 18:00 weekdays and 10:00 to 17:00 weekends.
Tokushima: Travel Service Center, 10:00 to 18:00 weekdays and 10:00 to 17:00 weekends.

Kyushu

Kokura: JR Kyushu Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.
Hakata: JR Kyushu Ticket Office, 7:00 to 22:00.
Saga: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.
Nagasaki: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.
Kumamoto: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.
Oita: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.
Miyazaki: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.
Kagoshima Chuo: Ticket Office, 7:00 to 21:00.

What to bring on the day

Your physical exchange order from GetJRPass.
The passport used at checkout, with a temporary visitor stamp or sticker.
Your preferred activation date, up to one month from the day you exchange.

Good to know

Service hours and locations can change without notice and some Travel Service Centres close during the year end and New Year period. Always confirm the local hours on the day you plan to exchange. The list above only includes counters that accept paper exchange orders, which is the format GetJRPass ships to you.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common questions.

Can I exchange my GetJRPass voucher at any JR station?

No. Only at the stations listed above, which have a JR Travel Service Centre or designated ticket office authorised to issue the Japan Rail Pass.

Do I have to start using the pass on the day I exchange it?

No. You can pick any start date within one month of the exchange day.

Can I exchange the voucher at a ticket vending machine?

No. Reserved seat ticket vending machines with passport readers only handle online e-tickets. Paper exchange orders from GetJRPass must be redeemed at a staffed counter.

Is the exchange free?

Yes. The exchange is included in the price you paid at GetJRPass.

Keep exploring Japan Rail Pass topics relevant to your trip.

Order your Japan Rail Pass with GetJRPass

Worldwide shipping, official exchange voucher, support in your language. Order in minutes and pick up your pass in Japan.