To purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you must meet one of the eligibility requirements listed below. Even if you have already purchased a pass through the online sales service or obtained an Exchange Order, you will not be able to receive or exchange the pass unless you meet these requirements. Please be sure to confirm your eligibility before purchasing a JAPAN RAIL PASS.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements and are unable to exchange the pass due to issues with the confirmation documentation such as insufficient or incorrect explanations provided by the travel agency where the Exchange Order was purchased the JR Group will not provide compensation for transportation expenses incurred during your stay in Japan.

To avoid any issues, please confirm the requirements in advance and prepare all necessary documentation before departing from your home country.

1. Eligibility of Use (Foreign National)

You must be a foreign tourist visiting Japan for sightseeing purposes under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor.”

Under Japanese Immigration Law, the Temporary Visitor entry status permits a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for the purpose of sightseeing, etc. If you apply for a “stay for sightseeing” upon entry to Japan, immigration officials will stamp your passport with “Temporary Visitor,” as shown below.

CAUTION:

• The JAPAN RAIL PASS may be exchanged and used only by travelers whose passport contains a stamp or sticker indicating “Temporary Visitor.”

• If you use an automated immigration gate at the airport, no stamp or sticker will be placed in your passport. Therefore, you must either use a staffed immigration counter or request an immigration officer to place the “Temporary Visitor” stamp or sticker in your passport. However, travelers holding a Registered User Card under the Trusted Traveler Program must present the card to confirm their “Temporary Visitor” status.

• Even if you have purchased a JAPAN RAIL PASS online or possess an Exchange Order, you will not be able to receive or exchange the pass unless you hold “Temporary Visitor” status. Travelers entering Japan under any other status—such as “Trainee,” “Entertainer,” or “Reentry Permit”—are not eligible to receive or exchange a JAPAN RAIL PASS. Under the strict interpretation of Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary Visitor” status is different from “Short-Term Stay.”

2. Eligibility of Use (Japanese National living abroad)

There are several conditions that must be met to be eligible to purchase a Japan Rail Pass for Japanese nationals who have been living abroad for more than 10 years.

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Explore Japan by train, by bus and by ferry with Japan Rail Pass!

The JAPAN RAIL PASS allows you to use the following JR lines, along with certain other railway lines, buses, and ferries.

Railways and Transportation Covered by the JAPAN RAIL PASS

Railways

• All JR Group railway lines, including Shinkansen (bullet trains) — excluding any reserved or non-reserved seats on NOZOMI and MIZUHO trains — as well as limited express, express, rapid, and local trains, and BRT services (with some exceptions).

• Tokyo Monorail

• Aoimori Railway between Aomori and Hachinohe
  Travel is permitted only on local or rapid trains and must cover the full segment between the following stations:
  Aomori–Hachinohe, Aomori–Noheji, or Hachinohe–Noheji.
  Travel is not covered if you disembark at any other station on the Aoimori Railway line.

• IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata
  Travel must be on local or limited express trains and must cover the entire segment between these two stations.
  Travel is not covered if you disembark at any station other than Kanazawa or Tsubata, whether within or outside the segment.

• Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka
  Travel is permitted only on local trains and must cover the full segment between these two stations.
  Travel is not covered if you disembark at any station other than Toyama or Takaoka.

• Hapi-Line Fukui between Echizen-Hanandō and Fukui
  Travel is permitted only on local trains and only between these two stations.
  Travel is not covered if you travel beyond either Echizen-Hanandō or Fukui on the Hapi-Line Fukui.

Local JR Bus Lines
You can use the JAPAN RAIL PASS on local JR Bus lines across Japan, including:

• JR Hokkaido Bus

• JR Bus Tohoku

• JR Bus Kanto

• JR Tokai Bus

• West Japan JR Bus

• Chugoku JR Bus

• JR Shikoku Bus

• JR Kyushu Bus

Note: Some local routes may not be covered, and coverage can change.
The PASS cannot be used on express bus routes.

Ferry

Only the JR-WEST Miyajima ferry is covered.

! JR Kyushu Jet Ferry between Hakata and Busan (Korea) is not covered.
! You will be required to additionally pay a Miyajima Visitor Tax (100 yen) upon your visit.

CAUTION:
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats—reserved or non-reserved—on “NOZOMI” or “MIZUHO” trains operating on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

Oversized baggage is permitted on Shinkansen bullet trains, including extra-large items.

If you plan to bring large baggage on the Tokaido, Sanyo, or Kyushu Shinkansen (Tokyo–Kagoshima-Chuo) or the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo-Onsen–Nagasaki), please note that an advance reservation is required for both your seat and a designated baggage storage area.