The Japan Rail Pass is accessible to any traveler, with a foreign passport, traveling to Japan with a temporary visitor* visa of 90 days or less: tourist, business trip, family visit...
Therefore, people who travel to Japan for more than 90 days (working holiday, military, diplomatic, cultural, research, working visa, etc.) are not eligible.
*Temporary visitor does not mean "short term stay" according to the Japanese Immigration Law. In order to use a JR Pass, you must have a stamp with the temporary-visit visa on your passeport.
Since 1st June 2017, Japanese nationals can once again purchase and use the Japan Rail Pass. However, Japanese citizens will no longer be able to purchase the Japan Rail Pass online via any official JR Pass Website. Japanese nationals who meet the JR Pass eligibility requirements must acquire their JR Pass prior to departure at a Japan Rail Pass Official sales office or agent.
Be aware, however, that the conditions are very restrictive.
You must obtain and fill in one of the following documents:
1 - An "Overseas Residential Registration" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence
2 - A "Certificate of Overseas Residence" from the Japanese Embassy of your place of residence
3 – For the United States, Brazil and Canada, a permanent residency card (the length of residence must be at least 10 years on the day you purchase the JR Pass).
You must present one of these three documents when you exchange the Voucher in Japan.
Please note that you must have those documents on you before buying your Japan Rail Pass.
Be aware that if you do not satisfy these conditions, Japan Experience (Japan Rail Pass Official Distributor) cannot be held responsible for the non-validity and non-exchange of your Japan Rail Pass on Japanese soil.The conditions for cancellation of your Pass are those applied by default.
Depending on the duration of your stay in Japan and the places you wish to visit, several types of pass are available. Below, our advice for making an informed choice before your Japan Rail Pass' purchase:
THE DIFFERENT JAPAN RAIL PASS
As the Japan Rail Pass can only be used for consecutive days from the starting date of use and throughout its period of validity, it is very important to match your itinerary, schedule, and your Japan Rail Pass. Three types of Japan Rail Pass are available to travelers: the 7 day pass, the 14 day pass, and the 21 day pass.
THE 7 DAY JAPAN RAIL PASS
If you stay in Japan for a week and are planning to move around a lot then a 7 days Japan Rail Pass is ideal. For your trip you could:
- Make Tokyo or Kyoto your base and organize daytrips from there (from Kyoto it is very nice to spend a day in Nara or Miyajima for instance)
- Organize your own itinerary and change city everyday
THE 14 DAY JAPAN RAIL PASS
If you are lucky enough to stay in Japan for more than 10 days you can buy a 14 days pass Japan Rail Pass and organize your trip alternating visits and relaxing days.
THE 21 DAY JAPAN RAIL PASS
If you are staying in Japan for more than 2 weeks, it is very economical to get the 21 day Japan Rail Pass and will allow you to enjoy Japan at a leisurely pace.
Don’t forget that there are also regional rail passes that can complete the national one and will allow you to fully enjoy a specific region.
The best place to buy your JR Pass is online via our website or buy directly at any of our local offices worldwide.
The Japan Rail Pass is also sold at some stations and airports in Japan, but buying the JR Pass’ price in Japan is more expensive.
WHO ARE WE?
We are an official Japan Rail Pass distributor. We can assure you a safe and worry-free purchase not matter what your nationality or where you reside, as long as you meet the criteria set by Japan Railways (See : Who is eligible for the Japan Rail Pass)
WHAT ARE THE DELIVERY TIMES?
If you order your Japan Rail Pass between Monday and Friday and before 2 p.m (French Time) it will be sent the same day and delivered by FedEx according to the current delivery times. For more information, please visit our 'rates and delivery times' page.
WHEN TO ORDER?
Once your Japan Rail Pass is purchased online, we will send you an exchange voucher that you will have to exchange for the actual ticket in Japan, at the latest 90 days after your purchase. Therefore, you should buy your Japan Rail Pass MAXIMUM 90 days before the date you will exchange your Japan Rail Pass voucher on (once in Japan).
Once in Japan, go to the JR office (in airports and main train stations) in order to exchange your voucher for your train ticket. When exchanging your voucher you will have to choose a starting date for your Japan Rail Pass. This date has to be within the 30 days of the exchange. From this day onwards your Japan Rail Pass will be valid for consecutive days no matter what kind of ticket you bought.
DO WE CHECK THE PASSPORT UPON ORDER?
We do not ask for a copy of your passport upon purchase. However, it is your responsibility to check that the names are spelled correctly. Indeed, in order to exchange your voucher for the Japan Rail Pass, you will have to show your passport and the names on both the ticket and the passport will have to match.
If the date of your departure is too soon, or the date of delivery is after your departure, the best solution is to buy your JR Rail Pass and have it delivered directly to your hotel in Japan.
When ordering online, indicate the exact address and telephone number of your hotel. Please note that delivery may take between two to five days, so it is ideal that you provide us with the address of a hotel that you will be staying at for at least four consecutive days.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to pick up your vouchers at the airport or at a JR ticket office. You must buy a ticket for traveling from the airport to your hotel.
The voucher must be an original stamped by the issuing agency, which is not possible to do by fax or email. Additionally, please note that it is not possible to buy a Japan Rail Pass in any JR office, travel agency, or even at the airport, because they are not sold on Japanese territory. Because the Japan Rail Pass is intended for visitors traveling to Japan for only a short period of time, it can only be purchased online, outside of Japan.
Be aware though that buying the Japan Rail Pass in Japan will be more expensive than buying it on line ahead of time.
You have already ordered your Japan Rail Pass, and upon reflection, you would like to change the duration, or switch from a normal pass to a Green pass. Either of these options are possible.
All you need to do is place a new order within the following three months. You must then return to us your first voucher for a full refund (excluding delivery costs of the first order), by registered mail, with a note of explanation, to the following address:
Japan Experience
Suite 509, 530 Little Collins Street 3000 Melbourne Australia
Please note that there is still a delivery charge for the new delivery. We thank you in advance for checking that you will receive your delivery before your departure (estimate your delivery time) prior confirming your Japan Rail Pass purchase online.
