How to Use the Japan Rail Pass - Everything you need to know

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*Update*
You can now use the JR Pass to pass through the ticket gates like a normal ticket.
Just make sure to take your ticket with you when you pass through the gates each time.
Here is a video on Everything you need to know about the Japan Rail Pass.
*RELATED VIDEOS*
Top Tips for First Time Travelers to Japan: • Top Tips for First Tim...
How to Enter Japan using Visit Japan Web January 2023: • How to Enter Japan usi...
How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo: • How to Get from Narita...
How to Take the Train in Japan Step by Step Guide: • How to Take the Train ...
*TOPICS*
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - What is the JR pass?
01:08 - Ordinary pass vs Green pass
02:35 - JR pass length
03:20 - JR pass price
03:56 - JR pass eligibility
04:12 - How to purchase the JR pass
05:47 - What is covered and not covered by the pass
07:30 - Is it worth it?
09:48 - Cost summary
10:30 - Some general tips
10:54 - New baggage regulation
13:18 - How to use the JR pass and reserve your seats
15:04 - Additional tips for using the JR pass
*RESOURCES*
Purchase the Japan Rail Pass (cheapest option via Klook): bit.ly/3IhIi6e
5% OFF DISCOUNT CODE: MIKE5OFF
JR Pass Eligibility: japanrailpass.net/en/about_jr...
All about Japan Rail Passes: japanrailpass.net/en/
*To Pickup or Exchange your Voucher*
JR Pass Pickup and Voucher Exchange Office Locations: japanrailpass.net/en/exchange...
*To Reserve your Seat*
Through the Online reservation website (for those who purchased their JR pass online): www.japanrailpass-reservation...
Using the Ticket Machines or Ticket Counter: japanrailpass.net/en/purchase...
*New Baggage Regulation Guidelines*
global.jr-central.co.jp/en/in...
www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ho...
*Courier service for baggages over 250cm*
Yamato Transport Service: www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/...
Sagawa Service: www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/ttk/engl...
*DISCLAIMER*
Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from. A big thank you if you decide to use it.

Опубликовано:

4 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 109

@matthewtaylor1428 Год назад

Thanks Mike!! :)

@aberstef Год назад

Thanks for all the great info!

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment.

@Unli17 Год назад

Again very informative, Thank you!

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're welcome! Thank you.

@Ivan-ev1yx Год назад

Thank you so much, great video

@mikeinjap Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@hikigayahachiman1486 Год назад

Easy to understand, Great work!

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're very welcome!

@thitithatchimsumran8377 Год назад

Thank you for your useful explanation and information.

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment again.

@janelim9521 Год назад

Very informative 👍thank you

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, there are actually a few different types of Hokkaido Rail Passes you can purchase. Please refer to this page. www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ticket/railpass/index.html

@jouvey5311 Год назад

I want to give a shout out to you, mike! Very detailed information! Appreciated ❤

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thank you for the comment, glad it was helpful.

@thedtrainsays Год назад

wow this is so informative! thank you so much for making this content. your english is really good btw!

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thank you so much!

@jerminemagtibaymsjmine3444 Год назад

A nice surprise the sample itinerary is exactly what I planned for my trip before finding this video. This is very informative and clear. Thank you!

@mikeinjap Год назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@ladybug72103 Год назад

Thank you much...my anxiety has gone after watching ur video ❤

@blue9678 Год назад

this is a great video.. all other people just say do your research on where it goes and what it covers. you have made it very simple. so thank you for that.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, thank you for the comment. Much appreciated.

@ginawilkolak7492 Год назад

Thank you for the information! I used a JR Pass in 2018 on a trip but wanted to know how things have changed so this was really helpful for my trip in the spring.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thanks for the comment Gina. Have an awesome trip!

@Algorithm75 Год назад

Thank you Mike! This video was brilliant. Simple and very informative. I will definitely find it helpful using your advice! I'm booking my JR pass today for my trip in 4 weeks.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thank you for the comment Rez, much appreciated. Hope you have a great trip!

@renanugent4200 Год назад

Hello Mike, thank you so much for the fantastic information. I'm an older person planning a trip to Japan for later in the year. Initially I felt overwhelmed and a little scared about planning the trip. Your information has shown me how easy it can be to travel there. Thank you so, so much from Ireland 🇮🇪

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hi Rena, you are very welcome. Thank you for the kind comment! Hope you have a great trip!

@vikasgawate9094 Год назад

Thanks

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're welcome!

@yumigormley3521 Год назад

Hi Mike, very useful info as My trip is end of this month-THANKS! I’m wondering if you can cover pocket WiFi that are most popular and reasonably priced in Japan.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hi Yumi, I will definitely do a video on pocket wifi in the future, thank you for the suggestion.

@bjkcoronel Год назад

Thank you for this very informative content, Mike. Could you also kindly share your thoughts on getting the IC card (is it necessary?) when you have a JR Pass? Thank you.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thank you for the comment! It is not necessary if you have the JR pass. But personally, I would get the IC card for the convenience since you can use it at places not covered by the JR pass such as the non JR trains, Tokyo Subway and also use the coin lockers and pay at convenient stores with it.

@bjkcoronel Год назад

@@mikeinjap Thank you for the response. We plan to go places in Kyoto and Osaka (ride trains and buses there) and as I understand, its best to get the IC card (like what you've said) for convenience. If I may also ask for your recommendation on the amount in the IC card that you may feel will be enough to run around Kyoto and Osaka (mainly Kyoto) I was thinking around 3000-4000jpy for adults and 1500-2000jpy for children (we have one kid who's 6). Thanks again. You and your videos have been a great help for us planning this trip. More power to you.

@suzettatanacio3896 Год назад

Thank you Mike for this very informative video. My question is, does JR Pass include Kansai airport? Any JR line for our transportation from airport to the place where we will stay in Osaka and vise-versa for our return flight? Only Narita Express was mentioned in this video. Thank you.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, thanks for the comment. I am currently making videos to help people get from the airport to the city but have not done one for Kansai yet. But yes the JR pass covers Kansai Airport as well. Just take the JR Rapid Airport or JR Haruka Express train to get from Kansai International Airport to Osaka and other major stations.

@etran9260 Год назад

Great information … just watched all your videos 😅 quick question. How do you ride the JR line if you don’t have a JR pass. I’m heading to universal studios from Osaka and I notice that we need to connect via JR yumesaki line. Any information would be very helpful .

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, thank you for watching my videos. If you don't have the JR pass, you will need to either buy separate tickets or use an IC card. In your case, from Osaka to Universal City, the ¥180 ticket should get you there.

@xanderism Год назад

This is really great sir thank you. Can you discuss also tokyo to kawaguchiko if i can use also jr pass and how to go and go back to tokyo. Thanks sir

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're welcome. To get from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko station you need to make a transfer at Otsuki station. You can use the JR pass from Tokyo to Otsuki but from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko, you will need a separate ticket, about ¥1200 one way. You can use app I introduced in my "How to Take the Train" video to plan your trip there. Hope that helps.

@xanderism Год назад

@@mikeinjap your really great mike hope we see each other when I visit Japan this January..

@faiths9370 9 месяцев назад

I’m gng to stay in Tokyo for 2 weeks. Planning to travel to Asakusa, Shinjuku, shibuya and also Disney land. What passes do you recommend?

@mrjuno1 Год назад

Thank you. Very helpful. We are a couple planning a first time visit via Haneda 31 March to 18 April 2023. A 14-day pass starting 4 April will work for us since our last Shinkansen ride will be 17 April from Osaka to Tokyo. The video shows a ticket machine user reserving seats and baggage for two travelers. Does this mean I buy one JR pass for a two-person price and after activating my pass my spouse walks through the gate with me having a passport but no second JR pass of her own? (Different from when we buy Suica cards where I buy one and my spouse buys one.)

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hi Richard, first of all thanks for the comment. Regarding the question, each person needs their own JR pass which is why a passport with the temporary visa is required (Unless they are under 6 yrs old). So in this case both you and your wife will need to buy a JR pass each. However, when making seat reservations, you can reserve for multiple people all at once. Apologies for not clarifying this in the video. Thanks.

@fufu5068 Год назад

Hi. I bought Kansai pass through Klook. When arrived in japan, can i now collect using green machine where i scan the passport?or must go to JR office?

@vsky2269 6 месяцев назад

Hi Mike is this JR Pass is after the Price increase? We are going to Japan March 2024. For 2 weeks. Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto -Nara-Tokyo. Can’t decide yet if we will get JR pass.Please help.Thank you from UK

@mikekun155 Год назад

Thank you for the video! How do you activate the card? Is it buys during Feb? If I book a 7 day JR pass on 02/20, will it still work on the 02/27? Or will it stop on 02/26 at 11:59am going to 02/27?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thanks for the comment. When you buy the pass, you actually get a JR pass exchange voucher. When you arrive in Japan you exchange the voucher for the actual JR pass at an exchange office. When you exchange the pass, you specify the date you want the 7 days to start, if you select the 20th, then the 20th becomes Day 1 and will be valid until 26th Day 7, at midnight. So always activate the pass in the morning to make the most of it.

@prncssjl Год назад

Hello, would like to ask How about Tokyo to kanazawa and from kanazawa to takayama, is it also covered by the JR pass?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello, yes both those routes can be achieved with the JR pass. If you use the app I introduced in my "How to Take the Train video", you can easily do the search.

@HPN2012 Год назад

Hello, thank you very much for the detailed explanation. We plan to visit Japan from May 19th and leave on May 31st. We plan to buy the 14 day JR pass but should we buy the pass with reserved seat? I didn't understand why you suggest to get the ordinary pass during peak season. If we make seat reservation online in advance before we arrive to Japan, does it mean that we have to select the departure date and time?.Greatly appreciated for any advice. Thank you.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, the reason is because the reserved seats will be booked out almost immediately during peak periods and even if you do manage to get a booking, there might only be isolated seats that are not together. So it is not worth it to pay the extra. You can still book reserved seats with the normal JR pass, and if you manage to get a booking then you just have to pay the additional fee. If you book online then yes, you need to select the dates and times in advance.

@HPN2012 Год назад

@@mikeinjap Hello, thank you very much for the detailed reply. May I ask if the period from May 18-May 31 considered peak period?

@himlovemiradwal3160 Год назад

Any recommendations to utilize JR pass during visit to Kyoto?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, the JR pass is only worth it if you are planning to do some long multi-city traveling during your trip such as a return trip from Osaka to Tokyo. If you are only planning to stay within a prefecture or region (ie. Kansai region) then a regional pass might be a better option.

@paulj9221 Год назад

Thanks a lot for this video, Mike. Just want to clarify a thing. The 7 day JR pass does not have to be used within 7 days? It can be used more than 7 days after first day of using it as long as the actual total usage is 7 days? Thanks a lot again.

@mikeinjap Год назад

You're welcome! The 7 day JR Pass needs to be 7 consecutive days from the activation date, so you cannot select individual dates. If you activate it on the 10th, the first day will be the 10th and seventh day will be the 16th. Hope that clarifies things.

@paulj9221 Год назад

@@mikeinjap thank you so much for the clarification.

@kyotoo3112 Год назад

Hii , where can i get the temporary vister stamp ? Thats the first time i've heared off that

@mikeinjap Год назад

You receive the temporary visitor stamp/sticker when you show your passport at immigration upon entry. The period depends on the passport. For most countries, such as the US or Australia, it is 90 days. You can see the list here: www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html

@luvathrun Год назад

hello! thank you for the quite detailed video! i want to ask. my family trip to Japan is on 24 april - 7 may (and we just realized it IS during golden week 🥲). after watching your video, we decide to buy it online (so we can reserve the seats). in the website (that you mention), it says that JR Pass can be bought in advance one month before the start date. that also same with the seats. but outside (i mean other sources), validity of JR Pass can be up to 3 months. so what is that mean? is it the one month rule only applicable at JR pass reservation website? i'm afraid, if it is that long, the seats will be full booked when i buy it 🥲 can you explain more? thank you for your time!

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, sorry if it was not explained well in the video. When you buy the JR pass from an agent, you will get a JR pass exchange voucher (not the pass itself) which you need to exchange for the actual JR pass after arriving in Japan. The exchange voucher is valid for up to 3 months. After you exchange your voucher for the actual JR Pass in Japan, then you can start making seat reservations. However, if you buy the JR pass from the official website, you are actually buying the JR Pass. You just need to specify the start date of your 7/14/21 day JR pass up to 1 month in advance AND you can start making seat reservations using the website. You still need to pickup your JR pass once you arrive in Japan because you need to show your passport with the temporary visa. So buying the JR pass from the official website lets you make seat reservations earlier. Hope that made more sense.

@luvathrun Год назад

@@mikeinjap oh! So that's why. Now it makes sense! Oya, I want to ask some more. After I buy it online, I still have to pickup the Jr pass when I arrive at Japan right? So the exchange voucher for it will be sent to me by email or mail?

@OliveOilFan Год назад

Hello, I just some clarification. When i purchase the JR pass from the website, it would say when I would want to choose the start date (say from July 10-17)?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thanks for the comment. When you buy the pass, you actually get a JR pass exchange voucher. When you arrive in Japan you exchange the voucher for the actual JR pass at an exchange office. When you exchange the pass, you can specify the date you want the 7 days to start, if you select the 20th, then the 20th becomes Day 1 and will be valid until 26th Day 7, at midnight. So always activate the pass in the morning to make the most of it. Just be careful because the 10-17th would be 8 days because the 10th would be Day 1.

@lindaaugustin6154 Год назад

Does the period of time for which I activate my rail pass also has to be in the 3 months? (I would activate it for 1st of May until 14 th of May but the week from 7th until 14th is not in the period of the three months anymore) Thank your for your help in advance.

@mikeinjap Год назад

You need to activate your exchange voucher within 3 months at an exchange office in Japan. When you activate the pass, you can select an activation date up to 30 days after the exchange date.

@janelim9521 Год назад

What about the JR PASS IN Hokkaido ? Could I use for Sapporo to Hakodate?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, yes you can use the JR pass in Hokkaido as long as you take the JR trains.

@michaelalexander5343 Год назад

Hi Mike! My family is going to Japan 29th December this year. We have bought JR Pass for 7 days. My plan is that we are going to activate the JR Pass starting from 3rd January 2023. But if i can, i would like to make a reservation for shinkansen seats now since i'm afraid i wont be able to get the seats due to holiday season. Do you think i can reserve seats now without activating the JR Pass? If I have to activate it to make a reserve, then the only option i have is to start reserving seats at 3rd January? Can i activate the pass now for 3rd Jan until 10th Jan?

@Shnackss Год назад

I watched a different video regarding the JR pass and in that video she stated you can make a reservation online for the date you want without having to activate your JR pass.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hi Michael, apologies for the late response. I hope you were able to reserve your seats. I believe you need to activate your JR pass in order to reserve your seats but I have not confirmed this officially. You can choose to activate your JR pass at a future date which may allow you to reserve your seats but you will need to be in Japan to do this. Do let me know how it went. Thanks,

@shakarilla Год назад

Hi Man! I'm trying to purchase my pass in the official website, but it says that I have to define my start date inmediatelly, and it only allows me to set that date up untill 30 from the present day. But I'm traveling on June 6th... So I'm now looking at external sources to get my pass. Do you know if there is anyway to bypass this in the official site? I rather but from there than external vendors. Kind Regards

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello Guillermo, when you purchase the pass through the official website, you are getting the actual JR pass, so you need to activate it within 30 days, hence the limit. However, if you purchased it elsewhere, you are getting a JR pass exchange voucher instead which you need to exchange it for the actual pass when you come to Japan, within the 90 days. So if you want to purchase the pass prior to 30 days, then you will need to purchase it from an external vendor.

@laikanuki Год назад

Hi Mike . Great videos. Regarding reserving seat on Shinkasen on ticket machine, can this be done on a trip like Sapporo to Kuamoto which involves several change of trains or is it only possible for trips that do not include train changes enroute. Thanks

@mikeinjap Год назад

Thanks for the comment! Sapporo doesn't have Shinkansen yet, so I assume you mean taking a mix of Shinkansen and express trains. In this case, I would recommend making the reservation at the green reservation counters instead. You most likely need to make a separate reservation for each leg of the trip. Some trains don't have reserved seat carriages so it will depend on the train as well.

@laikanuki Год назад

@@mikeinjap Thanks Mike. I will book the initial trips through the office and then find out if it is possible to make a reservation involving several train changes on the ticket machine and let you know the outcome. Mike

@oreoreese Год назад

In green pass, is there a reservation fee? Do i need to reserve every time i use the green pass?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Seat reservation is usually free if you have the JR pass, the green pass just lets you use the green carriages without an additional fee. No, if you use the non-reserved carriages, then there is no need to reserve your seats, just hop on.

@Innerself15 Год назад

Im wondering if i can avail the JR Pass even if im living here in japan? but im a foreigner here are they gonna ask my visa or tourist stamp still?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello fellow resident. Unfortunately, even if you are a foreigner, you need to have the temporary visitor status in your visa so if you have the resident card, then you automatically disqualify.

@Innerself15 Год назад

@@mikeinjap that's so unfortunate, do you have other recommendations for the alternative of jr pass? because i have a trip to tokyo & kyoto for 6 days and 2days in izu, and its soo expensive not having discounted shinkansen pass 😢

@chichiesdiary Год назад

hi...if I will buy a 7day pass, when using this pass, is there a limited times to reserve a seat throughout the 7 days? is it free to reserve a seat or has an additional fee? thanks

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, yes it is free to reserve your seats for most trains. There is an additional fee if you reserve the green(first class) carriages or if its a special limited express train. You can reserve your seats between 5:30 a.m. to 1:50 a.m. and up to 6 minutes prior to departure.

@chichiesdiary Год назад

@@mikeinjap thank you for the info

@tanjem Год назад

Can you book a reserve seat first online before you actually purchased the jr pass and exchange it in Japan ? . I heard it is not possible now ..

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello Michael, unfortunately, you cannot make seat reservations until you exchange the exchange order for the actual JR pass after you arrive in Japan.

@theendtimesmarketpredictio4940 Год назад

@@mikeinjap ok

@himawari4166 Год назад

can I change my seat reservations once I`ve made them? And is there a possibility to see if there is sitting someone right beside me

@mikeinjap Год назад

Depending on the train and ticket, you may be able to change your seat reservation. I would speak to the staff at the Ticket Reservation Counter though. If you make a new seat reservation without going through with the payment, you should be able to see the available seats on one of the screens.

@himawari4166 Год назад

@@mikeinjap thank you for answering. I`ll try this

@himawari4166 Год назад

is it better to exchange the JRPass at the airport JR office or Tokio Station?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, if you plan on using the JR pass on day 1 and taking the train from the airport, then I would exchange at the airport office.

@himawari4166 Год назад

@@mikeinjap nah, I want to use it two days after. I don`t know if it`s less crowded at the airport or at Tokyo station.

@christ2551 Год назад

HELP !!!! I bought the JR Pass so I can travel from Tokyo to Osaka on a shinkansen bullet train. I know that the JR Pass cannot be used on the Nozomi shinkansen. I am NOT able to find any website where I can book the Hikari or the Kodoma shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka. Please help . I really appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello Christ, you actually do not need to book anything to take the Shinkansen with the JR pass, you can just hop on any Hikari or Kodama shinkasen. Just use the non reserved carriages. If you want to use the reserved carriages or have oversized luggage, if you bought the pass directly from the Japan rail pass website, you can make reservation through the website once you login. Otherwise, you need to use the ticket machine or go to a ticket counter in the station.

@joelalvarez6458 Год назад

does anyone know if you can purchase the JR pass in cash at the offices in japan?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, currently you can purchase the JR pass from within Japan up until March 31st 2023. You can see the list of purchase offices here. japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html

@joelalvarez6458 Год назад

@@mikeinjap Thank you very much!

@TRAVELwithCHLIRBY Год назад

Hey, I didn't get an option where they'll mail me a voucher. Everything was online when I booked my JR PASS... am I supposed to receive it in a mail?

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, did you purchase the JR pass from the official JR pass website? If so, you are purchasing the actual pass and won't receive a voucher. You can pickup your pass at an Exchange office in Japan once you arrive because you need to show your temporary visitor stamp in your passport in order to get your pass.

@TRAVELwithCHLIRBY Год назад

@mikeinjap yes I did because I got to reserve our seat already for shinkansen train. Okay. Thank you so much

@msidoki Год назад

How do you "activate " your ticket?

@mikeinjap Год назад

You can activate your JR pass at any JR Ticket Office. Full list here: japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html

@myself1525 Год назад

If you have a JR Pass, you can make up to 2 free seat reservations in advance without having to pay any free.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hello there, thanks for the info, didn't know that. Much appreciated.

@scottb828 Год назад

The description of how to use the pass is completely wrong. The pass no longer looks like the one pictured at the beginning. It is now in the form of a ticket that CAN pass through the automated ticket gates and DOES NOT need to be shown to the gate staff. It looks just like a reserved seat ticket and needs to be kept unbent and flat so that it can pass through the machine gate. You have to pick it up as you pass through. It is possible to just show it like the old pass, but that defeats the purpose of the changes in the pass.

@mikeinjap Год назад

Hi Scott, thanks for the update. It seems they have made it easier to use which is good. I will update the vidoe later when i can get footage of the new pass. I wouldn't say its completely wrong because you still need to show the pass on buses and ferries where there are no ticket gates.