Japan Rail Pass

Japan - where futuristic bullet trains speed between cutting-edge neon and glass super-cities, and uber-cool gadgets are a way of life. But despite its space-age gloss, Japan also has a proud and ancient history with timeless traditions, graceful palaces and mysterious shrines.

The Japan Rail Pass is specifically designed for travellers and can only be booked outside Japan.  They are usually available in two classes - Ordinary (standard class) or Green (first class).

Japan Rail Pass
This fantastic pass offers unlimited travel on all Japan Railway lines and affiliated buses and ferries. It’s excellent value for money with the 7-day ordinary pass costing the same as one return ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto! Passes are available for 7, 14 and 21 days.

Japan Rail East Pass
If you’re shorter on time, this pass will allow you to explore metropolitan Tokyo and many popular destinations in Eastern Japan including Nagano, Yamagata, Sendai, Morioka, Misawa and Akita. Passes available for 4 days with 1 month, 5 consecutive days and 10 consecutive days

Japan Rail West Pass - Kansai 
Ideal for exploring  the beautiful and historic central area of Japan, this pass covers Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Himeji. This pass is available in Ordinary class only and does not include travel on the Shinkansen (bullet) trains. Available for 1, 2, 3 and 4 consecutive days.

Japan Rail West Pass – Sanyo
This pass offers unlimited travel for the larger, more westerly areas of Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata. It is available in Ordinary class only and includes travel on Shinkansen (bullet) trains and the Miyajima ferry line in Hiroshima. Available for 4 and 8 consecutive days

THE SMALL PRINT:
· Japan Rail passes are only available to foreign travellers visiting Japan from abroad for sightseeing purposes, travelling under the status of ‘temporary visitor’.
· The pass must be exchanged in Japan for a ticket within 3 months of the issue date.
· At present, the pass does not include travel on the Nozomi-type Shinkansesn (bullet) trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.