The Japan Rail Pass is a physical ticket, that means delivery and activation work different from an airline ticket. It is important to order your JR Pass on time, here’s what you need to know.
Below we answered the questions we receive the most about ordering & using the Japan Rail Pass.
Table of contents:
Why buy the Japan Rail Pass?
When to order the Japan Rail Pass?
How does the Japan Rail Pass work?
Where to buy the Japan Rail Pass?
Can the Japan Rail Pass be refunded?
Questions about the JR Pass
Why buy the Japan Rail Pass?
The pass is the one ticket for unlimited travel around Japan on the JR Network, which includes most types of trains on both the hyper fast Shinkansen bullet train lines and extensive conventional rail network. With over 20,135 km of rail to explore, the Japan Rail Pass is your sightseeing passport for the whole country.
In terms of budget the Japan Rail Pass is highly cost-efficient. For example, a return ticket between Tokyo ⇿ Kyoto is about the same price as a 7-day JR Pass, with the pass you get 7 days of unlimited travel for the same price. The longer the duration of the pass, the more cost-efficient your travel becomes on a day-to-day basis.
Additionally, the Japan Rail Pass includes a variety of other transport like local JR busses, ferries and the Tokyo Monorail. Various discounts are also available upon showing the pass at hotels, shops and museums.
When to order the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass is a physical ticket, similar to your national passport. That means there are some logistics to take care of, like shipping the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order to you. It is thus important to order the pass ahead of travel.
While we can provide overnight shipping to many countries worldwide, we recommend placing your order at least 2 weeks before your flight date to Japan. This way there is enough time in the rare case a delay happens, we have plenty of time to solve any issue and it will also be for your own peace of mind.
Advanced order for the Japan Rail Pass can be placed starting 6 months before your planned travel date on JRPass.com. Orders with a lead time longer than 3 months, will be dispatched about 60 days before your selected day of travel. This is because the Exchange Order has to be activated within 90 days after issue.
How does the Japan Rail Pass work?
The process for ordering the Japan Rail Pass consists of 4 steps.
- 1.) Place your order online at JRPass.com
- 2.) Receive your exchange order
- 3.) Activate the Japan Rail Pass in Japan
- 4.) Enjoy your travels
Where to buy the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass can be ordered online at JRPass.com, your order is then recorded and dispatched quickly. Your order can be tracked directly online with accurate tracking. Most orders are delivered within 1 business day. For details, please see our delivery page. The JR Pass can then be activated at any major station in Japan, including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Tokyo station, Kyoto station, Osaka station and many more.
Can the Japan Rail Pass be refunded?
Yes, all Japan Rail Pass exchange vouchers can be refunded up to 1 year after purchase. Purchases with order protection can be refunded for free. For other orders a refund fee may apply. Please see your order confirmation and our terms and conditions for details.
Questions about the JR Pass
For any questions about the pass, please read our FAQ, ask on the JR Pass forum or contact us directly. We’re happy to help you with any questions you may have about the Japan Rail Pass or general travel in Japan.
