Green vs Ordinary Japan Rail Pass
Both passes give you unlimited travel on eligible JR trains, including most Shinkansen, for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. The difference is the car you ride in. Here is what each class looks like on board, photographed on real Shinkansen trains.
The short answer
Ordinary pass
Unlimited travel in comfortable standard cars with free seat reservations. A brilliant way to explore all of Japan.
Green pass
Unlimited travel in Green cars, Japan's first class, with wider seats, more legroom and a calm, quiet cabin.
Inside the cabin
Green cars use a spacious two plus two layout with warm wood tones and soft lighting. Ordinary cars use a bright three plus two layout that still offers generous space compared to most trains in the world.
Seats and legroom
Ordinary seats recline, rotate to face your group and have plenty of legroom for long journeys. Green seats are wider, recline further and come with padded leather armrests and an adjustable footrest.
Green car amenities
On many Shinkansen, every Green seat has its own control panel built into the armrest, so you can travel exactly the way you like.
Personal reading light
A light just for your seat, perfect for evening journeys.
Seat warmer
Gentle seat heating on selected trains for extra comfort.
Power outlet
Charge your phone or laptop right at your seat.
Adjustable footrest
Stretch out and relax on longer rides.
Side by side comparison
| Feature | Ordinary | Green |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited JR travel | Yes, on all eligible JR trains | Yes, on all eligible JR trains |
| Shinkansen bullet trains | Included (Nozomi and Mizuho need a special ticket) | Included (Nozomi and Mizuho need a special ticket) |
| Free seat reservations | Included | Included |
| Seat layout | Three plus two | Two plus two |
| Seat width and recline | Comfortable | Wider with deeper recline |
| Footrest | On selected trains | Adjustable footrest |
| Atmosphere | Lively and bright | Calm and quiet |
| Seat availability in busy seasons | Good, with non reserved cars as backup | Excellent, fewer passengers per car |
Which pass should you choose?
Choose Ordinary if
- You want the full freedom of the JR network at the best value
- You are travelling as a family or a larger group
- You plan many short and medium journeys
Choose Green if
- You plan long Shinkansen rides between regions
- You travel in cherry blossom season, Golden Week or Obon
- You want a quiet, first class experience every day
Green vs Ordinary questions
Do the Green and Ordinary pass cover the same trains?
Yes. Both passes cover exactly the same eligible JR network. The Green pass simply lets you ride in Green cars, and you can always sit in Ordinary cars with it too.
Are seat reservations free with both passes?
Yes. Seat reservations on eligible trains are included at no extra cost with both the Ordinary and the Green Japan Rail Pass.
Is it easier to get a seat with the Green pass?
Green cars have fewer seats per car and fewer passengers, so reserved seats are usually easier to find, especially during busy travel seasons.
Can children get a Green pass?
Yes. Child passes for ages 6 to 11 are available in both Green and Ordinary at half our adult price.
Ready to ride across Japan?
Order your official Ordinary or Green Japan Rail Pass today and receive your physical voucher at home.
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