How the Japan Rail Pass works

Choose your Japan Rail Pass, receive a physical exchange order and redeem it in Japan before taking your first train.

1. Choose your pass

Choose Ordinary or Green class and 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. Add an adult pass for each traveler aged 12 or over and a half-price child pass for ages 6 to 11. Children under 6 generally travel free without a separate reserved seat.

2. Receive your physical voucher

Your exchange order is a physical document, not an e-ticket. We send it to your delivery address. Make sure you leave enough time before departure. For departures within 10 days, delivery is at your own risk.

3. Exchange it in Japan

Bring your original passport, your physical exchange order and any required eligibility documents to a JR exchange office. Exchange orders must be redeemed within their printed validity period, generally three months after issue.

4. Explore at your own pace

Your pass covers eligible JR trains, including most Shinkansen services, local JR lines, selected JR buses and the JR West Miyajima ferry. Nozomi and Mizuho require a separate special ticket. Check your exact route before travel.