How to exchange your Japan Rail Pass
Exchanging your Japan Rail Pass is quick and easy. Your voucher arrives in your mailbox, you bring it to Japan and swap it for your physical Japan Rail Pass at a JR exchange office. Minutes later you are walking through the ticket gates with unlimited travel across Japan.
From your mailbox to the train in five steps
- 1
Receive your voucher at home
Your exchange order arrives in your mailbox in a branded folder with tracked delivery. Check that the names match your passports.
- 2
Pack it with your passport
Bring the original physical voucher to Japan. Copies and photos are not accepted, so keep it safe with your passport.
- 3
Go to a JR exchange office
Visit an exchange office at a major airport or station within 90 days of purchase. Every traveler must be present with their own passport.
- 4
Receive your Japan Rail Pass
Staff check your passport and temporary visitor status, then hand you your physical Japan Rail Pass. Choose your start date on the spot.
- 5
Walk through the gates and ride
Insert your pass in the ticket gate and you are on your way on JR trains and the Shinkansen.
Your voucher arrives in the mail
After you order, we ship your Japan Rail Pass exchange order to your door with tracked delivery. Inside the folder you find your voucher together with practical travel information. The voucher is not your pass yet. It is the official document that you exchange for your Japan Rail Pass once you arrive in Japan.
- Tracked delivery to your home
- One voucher per traveler, in the passport name
- Exchange within 90 days of purchase
What to bring to the exchange office
- Your original physical voucher
- The passport of every traveler
- Temporary visitor stamp or sticker in your passport
- Certificate of residence abroad if you are a Japanese citizen
At the exchange office
You find JR exchange offices at Narita and Haneda airports, Kansai airport and major stations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kyoto and Osaka. Hand over your voucher and passport, tell the staff the date you want your pass to start, and you receive your Japan Rail Pass. You can choose any start date within one month, so it is easy to exchange on arrival and start traveling later.
How to use the ticket gates
Your Japan Rail Pass works at the automatic ticket gates at JR stations. Insert the pass into the slot, walk through and take it back at the other side. Use the gate again when you exit. At smaller stations without automatic gates, simply show your pass to the staff at the manned gate.
- Insert your pass into the gate slot
- Collect it on the other side
- Do the same when you leave the station
Reserve seats for free with a QR code
Seat reservations are free with your Japan Rail Pass. At the reserved seat ticket machines found at every Shinkansen station, scan the QR code on your pass or insert it, pick your train and seat and collect your seat ticket. You can also reserve at any JR ticket office counter, just as easily and also free of charge.
Shinkansen ticket machines: scan your QR code
JR ticket offices: ask the staff at the counter
Both options are completely free
More guides for your trip
Exchange questions
Where can I exchange my Japan Rail Pass voucher?
At JR exchange offices at major airports such as Narita, Haneda and Kansai, and at major stations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kyoto and Osaka.
How long do I have to exchange my voucher?
You must exchange your voucher in Japan within 90 days of the purchase date.
Do all travelers need to be present?
Yes. Every traveler must be present at the exchange office with their own passport.
Can I choose when my pass starts?
Yes. You choose a start date within one month of the exchange, so you can exchange on arrival and begin traveling later.
How do I reserve seats after exchanging?
Scan the QR code on your pass at a Shinkansen ticket machine or visit a JR ticket office. Both are free.
Your adventure starts at the exchange office
Order your Japan Rail Pass today, receive your voucher at home and exchange it in minutes in Japan.