Typical Information about Japan Rail Pass for Your Travel
As air tickets are getting cheaper, you can easily travel to Japan at any time. Unfortunately, domestic travel in Japan is a bit expensive, making it difficult to explore many nearby cities! If you use the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), you can travel all over Japan for a cheap price. In this article, we will introduce you the details of JR Pass.
1. What is JR Pass?
Japan has about 200 railway companies, however, JR Pass is limited to trains and buses of 6 JR companies, including JR Kyushu, JR Shikoku, JR West, JR Center, JR East and JR Hokkaido. They are Group to provide this type of train ticket. JR Pass is available 24/7.
This is the official website for the Japanese train ticket: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/
The following person can use JR Pass:
- Foreign tourists visiting Japan for the purpose of travel and entry as a “short-term stay”
- Japanese nationality currently living abroad
2. What are Different Types of JR Pass?
It is important to plan your trip before ordering your JR Pass, and see how many different tickets there are to choose.
If you plan to travel across Japan, it is best to buy the Whole Japan Rail Pass, which allows you to go all the JR lines in Japan. If you just want to go around the city, then buying a city ticket would be more appropriate.
These JR passes also vary in terms of time. For example, you can choose between Whole Japan Rail Pass 7 days, 14 days or 21 days. Note that the start date is counted from the first trip on your ticket!
3. Where Can I buy a JR Pass?
You need to follow 2 steps as follows:
- Buy Exchange Order in countries outside Japan
- After entering Japan, you will convert Exchange Order to JR Pass
The biggest point to note here is that you cannot buy the Exchange Order in Japan. Ticket agency stores in other countries can be found at the following URL: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en005.html
There are also agencies selling Exchange Order, and that website not operated by JR Group: http://www.jrpass.com/
4. How to Convert Ticket When Arriving in Japan?
Once you enter the country, please quickly exchange your Exchange Order to the JR Pass at the major airports and train stations nationwide.
When you arrive at the exchange location, you need to bring the 2 following documents:
- Exchange Order is purchased prior to arrival in Japan
- Passport stamped or labeled “short-term stay”
If you use an automated gate when you enter into Japan, it will not be stamped on your passport, so please use an gate with an employee or ask the person in charge to get stamped at your entry to Japan.
5. Difference between Green Car and Ordinary Car?
When you order tickets for Ordinary car, the price is low. But the Green car tickets are like business class seats on the plane, it will be more expensive as well. Green car offers a number of additional services such as spacious seats and place for leg, or all seats have power sockets, …
Moreover, Green car is a popular choice during rush hour because it has separate seats. This also means you can reserve your seat for every trip!
6. Is It Possible to Cancel the JR Pass?
For changing the ticket, you should check the starting day to use. This day is the official day when your JR Pass will be activated, so plan carefully to change! Each Exchange Order is valid for 90 days from the date the ticket is booked.
For cancellation, the Exchange Order is allowed to be refunded within 11 months after booking under the following conditions:
- Exchange Order has not been converted to JR Pass
- Exchange Order is not lost, stolen, or damaged
- You are charged 10% handling fee on the total price of the JR Pass
- If you have already converted Exchange Order to JR Pass, please contact your local JR station
Japan is a famous travel destination every time. Feel free to save some tips about public transportation by using JR Pass as above.
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