What Is Included/What It Covers
Trains
- JR Shinkansen/Bullet Trains) (except on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains)
- JR Limited express
- JR Express
- JR Local (Rapid and Special Rapid services)
- The Narita – Tokyo Express (NEX)
- Tokyo: The JR Yamanote, JR Chūō and JR Keihin-Tōhoku lines
- Osaka: The JR Osaka Loop Line
The pass is also valid on the following non-JR lines– Tokyo Monorail between Hamamatsuchō and Haneda Airport
– Aoimori Railway for journeys starting and ending at Hachinohe and Aomori only, and for journeys from these stations to Noheji and the JR East Ōminato Line.
Buses
- JR Hokkaido Bus Company
- JR Bus Tohoku Company
- JR Bus Kantō Company
- JR Tōkai Bus Company
- West JR Bus Company
- Chūgoku JR Bus Company
- JR Shikoku Bus Company
- JR Kyushu Bus Company
- Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus
Ferry
- JR-WEST Miyajima ferry
JR Trains
JR Buses
JR Ferry
A JR Pass will NOT BE VALID and require additional fees in the following cases:
- Mizuho trains along the Kyushu/Sanyo Shinkansen
- Nozomi trains along the Sanyo/Tokaido Shinkansen
- JR trains that use non JR tracks
- JR liner trains
- Berth and special compartments
- Express bus routes operated by JR bus companies
- The JR Hakata-Pusan (Korea) ferry
Some additional features visitors receive with a Japan Rail Pass include:
- Discounts at any JR-affiliated hotel
- Free seat reservations
Validation Period:
The time validity period of the JR Rail Pass is based on calendar days, from midnight to midnight. Say you start using your JR Rail Pass at 6.30pm on day 1, it will expire on day 7 at midnight.
* Effective with passes issued April 1, 2013, the Japan Rail Pass will no longer be valid on express bus routes. For updated information please visit the official JR Pass site