JR Pass

 The JR Pass is an option for non-residents of Japan to purchase.

Instructions:

  • Purchase the JR Pass before you travel to Japan
    (It doesn't seem like there's an "official" website as many vendors do sell it. Just do your research to make sure it's legit. Personally, I have used japan-rail-pass.com before. I think the top choices in your Google search is probably safe.)
  • Receive the Exchange Order
  • Fly to Japan 
  • Exchange the Exchange Order at a participating JR Pass ticket office
  • Enjoy the JR lines!

How to Use:

Previously, the JR Pass was a booklet that you had to show each station's ticket attendant but I've heard that they've upgraded it to a ticket now! It looks just like a train fare ticket would and you insert it into the ticket gate like any other ticket. The only concern is that it looks just like a regular ticket so do not lose it!


PROs:
  • The JR Pass is convenient because you don't need to think about it. You just scan your ticket and can get off at any JR station you want. If you used cash to purchase tickets, you need to figure out your trip and make sure you purchase the correct fare. 
  • The JR Pass is nice because you can go to any JR Ticket office and they will help you there. We would go there and ask them to help us reserve seats on the bullet train for us. We just had to tell them what day and time we wanted. Easy peasy! 
  • It's unlimited on JR lines during the time range. So you could hop on one train, hop on the bus, and hop on another train as much as you want! If you plan on hitting multiple places a day (on top of a couple of big trips), then this is worth it!
CONs:
  • The JR Pass is only worth it if you take three or more, large bullet train trips. By large trips, I mean across Japan (Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Fukuoka, etc.) If you only plan on taking little train rides here and there, it is definitely not worth getting a JR Pass. Honestly, I don't even think one trip (Tokyo to Kyoto and Kyoto to Tokyo) is worth the cost of the JR Pass.
  • If you lose the JR Pass ticket, I'm not sure there's anything you can do about it? 
  • If you forgot your exchange order at home, I think you are also out of luck.
  • The JR Pass does not work on the NOZOMI bullet train (the fastest one). It does work on the other ones like KODOMA which is only a little bit slower.
  • Remember that it only works on JR lines! Anything else will need to be paid for out of pocket. 
  • It only works for the time period that you choose! So if you're staying for 16 days but purchase the 14-day JR Pass, you still need to pay for 2 days out of pocket. 
Plan out your trip to see if this is worth your money!

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