JR Pass - There is no better way to hop from one city to another in Japan other than using the Shinkansen. Yup, the bullet train, or Shinkansen in Japanese, will take you to all the different major cities in Japan in just a blink of an eye.

Let’s say you’re traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto. Riding the Tokaido Shinkansen will take around 2.15 hours, while with conventional trains or buses, it surely takes several hours longer. Well, if you’re a tourist, using the Shinkansen surely will save a lot of time, hence you can also explore more places in Japan.

But, first of all, you need a JR Pass to ride the Shinkansen (well, it’s not limited to Shinkansen, but let’s talk about it more later). Before you go, learn everything you need to know about the JR Pass.

The JR Pass, or Japan Rail Pass, is a special rail pass available to foreign tourists visiting Japan. It allows unlimited travel on Japan Railways (JR) Group's extensive rail network for a fixed duration, typically 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The pass provides access to most of the country's major cities and regions and is a cost-effective way for tourists to explore Japan by train.

Shinkansen is one of the most popular features of the JR Pass. Although the pass covers a wide range of services within the Japan Railways (JR) Group's extensive network, which includes the conventional trains, ferries, buses, and some local transports.

There are two types of JR Pass: Whole Japan Pass and JR Regional Passes. Before you decide which one you need to purchase, read the difference here:

The Whole Japan Pass has two types, the Regular JR Pass and the Green JR Pass. Here’s the difference between both of them:

Anyway, here’s the transportation networks that the Whole Japan Pass covers:

First of all, you need to figure out which parts of Japan you want to visit on your trip - since there are more than 20 JR Passes available. If you plan to stay for a week or more in Japan and you wish to see different cities during the period of time, you should choose the Whole Japan Pass. Also, when you have quite an unlimited budget, we think the Whole Japan Pass will be more worth it.

The JR Regional Pass is for people who only want to stay in a certain area. It’s usually effective for people who have a business trip to only one city in Japan.

Still confused whether you’re eligible to buy the JR Pass. Then, this part is your clue! If you are:

Then yes, you can use the JR Pass!

But, if you are:

Then, sorry. Better luck next time!

Add "The JR Pass covers the following additional features": Free seat reservations and Discounts for selected tourist sites and services.

Please elaborate more on each. Ref: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html

Anyway, the JR Pass price is newly increased, and to be honest, it’s quite more expensive than the previous price. The price increase is up to 70%, but it will still be worth it for people that love having access to almost all options of transportation in Japan.

These are the comparison between the old and the new prices:

These new prices will be effective starting from October 2023. Those prices will be reduced by 50% for children ages 6-11. Anyway, not only the Whole Japan Pass, but the regional trains' prices are increasing as well.

You may purchase the JR Pass on the Traveloka website, mobile site, and App at least four calendar days before your departure date. Have your JR Pass Exchange Order (EO) delivered to your home address in Malaysia or you may collect the EO yourself at any of the locations below:

The EO is valid for three months from the date of issuance. We’d recommend you buying the JR Pass at least a month before your trip, so you’ll have enough time to pick up your EO or receive it by mail.

Pro tip: Make sure to enter your full name (as shown in your passport) when booking your JR Pass.

If you already buy the JR Pass, you will receive a ticket that grants you access through automatic gates. You don’t need to pass through gates and physically show your ticket to the staff.

There are plenty of railway companies in Japan, so make sure you use your JR Pass right! The JR Pass only covers the Japan Railway Network. It consists of bullet trains (shinkansen), conventional trains, and more.

Pro Tip: Just look at the JR sign on a train. If there’s one, then you can use your JR Pass. Almost all shinkansen are run by Japan Railway, except Nozomi and Mizuho, so it won’t be that confusing!

Do not purchase too close to your departure day, or too long before. We say 2 weeks before your departure is best. You will then receive the Mail Exchange Order or voucher that you can activate once you’ve arrived in Japan.

Choose your date wisely as the JR Pass has an expiration date. Keep in mind that the JR Pass should be bought before you go to Japan, because it is not available to purchase within Japan.

Anyway, if you’re planning to go during Japan’s peak season, it’s probably better to purchase the JR Pass faster than 2 weeks before you go. It is to secure availability and avoid any potential sell-outs

Yes, you can! Once you get your JR Pass at the airport, you may take the Narita Express (a.k.a N’EX) from Narita International Airport to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations. However, you cannot use the JR Pass on the Keisei Skyliner that connects Narita Airport to Tokyo.

If you disembark at Haneda Airport, you can take the Tokyo Monorail that links to Hamamatsucho Station, which is a major railway station in the heart of Tokyo.

If you’re flying into Kansai International Airport, you may then take the limited express Haruka train from the airport to Osaka or Kyoto.

However, if you disembark at Fukuoka Airport, you will have to go to Hakata Station, the nearest station from the airport via the metro, to get your JR Pass.

There’s an option for Green Car and Ordinary Car when you ride shinkansen or other limited express trains. The Ordinary Car is the basic one, while the Green Car offers more room for your legs, has a 2-2 seating instead of 3-2, and it usually is less crowded than the Ordinary Car.

Hence, when you buy for the Whole Japan Pass Regular, you’ll have the Ordinary Car setting. If you think you want to upgrade your seating, then you need to buy the Whole Japan Pass Green.

The Ordinary Car seating is actually quite comfortable. Some people find the room for the leg is fit as well. But, if you want to experience most of the facility and you have more budget, choosing the Green Car is recommended too!

Well, hopefully it won’t happen, but when it does, you can go to the ticket office as fast as you can and try to cancel your reservation. The next step would be to make a new reservation, or if available, ride the next train.

If you bring luggage that is oversized, then you should book a seat for your luggage. But, pay attention to the these criterias about the oversized luggage:

If your luggage doesn’t meet those criterias, then you should just place it on the overhead storage department.

When you buy the pass via the official website, you must select a starting date within one month of purchase. For instance, if you buy it on September 30, you can still use it until late November 2023.

Anyway, if you purchased through a travel agent, a voucher is provided, which should be exchanged in Japan within three months. You can then select a starting date within one month. Therefore, buying on September 30 could allow use into February 2024.

However, it's worth noting that the Japan Rail Pass, as we currently know it, will no longer be available by the 2024 cherry blossom season.

Well, it’s relative when we talk about whether it’s still worth it to buy the JR Pass after the price hike or not. Here’s some tips from us:

The price increase doesn't just come with nothing, that’s why we said it is still worth it to purchase it. With the new JR Pass starting in October, travelers can enjoy the convenience of riding the Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen line by simply adding a fee. These are the fastest trains between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, making journeys efficient. Additionally, the pass offers discounts at a wider range of attractions, allowing travelers to explore Japan's famous landmarks and natural beauty affordably.

Well, now that you know everything about the JR Pass, you’re ready for your adventure in Japan and ride those Shinkansen all you want! Don’t forget to book yours on Traveloka, including your flight tickets and hotels to stay in Japan.