Japan rail pass

How exactly do you use a JP rail pass?

Is it like a ‘go-anywhere pre-paid’ ticket or do you have to still buy (discounted) tickets at stations?

Cheers

Matt

It’s SO easy to use. Just buy it online before you leave the UK, make sure you arrive in Japan before it expires, collect it from a rail pass booth at an appropriate JR station.

Then when you want to travel you just show the pass at the barrier to the staff member and they will let you through. The only train you cannot use the pass on is the Nozomi shinkansen (bullet train) or on the first class sections of the train (unless you get a first class pass).

The Japan Rail Pass website has everything you could want to know about the rail pass so have a look on there for more info. http://www.japanrailpass.net/

It is definitely worthwhile if you intend to spend time travelling round Japan. You can just hop on and off and don’t even need to make reservations (although I always did to practice speaking Japanese - Tokyo ni ikitaidesu “I want to go to Tokyo” :)

Thankyou for your prompt reply! Cheers for your help! :)

You can also get them from selected travel agents around the world not just on-line. I got mine when i was in shanghi and they are great value and very easy to use. Think it cost £200 for a 1 week pass and a return ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto was something like £220 so it if definitely good value. Just make sure you buy it before you get there as you can’t buy them once your in Japan.

they are so useful! instead of going through the turnstalls you just have to show them your rail pass which is ridiculously easier than trying to get tickets. make sure you use them enough as they are quite expensive to get. although single train tickets into tokyo or any of the suburbs can run up to 40 quid.  8O 8O japan is epic though! make sure to check out a cat cafe for the experience!

Hey I’ve just booked a Japanese rail pass, so glad the reviews are good! We’re going to Japan the 1st of September for 2 weeks, so excited!

unlike Euro-rail pass To reserve a seat with the japan pass is free of charge and very easy to do at all stations.

This is good for the bullits and night trains

Also another tip you must buy the pass outside of Japan in advance.