Japan Rail Pass is valid for the railway service, bus service and the ferry service. First of all, please refer this map. (PDF file in Japan Rail Pass official site) You saw lots of colored solid lines in Japan. Those lines are railway lines. Japan Rail Pass cover all trains that are operated on those lines with some exception. But most of trains are covered by Japan Rail Pass. You can go almost anywhere throughout Japan except Okinawa. (Japan Railway do not have any services in Okinawa.)
Let’s see what we CANNOT get on by Japan Rail Pass.
Train services
Nozomi (=のぞみ) / Mizuho (=みずほ) on Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen
Nozomi is the fastest and most frequent operated train on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. Japan Rail Pass is NOT valid for this train. Even a basic fare to take Nozomi is not covered by Japan Rail Pass. If you want to take Nozomi, you have to pay full fare.
I understand this is the disadvantage. But you can take Hikari that is the second fastest train. I haven’t had any problem with that.
ex)
Time required between Tokyo and Shin Osaka — 3 hours by Hikari / 2.5 hours by Nozomi
Frequency — 2 trips of Hikari every hour / 5 trips of Nozomi every hour
*There are some more trips of both Hikari and Nozomi in peak hours.
Please refer one of my post, Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to get the details abut the difference between Nozomi and Hikari.
Mizuho is the fastest train on Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen. This train was introduced on Mar 12, 2011 when Kyushu Shinkansen had been completed. JR West and Kyushu started to operate new train service Mizuho and Sakura bewtween Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo. Sakura is the second fastest train on Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen. You can take this train service by Japan Rail Pass.
Gran Class of Hayabusa on Tohoku Shinkansen
Gran Class seat on E5 series (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Hayabusa was introduced to Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin Aomori as the newest and fastest train service in March, 2011. Japan Rail Pass cover this train service basically. However this train has the highest class that is called Gran Class. This class is first ever higher than Green Class. If you take this class, both Japan Rail Pass Ordinary and even Green cover a basic fare only. You need to pay surcharge.
Delux Green on JR Kyushu trains
Some of limited express trains in Kyushu have Delux Green Class. If you take this class, you have to pay both Limited Express surcharge and Delux Green surcharge. Even Green Pass do not cover both surcharge.
Green Private Compartment
Green compartment on Super View Odoriko (C) Sonic Rail Garden
These following trains have Green compartment.
- Super View Odoriko (Tokyo-Atami/Ito/Izukyu Shimoda)
- Spacia Nikko/Kinugawa (Shinjuku-Nikko/Knugawa Onsen)
- Most of limited express trains in Kyushu (Nichirin, Kamome, Midori and many more except Sonic and Huis Ten Bosch
If you use this type of seat by Japan Rail Pass, your party must be 4 persons because it is based on 4 person. If you use this by 3 persons or less, you have to pay surcharge for insufficiency.
Overnight train / Sleeper car
Any type of Japan Rail Pass cover only a basic fare for the sleeper car. So you have to pay the accommodation fee (berth and compartment) and limited express or express surcharge. But there are a few overnight trains that you can get on by Japan Rail Pass with no extra charge. Because some overnight trains, such as Hamanasu (Aomori-Sapporo), Sunrise Seto (Tokyo-Takamatsu), Sunrise Izumo (Tokyo-Izumoshi) and Akebono (Ueno-Aomori) have the ordinary seats or specialize accommodation. Please see those trains pages to get the details.
Trains run through Non JR lines
Some of limited express trains go through Non JR lines. You need to pay some extra for the section where your train go on Non JR line. Because Japan Rail Pass cover only JR lines. The following list shows you the train go through Non JR lines. Please refer each trains’ page to get the details about the extra charge. I have not written about Super Hakuto yet. As of Apr 2012, the extra charge is 1,770 yen (basic fare 1,260 yen + Ltd Exp surcharge 510 yen).
- Odoriko, Super View Odoriko (Ito-Izukyu Shimoda/Izu Kyuko Railway, Mishima-Shuzenji/Izuhakone Railway)
- Nikko, Spacia Nikko (Kurihashi-Tobu Nikko/Tobu Railway)
- Kinugawa, Spacia Kinugawa (Kurihashi-Kinugawa Onsen/Tobu Railway)
- Hakutaka (Muikamachi-Saigata/Hokuetsu Express Railway)
- Wide View Nanki (Kawarada-Tsu/Ise Railway)
- Hashidate (Fukuchiyama-Amanohashidate-Toyooka/Kitakinki Tango Railway)
- Super Hakuto (Kamigori-Chizu/Chizu Express Railway)
- Nanpu, Shimanto, Ashizuri (Kubokawa-Sukumo/Tosa Kuroshio Railway)
- Hokutosei, Cassiopeia (Morioka-Aomori/IGR Iwate Ginga Railway, Aoimori Railway)
Bus services
There are 8 bus companies in JR Bus Group. This group in under same umbrella as Japan Railways. These eight companies operate local bus service and highway bus service. Japan Rail Pass cover all local service and some highway service.
Highway bus services that are covered by Japan Rail Pass
- Sapporo to/from Otaru
Sapporo is the biggest city in Hokkaido Island (Northern part of Japan). Otaru is one of the popular destination in Hokkaido. It is famous for the canal. It is operated every 10 minutes during the peak hour and every 1 hour during other time. It takes 55 minutes. It is almost same travel time as the train. The trains are operated very frequently between Sapporo and Otaru. So you don’t really need to use this bus service. - Morioka to/from Hirosaki
Before Tohoku Shinkansen was extended to Shin-Aomori, this bus service is the fastest transfer between Morioka and Hirosaki. But now combination of Tohoku Shinkansen and limited express Tsugaru is faster than this bus service. However Tsugaru is operated only 3 round trips a day. This bus service still gives you some benefit. Please see the details about this bus service at JR Bus Tohoku English page. - Tokyo to/from Nagoya
This is the most frequent highway bus service route. Both daytime and overnight services are available. Although it is much slower than Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, the night bus service can make your time saved. JR Bus companies use the vehicle that is much more comfortable and luxurious than Grayhound in North America. Some bus services are operated for women only. Please see JR Bus Kanto’s English page. You can find the timetable. - Tokyo to/from Kyoto and Osaka
Only overnight bus service is available for Japan Rail Pass user. Please refer this post, Overnight bus service between Kyoto/Osaka and Tokyo. - Nagoya to/from Kyoto and Osaka
This service operated during daytime only. You can take this bus service in case you want to go somewhere along highway. Otherwise Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen is much faster and much better choice. - Osaka to/from Tsuyama
Tsuyama is one of the major city in Okayama prefecture.
When you travel to Tsuyama from Osaka, this bus service is the fastest way to get there. Train service does not provide direct service. - Tokyo to/from Tsukuba Center
JR Bus Kanto operate this service with Kanto Tetsudo Bus. Japan Rail Pass cover the bus service by JR Bus Kanto only. Please see JR Bus Kanto’s English page. You can find the timetable.
Local bus services that are covered by Japan Rail Pass
You also can take all local bus lines by JR bus companies. But most of local services are a sort of commute service. I pick up some lines for the tourist.
- Samani-Erimo Misaki (Cape Erimo)
- Aomori station-Aomori airport (External link to JR Tohoku Bus website English page)
- Hachinohe/Aomori-Lake Towada
- Morioka-Ryusendo
- Nasu Shiobara/Nishi Nasuno-Shiobara Onsen (Shiobara hot springs resort)
- Tateyama-Awa Shirahama
- Naganohara Kusatsuguchi-Kusatsu Onsen-Shirane Kazan
- Yokokawa-Karuizawa
- Kanazawa city lines
- Kyoto-Ryoanji-Takao-Shuzan
Ferry Service
Miyajima ferry service
It is operated between Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima. Japan Rail Pass is valid for this route. Miyajima is UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most popular destination for foreign travellers. This ferry cruise is very short trip. It takes only 10 minutes. Please refer one of my post, How to get Miyajima to get the details about Miyajima.
Hakata – Pusan (Korea) ferry service
This international ferry service between Hakata and Pusan (Korea) is operated by JR Kyushu. But this is NOT valid for Japan Rail Pass.
Other services
Japan Rail Pass does not cover any other train services, such as the subways, other train services by private companies, city bus services, local bus services and ferry services. However only monorail service is covered by Japan Rail Pass
Tokyo Monorail
Tokyo Monorail connects Hamamatsucho with Haneda International Airport. This services is very useful for Haneda airport passengers. You can learn about this service at How to access Haneda airport to downtown Tokyo.
18 Comments to “Validity”
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Hi Wilai,
Please refer the following page at Japan Rail Pass official site:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en004.html
Super Azusa is covered by Japan Rail Pass. And you can see the map below:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en010.html
I explain most of JR trains in this website. Please check your train at above menu, “Trains”>”Sort by Departure/Arrival stations”.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Zhihui says:
Hi,
I will be in Japan Honshu area from 21st April onwards. In my itinery I will be going to Akita via Niigata on the Inaho Limited Express Train so as to avoid going through Sendai or Fukushima for that matter. I need to know if the JR pass covers the Inaho line as well?
Regards
Zhihui-
Hi Zhuhui,
Yes, it is covered fully. Please see the following link to get the details:
http://jprail.com/trains/access-to-akita-from-niigata-limited-express-inaho.html
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Philip says:
We are a party of 6 arriving at Narita on Jan 21st, will stay in Tokyo on 22nd and then go to Nagano on 23rd morning by bus. Then on the 26th we go to Karuizawa by Shinkansen and on 27th to Tokyo also by Shinkansen. What type of pass would you recommend?
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Hi Philip,
Just buy a single ticket. Japan Rail Pass and other passes are more expensive.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Angeline says:
Hi!
I’ll be coming to Japan for 8 days. Point of entrance would be the KIX. Plans to purchase the JR Kansai Area Pass for 4 days, however can I use the pass after my 4th day of in Japan?
Also does JR Kansai Area Pass covers Ltd Exp Ocean Arrow train? I read in your article that Ocean Arrow is now under JR, how bout the Ltd Exp Ocean Arrow? Or are they the same? ><
Thanks!
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Hi Angeline,
JR Kansai pass is only 4 types. 4 days pass is maximum. If you want to use more, you need to buy another pass.
And JR Kansai pass does not cover any express train except Airport express train “Haruka”. So you cannot take Ocean Arrow. If you use JR Kansai pass, you need to take local train.
JR Kansai pass is okay. But if you will travel among Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama, Kansai Thru pass may be considerable. Please read the following post to get the details.
How to transfer among Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Compare Japan Railway and private lines
How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Huey says:
Hello,
This is the route we are looking to do over 10 days:
Tokyo – Kyoto – Takayama – Nagano – Shibu Onsen – Tokyo.We are interested in purchasing a 14day Japan Rail Pass. Can you please advise if that can be used for majority of these routes (with exceptions of some trains and buses)? I just wanted to check that the Japan Rail Pass is also applicable wherever the JR East Pass is. Is that correct?
Thank you.
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Hi Huey,
Japan Rail Pass cover most of your itinerary. Though I don’t how much you want to take a bus, Japan Rail Pass does not cover a bus so much. Anyway you can go the place where you want by Japan Rail Pass.
JR East Pass cover a little more than Japan Rail Pass. For example, JR East pass cover some private lines, like Hokuhoku Line, Izu Kyuko Line. But you don’t take these lines in your itinerary. So you can think it is almost same.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Martin says:
Hello Takeshi
I would like to ask you for some details about the JR Pass validity. The week pass is valid for 7 consecutive days, i.e. until midnight of the 7th day. However when exactly do I have to show it? Only when entering a station, or also when leaving and on some other occasions?
May particular interest is if I can board a train in the evening of the 7th day and arrive in the final destination after midnight (no change of train)?
Thank you for your answer.
Regards Martin-
Hi Martin,
As long as you take the train before midnight in 7the day, Japan Rail Pass cover your trip after midnight. Please refer the following link:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en008.html
You can find this information at Chapter 6.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Weili says:
Hi. Just to check… no problems using JR pass for Hayabusa, Hayate, Yamabiko?
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Hello Weili,
Yes you can take any train on Tohoku Shinkansen except Glan Class of Hayabusa.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Peter Bæck says:
Great homepage.. thanks for all the great info. Me and my girlfriend are considering getting 7 day rail pass and go from tokyo to Kyushu. Do you know what options the Japan Rail Pass will give us on Kyushu, what buses and trains does it cover. Looking at the map it seems like we can only get Hakata and no further.
Danish tralverller
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Hello Peter,
Thanks for your comment.Japan Rail Pass gives you any trip in Kyushu, such as Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, almost all part of Kyushu island. So far Shinkansen takes you to Hakata only. But we have a lot of regular truck in Kyushu. You can take any train in Kyushu. If you want to go to Nagasaki from Hakata, you can take Limited Express train “Kamome“. If you want to go to Beppu hot springs resort, you can take Limited Express train “Sonic“. Especially JR Kyushu will start to operate Shikansen on non-opened section, between Shin-Yatsushiro and Hakata on Mar 12. You can access Kumamoto and Kagoshima directly from Osaka. They start to operate new Shinkansen train “Mizuho” and “Sakura”. But I am not sure that Japan Rail Pass cover these trains. I’m checking JR Kyushu and JR West now. I will tell you that in next several days.
If you want to get more info about trains in Kyushu, please access JR Kyushu website in English.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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I just added using JP rail to my must-do list when I visit Japan. It must be a real thrill to travel this way.
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Hi transmission repair,
Thanks for your comment.
I’ll keep on posting about the rail travel in Japan. Please stick around.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Leave a Reply
I am very happy to answer your questions. But if you are looking for the information about timetable ,fare and reservations, please read the following posts before you leave a commnet:
- If you are looking for the information about timetable, please refer Japan Railway's timetables.
- If you are looking for the information about the fare, please refer Fare Calculation.
- If you are looking for the information about reservation, please refer, How to reserve seat.
- And you may find the infomation that you need at full index in top page.
If you still have a question, of course you can ask me!
Please don't ask a question about other than train travel. :)
How can I know, what limited express and and Limited are included in JR pass?
Example : Ltd. Exp Azusa (From Shinanoomachi to Matsumoto)
Limited Exp Axusa (From Matsumoto to Tokyo)
Are there website for check JR Pass route?
Best regards,
Wilai