For travelers throughout this country using trains operated by Japan Railways Group (JR Group)
- * A JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be purchased inside Japan.
Travel InformationJapan Rail Pass & JR-WEST RAIL PASS
Japan Rail Pass
JR-West Rail Pass
JR-WEST Rail Pass are available to tourists visiting Japan under the entry status of "temporary visiter". The passes can be purchased overseas and in Japan.
- Kansai Area Pass
- The pass holder has unlimited use of any Rapid Service & Local Trains and limited Express "Haruka" non-reserved seats within the corresponding area.
- Sanyo Area Pass
- The passenger has unlimited use of limited Express "Haruka", Shinkansen (Bullet Train), and Rapid Service & Local Trains within the corresponding area.
- Trains and classes that require a reserved seat ticket, etc., can only be used if the passenger has been issued a reserved seat ticket.
- When boarding a train that travels over lines operated by companies other than JR, it is necessary to pay the corresponding fares for the line being traveled (a basic fare, limited express fare, etc.).
- 1. With the Sanyo Area Pass, the pass holder may use standard car on limited express Haruka trains. If the pass holder wishes to use a reserved seat on any other limited express train, the pass holder must purchase a separate limited express ticket.
- 2. With the Kansai Area Pass, the pass holder may use non-reserved seats on limited express Haruka trains. If the pass holder wishes to use a standard non-reserved seat on any other limited express train, the pass holder must purchase a separate limited express ticket.
- If the pass expires while the pass holder is on a train, the pass will remain valid until the following day, provided that the pass holder continues the trip without leaving a ticket gate. However, if the pass holder boards a train that requires an additional ticket such as a limited express ticket, the rail pass will only remain valid as a standard railway ticket, and the pass holder will need to pay any additional corresponding fares such as limited express fares.
How to Purchase a JR-WEST Rail Pass
Purchasing a Pass Overseas
- At an overseas JR-WEST RAIL PASS sales location, purchase either an MCO (Miscellaneous Charges Order: a document of value certifying the payment of airfare, etc.) or a designated voucher. After arriving in Japan, submit the voucher at a ticket exchange site to have a JR-West Rail Pass issued. All of the following conditions must be met in order to receive a Rail Pass.
- 1. The purchaser must have a passport issued by a government, etc., other than the country of Japan, and have resident status corresponding to a "short-term stay" (maximum stay of 15 or 90 days).
- 2. If using an MCO, the Rail Pass must be issued within three months starting from the date of MCO issue.
- 3. The purchaser must enter all necessary information on the application form, including name, passport number, and starting date of the trip, and must submit the application form together with the MCO and passport.
Purchasing a Pass in Japan
- A JR-WEST RAIL PASS may be purchased in Japan if all of the following conditions are met.
- 1. The purchaser must have a passport issued by a government, etc., other than the country of Japan, and have resident status corresponding to a "short-term stay" (maximum stay of 15 days). Persons from countries such as the United States who are not required to have a visa to visit Japan (see Attachment 1) are eligible to purchase a Rail Pass even if staying in Japan for up to 90 days.
- 2. The purchaser must be purchasing a Rail Pass for the first time after entering Japan.
- * One person may only make one purchase of one ticket during one stay in Japan.
- 3. When purchasing the Rail Pass, the purchaser must enter all necessary information on the application form, including name, nationality, passport number, and starting date of the trip, and must submit the application form together with the passport, departure portion of the immigration card (ED card), and return trip ticket.
Price
| Type | Departure | Destination | Term of Validity | JR Personnel Classification | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansai Area Pass | Tokaido - Sanyo Main Line (Yamashina - Himeji), Osaka Loop Line, JR Tozai Line, Sakurajima Line, Katamachi Line, Nara Line, San-in Main Line (Kyoto - Hozukyo), Kansai Main Line (JR Namba - Kizu), Sakurai Line, Wakayama Line (Oji - Takada), Hanwa Line (Tennoji - Hineno), Kansai Airport LineOsaka Higashi Line | 1day | Adult | ¥2,000 | |
| Child | ¥1,000 | ||||
| 2day | Adult | ¥4,000 | |||
| Child | ¥2,000 | ||||
| 3day | Adult | ¥5,000 | |||
| Child | ¥2,500 | ||||
| 4day | Adult | ¥6,000 | |||
| Child | ¥3,000 | ||||
| Sanyo Area Pass | Sanyo Shinkansen, Tokaido - Sanyo Main Line (Shin-Osaka - Shimonoseki), Osaka Loop Line, JR Tozai Line, Sakurajima Line, Kansai Main Line (JR Namba - Imamiya), Hanwa Line (Tennoji - Hineno), Kansai Airport Line and Miyajima Ferry | 4day | Adult | ¥20,000 | |
| Child | ¥10,000 | ||||
| 8day | Adult | ¥30,000 | |||
| Child | ¥15,000 | ||||
- Kansai Area Pass [ For the Kansai (Keihanshin) Area)]
- Sanyo Area Pass [For the Osaka - Sanyo Area]
