Can I buy JR Pass in Japan 2023?

The JR Pass will be available for purchase in Japan until October 1, 2023. The period will not be extended beyond this date.



As of late 2023 and continuing through early 2026, it is no longer possible to purchase the standard national Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) at physical ticket counters or kiosks within Japan. The JR Group transitioned to an online-only purchase model on October 1, 2023. To obtain a pass, you must now buy it in advance through the official JR website or through an authorized overseas travel agent before you arrive. If you buy it from an agent, you receive an "Exchange Order" that you must bring to a JR Exchange Office in Japan along with your passport to receive the actual pass. Additionally, travelers in 2026 should be aware that the price of the national pass increased by roughly 70% in late 2023, making regional passes—which can often still be bought locally—a more cost-effective alternative for many itineraries focused on specific areas like Tohoku, Kansai, or Kyushu.

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The Japan Rail Pass can be purchased outside of Japan in advance. It is necessary to purchase an Exchange Order before your departure. After entering Japan, you will have to obtain your JR Pass by submiting your Exchange Order at a JR office or designated Rail Station.

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If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

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The validity of a 7, 14 or 21 day JR Pass is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight), rather than 24 hour periods. For example, if you start using your pass at 2pm on day 1, it will expire at 11.59pm on day 7, rather than 2pm on day 8.

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The JR Pass will be available for purchase in Japan until October 1, 2023. The period will not be extended beyond this date. Aside from being cheaper, buying your JR Pass online is much more convenient. You can have the JR Exchange Order delivered to your home address or at an address of your choosing in Japan.

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  • JR Pass office at Narita Airport. @wikimedia.
  • JR Office at Tokyo Station. ...
  • JR office at Shinagawa Station. ...
  • Eastern shinkansen entrance at Shin-Yokohama Station. ...
  • JR East Tourist Information Center in Shin-Osaka Station. ...
  • Kyoto Station, Kyoto. ...
  • Ticket gate at Shizuoka Station. ...
  • Sapporo Tourist Information Desk in Sapporo.


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Starting on March 8, 2017 the Japan Rail Pass will be also sold at a limited number of stations and airport in Japan. Be aware though that buying the Japan Rail Pass in Japan will be more expensive than buying it on line ahead of time.

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Unfortunately, it is not possible to pick up your vouchers at the airport or at a JR ticket office.

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The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.

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You'll first receive the Exchange Order. After you receive the Exchange Order, you have 90 days to redeem your JR pass from the voucher confirmation date. After redeeming your actual JR pass, you can choose an activation date within 30 days from the redemption date.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen lines are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and they can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in about 3 to 4 hours. In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka.

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A Few Final Notes and Links While credit cards are become more widely accepted in Japan, cash is still king in Japan. Don't assume that you can use a credit card in small stores, restaurants and accommodations, particularly “mom and pop” places. Always carry sufficient Japanese cash as a backup.

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Each person will need their own JR Pass.

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)

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