JAPAN RAIL PASS, a joint offering of the six companies comprising the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), is the economical and convenient means of traveling throughout Japan by rail. There are two types of PASSes: PASS for Green Cars and PASS for Standard Cars. Each type can be purchased for 7 days, 14 days or 21 days.

Whether you can use the Japan Rail (JR) Pass for the Green Car (First Class) depends on the specific type of pass you purchased. There are two main versions: the Ordinary Pass and the Green Pass. If you have an Ordinary Pass, you cannot sit in the Green Car without paying a significant additional fee, which includes both the "Green Car surcharge" and the "Limited Express" fee for that specific leg. Conversely, if you have a Green Pass, you can book seats in the Green Car on Shinkansen and Limited Express trains at no extra cost. In 2026, Green Car seats must be reserved in advance; you cannot simply walk on and sit down. You can make these reservations for free at JR ticket machines or the "Midori-no-madoguchi" ticket offices. It is also important to note that even with a Green Pass, the "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" Shinkansen still require a separate "Nozomi/Mizuho Supplement" ticket. For travelers seeking the ultimate luxury, the "Gran Class" (Super First Class) is never fully covered by any JR Pass; even Green Pass holders must pay the full Gran Class surcharge if they wish to experience those premium cabins.