How do I activate my JR Pass at Kyoto?

Here you can find a great station map directly from the Kyoto Station website, the place to activate your JR-Pass is marked by JR Tickets Office besides the Granvia Hotel. In addition, Kyoto station comes equipped with many convenient facilities: There is a foreign currency exchange just behind the ticket office.



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With a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you can go through the automatic ticket gates. Many JR stations have automatic ticket gates. When going through the gate, insert the JAPAN RAIL PASS into the slot. After passing through the gate, do not forget to pick up the PASS after it comes out on the other side.

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STEP2Pick up the PASS When you arrive in Japan, pick up the JAPAN RAIL PASS at the JR-designated ticket office counter. When picking up the PASS, your eligibility will be confirmed. Please present your passport and those of the persons traveling with you.

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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. Please request staff assistance at JR Pass offices to set your pass activation date.

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You will be asked to fill out a form with your name, passport number, and rail pass activation date. And, after about ten minutes, your JR Pass should be ready. The process for exchange is the same whether you are at the ticket office at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 at Narita Airport.

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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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During the screening for pick-up/exchange, be sure to show your passport* and Temporary Visitor stamp/sticker. The PASS will not be issued if the name in your passport is different from the name on the Exchange Order or the name who purchased the PASS online.

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Some trains might have a stop as brief as 1 minute, while others might stop 5 to 10 minutes due to waiting for other Shinkansen to pass. Regardless, arriving at the platform about 15 minutes before the departure time provides ample mental and physical preparation.

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If you are traveling with a Japan Rail Pass, this app is made for you as the free version includes a JR Pass option and allows results to be limited to trains covered by the JR Pass. Jorudan is downloadable on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and is also available on the web.

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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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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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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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The Nara Line to Nara, Uji, and Inari Station (close to the Fushimi Inari Shrine) The Sanin Main Line, also called the Sagano Line, which connects to Saga-Arashiyama, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Sagano Scenic Railway (not included with the JR Pass).

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The Japan Rail Pass is valid for West JR Bus company, which operates the Takao Keihoku Line. This line runs between Kyoto station and Shuzan. You will be able to go to Ninnaji Temple and Ryoanji Temple.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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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. Please request staff assistance at JR Pass offices to set your pass activation date.

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