Japan has the best rail network in the world, with the renowned Shinkansen or 'Bullet' Trains. 
Rail travel in Japan is an experience not to be missed, and the Japan Rail Pass offers a convenient and economical way of doing this.

To buy a Pass directly by credit card on this site, use the "buy online" link below.
Or to discuss your travel plans and find out which Pass would be the best for you, please call our sales staff on 020 8237 1605.

A Rail Pass Exchange Order MUST be purchased outside Japan, prior to your trip.

Stations in Japan with Japan Rail Pass exchange offices: japanrailpass.net

You then present the Exchange Order at a major station in Japan in order to obtain the actual Rail Pass, which is valid for the designated period (consecutive days).

Tourists visiting Japan from abroad for sightseeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor."

There are two main types of JAPAN RAIL PASS: Green (for superior-class Green cars), and Ordinary. Each of these types is valid for train travel throughout Japan, and is available as a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day Pass.

Regional passes are available for different durations: please see the information.

Period:

The validity period of a JAPAN RAIL PASS is the consecutive 7, 14, or 21 days beginning on the date the Pass is first used.

Within three months from the date the Exchange Order was issued, you must present your Exchange Order at a Japan Rail Pass exchange office to obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS. At that time, you have to specify the date that you want to start using the Pass. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received.
Once the Pass has a starting date written on it, the date cannot be changed.

• In order to speed up the exchange process in Japan, you can fill in this exchange application form in advance. It should be submitted with the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Order.
  Official exchange form downloadable from japanrailpass.net
• Do not use an automatic ticket-reading gate with a Japan Rail Pass . Please show the Pass at a manned ticket gate.
• Please note that during crowded periods you cannot be guaranteed a seat on a specific train. The periods when seat reservations are particularly difficult to secure are as follows:
  December 29 to January 5
  The New Year holiday period is the most popular travel time for Japanese people, for vacations and returns to their hometown or family. April 29 to May 5
  Due to consecutive holidays in a comfortable travel season, there is large - scale travel throughout Japan for leisure and recreation.
  August 13 to 15
  The "O-bon" season, another traditional time for Japanese to travel to their hometown or family.

Shinkansen (Bullet trains) and most Limited Express and Ordinary Express trains have reserved Green Car seats (First class) and both reserved and non-reserved Ordinary Car seats (Standard class).
For a non reserved seat, simply show your Japan Rail Pass to board.
To make a seat reservation, visit any Travel Service Centre or reserved-seat ticket office called "Midori-no-madoguchi" at a Japan Railways station in Japan (see the sign to the right of this section).
Normally, seat reservations cannot be made from outside Japan.