Online
- The pass is sold on the official website, JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation, from 4:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Japan time.
- Payment is by credit card in the purchaser's name. One purchase can include the buyer and up to 6 other eligible travelers.
- The form asks for each traveler's name, email address and passport number.
- Shinkansen and limited express seats can be reserved on the same site right after buying, before arriving in Japan.
Through an agency overseas
A JR-designated agency outside Japan issues an Exchange Order. The price in yen is higher than online (see the price page), and the price in local currency is converted at the rate on the day the Exchange Order is issued. For child prices the age counts on the payment date online and on the Exchange Order issue date through an agency.
Picking up the pass in Japan
- Go to a JR-designated ticket office counter, or to certain reserved-seat ticket machines in the JR East and JR West areas.
- Bring the number issued when you bought the pass and your passport with the Temporary Visitor stamp or sticker.
- Everyone traveling with you brings a passport too, because eligibility is checked at pick-up.
- The pass has to be picked up before its start date or during its valid period.
- Seats booked online are issued as reserved seat tickets at a reserved-seat ticket machine after the pass is picked up.
Changes and refunds
Refunds are possible before the start date only, with a 560-yen handling fee per pass. After the period starts, the pass cannot be changed, extended or refunded.
Updated: November 4, 2026