Regional Rail Passes: remove old pass info
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Revision as of 18:00, 27 April 2016
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The pass can only be purchased ''outside of Japan'' from specific vendors listed on the official website which includes Japanese airlines JAL and ANA if you are travelling with them. Additionally there are many vendors who will purchase one for you for a markup or fee. Although the price is in Japanese Yen, you will generally pay in your local currency with the local price altered usually monthly or weekly depending on the exchange rate and the vendor. Upon purchase, you are given a paper Exchange Order, which can be exchanged at most larger JR stations in Japan, including all of the stations nearest to airports, for the Rail Pass itself. At the time of exchange, you will need to have your passport with you, and know the date upon which you will want the Rail Pass to start. Dedicated counters specifically for Rail Pass exchanges are available at Tokyo, Shinjuku and Nagoya stations; wait times are little and as soon as you receive the pass you can start making free seat reservations immediately at the counter (recommended if you're travelling on less-popular routes that might fill up, or if you are travelling with a large group).
The pass can only be purchased ''outside of Japan'' from specific vendors listed on the official website which includes Japanese airlines JAL and ANA if you are travelling with them. Additionally there are many vendors who will purchase one for you for a markup or fee. Although the price is in Japanese Yen, you will generally pay in your local currency with the local price altered usually monthly or weekly depending on the exchange rate and the vendor. Upon purchase, you are given a paper Exchange Order, which can be exchanged at most larger JR stations in Japan, including all of the stations nearest to airports, for the Rail Pass itself. At the time of exchange, you will need to have your passport with you, and know the date upon which you will want the Rail Pass to start. Dedicated counters specifically for Rail Pass exchanges are available at Tokyo, Shinjuku and Nagoya stations; wait times are little and as soon as you receive the pass you can start making free seat reservations immediately at the counter (recommended if you're travelling on less-popular routes that might fill up, or if you are travelling with a large group).
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Note that there are plans to start sales of the Japan Rail Pass inside the country on an experimental basis in the near future.
The rail pass does have a few exceptions:
The rail pass does have a few exceptions:
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* [[Hokkaido#By train|Hokkaido]]: JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
* [[Hokkaido#By train|Hokkaido]]: JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
* [[Tohoku#By train|Tohoku]]:
* [[Tohoku#By train|Tohoku]]:
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** JR East Rail Pass - Tohoku Area
(starts 1 April 2016;
also covers Kanto and some private rail lines)
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** JR East Rail Pass - Tohoku Area also covers Kanto and some private rail lines)
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** JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (
starts 1 April 2016;
includes the Tohoku Pass coverage area plus the Hokkaido Shinkansen to [[Hakodate]] and JR trains to [[Sapporo]])
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** JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (includes the Tohoku Pass coverage area plus the Hokkaido Shinkansen to [[Hakodate]] and JR trains to [[Sapporo]])
* [[Kanto#By train|Kantō]]: JR East Tokyo Wide Pass (also covers some private rail lines)
* [[Kanto#By train|Kantō]]: JR East Tokyo Wide Pass (also covers some private rail lines)
* [[Chubu#By train|Chūbu]]:
* [[Chubu#By train|Chūbu]]:
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** JR East/JR West Hokuriku Arch Pass
(starts 1 April 2016;
covers travel between Tokyo and Kansai via the Hokuriku region, and also covers some private rail lines)
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** JR East/JR West Hokuriku Arch Pass covers travel between Tokyo and Kansai via the Hokuriku region, and also covers some private rail lines)
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** JR East Rail Pass - Nagano/Niigata Area (
starts 1 April 2016;
also covers Kanto and some private rail lines)
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** JR East Rail Pass - Nagano/Niigata Area (also covers Kanto and some private rail lines)
* [[Chugoku#By train|Chugoku]]: JR West sells several, including:
* [[Chugoku#By train|Chugoku]]: JR West sells several, including:
** Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
** Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
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* [[Shikoku#By train|Shikoku]]: All Shikoku Rail Pass (also covers private rail lines and trams), Shikoku Saihakken Kippu
* [[Shikoku#By train|Shikoku]]: All Shikoku Rail Pass (also covers private rail lines and trams), Shikoku Saihakken Kippu
* [[Kyushu#By train|Kyushu]]: All Kyushu Area Pass, Northern Kyushu Area Pass (covers areas north of [[Kumamoto]] and [[Oita]])
* [[Kyushu#By train|Kyushu]]: All Kyushu Area Pass, Northern Kyushu Area Pass (covers areas north of [[Kumamoto]] and [[Oita]])
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'''Note:''' The current '''JR East Rail Pass''', which covers a large area of JR East territory in the Tohoku and Chūbu regions, will be discontinued after 31 March 2016 and replaced with the Tohoku Area and Nagano/Niigata Area versions described above.
Many JR East and JR West rail passes can be purchased online in advance at a discount of between ¥500-¥1,000, while other passes must be purchased when inside the country.
Many JR East and JR West rail passes can be purchased online in advance at a discount of between ¥500-¥1,000, while other passes must be purchased when inside the country.