The Japan Rail Pass is a ticket that Japanese railroad enthusiasts cannot buy.
If you are coming to Japan from abroad and you will be traveling around Japan to some extent, you must have this ticket.
We, Japanese, cannot buy this ticket, so please understand that we do not have any testimonials.
Buy the Japan Rail Pass for long-distance travel
In 2020, the Japan Rail Pass will cost 39,600 yen (1st class) and 29,650 yen (standard car) for 7 days.
This is almost the same price as one round trip between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka when a Japanese person normally buys a Shinkansen ticket to travel within Japan.
At this price, unlimited rides for 7 days is an unbelievable price for people living in Japan.
If you are based in Tokyo and are going to Kyoto or Osaka at least once, this is a ticket you should definitely buy.
Please note that the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on the Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
The Nozomi train is a kind of express train within the Shinkansen bullet train that travels about 515 kilometers from Tokyo to Kyoto in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
It only stops at four stations between Tokyo and Kyoto.
The Japan Rail Pass can be used on the Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, and Tsubame Shinkansen trains. For example, the ride from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, about 30 minutes longer than the Nozomi.
The Japan Rail Pass is not for busy people, as you have to wait for the Nozomi to overtake you at stations along the way, but if you can make this trip in about 3 hours, the Japan Rail Pass will be enough.
Based on this basic information, you can purchase the product from this website.
https://japanrailpass.net/en/
Where to pick up your Japan Rail Pass upon arrival in Japan
These are the main airport pickup locations.
Narita International Airport
Narita Airport Station (Narita Airport Terminal 1)
JR EAST Travel Service Center 8:15-19:00
Ticket Office 6:30-8:15, 19:00-21:45
Narita International Airport Terminal 1 Travel Service Center 9:00-20:00
Airport Terminal 2 Station (Narita Airport Terminal 2 & 3)
JR EAST Travel Service Center 8:15-20:00
Ticket Office 6:30-8:15, 20:00-21:45
Haneda International Airport
Terminal 2 Station
Tourist Information Center Haneda Airport Terminal 2
Hours of operation: 6:00 to 23:00
Terminal 3 Station
JR EAST Travel Service Center (Tokyo Monorail 2F Ticket Gate / Arrival Lobby)
Hours of operation: 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Kansai International Airport
Kansai Airport Station
Ticket Office
Opening hours: 5:30 to 23:00
New Chitose International Airport
New Chitose Airport Station
JR Information Desk
Opening hours: 8:30-19:00