If you're planning to explore Japan's beautiful landscape and rich cultural heritage, the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is the perfect travel solution. With the JR Pass, you can enjoy unlimited access to Japan's world-class railway system, including the famous shinkansen or bullet trains, as well as local JR trains, buses, and ferries. This pass is an ideal way to travel throughout Japan, especially if you want to visit multiple cities or regions during your stay.

The JR Pass is available in three different durations: 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day. The 7-day pass is perfect for travelers on a tight schedule, while the 14-day and 21-day passes are ideal for those who want to take their time and explore more of Japan. The pass is also available in two classes: ordinary and green (first-class) cars. The green cars offers more spacious and comfortable seating, making it ideal for longer journeys.

What is the Difference Between the Ordinary Car and the Green Car?

For a more efficient, cheaper, and easier trip, the Ordinary Car offers great value. With the Ordinary Car, you don’t have to reserve seats before boarding, making transfers between trains much easier. However, since passengers don’t need to reserve seats in advance, the Ordinary Car can be more crowded than the Green Car.

Travel comfortably on Ordinary cars with 2+3 or 2+2 seating layouts

Meanwhile, if you want more comfort and more space on the train, the Green Car is the right choice. Marked with a green clover symbol, Green Cars offer more spacious seating and bigger legroom for a comfortable journey. They are usually less crowded than Ordinary Cars because all seats must be reserved before boarding. You can make seat reservations at the JR ticket office, but only after you have redeemed your JR Pass.

Get the Green Car ticket to enjoy more spacious and comfy seatings on the Green Car carriages  

In addition to that, with the Green Car pass, you can ride on both the Green Car and the Ordinary Car, while with the Ordinary Car pass, you can only ride on the Ordinary Car.

Travel in high speed using Japan's famous Shinkansen!

Enjoy the beauty of Japan, like this gorgeous garden in Furano, Hokkaido

Explore Japan's iconic sites, such as the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima

Visit Kanazawa or Takayama using your rail pass, then take a day trip to nearby Shirakawago

Coverage Area

Travel across Japan using most JR-operated transportation

How do I buy and use the JR Pass?

How to Use JR Pass

Glossary