Trains... the perfect gateway to Japan
Japan has the world’s most convenient and efficient railway network. JR Group railways are proud of their international reputation for frequent service, punctuality, high speed, and safety. Travel by train is also the ideal way to view Japan: you can enjoy a comfortable and carefree ride as beautiful panoramas glide before your window – mountains, forests, lakes, highlands and the sea!

What is JR?
Covering the Nation … JR (Japan Rail) is an intricate railway network whose total length of about 20,000 km (12,400 miles) reaches every corner of the four major islands (a total of 360,000 km2). Frequent… about 26,000 daily departures. Punctual… JR trains are so reliable you can use them to set your watch. Advanced, Fast, and Safe… High speed and safety are supported by advanced technology, represented by the Shinkansen (Bullet trains).

These trains, which connect Japan’s major cities over a total length of about 2,600 km (1,600 miles; as of March 2004), are famous throughout the world for their fast speed (up to 300km / 186.40 miles per an hour) and their safety record. Comfort… Modern, clean, complete facilities – trains, stations, and service – for comfortable travel in today’s age. JR stations and trains bear the JR logo.

What is JAPAN RAIL PASS?
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is offered by the six companies that make up the Japan Railways Group (JR Group). With the pass, you can freely board trains, buses and ferries on these JR Group lines according to you pass type.

Who is eligible for a Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass is a special ticket that is available only to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sight-seeing. To be eligible to purchase a Japan Rail Pass you must meet one of the following two conditions.

1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor ( 短期滞在 )”.
“Temporary Visitor” entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for “sight–seeing, etc.” If you apply for a “stay for sight-seeing” when you enter Japan , the entry personnel will stamp your passport as “Temporary Visitor”. Only persons who have a passport bearing this stamp can use a Japan Rail Pass.
Caution: Even if you visit Japan with an EXCHANGE ORDER to be turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS, the exchange can not be made unless you have a "Temporary Visitor" status; If you enter Japan under an other official status, such as "Trainee," "Entertainer," or "Reentry Permit," you can not change the EXCHANGE ORDER for the JAPAN RAIL PASS. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, "Temporary Visitor" status differs from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods.

2. You are a Japanese national living in a foreign country,
a. who is qualified to live permanently in that country, or
b. who is married to a non-Japanese residing in a country other than Japan

Note: Persons meeting conditions a or b above must be required to show proof of same at the point of purchase of an EXCHANGE ORDER and obtaining a JAPAN RAIL PASS.

How to obtain a Japan Rail Pass?
A JAPAN RAIL PASS can not be purchased inside Japan.
You must purchase an EXCHANGE ORDER from an authorized sales office or agent such as Kintetsu before you depart to Japan. The EXCHANGE ORDER must have your name as it appears exactly on your passport (including all first, middle, maiden and last names.) After you arrive in Japan, you will need to go to an applicable JR station that has a Japan Rail Pass exchange office and turn in the EXCHANGE ORDER to receive your JAPAN RAIL PASS.

*Please note that it may take approximately 5 business days (excluding all US National holidays) to process and ship your order.

How to turn in an EXCHANGE ORDER to receive a JAPAN RAIL PASS
1. You can not use an EXCHANGE ORDER when you travel on JR lines. You must turn in you EXCHANGE ORDER and obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS at one of the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Offices.
2. Your EXCHANGE ORDER must be turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS within three months of the issuing date (stamped on the EXCHANGE ORDER).
3. At the time of the exchange you will be asked to fill out a short application form and to present your passport with the "Temporary Visitor" stamp that you received upon entry into Japan. You must show your passport and this stamp to process the Rail Pass Exchange order.
*Without your passport, the pass exchange will not be made. (A photocopy of your passport is not acceptable.)
4. The type of PASS described on the EXCHANGE ORDER can not be changed.

How to make reservation
Seat reservations can be made without additional charges; seat availability can not be guaranteed otherwise. To make a reservation, apply at any TRAVEL SERVICE CENTER (View Plaza) or a reservation office (Midori–no–madoguchi) at a JR East station. There, show your pass, and obtain your reserved–seat ticket before boarding.

» Seat reservations cannot be made prior to exhanging your JR Pass in Japan.

Regular Japan Rail Pass Types and Prices:
The JAPAN RAIL PASS are available in two types of classes: Green (First Class) and Ordinary (Tourist Class). The JAPAN RAIL PASS is available in either 7, 14 or 21 day increments (starting on the first day of use, not necessarily the day of exchange.)

	CONTACT AND ORDERING INFORMATION Please note the following important information before placing an order: MAC Safari users must have version 2.0.4 or newer if placing internet orders. Otherwise orders will not be received or processed. We cannot process orders until 3 months prior to departure. It takes approximately 5-7 business days (M-F; excludes National holidays) to process and ship Japan Rail pass orders. If you wish to have your order expedited and delivered within 5 business days, you are required to place the order via telephone. Please call our New York Office at 800-422-3481. » All phone orders will be subjected to a $10.00 processing fee - per rail pass. These orders take 3-5 business days to process and ship. If you require same day or next day processing there will be a $35.00 fee per rail pass. (If orders are taken before 2:00pm EST, the fee will be reduced to $25.00 per rail pass.) » Any orders placed via "walk-in" will be subjected to a $35 processing fee per Japan Rail pass. Please note that due to strict building security outside visitors will not be permitted into the building without scheduled appointments. All online orders ship from our New York Office. If you are located near our other branches and wish to pick up your order, please call that branch directly. For a list of Kintetsu's nation-wide branches, please visit our contact us page. Incomplete or incorrectly submitted orders will NOT be processed. These orders will be canceled. Please do not request for any upgrades/changes/modifications through your order as they will not be processed. PLEASE NOTE: We do not receive any customer payment information from internet orders placed as this information goes directly through Verisign, the on-line payment processing company. They are prohibited by law to forward this private information to us. So, if you wish to change/modify orders you must do so via phone.