Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail Pass: authorized distribution of the Japanese rail pass

Japan Rail Pass, S.L. is a professional travel agency based in Europe that operates through JRailPass.com. The company presents itself as an authorized distributor and reseller of the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) by the Japan Railways Group (JR), and clarifies that it is not part of that group. Its activity focuses on the online sale of rail passes for visitors to Japan, along with other connectivity products for travelers.

What the Japan Rail Pass is and what it includes

The Japan Rail Pass is a single ticket that allows unlimited train travel in Japan. It is available exclusively to international visitors and covers the rail network throughout the country, including Shinkansen high-speed trains, connections to Tokyo and Osaka international airports, JR express and local trains, JR local buses and certain ferries. The company states that the pass also gives access to hotel discounts and offers at tourist facilities.

It is offered in three durations —7, 14 or 21 days— and in two classes: Standard and Green Pass, the latter with access to first class. The validity days are consecutive and, once the pass is activated, the period cannot be modified or extended.

Regional passes and other products

In addition to the national pass, the catalog includes JR regional passes to explore specific areas of Japan. Among those shown are the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass, the Hokuriku Arch Pass, the Sanyo-San'in Northern Kyushu Pass, the Sanyo-San'in Area Pass, the Kansai Wide Area Pass, the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass and the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass.

The company complements the sale of passes with connectivity products for the trip: Pocket WiFi, eSIM and Japan SIM cards.

How purchasing and delivery work

The purchase process is done online. Once the order is confirmed, the company sends an Exchange Order (JR voucher) by post to the address chosen by the customer, with worldwide delivery service. The voucher must be exchanged for the actual pass at a JR Exchange Office located at major stations in Japan, within three months of its issuance.

Regarding delivery times, the company notes that the order is usually received within 48 hours in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Europe, and that in isolated areas of large countries, such as parts of Australia and Brazil, it may take longer, although it rarely exceeds 96 hours or four business days. The site indicated an average worldwide delivery of two days.

History and reach

JRailPass.com was founded in 2015. According to its timeline, in 2016 it expanded its offering to five languages and nine currencies, and began selling Pocket WiFi and Japan SIM cards; in 2018 it added support in Chinese; in 2019 it enriched its blog with suggestions for tours and activities; and in 2023 it added Japan Rail regional passes.

The company offers support in English and Spanish, and its site is available in several languages, including English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Chinese. Among the figures it presents are more than 300,000 travelers with JR, more than 40,000 Green Pass users, more than 29,000 Pocket WiFi and SIM purchases, more than 1,000 blog posts in five languages, more than 40 million readers and customers from more than 150 nationalities.

Informative content for travelers

The site maintains a blog section and frequently asked questions with practical information about Japan: Shinkansen trains, maps, buses, internet access, seat reservations and itinerary planning. The company also publishes content about destinations such as Tokyo, the cherry blossom season and Mount Fuji.

Frequently asked questions about the pass

The company answers common traveler questions. It states that the JR Pass cannot be purchased within Japan: it must be ordered online and collected at an Exchange Office upon arrival. Seat reservations can be made before boarding the train at ticket machines or at a JR ticket office. On whether the pass is worthwhile, it notes that it is useful for those planning to visit different parts of the country and cover routes between major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima with a single ticket.

Location and contact

Phone: +34 93 547 88 66 · Email: info@jrailpass.com