General Questions on Use

Hello there!

1.) You can exchange the JR Pass once you arrive in Japan. You can select a start date up to 30 days in the future at the moment of exchange. The JR Pass covers all of your intended travel.

2.) Actually, Hayabusa trains are covered. However you'll have to pay the full price if you wish to travel on a Nozomi or Mizuhou train.

3.) Yes all Shinkansen have Green Seats, as well as the Haruka Express. Personally I love travelling in Green seats.

4.) I don't think that reservations would be required. Although it is nice to have a seat beforehand. It just makes travelling a little more convenient.

5.) Yes, or you could just go up to the conductor and ask him to seat you in a free Green seat.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Thank you for your time Daniel. This really helped me to choose the pass I needed?

One more question - is the procedure to board the train the same regardless of what type of train it is (Shinkansen compared to some local lines run by JR). It seems I should proceed to the ticket gate and look for a JR worker at a manned gate by the turnstiles to have my pass checked. Am I correct in how I read this?

Hello again!

The procedure to board the train does depend a little on what kind of train you will be traveling on.

First you always have to pass the ticket gates to get access to the platform, here just show your JR Pass to the gate attended and he or she will waive you through.

For local trains, just hop on the train and show your JR Pass again when you leave the arrival station trough the ticket gate.

For Shinkansen and Limited Express trains the procedure is different if you make ticket reservations. Namely you first go to a ticket office to reserve seats. Then go to the platform (same procedure as above) and take your train seat.
http://www.jrpass.com/forum/topics/using-the-japan-rail-pass/posts/general-questions-on-use#
It is also possible to take a non reserved seat on the Shinkansen or Limited Express trains, in that case just go to the platform (same as above) and take a non reserved seat.

Hope this helps!
Daniel