General Questions on Use

rahul83_99

ongeveer 12 jaar geleden

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Hello, I will be visiting Japan arriving on September 12th and departing September 20th with the intend of buying the 7-day pass for use between September 13th and September 19th.
- For 7-day validity should I exchange my Rail Pass only on September 13th (1st day of the period) or is it possible for me to do this the day before that when I arrive in Japan? - For the purpose of the forum, I intend to use the JR Pass for Tokyo - Kyoto, Kyoto - Nara (roundtrip), Kyoto - Hiroshima (roundtrip), and possibly Kyoto-Osaka (roundtrip), besides the Haruka Service to Kansai and the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. (1) For all of these trips is my pass eligible as I believe it is? (2) I understand that Nozomo/Mizuho/Hayabusa services are not covered by the pass. If I desired to take one of these services, is there any way to pay a supplement in addition to the pass for that reservation, or would it be the full fare for that seat? (3) I do wish to pay a little more for the Green Pass. Would my routes (At least Tokyo-Kyoto, Kyoto-Hiroshima and Haruka) have the Green Car service? (4) In mid-September, is it advisable to make my reservations at a JR office ahead of time, or should it be fine to do this at the station before departure? (5) If I do buy the Green Pass and for some reason can not get a reservation in a train, would JR allow me to use the standard service for that train instead? (I am just considering possible problems)

Thank you for any answers you can provide me.

Daniel-san

19375 post

7668 like

ongeveer 12 jaar geleden

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

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rahul83_99

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ongeveer 12 jaar geleden

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?

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Daniel-san

19375 post

7668 like

ongeveer 12 jaar geleden

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

Handig!1

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