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- JR East Pass Special
The valid period for the JR East Pass Special ended on Thursday, June 30, 2011. We would like to thank all the people who participated! Watch for our next JR East Pass Special on this Website. We hope you will join us then. (The information on this page is out of date.)
Important Information
(For customers who bought their passes before March 2011) Temporary full refund of our regional pass
If you want to refund your exchange order to stop your travel in Japan, we can do a full refund for you.
(overseas)
･In case of the purchase through an agent, you can ask the staff in your agent.
･In case of the online purchase, you can ask the staff in AccesRail Helpdesk.
Info@AccesRail.com
(In Japan)
･You can ask our staff in its sales counter.
*Only for unused pass
What is it?
The JR East Pass Special is available for a discounted price for a limited time only: Friday, April 1 to Thursday, June 30, 2011. Use it for unlimited rides on trains, including Shinkansen lines and limited express rail, on JR East lines. Use the JR East Pass Special for any three days during the 10 days following the pass issuance.
Use the Narita Express for access between Narita International Airport and the Tokyo Metropolitan area, as well as to travel to Aomori, Sendai, Nikko and Shinshu (Nagano) on Shinkansen and limited express trains. The JR East Pass Special can even be used on trains other than JR East rail, including some from Tokyo to Izu, Naoetsu and the Nikko area, as well as on JR buses to such destinations as Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture. We hope you will take advantage of this special offer for travel while in Japan.
Prices
| JR East Pass Special | Pass Type | Ordinary Car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Adults (12 and over) |
Children (6 to 11) |
|
| Flexible 3-day | 13,000 yen | 6,500 yen | |
Notes:
- Age requirements apply on the date of Exchange Order issuance if purchased abroad. If the JR East Pass Special is purchased on arrival in Japan, the age requirements apply at the time of pass issuance. A passport or other valid identification is required for age verification.
- The JR East Pass Special is not being offered in Youth or Green Car versions.
Valid Period
The valid period for the JR East Pass Special ended on Thursday, June 30, 2011. We would like to thank all the people who participated! Watch for our next JR East Pass Special on this Website. We hope you will join us then. (The information on this page is out of date.)
| Pass | Valid Period |
|---|---|
| JR East Pass Special | Friday, April 1 to Thursday, June 30, 2011 |
Note: Exchange Orders purchased overseas must be redeemed between Friday, April 1 and Tuesday, June 21, 2011.
The JR East Pass Special is a flexible pass, allowing you to select a three-day period within the above period.
Once issued, the JR East Pass Special is valid for 10 days. Select any three days within that period for travel. When using the pass for the first time on each travel day, present the pass at the station or onboard. A station employee will stamp it with that day's date. The 10-day period includes the day of issuance. For example, if the pass is issued on April 1, the last valid day of the pass is April 10.
Validity
Valid Trains
The JR East Pass Special is valid for use on all the same trains as JR East Pass, plus it can be used on bus lines for a wider range of travel. Pass holders are permitted unlimited rides on local, limited express and express trains including Shinkansen lines and the rail lines shown below.
- JR East Pass Valid Lines
- JR East - all lines
- Tokyo Monorail
- Sendai Airport Transit
Note: Because of the earthquake, we are running substitute buses. - Izu Kyuko Line
- Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line
- Aoimori Railway
- IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway
- Tobu Railway - local trains between Shimo-Imaichi and Tobu-nikko/Kinugawa-onsen Stations.
Also, the following Tobu Railway trains can be used for unlimited travel. - The following limited express trains operated jointly by JR East and Tobu Railway: the Nikko, the Spacia Nikko, the Kinugawa and the Spacia Kinugawa
- The JR East Pass Special can also be used for the following bus services:
- JR Bus Tohoku:
- The Mizuumi between Aomori/Shin-Aomori and Lake Towada
- The Oirase between Hachinohe and Lake Towada
The Mizuumi and Oirase on JR Bus Tohoku
- The Mizuumi and Oirase buses require reservations. The Mizuumi runs between Aomori/Shin-Aomori and Lake Towada, while the Oirase runs between Hachinohe and Lake Towada.
- Reservations must therefore be made in advance at such locations as JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) and Travel Service Centers (View Plazas). Buses may fill up and be unavailable to those without advance bookings. There is no cost to make a reservation. Individual seats cannot be reserved.
Notes
- The JR East Pass Special is not valid for the Tokaido Shinkansen as that is operated by a different rail company.
- Except for the JR Bus Tohoku Mizuumi and Oirase, the JR East Pass Special is not valid for JR bus rides.
JR East Pass Special – Trains and Buses in the Tohoku Area
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The Hayate Shinkansen
The Tsugaru limited express
-
The JR Bus Tohoku Mizuumi and Oirase buses
Train Accommodations
Cars Available with the JR East Pass Without an Additional Charge
| Train | JR East Pass Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansens and limited expresses |
GranClass | N |
| Green Car | N | |
| Green Car private compartment | N | |
| Ordinary Car | Y | |
| Ordinary Car private compartment | N | |
| Liner trains | Ordinary Car | N |
| Sleeper trains | Sleeper | N |
| Sleeper private compartment | N | |
Notes
- Some trains offer special riding cars that require ticket purchase(s) in addition to the JR East Pass Special.
- The JR East Pass Special is valid only for ordinary train cars. To use GranClass service, a limited express fare plus a GranClass fare is required in addition to the JR East Pass Special. Talk to the station staff for further details.
- Individual compartments, Liners and sleeper cars also require an additional limited express ticket, sleeper car ticket or other fare is required. Talk to the station staff for further details.
How to purchase
The valid period for the JR East Pass Special ended on Thursday, June 30, 2011. We would like to thank all the people who participated! Watch for our next JR East Pass Special on this Website. We hope you will join us then. (The information on this page is out of date.)
Sales Dates
| Location | Dates |
|---|---|
| Overseas | Tuesday, March 1 to Tuesday, June 14, 2011 |
| In Japan | Friday, April 1 to Tuesday, June 21, 2011 |
Advance Purchases from Outside Japan
An Exchange Order for the JR East Pass Special may be purchased outside Japan through a travel agent or online.
- Step1. Purchase an Exchange Order from a travel agent. Exchange Orders are available from travel agents with a computerized global distribution system (GDS).
- Step2. After you arrive in Japan, take your Exchange Order to an exchange location. Your passport is required. You will receive your JR East Pass Special after confirmation of eligibility.
Click here for a list of exchange locations - Step3. The JR East Pass Special is valid for 10 days from issuance, and can be used on your choice of any three of those 10 days.
*GDS stands for global distribution system, a computerized way for travel agents to make reservations and issue tickets.
- For Travel Agents
- When selling an Exchange Order with GDS (global distribution system), enter "9B" as the carrier code, "XZJ" for the departure, and "XZP" for the arrival.
- GDS (global distribution system) that can issue passes: Amadeus, Abacus, Sabre, Gallileo, Apollo, WorldSpan, Topas
- For further information on Exchange Order sales refer to the AccesRail sales manual.
- Step1.
Purchase an Exchange Order on the JR East Website.
- Step2. After you arrive in Japan, take the printout of the Exchange Order sent by e-mail to a designated exchange location. Your passport is required. You will receive your JR East Pass Special after confirmation of eligibility.
Click here for a list of exchange locations - Step3. The JR East Pass Special is valid for 10 days from issuance, and can be used on your choice of any three of those 10 days.
Your Exchange Order will be an e-ticket. Print out a copy that shows the details of the e-ticket (name, reservation number, airline ticket number), and take it with you.
Redeem your Exchange Order for the actual pass between Apr. 1 and Jun. 21, 2011 at a JR East Exchange Office listed below. The pass is valid for three days of your choice during a ten-day period from the day it is issued or redeemed.
Purchasing in Japan
The JR East Pass Special can be purchased in Japan at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport and major JR East stations. For other locations, see the list of exchange and sales locations below.
- Present your passport to the pass office staff. You will receive a pass after confirmation of eligibility.
- The pass is valid for three days of your choice during a ten-day period from the day it is issued or redeemed.
- One JR East Pass Special may be purchased in Japan per stay in Japan.
List of Exchange and Sales Locations
Exchange Orders may be redeemed for JR East Pass Specials at Narita or Haneda Airport as well as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Sendai and many other JR East stations.
Narita Airport
JR East Travel Service Center - Narita Airport Terminal 1
B1F
JR East Travel Service Center - Narita Airport Terminal 2
B1F
Haneda Airport
JR East Travel Service Center
- Haneda Airport International Terminal (Tokyo Monorail)
2F Ticket Gate / Arrival Lobby
JR East stations
| Station | Office | Sales | Exchange | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shin-Aomori | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | All Days | 10:00-17:30 |
| Hachinohe | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | All Days | 10:00-17:30 |
| Akita | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | Weekdays | 10:30-18:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays | 10:30-17:00 | ||||
| Sendai | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | All Days | 10:00-18:00 |
| Yamagata | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | Weekdays | 10:00-18:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays | 10:00-17:00 | ||||
| Fukushima | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | Weekdays | 10:00-18:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays | 10:00-17:00 | ||||
| Niigata | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | Weekdays | 10:00-19:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays | 10:00-17:00 | ||||
| Nagano | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | Weekdays | 10:00-19:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays | 10:00-17:30 | ||||
| Narita Airport Terminal 1 | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | All Days | 8:15-19:00 |
| Ticket Office | Y | Y | All Days | 6:30-8:15 | |
| 19:00-21:45 | |||||
| Narita Airport Terminal 2 | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | All Days | 10:30-20:00 |
| Ticket Office | Y | Y | All Days | 6:30-10:30 | |
| 20:00-21:45 | |||||
| Haneda Airport International Terminal |
Travel Service Center (Tokyo Monorail 2F Ticket Gate / Arrival Lobby) |
Y | Y | All Days | 11:00-18:30 |
| Tokyo | JAPAN RAIL PASS Exchange Corner (Yaesu North) | N | Y | All Days | 7:30-20:30 |
| Ticket Office (Yaesu North) | Y | N | All Days | 7:00-21:00 | |
| Shinagawa | Information Center (Central) | N | Y | All Days | 9:00-19:00 |
| Travel Service Center | Y | N | Weekdays | 9:30-20:00 | |
| Weekends and Holidays | 9:30-18:00 | ||||
| Ueno | Information Center (Central) | N | Y | All Days | 9:00-19:00 |
| Travel Service Center | Y | N | Weekdays | 9:30-20:00 | |
| Weekends and Holidays | 9:30-18:00 | ||||
| Shinjuku | Information Center (South) | N | Y | All Days | 9:00-19:00 |
| Information Center (East) | N | Y | All Days | 9:00-19:00 | |
| Travel Service Center (East) | Y | N | Weekdays | 9:30-20:00 | |
| Weekends and Holidays | 9:30-18:00 | ||||
| Shibuya | Information Center (South) | N | Y | All Days | 10:00-18:30 |
| Travel Service Center | Y | N | Weekdays | 11:00-20:00 | |
| Weekends and Holidays | 11:00-18:00 | ||||
| Ikebukuro | Information Center (Central) | N | Y | All Days | 9:30-18:00 |
| Travel Service Center (West) | Y | N | Weekdays | 9:30-20:00 | |
| Weekends and Holidays | 9:30-18:00 | ||||
| Yokohama | Travel Service Center | Y | Y | Weekdays | 11:00-20:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays | 10:00-18:00 | ||||
Notes:
- Some Travel Service Centers are closed during the New Year holiday period.
- Offices and office hours are subject to change or discontinuation without notice.
Eligibility
The JR East Pass Special is a product exclusively for travelers visiting Japan from overseas on a temporary visitor visa. The following two requirements must be met to purchase and use a JR East Pass Special:
- The pass user must have a passport issued by a country other than Japan.
日本国籍のお客様は使用できません。 - The pass user must enter Japan on a temporary visitor's visa, stamped in the passport at the time of entry such as shown at right.
Note:
If the above requirements cannot be verified as being met, the traveler may not be allowed to purchase a JR East Pass Special or redeem an Exchange Order for a JR East Pass Special. Travelers must carry their passports when using the JR East Pass Special as they may be asked to present them for identification purposes.
Seat Reservations
Making a Reservation at a Station
Visit a JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or Travel Service Center (View Plaza), located in most major JR East stations, and present your JR East Pass Special to reserve a seat.
Making an Online Reservation
Some JR East Shinkansen and limited express seats can be reserved online.
- JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi)
- Travel Service Center (View Plaza)
- Note that reserved seats may fill up. Book early to ensure your seat.
- If no reserved seats are available, please use the unreserved seating. JR East does not make refunds for the difference between reserved and unreserved seats.
Refunds
JR East Pass Special Refunds
- Refunds can be obtained for valid, unused passes from most location where the pass is sold. A service fee is charged for refunds.
- Refunds are not made for canceled or delayed train service.
Exchange Order Refunds
- Refunds are made for Exchange Orders within one year of issuance if not redeemed. See the seller for the refund. A fee may be charged by the seller. JR East does not make refunds for Exchange Orders.
Other
- Lost Exchange Orders and JR East Pass Special passes will not be reissued.
- The JR East Pass Special is non-transferrable. Only the person whose name is on the pass may use it. Travelers must carry their passports when using the JR East Pass Special as they may be asked to present them for identification purposes.
Recommended Tourist Locations
Travel around Japan with the JR East Pass Special
The region of Japan covered by JR East has many natural attractions. Cherry blossoms, new spring growth and other natural attractions are in abundance and there are also many historical places registered as World Heritage Sites. One region of particular interest is the Tohoku area where the Hayabusa will debut on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line on March 5, 2011. With access from Tokyo now possible in as little as 3 hours, 10 minutes, Aomori is home to many attractions, among which the traditional Japanese Nebuta Festival ranks highly. This is a great opportunity to travel to Aomori and see all the sights!
- Suggested Places to Visit in Aomori
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Cherry blossom trees in Hirosaki Park
A Tachi Neputa figure
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Oirase Stream
Click here for detailed tourist information on the Aomori area
- Related Information