How to Buy a Pass

  • 1

    Purchase a pass

    Purchases can be made online via JR-EAST Train Reservation, at ticket offices in Japan, or at travel agencies outside of Japan.

  • 2

    Pick up your pass

    You can pick up or purchase a pass at major train stations.

  • 3

    Use your pass

    Please use the automatic ticket gate machines.

Three Ways to Purchase

  • Quick & Easy! JR-EAST Train Reservation（インターネット）での購入

    1. 1

      Purchase

      Purchase your pass on the JR-EAST Train Reservation website.

      Reserve Today!

      JR-East Train Reservation

      Opens in a new window

    2. 2

      Pick up

      You need to pick up your pass once you have arrived in Japan.
      You’ll need your passport to receive your pass. You cannot receive a pass if you only have a copy of your passport.
      There are two ways to pick up your pass.

      1. 1.Pick up your pass from a Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine with a passport reader

        You can pick up your pass from Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines with passport readers available at designated stations. Please have your passport with an IC chip ready (not a copy).

        Some Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines with passport readers have longer sales hours than Travel Service Centers and other similar purchase locations. You’ll find them very convenient. For inquiries regarding purchases or refunds, please contact the point of purchase during business hours.

        Click here to see where you can find Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines with passport readersOpens in a new window

        Here are the stations where you can get the pass

      2. 2.Pick up your pass from a Travel Service Center

        Please have your passport ready (not a copy). After confirming your eligibility, your pass will be issued.
        You can pick up your pass from Travel Service Centers that offer this service.

        Find a Travel Service Center where you can pick up your pass

        For details on picking up your pass, please see the JR-EAST Train Reservation User GuideOpens in a new window.

    3. 3

      Use

      Passes can be used within the period of validity from their specified start date. Please use the automatic ticket gate machines at stations.

  • Purchasing a pass from a travel agency in another country

    1. 1

      Purchase

      Before your arrival in Japan, purchase a voucher (e-ticket) from a travel agency or other such vendor.

      Please note that the following passes are not sold at travel agencies outside Japan: JR TOKYO Wide Pass, N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket, Tokyo 1-Day Ticket, Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass, NONBIRI Holiday Suica Pass, and SENDAI AREA PASS.

    2. 2

      Collect your pass

      Please present the voucher (e-ticket) issued by your travel agency and your passport at a pickup location once you’ve arrived in Japan.
      We cannot issue you a pass if you only have a copy of your passport. We will confirm your eligibility and then issue you a pass.

      Find a Travel Service Center where you can pick up your pass

      For details on picking up your pass, please see the JR-EAST Train Reservation User GuideOpens in a new window.

    3. 3

      Use

      Passes can be used within the period of validity from their specified start date. Please use the automatic ticket gate machines at stations.

  • Purchasing at a ticket office in Japan

    1. 1

      Purchase

      A passport is required for purchases. You cannot receive a pass if you only have a copy of your passport.
      There are two ways to purchase passes.

      The Hokuriku Arch Pass cannot be purchased in Japan.

      1. 1.Purchase a pass from a Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine with a passport reader

        You can purchase a pass from Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines with passport readers available at designated stations. Please have your passport with an IC chip ready (not a copy).

        Some Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines with passport readers have longer sales hours than Travel Service Centers and other similar purchase locations. You’ll find them very convenient. For inquiries regarding purchases or refunds, please contact the point of purchase during business hours.

        Click here to see where you can find Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines with passport readersOpens in a new window

      2. 2.Purchase a pass at a Travel Service Center

        Please have your passport ready (not a copy). You can purchase a pass at a Travel Service Center.

        Find a Travel Service Center where you can purchase a pass

        For details on purchasing a pass, please see the JR-EAST Train Reservation User GuideOpens in a new window.

    2. 2

      Use

      Passes can be used within the period of validity from their specified start date. Please use the automatic ticket gate machines at stations.

Eligibility

Customers who fulfill the conditions below can purchase and use this pass.

  • You must be a foreign national with a passport issued by a country other than Japan (Japanese nationals cannot use this pass.)​
  • Customers visiting Japan from overseas on a Temporary Visitor visa*
    • The following passes do not have this requirement.
      • JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
      • JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
      • JR TOKYO Wide Pass
      • N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket
      • Tokyo 1-Day Ticket
      • Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass
      • NONBIRI Holiday Suica Pass
      • SENDAI AREA PASS
  • Please have the pass user present a valid passport (original) when making a purchase. (Passes cannot be purchased by anyone else, including family members.)

Reserving Seats

Changes/Refunds

Changes

You cannot change the period of validity after collecting or purchasing a pass, except in certain cases.

To make changes to a pass purchased on the JR-EAST Train Reservation website before you have collected it, please see the User GuideOpens in a new window.

Refunds

Refunds vary depending on where you purchased your pass.

  • If you purchased a pass from JR-EAST Train Reservation

    1. 1.Before picking up your pass

      Please complete the necessary procedures on the JR-EAST Train Reservation website by 11:50 p.m. (JST) on the day before the start date of the period of use. There are no fees. Refunds can also be processed online from 11:50 p.m. (JST) on the day before the start date of the period of use until 11:50 p.m. (JST) on the last day of the period of validity. However, in this case, a fee will be charged. (Refunds cannot be made at train stations)

      2.After picking up your actual pass

      If your pass is unused and you request a refund at the point of purchase within the period of validity, you can receive a refund for a set fee.

  • If you purchased a pass in Japan

    1. If your pass is unused and you request a refund at the point of purchase within the period of validity, you can receive a refund for a set fee.

  • If you purchased a pass at a travel agency

    1. 1.Before collecting your pass

      Please contact the travel agency that you purchased your pass from. In such cases, we cannot provide refunds.

      2.Once the pass is issued

      If your pass is unused and you request a refund at the point of purchase within the period of validity, you can receive a refund for a set fee.

Please note

  • In either case, if you have reserved a seat, no refunds can be made after the reserved train’s departure time. If you are not going to take the train your reservation is for, please be sure to cancel your reserved seat.