In Japan, the railway system is very efficient, and you can
go just about anywhere by train. Foreign visitors enjoy a special privilege,
the Japan Rail Pass. With such a pass, you can travel on most of Japan's
rail system, as well as buses, etc.. There are two types of passes,
green and ordinary. The green pass allows you on the more deluxe
green cars. These have wide seats and there is less competition for
these seats (they are more expensive!). The ordinary pass allows you
on most trains, including the high speed shinkansen (but not the high
speed Nozomi Shinkansen).
The primary advantage of the Japan Rail Pass is low cost; especially,
if you plan to travel throughout Japan, the Japan Rail Pass will cost
you less than buying tickets for each train you need. For even limited
traveling, the Japan Rail Pass can save you money. You can buy 7 day,
14 day, or 21 day passes. You must buy the voucher BEFORE you leave
for Japan.
To be eligible for the Japan Rail Pass, you must be either a
foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight seeing or a
Japanese national living in a foreign country. If you come to Japan
under a visa other than that of a "temporary visitor", then you are
NOT eligible for the Japan Rail Pass. You will be able to purchase a
voucher outside of Japan, but you will not be able to exchange it
in Japan for the actual Japan Rail Pass.
For further information on the Japan Rail Pass, consider the
following.