Navigating public transport in a foreign country can be overwhelming. In Japan, there’s also the challenge of purchasing the right ticket every time you ride one of the inter-city bullet or express trains, urban railway networks, or bus services. That’s where the Japan Rail Pass comes in handy.
The Japan Rail Pass is a special ticket offered by the JR Group to visitors from overseas, allowing unlimited travel on the JR Group’s railways and local buses for 7, 14 or 21 days. It’s exceptional value if you’re planning to travel between multiple cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Tokyo.

Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed railway network that grants excellent access to Kyoto from major cities. For example, Shinkansen’s Hikari train takes travelers from Tokyo to Kyoto in less than three hours. The Japan Rail Pass covers charges for Shinkansen trains except the Nozomi and Mizuho trains.  

If you’re visiting Japan for the purpose of sightseeing, you will receive a “temporary visitor” stamp or sticker (such as pictured below) in your passport on entry to the country. Foreign visitors wishing to use the Japan Rail Pass must have this stamp or sticker in their passport. Note that visitors with any other entry status (including business, study or diplomatic purposes) are not eligible to use the Japan Rail Pass. 

See the following website for details:

 Passes are available for 7 days, 14 days and 21 days duration for Green Cars or Ordinary Cars. Green Cars are the equivalent of first-class. For the slightly higher price of a Green Car Pass you can enjoy more spacious and comfortable seats with extras like power points and footrests on shinkansen bullet trains and tokkyū (limited express) trains.

Please Note: Although the Japan Rail Pass can be used for Shinkansen bullet trains, it does not cover charges for Shinkansen’s Nozomi and Mizuho trains.  

<Prices for Ordinary Car Pass>
＜Current Price＞
●If you purchase an Exchange Order at a JR-designated sales office or agent overseas
   7 days: 29,650 yen (14,820 yen)
  14 days: 47,250 yen (23,620 yen)
  21 days: 60,450 yen (30,220 yen)

●If you are purchasing a JAPAN RAIL PASS online　or at a ticket office in Japan
   7 days: 33,610 yen (16,800 yen)
  14 days: 52,960 yen (26,480 yen)
  21 days: 66,200 yen (33,100 yen)

<Prices for Green Car Pass>
＜Current Price＞
●If you purchase an Exchange Order at a JR-designated sales office or agent overseas
   7 days: 39,600 yen (19,800 yen)
 14 days: 64,120 yen (32,060 yen) 
 21 days: 83,390 yen (41,690 yen)

●If you are purchasing a JAPAN RAIL PASS online　or at a ticket office in Japan
   7 days: 44,810 yen (22,400 yen)
  14 days: 72,310 yen (36,150 yen)
  21 days: 91,670 yen (45,830 yen)

The usual way to purchase a Japan Rail Pass is from a designated seller or agent before coming to Japan.
Note that passes will cost a little extra to purchase online or in Japan. See the JR group official website for pricing and ticket office locations.

• Online(https://www.japanrailpass-reservation.net/)

• Purchase an exchange order from a JR-designated seller or agent overseas and pick up your pass at a JR-designated ticket office in Japan.

• At a ticket office in Japan

As of May 20, 2020, passengers travelling on the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen (Tokyo - Nagoya – Kyoto – Shin-Osaka – Hiroshima – Hakata – Kagoshima-Chuo) with baggage that is considered oversized are required to make an advance reservation for both their seat and baggage.

Oversized baggage reservations are required for any piece with total dimensions of three sides (length, width, and height) of greater than 160 cm and up to 250 cm.