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The JR Pass is a discount ticket that allows tourists to travel throughout Japan by rail. The pass can be purchased online or at Narita Airport, which is one of Japan's largest and busiest airports. Narita Airport has two terminals, and the exchange procedure is the same at both. The JR Pass can be exchanged at the JR East Travel Service Centre, which is located on the B1 floor of the airport. To obtain the pass, you will need to show your passport and exchange order or voucher to a staff member.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I purchase a JR Pass at Narita Airport? | No, you can't purchase a JR Pass at Narita Airport. However, you can exchange your JR Exchange Order for the physical JR Pass at the JR East Travel Service Centre. |
| Where can I purchase a JR Pass? | You can purchase a JR Pass online from the official distributors or at major train stations in Japan. |
| What documents do I need to exchange my JR Pass? | You need your passport and exchange voucher to activate the JR Pass. |
| Where can I exchange my JR Pass? | You can exchange your JR Pass at the JR East Travel Service Centre at Narita Airport or any other JR exchange point. |
| When can I exchange my JR Pass? | You can exchange your JR Pass between 6:30 and 21:45 at Narita Airport. |
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What You'll Learn
The JR Pass can be activated at Narita Airport
The JR Pass is a discount ticket that allows tourists to travel throughout Japan by rail. Since October 1, 2023, the JR Pass can only be purchased online and is no longer available for purchase in Japan at train stations or airports. However, it can be activated at Narita Airport.
Narita Airport is the international airport for Tokyo and the Kanto area. The arrival procedures are straightforward and efficient, usually taking between 30 to 60 minutes. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, head to the arrivals hall, where you can find the train station on the B1 floor. The JR Pass can be activated at the JR East Travel Service center on the station floor of Narita Airport. Be sure to have your passport and exchange voucher ready, as they are required for activation. The operating hours for JR Pass exchange are from 6:30 to 21:45, and the process is the same for both terminals at Narita Airport.
Once your JR Pass is activated, you can use it immediately, including on the Narita Express. However, keep in mind that the Narita Express requires a seat reservation, which should be made at the time of activation. If you prefer, you can also choose to activate your JR Pass at a later date, as it does not have to be done immediately upon arrival at Narita Airport.
In addition to Narita Airport, the JR Pass can also be obtained at other locations in Japan, such as the Airport Terminal 2 station and major travel agencies. It's important to plan your itinerary and consult JR East regarding specific pass requirements for your trip.
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You can only purchase the JR Pass online
As of October 1, 2023, the Japan Rail Pass can only be purchased online. It is no longer possible to buy it in Japan at a train station or airport. This change was implemented to offer greater convenience to travellers, saving them from having to queue to buy the pass upon arrival in Japan.
Purchasing the JR Pass online allows travellers to have the JR Exchange Order delivered to their home address or to an address in Japan. The JR Exchange Order can then be exchanged for the physical rail pass at the Japan Rail Pass exchange centre in Narita Airport or Airport Terminal 2 station. It is also possible to make seat reservations without additional payment at JR ticket centres in Narita Airport, Airport Terminal 2, Tokyo, Yamagata station, and major travel agencies.
The JR Pass can be activated at the JR East Travel Service centre in the Narita Airport station, located on the B1 floor. This can be done between 6:30 and 21:45, and requires both a passport and exchange voucher. Once activated, the JR Pass can be used immediately on the Narita Express, although a seat reservation is required for this service.
While it is necessary to purchase the JR Pass online in advance, it is worth noting that the pass does not have to be activated right away at Narita Airport. If travellers anticipate a busy period at the airport, they can choose to exchange the pass at a later time at any other exchange point.
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The JR Pass can be exchanged at Narita Airport
Once you have exchanged your JR Pass, you can immediately use it on the Narita Express, which requires a seat reservation. It is recommended to make seat reservations at the same time as activating your JR Pass. However, it is not mandatory to activate your JR Pass immediately, and you can choose to do so later at any other exchange point if the airport is busy.
While you used to be able to purchase the JR Pass at Narita Airport, as of October 1, 2023, it can only be purchased online. You can have the JR Exchange Order delivered to your home address or an address of your choosing in Japan. This way, you can avoid queues and have the peace of mind that your JR Pass is ready before your trip.
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The JR Pass is not cost-effective for most travel in Japan
The JR Pass is a nationwide rail pass for long-distance train travel in Japan. It is only available to foreign tourists and offers unlimited rides on JR trains for one, two, or three weeks. The pass includes rides on the shinkansen (bullet trains) and the Narita Express from Tokyo's Narita Airport to the city. The pass can be activated at Narita Airport, where there is a JR East Travel Service Centre on the station floor.
However, the JR Pass may not be cost-effective for most travellers due to a price increase in October 2023. An ordinary one-week pass costs ¥50,000, a two-week pass costs ¥80,000, and a three-week pass costs ¥100,000. A Green Car pass, which offers access to first-class carriages with more spacious seats, costs ¥70,000, ¥110,000, and ¥140,000, respectively.
For the pass to be worth the cost, travellers would need to take multiple long-distance trips within a short time. For example, to make the one-week pass worth the cost, travellers would need to make almost four trips between Tokyo and Kyoto (two round trips) in one week. For a two-week pass, travellers would need to make eight trips (four round trips) between these cities.
The JR Pass may be a convenient option for first-time travellers who want the flexibility to make spontaneous side trips without buying individual tickets. However, for most travellers who do not plan to ride a lot of JR trains, it will be more cost-effective to purchase individual train tickets or use an IC card for local JR travel.
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The Narita Express requires a seat reservation
The Narita Express (N'EX) is a Limited Express train provided by JR East. It is a convenient way to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo, with stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2-3, followed by Tokyo Station and major districts and cities in the region, including Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama.
Passengers without a seat reservation will not be allowed to board any of the Narita Express trains. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance, and tickets can be purchased at the JR EAST Travel Service Center, the JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi), or a Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine.
There are different ticket options available for the Narita Express, including Super (Limited) Express Train reserved seat tickets, Basic Fare Tickets, and Limited Express Unreserved Seat Tickets. The Super (Limited) Express Train reserved seat ticket is required for travel in the Green Car (first class) of the N'EX, and children's tickets are half the price of adult tickets in this case. For toddlers and babies, a separate ticket is only required if they occupy their own seat or are not accompanied by an adult.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy a JR Pass at Narita Airport. You can purchase the pass at the JR East Travel Service Centre on the station floor of the airport. However, since October 1, 2023, you can only purchase the JR Pass online and exchange it at Narita Airport.
To exchange your JR Pass at Narita Airport, you will need your passport and exchange voucher. You can exchange your pass between 6:30 and 21:45.
Yes, you can use your JR Pass right away. The pass can be used on the Narita Express, but you will need to make a seat reservation.
