Trains ... The Perfect Gateway To Japan
Japan has the world's most convenient and efficient railway network. JR (Japan Rail) group
railways are proud of their international reputation for frequent service, punctuality, high
speed, and safety. Travel by train is also the ideal way to view Japan: you ride comfortable
and carefree, as vistas of a nation glide before your window - mountains, forest, lakes,
valleys, highlands, and the sea.
A. What is JR?
Covering the Nation...
JR is intricate railways network whose total length of 20,000km (12,500 miles) covers of
the four major Japanese islands (a total of 360,000km).
Frequent...
26,000 train departures a day.
Punctual...
JR trains are so reliable you can use them to set your watch.
Advanced, Fast and Safe...
High speed and safety are supported by advanced technology, represented by the Shinkansen
"bullet" trains. These trains, which connect Japan's major cities over total length of
2,045 km (1,264 miles) as of March 1997, are famous throughout the world for their fast
speed (to a maximum of 300 km/187.5 miles per hour) and safety.
Comfort...
Modern, clean, complete facilities - trains, stations, and service - for comfortable travel
in today's age.
JR stations and trains bear the JR logo:
B. Who is eligible for a JAPAN RAIL PASS?
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is a special ticket that is available only to travelers visiting Japan
from foreign countries for sightseeing. To be eligible to purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS you
must meet one of the following two conditions.
1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sightseeing, under the entry status
of "temporary visitor".
"Temporary visitor" entry status, according to Japanese immigration Law, allows a stay in
Japan of 15 days or 90 days for sight-seeing, etc." If you apply for a "stay for sight-seeing"
when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport bearing this stamp can use a
JAPAN RAIL PASS.
CAUTION:
Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange order, to be turned in for JAPAN RAIL PASS, the
exchange cannot be made unless you have "temporary visitor" status; if you enter Japan
under any other official status, such as "trainee" or "entertainer," you cannot change
the Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS. Please NOTE that according to strict interpretation
of the Japanese immigration Law, "temporary visitor" status differs even from other types of
stays that are also for only short time periods.
2. You are a Japanese national living in a foreign country,
- Who is qualified to live permanently in that country, or
- Who has been living in that country for ten or more years, or
- Who is married to a non-Japanese residing in a country other than Japan.
Note: Persons meeting conditions a,b,c above must be required to show proof of same at the
point of purchase of an Exchange Order.
C. How to buy a JAPAN RAIL PASS
A JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be purchased inside Japan. You must purchase an Exchange Order
from an authorized sales office or agent (Avia Travel) before you come to Japan. After you
arrive in JAPAN RAIL PASS at an applicable JR. station that has a JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange
office.
D. JAPAN RAIL PASS types and prices
There are two types of JAPAN RAIL PASS: Green (for superior-class green cars), and ordinary.
Each of these types is available as a 7-day, 14-day, 0r 21-day PASS.
JAPAN RAIL PASS
| |
GREEN |
ORDINARY |
| |
Adult |
Child |
Adult |
Child |
| 7-day |
Y37,800 |
Y18,900 |
Y28,300 |
Y14,150 |
| 14-day |
Y61,200 |
Y30,600 |
Y45,100 |
Y22,550 |
| 21-day |
Y79,600 |
Y39,800 |
Y57,700 |
Y28,850 |
The above are yen (Y) prices for a JAPAN RAIL PASS Exchange Order (from April 1, 1997); the
actual cost in local currency is calculated based on the Banker's Selling Rate (BSR), etc., at
the time the Exchange Order is issued. Note that the purchase exchange rate may differ from
the exchange rate in effect when you actually visit Japan. The local currency price, applicable
exchange rate, and issue date for an Exchange Order are specified on the Exchange Order itself.
Pass prices for children apply from age 6 to and including age 11. Prices are subject to change.
The applicable price is the price valid on the date when an Exchange Order is issued.
E. JAPAN RAIL PASS validity
Transportation services The JAPAN RAIL PASS is valid for the railways, buses, and ferryboats
as listed below.
Railways: All JR Group Railways - Shinkansen super express (except "NOZOMI") limited
express trains, express trains, and rapid or local trains.
Buses: JR Bus Companies: Local lines of JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus,
West Japan JR Bus and Chugoku JR Bus.
JR Bus Divisions: Local bus lines of JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku and JR Kyushu.
JR Highway Bus Lines: Morioka - Hirosaki/Aomori; Tokyo - Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka/Tsukuba
center; Nagoya - Kyoto/Osaka; Osaka - Tsuyama Car Shed/Kasai Flower center.
Ferry: JR Ferry (Miyajima - Miyajimaguchi), except "Beetle II" (Hakata - Pusan)
Remarks:
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for "NOZOMI" Shinkansentrains. If you use a "NOZOMI," you
must pay the ordinary fare and the limited express charge, and if in a Green car, the
Green car charge. Passengers using trains on non-JR lines must pay respective fares and
charges applicable to sections traveled on such lines.
|
