FAQ

Q1. Who is eligible to purchase a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)?

A.
1. Any foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing purposes under the entry status of “temporary visitor.” “Temporary visitor” entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a short stay in Japan for up to 90 days. If you are designated as a temporary visitor when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport as such and only persons that have a passport bearing this stamp can use a JR Pass.

2. Any Japanese national living in a foreign country for 10 consecutive years or more (Dual Citizenship is excluded). Persons must have both a valid Japanese passport along with a written certificate obtained from the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country where they reside.

* A valid passport and proof of eligibility is required in order to purchase an Exchange Order Voucher and when redeeming the Exchange voucher for a JR Pass in Japan. (Photocopies will not be accepted)

Q2. When I order my JR Pass, how will I receive it?

A.

• Pick up from our Torrance, CA office: There are no additional fees for pick-up during office hours.
  Office hours are Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time (excluding holidays), or;
• via FedEx Overnight or 2-Day Air: Orders received by 3:00 PM Pacific Time, Mon- Fri (excluding holidays), will be processed and shipped via 2-Day Air or Overnight the same business day. Additional shipping fees will apply as follows:
  • FedEx 2-Day without signature delivery: $15.00 per package; with signature delivery: $20.00 per package
  • FedEx Overnight without signature delivery: $25.00 per package; with signature delivery: $30.00 per package

For packages delivered without signature: If no one is present to accept the package, the package will most likely be left at the front entrance. ANA Sales Americas will not be responsible for any lost or stolen packages.

For packages delivered with signature: Someone must sign for the package. If no one is home or the door is not answered quickly enough, FedEx may leave and re-attempt delivery the following day.

(Please contact FedEx directly to find out if they can re-attempt delivery on the same day, however, this is at the sole discretion of FedEx)

Q3. Can I pick up or purchase the JR Pass exchange voucher at the airport?

A.
No. Unfortunately, pick up or purchasing a JR Pass at any of the ANA airport counter is not possible.
To purchase the JR Pass, please kindly fill out the JR Pass order form.

Q4. What if I don’t have enough time to receive my JR Pass Voucher?

A.
If you are unable to pick-up the vouchers at our office and do not have enough time to wait for your package, you may be able to purchase a JR Pass in Japan. The JR Passes are sold temporarily at a limited number of stations and airports in Japan. Please note though that the cost will be higher than purchasing overseas when purchasing a JR Pass in Japan. For more information in regards to purchasing the JR Pass in Japan, please visit the following: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html

Q5. How do I obtain the actual JR Pass?

A.
Upon completion of your JR Pass order, we will issue a JR Pass Exchange Order Voucher. This voucher can then be exchanged for an actual JR Pass in Japan at any designated Train station ticket office. Please note that a valid passport and written proof of residency (for applicable passengers) will be required to present to the official.

Vouchers must be exchanged to an actual JR Pass within 3 months after the date of issue, and the start date must be within 30 days after making an exchange.

Q6. What does the JR Pass cover?

A.
The JR Pass covers unlimited usage on the Narita Express and all JR operated trains, buses, and ferries. However, the JR Pass does not cover usage on the “Nozomi” trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen lines and the “Mizuho” trains on the Sanyo or Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (Shinkansen is Japanese for Bullet train)

Q7. What’s the best JR Pass and which one should I order?

A.
There are two types of JR Passes: Ordinary (Economy Class) and Green (First Class) and are sold in durations of 7 days, 14 days and 21 days.

There is no one right JR Pass as it depends on where one plans to visit and for how long. Therefore, please contact our office to consult with a representative to determine which type and duration pass would best be suited for your travel needs.

We also recommend visiting www.hyperdia.com to check the train fares.
This will also help determine whether it would be more cost effective to buy individual tickets or a JR Pass.

Q8. Do you offer a discount for JR Pass?

A.
No discounts are offered for Japan Rail Pass. However, children from the ages of 6 through 11 are eligible for the discounted JR Pass. Children under the age of 6 years old travel for free so do not require a JR Pass. Seat reservations are not available for children who do not hold an actual JR Pass.

* Children who are 11 years of age at the time the Exchange Order is issued are eligible for the discounted child Japan Rail Pass fare.

Q9. Does it cost extra to make seat reservations?

A.
No, there is no extra cost in reserving seats for the JR Pass, however seats can only be reserved in Japan.

Q10. Can I order the JR Pass for someone else?

A.
Yes, the JR Pass may be ordered for someone else as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. When placing an order, it is important that all names are spelled exactly the same as it is issued on the passport.

Q11. What payment methods are available when placing an order for the JR Pass?

A.
Credit card payment is the only acceptable form of payment. Please kindly fill out the credit card information as indicated on our online order form. Note that Third-party credit cards will not be accepted, and the credit card must belong to at least one of the passengers purchasing the JR Passes.

Q12. Can I use my (ANA miles /ANA sky coins) to purchase the JR Pass?

A.
No, unfortunately JR Passes cannot be purchased using ANA mileage or ANA Sky Coins.

Q13. What if my JR Pass is lost or stolen?

A.
Unfortunately, neither the JR Pass Exchange Order Voucher nor a JR Pass can be reissued if lost or stolen.

Q14. Am I able to get a refund?

A.
Yes, a refund for unexchanged vouchers within a year from the date of issue may be submitted. However, a $50.00 service fee will be accessed to process the refund. To receive a refund, the original voucher must be sent back to our office. The cost of returning these items will be at your own expense.

Q15. Can I book my seats on the JR Pass before I get to Japan?

A.
No. Seats can only be reserved after you have arrived in Japan and exchanged your Voucher for the Japan Rail Pass.

http://japanrailpass.net/en/purchase.html#step_03

Q16. I’m going to stay in Japan for 10 days so do you think I should purchase a 7 or 14-day pass?

A.
Travel patterns differ so please contact our office to consult with a representative to determine which duration pass would best be suited for your travel needs.

Q17. Do I have to use JR Pass continuously for seven days? Or if there was one day in between when I did not use it, can I continue the remaining day?

A.
The JR Pass must be used consecutively for 7 days starting from the first day it is used. Same for 14 and 21-day JR Passes. They must used consecutively from the first day it is used.

Q18. Can I add my ANA mileage points to this purchase?

A.
No, unfortunately ANA miles cannot be added to existing accounts with a purchase of JR Pass.

Q19. Can I use JR Pass from Narita station to Tokyo station?

A.
Yes, the JR Pass may be used on the JR line and the Narita Express, but the Exchange voucher must be redeemed at a Ticket office at the airport in order to receive the actual JR Pass prior to using the JR lines or the Narita Express.

Q20. Can I use JR Pass from Tokyo station to Kyoto station?

A.
Yes, however the JR Pass cannot be used on the “Nozomi” trains between Tokyo and Kyoto.

Q21. Do you sell JR Pass that can be used in the Kansai (Osaka) area?

A.
No.