The JR East Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on JR trains (including shinkansen and limited express trains) in the Kanto, Koshinetsu and Tohoku Region on five or ten consecutive days or four flexible days within one month. In addition, a flexible three day pass will be temporarily available from September to December 2009.
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JR East Pass
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Type
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Ordinary Cars
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Green Cars
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5 consecutive days
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20,000 Yen
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28,000 Yen
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10 consecutive days
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32,000 Yen
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44,800 Yen
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4 flexible days within 1 month
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20,000 Yen
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28,000 Yen
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3 flexible days within 1 month
(September to December 2009)
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10,000 Yen
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not available
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Reduced rates apply to people aged 12-25 in ordinary cars (about 20% off) and to children aged 6-11 (50% off). No reduced rates in case of the 3-day pass.
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Below is a map of major train lines, which can be used with the JR East Pass:
Validity
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1)
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Unlimited use of trains operated by JR East. This includes most JR trains in the Kanto (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi and Ibaraki Prefectures), Koshinetsu (Yamanashi, Nagano and Niigata Prefectures) and Tohoku (Fukushima, Miyagi, Yamagata, Akita, Iwate and Aomori Prefectures) regions.
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2)
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In the designated area, you can use all types of JR East trains, including shinkansen (except Tokaido Shinkansen, which is operated by JR Central), limited express trains and local trains (except "liner" and "home liner" trains).
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3)
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There are a small number of JR trains, which partially run on the tracks of different railway companies. When riding along a non-JR owned section, pass holders will have to pay the fare for the non-JR section on board of the train or at the station. View a list of affected JR lines. However, since July 2008, three of these non-JR train lines can now also be used with the JR East Pass (but not with the Japan Rail Pass):
- Limited express trains between Shinjuku and Tobu-Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen and local trains between Tobu-Nikko, Shimo-Imaichi and Kinugawa Onsen
- All trains along the Izukyu Line between Ito and Izukyu-Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula
- All trains along the Hokuhoku Line between Echigo-Yuzawa and Naoetsu
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4)
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Seat reservations can be made for free. However, the pass does not cover the cost of berths and private rooms on night trains. If you use them, nevertheless, you will have to pay the cost for the berth or private room plus the express supplement fee.
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5)
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The 10-Day Pass is valid on ten consecutive days, the 5-Day Pass is valid on five consecutive days and the 4-Day Flexible Pass are valid on any four days within one month.
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6)
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The 3-Day Flexible Pass is a special, temporary offer available for use from September through December 31, 2009. It is valid on any three days within one month. The 3-Day Flexible Pass is on sale until November 20 (December 1 inside of Japan) and needs to be exchanged to the actual pass by December 1, 2009.
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7)
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Only foreign visitors to Japan (on a temporary visitor visa) can use the JR East Pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.
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Points of Sale
The JR East Pass can be purchased via the internet, through travel agencies outside of Japan and at major JR railway stations in the service area of JR East, including Tokyo and Narita Airport.
When purchasing the pass outside of Japan, you will receive an exchange order, which has to be exchanged into an actual rail pass after your arrival in Japan and within three months of the purchase.
When purchasing the pass inside Japan, you are limited to the purchase of one pass, and need to show your passport and return air ticket.
Assessment
The JR East Pass, especially the flexible four day version, is one of the most cost effective rail passes available. The flexible four day or five day pass for 20,000 yen, for example, already pay off for a shinkansen round trip between Tokyo and Sendai. The temporarily available three day pass for 10,000 yen is an even better deal.
Alternative Tickets
The much less cost effective Do Nichi Kippu covers the same area as the JR East Pass except Northern Tohoku. It can be used only on weekends and, unlike the JR East Pass, is also available to residents of Japan.
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