JR Central Rail Passes

Japan Central Railway Company, or JR Central, is a leading rail operator in Japan that operates the Tokaido Shinkansen, the world's busiest high-speed rail line connecting Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. JR-Central Tourist Pass is only for foreign nationals with "temporary visitor" status.

JR Central Rail Passes Price & Duration

Name	Duration	Adult Price (YEN)	Child Price (YEN)
Alpine–Takayama–Matsumoto Area Pass	5 days	17,500	8,750
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass	5 days	15,000	7,500
Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass	5 days	12,220	6,110
Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass (4 days)	4 days	7,300	3,650
Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass (5 days)	5 days	8,500	4,250
Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass (7 days)	7 days	9,800	4,900
Kansai Wide Area Pass	5 days	10,000	5,000
Kansai Thru Pass (2 days)	2 days	4,400	2,200
Kansai Thru Pass (3 days)	3 days	5,500	2,750

JR Central Pass Coverage

1. Covered regions of JR Central: The central region of Japan, including Nagoya, Nagano, and parts of Shizuoka, as well as Mt. Fuji and Takayama.
2. It covers such cities: Nagoya, Gifu, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Toyohashi, Takayama, Nagano, Matsumoto, Ise, Kiso-Fukushima, Atami, Mishima, Kakegawa, Okazaki, Ena.
3. Top JR Central Routes:
   • Tokyo to Nagoya, here you can see Mount Fuji, particularly between Tokyo and Shizuoka (Tokaido Shinkansen)
   • Nagoya to Kyoto (Tokaido Shinkansen)
   • Nagoya to Osaka (Tokaido Shinkansen)
   • Tokyo to Kyoto (Tokaido Shinkansen)
4. JR Central exclusively operates the Tokaido Shinkansen.
5. This rail pass operator covers travel on the following trains:
   • Nozomi train is the fastest train service running on the Tokaido Shinkansen line in Japan.
   • The Hikari Train connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, with stops in Nagoya, Shizuoka, and Kyoto.
   • The Sakura train runs along the Tokaido Shinkansen route, making more stops than the Hikari but fewer than the Kodama.
   • The Kodama train operates on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
6. JR Central includes major lines such as the Tokaido Shinkansen (between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka), the Chuo Main Line (between Tokyo and Nagoya), the Shinano Line, the Iida Line, and others, including the Tokaido Main Line, Takayama Main Line, Kisei Main Line, Gotemba Line, and Minobu Line.

Popular Routes Covered by JR Central

1. Tokyo (Shinjuku) - Nagoya with scenic Kiso Valley, and historical post towns like Tsumago and Magome.
2. Tokyo - Nagoya. It has a vital connection with local and rapid services, passing through Atami, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, and Toyohashi.
3. Toyohashi - Tatsuno, you can have scenic views through the Japanese Alps and access to Iida and Tatsuno.
4. Obu - Taketoyo: сoastal views, access to the seaside town of Taketoyo.
5. Kameyama-Wakayama highlights the Coastal Kii Peninsula and access to the Ise and Kumano regions with sacred sites.
6. Gifu - Toyama with scenic Japanese Alps, access to Takayama, and mountainous Hida region.

How to Book And Use JR Central Rail Pass

1. Book the desired JR Pass:
   • Select the specific Rail Pass, its type (Adult or Child), class, and the duration;
   • During checkout, ensure that you enter the correct personal information, including the passenger names as they appear on their passports.
2. Receive the QR code:
   • After purchasing the JR Pass, you will receive an e-ticket voucher (QR Code) via email.
3. Exchange the QR code for the actual Rail Pass:
   • In Japan, visit a JR Pass exchange office and present your voucher, along with your passport, to receive the actual JR Pass. Exchange offices are located at major airports, railway stations, or designated tourist centers;
   • Another way is to use a ticketing machine at every significant JR station.

Seat reservation for JR Central Rail Pass

1. Online reservation: you can book reserved seats on Shinkansen and conventional express trains on JR Central’s official online reservation site.
2. Station counters and Reserved Seat Ticket Machines: reservations can be made directly at the Midori no Madoguchi (Green Window) at JR stations.
3. JR Central App: Reservations can also be made through the official JR Central mobile app.

How to Refund the JR Central Pass?

If you have any inquiries or need assistance, please visit the 12Go Support page. When contacting support, ensure you have your booking number ready for a quicker resolution.

Ensure that the pass has not been activated or used. Refunds are typically only available if the pass has not been used. Refunds are not provided in cases of train delays or non-operations.

Customer Support for JR Central Rail Pass

1. Phone Support: +81-50-2016-1603 (for general inquiries). Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Japan Time), every day except during the year-end and New Year holidays.
2. Email Support. For inquiries related to refunds, exchanges, and other customer service issues, you can email the support team. The specific email address is provided on the official JR Central website.
3. If you have problems regarding your JR Central tickets, please contact the 12Go support team.

Travel Tips with JR Central Rail Pass

Check the timetable: check the train schedules, especially for Shinkansen and limited express trains. This will help you avoid waiting for extended periods at the train station.
Avoid peak travel times: Golden Week (late April to early May), Obon (mid-August), and New Year (late December to early January) are the peak travel times. Avoid weekday mornings (7:30 AM to 9:00 AM) and evenings (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM) in metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Saitama.
Luggage restrictions: Your luggage should not exceed 160cm (total height, width, and depth) and a weight limit of 30kg. Some Shinkansen trains have designated spaces for large luggage. Reserve these spaces in advance.

JR Central Pass FAQ

Where is JR Central?

JR Central operates the Tokaido Shinkansen and several conventional rail lines in the Chubu region, including the Chuo Main Line and Tokaido Main Line.

Can I book Shinkansen tickets online?

Yes, you can book the JR Central Pass online on the 12Go website and purchase tickets for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

Can I use the JR Central Rail Pass on all trains?

No, the JR Central Rail Pass is valid for ordinary cars on JR Central-operated trains, including the Tokaido Shinkansen (excluding "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" trains), limited express, express, and local trains.