Can I buy the JR Pass in Japan?

No. You must purchase exchange vouchers before arriving in Japan, then exchange them at JR stations. The actual pass cannot be bought in Japan.

Does the pass work on all shinkansen?

No. Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen (the fastest services) are excluded. You can use Hikari and Kodama shinkansen, which add only 15-30 minutes to most routes.

Is it worth it for Tokyo only?

Rarely. Local Tokyo travel uses mostly non-JR lines. You'd need 4-5 trips to Narita Airport plus extensive JR Yamanote line use to break even. Buy individual tickets instead.

Can I reserve seats with the pass?

Yes, reserved seats are free with the pass. Make reservations at JR ticket offices or machines. Unreserved cars are always available too.

Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth Buying

The Japan Rail Pass pays for itself if you take more than 3-4 long-distance shinkansen trips during your stay. For a Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka trip, a 7-day pass saves about $100. Skip it if you're staying in one city or taking mostly local trains.

Calculate your shinkansen usage. List every long-distance train trip you plan to take. Tokyo to Kyoto costs $120 one-way. Tokyo to Osaka is $135. Add up your total planned shinkansen costs.
Compare against pass prices. 7-day pass costs $279. 14-day costs $444. 21-day costs $563. If your shinkansen total exceeds the pass price, buy it. Include airport express trains in your calculation - Narita Express costs $30 round-trip.
Factor in convenience value. The pass eliminates ticket buying stress and language barriers. You can hop on any JR train without reservations. Worth an extra $50-100 for peace of mind if you're a first-time visitor.
Check what's not covered. Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen (the fastest) are excluded. Private railways like Keikyu and Odakyu aren't covered. Tokyo Metro requires separate tickets. Plan routes using only JR lines.
Buy before you go. Purchase exchange vouchers online or from authorized agents in your home country. You cannot buy the actual pass in Japan. Exchange vouchers at JR stations within 90 days of issue.

Can I buy the JR Pass in Japan?: No. You must purchase exchange vouchers before arriving in Japan, then exchange them at JR stations. The actual pass cannot be bought in Japan.
Does the pass work on all shinkansen?: No. Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen (the fastest services) are excluded. You can use Hikari and Kodama shinkansen, which add only 15-30 minutes to most routes.
Is it worth it for Tokyo only?: Rarely. Local Tokyo travel uses mostly non-JR lines. You'd need 4-5 trips to Narita Airport plus extensive JR Yamanote line use to break even. Buy individual tickets instead.
Can I reserve seats with the pass?: Yes, reserved seats are free with the pass. Make reservations at JR ticket offices or machines. Unreserved cars are always available too.