JAPAN RAILWAYS (JR)

Japan Railways (JR) operates as many as 26,000 trains daily including the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) on its nationwide system that extends over 21,000 km. JR also operates buses on expressways and local country routes.

"JAPAN RAIL PASS":
The Japan Rail Pass offers visitors an economical, flexibile and a simple-to-use rail pass that gives the holder a discount on regular fares. It entitles bearers unlimited travel on JR's vast transportation network without a surcharge except for sleeping berths on trains and private compartments on the Shinkansen and other limited expresses. (The Pass also cannot be used for the new super express "Nozomi".) An Exchange Order or voucher for the Pass must be purchased from an authorized agent abroad prior to departure - not after arrival in Japan.

Free passes (only sold overseas)
Rates for the "JAPAN RAIL PASS"

The Exchange Order is valid for 3 months after the issuing date and can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass at the following JR Travel Service Centers:
Asahikawa, Fukushima, Hakata, Hakodate, Hamamatsu, Hiroshima, Ikebukuro, Kanazawa, Kansai Airport, Kokura, Kumamoto, Kushiro, Kyoto, Matsuyama, Misawa, Mishima, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Nagoya, Narita Airport (Terminal 1 & Terminal 2), Niigata, Nishi-Kagoshima, Obihiro, Odawara, Oita, Okayama, Osaka, San-no-miya, Sapporo, Sendai, Shibuya, Shimonoseki, Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Yokohama, Shinjuku, Shizuoka, Takamatsu, Tokyo, Tsukuba, Ueno, Yamagata and Yokohama.
Eligibility for the pass is limited to foreign tourists visiting Japan under the "Temporary visitor" entry status and to Japanese nationals living abroad under certain conditions and who are visiting Japan. For information concerning the "JAPAN RAIL PASS" please check with your nearest authorized travel agent or for further details of eligibility you may also contact any Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) office.

USEFUL PHRASES FOR RAIL TRAVEL
Subways - Chikatetsu ; Super express or bullet train - Shinkansen ; Limited express - Tokkyu ; Express - Kyuko ; Rapid train - Kaisoku ; Local train - Futsu ; Ordinary class coach - Futsusha ; First class (Green) coach - Green-sha ; Reserved Seat - Shiteiseki ; Unreserved Seat - Jiyuseki ; Station - Eki ; Platform - Platt-homu ; Ticket - Kippu ; Reservation - Yoyaku ; Fare Adjustment Office - Ryokin seisanjo ; Refund - Haraimodoshi ; Dining car - Shokudosha ; Buffet car - Byuffe ; Box Lunch - Ekiben ; Travel Service Center - Ryoko centa ; Ticketing office for reserved seats - Midori-no-madoguchi.

Hints for pronunciation: Japanese is similiar to Italian pronouncation (most syllables end in vowels) however intonation is flat rather than being lyrical like Italian, Spanish, French or English. Japanese vowel pronunciation: "A" = ah, "I" = e, "U" = oo (like in boo), "E" = e like in yet, "O" = oh.

Free tickets including Nagoya Station 

Ticket name	Outline	Price	Validity	Special discounts
Blue Sky 1-day Pass	Unlimited travel on any ordinary trains, on Saturdays or holidays	2,040 yen	1 day	None
Blue Sky Wide 1-day Pass	As above, with route extensions	3,570 yen	1 day	None

REGIONAL JAPAN RAIL PASSES
"JR EAST PASS": valid for travel on all of JR East's 72 railways lines connecting North Eastern Japan from Tokyo, except for the island of Hokkaido.
The "JR EAST PASS," functions under the same conditions and benefits as the Japan Rail Pass. For detailed information, call the JR East Infoline at Tel 03-3423-0111 (for calls originating from overseas, drop the 0 in 03).

"JR WEST RAIL PASS": an economical and convenient pass for use in the area West of Osaka's Kansai International Airport. The "Sanyo Area Pass" covers the charge for the "NOZOMI" Shinkansen, the fastest Bullet Train, as well as other Shinkansen trains running from Osaka to Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata. The "Kansai Area Pass" is useful for those who plan to stay in the Kansai area (which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Himeji). This pass offers groups of 6 or more special benefits through the Group Ticket. It can also be purchased in Japan by people with the "Temporary Visitor" residence status.

"JR-Kyushu Rail Pass" is the best means of travel when visiting preferred sites throughout Kyushu.

"JR EAST RAIL PASS"

Type Ordinary Green Car Adults (age 26 and over) Youth (age 12-25) Adults (age 12 and over) 5 day 20,000 yen 16,000 yen 28,000 yen 10 day 32,000 yen 25,000 yen 44,800 yen Flexible 4 day pass 20,000 yen 16,000 yen 28,000 yen

"JR-WEST RAIL PASS"

Type "Sanyo Area Pass" "Kansai Area Pass" Adults (age 12 and over) Adults (age 12 and over) 1 day n/a 2,000 yen 4 day 20,000 yen 6,000 yen 8 day 30,000 yen n/a

"JR-KYUSHU RAIL PASS"

5 day pass 15,000 yen 7 day pass 20,000 yen

"JR RAIL PASS" prices for children aged 6 to 11 years are available at half the prices listed above.