Can I use all types of trains, including the subway?

The Japan Rail Pass gives you the opportunity to travel in a practical and economical way while allowing you to access most major attractions in Japan. However there are some restrictions as to its validity.

With a National Japan Rail Pass you can use all the trains on the JR railway network, including JR Kyushu, JR Shikoku, JR West, JR Central, JR East and JR Hokkaido. Of course, you have access to local and express trains, as well as the high-speed bullet trains "Shinkansen", that connect many of the main cities in Japan.

The Japan Rail Pass is also valid for:

• JR Bus: local JR Buses on a large number of lines (exclusions apply)
• JR Ferry: JR Miyajima Ferry (Please note that the JR Hakata-Busan ferry to South Korea is NOT included)
• Tokyo Monorail: The monorail connecting Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line

The Japan Rail Pass is NOT valid for:

• Private (non-JR) Rail Lines: With the Japan Rail Pass you do not, however, have access to rail lines operated by companies other than JR. For example if you want to take the Odakyu trains in the Kanto region, or the Kintetsu trains in the Kansai region, you will have to buy regular tickets.

The Japan Rail Pass is PARTLY valid for:

• Super Express Shinkansen: You can access the "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" Shinkansen (which are the fastest ones on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines) however an extra fare for this is required. The special fare tickets can be bought from JR ticket machines or counters beforehand. If you do not want to pay any extra, you should instead take the "Hikari" or "Sakura" Shinkansen trains that serve the same routes. The only difference is that they stop at a few more stations along the way, and therefore take a little longer. However, the difference is small; when travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto for instance, there is only a 20 minute difference in journey time between the "Hikari" and the "Nozomi" Shinkansen.

In the city: the Japan Rail Pass does NOT allow you to ride on subways or trams within cities. However most big cities have a few JR lines that you can use to go around (Osaka Loop or Kanjo line, Tokyo Yamanote line, etc…)

Note that it is possible to take a night train with the Japan Rail Pass, but it will not cover access to the private sleeper car rooms, or any special compartments. Only the basic seat fare is covered by the pass. For any other seat or room type an extra fee is required. Tickets must be bought in Japan Rail stations.

If, during your journey, the JR train uses another train company’s tracks, even if you have a JR Pass, you will have to pay a fee for that part of the trip. Payment can be made before boarding the train, or on board. For example, to travel from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro to Nikko, there is a train that links these JR stations in Tokyo to the Tobu station in Nikko.
The train leaves the JR tracks at Kurihashi to use Tobu Railway tracks. The total trip costs 3900 yen, but Japan Rail Pass holders would only have to pay the Tobu Railway portion of the journey between Kurihashi and Nikko, which would be 1560 yen.