Japan Rail Pass

Available exclusively for non-Japanese tourists, the Japan    Rail Pass is a special travel ticket issued by JR, applicable   for journeys in Japan using JR local lines, Shinkansen bullet   trains, JR buses, and JR ferries, with minor restrictions.    There are two types; the Green Pass (for a first class) and    Ordinary Pass.   These are further divided into three sub-categories   depending on their validity i.e. 7-Day Pass, 14-Day Pass   and  21-Day Pass.  To use a Japan Rail Pass, you need to purchase a Japan Rail Pass Voucher at designated distributors or sales agents in your country (before you come to Japan.) The voucher can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass at Japan Rail Pass exchange offices in Japan. In the Kansai area, Japan Rail Pass exchange offices are located at the following JR stations: Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Osaka, Kansai Airport and Sannomiya. The voucher is valid for three months. For details, please visit the JR web site: http://www.japanrailpass.net/index.html (Information is in English, Chinese, Korean, French and German)

KANSAI THRU PASS

KANSAI THRU PASS is a convenient ticket for private railways and local busses (excl. JR bus and Airport Limousine Bus) in Nara (excl. NARA KOTSU BUS), Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Wakayama, Himeji and Otsu. The Pass has two categories depending on their validity: 2-Day Pass and 3-Day Pass. Just showing this Pass will give you a discount on admission to approx. 350 facilities including temples in Kyoto and Nara. If you purchase a coupon ticket in your country, you should exchange your coupon ticket for the Pass at the tourist counter on the 1st floor of the Kansai International Airport Terminal Building. You can also purchase a Kansai Thru Pass there directly by showing your passport and filling out an application form. For details, please visit the following website: http://www.surutto.com/index.cgi

KINTETSU RAIL PASS

  The passenger tickets issued by Kintetsu 
  (Kintetsu Corporation) for visitors to Japan are 
 special tickets that can be purchased only by
 tourists visiting Japan from overseas. These
 tickets can be used on all Kintetsu lines. The 
 tickets include 3 limited express train tickets, and
 can be used to plan an enjoyable trip.  

 If you plan to use Kintetsu lines to travel around Nara and other nearby areas (including Osaka, Nagoya, Mie, and Kyoto), these tickets are extremely convenient and valuable. There are two types - the “KINTETSU RAIL PASS” and the “KINTETSU RAIL PASS wide”; both are good for a 5-day period. The “KINTETSU RAIL PASS” wide includes one return trip between Kansai International Airport and Nankai Namba Station by Nankai Railway or between Chubu International Airport (Centrair) and Kintetsu Nagoya Station by Meitetsu Railway. You can begin your trip in Japan from either Kansai International Airport or from Chubu International Airport. The ticket is valid even if arriving at one airport and departing from the other.
Purchase a “KINTETSU RAIL PASS” voucher from a travel agent in your home country, and after arriving in Japan, exchange the voucher for a pass at one of the places specified at the time of purchase. Be sure to exchange the voucher within the time limit stated on the voucher. The “KINTETSU RAIL PASS wide” can be purchased in your home country, so you do not have to exchange the voucher once arriving in Japan. In addition, both tickets can be purchased at the Kansai Airport Agency Travel Desk inside Kansai International Airport if you show your passport. For details, please see the Kintetsu homepage. http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/useful/ticket/rpw1-krpw.html

Japan has a highly advanced transportation network crisscrossing the nation. Trains and subways are the most popular mode of transportation for both for business and students. Especially in large cities, places are conveniently connected with frequent train services.

Buying a Train Ticket

1) Find your destination on the train network map to find the price to your destination. 2) Insert coins and/or notes in the vending machine and push the appropriate button showing the fare to your destination. Pick up your ticket and change. Most vending machines accept 1,000 yen notes but some do not accept 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen notes.

Going through the Automatic Ticket Gate

1) Approach to the Automatic Ticket Gate showing a green arrow mark.  The gates showing a red cross mark × or (Do Not Enter Mark) are for exit only. 2) Insert your ticket to the slot to make the gate open. Do not forget to pick up your ticket after passing through the gate. To exit, insert the ticket to the slot again. Keep your ticket till you pass the ticket gate at your final destination. ※ Special tickets such as Kansai Thru Pass can be directly inserted to the gate.

To Catch the Right Train

In a large station with multiple train platforms, a platform may not be permanently allocated to a train bound for a particular destination. It may be shared by trains for different destinations. Always refer to the train departure information board or ask the station clerk which train you should take.