JR East

Credit : Provided from JR East

Japan Rail (JR) Pass

JAPAN RAIL (JR) is a name which needs no further introduction. Train travel in Japan, whether on a super-fast Shinkansen (Bullet Train) or a more
local train is one of the best ways to see the country. It is generally expensive to travel around in Japan, unless you take full advantage of the JR
Passes. With JR Pass, you are able to enjoy unlimited travels on JR trains (inclusive most of the Bullet Train Lines) and it is great value for money.

DO I NEED A JR EAST PASS?

JR East passes are ideal for inter-city travel from Tokyo and eastwards towards major destinations like Niigata, Nagano, Sendai, Aomori, Nikko, Izu, GALA Yuzawa Snow Resort and more—even all the way up (east) to Hakodate in Hokkaido.

JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)

The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is a pass available only to customers visiting Japan (with a short-term visa no longer than 90 days) and holding a non-Japanese passport.

It allows unlimited rides on all JR East train lines in the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) designated area.

Place of Interest Tohoku Area

Oirase Stream / Lake Towada
Access: Hachinohe Station.
The Oirase Stream is a 14-kilometer stretch of water from Lake Towada to Mount Yake, and is known for the purity of its water. Lake Towada is famous for the clarity of its water. It is surrounded by untouched forests, whose trees turn to brilliant colors in autumn.

Hiraizumi
Access: Ichinoseki Station
Hiraizumi is a town located in the southern part of Iwate Prefecture. Home to the powerful Hiraizumi Fujiwaras, this region blossomed as a cultural and political center of Japan around the end of the eleventh century. Also located here is Chusonji Temple, built in 850 and one of seven National Treasures located in Hiraizumi.

Morioka
Access: Morioka Station.
Morioka flourished as a castle town in old times as a part of the Morioka Domain. Blessed with such natural features as Mount Iwate and the Kitakami River, one of the tourist draws of Morioka is its Sansa Odori dance festival. Located 40 minutes from Morioka is Koiwai Farm, a popular place for visitors to visit the farm animals.

Aomori
Access: Shin-Aomori Station, then transfer to the Ou Line to Aomori Station.
The Aomori Nebuta Festival in August is one of Japan’s fire festivals and is well known throughout the world. Through the streets travels a float with a warrior figure known as the Nebuta. Illuminating the float is a lantern, and around the float, hayashi musicians play instruments while haneto dancers perform, all the while chanting, “rasse, rasse,” filling the town with joy to celebrate the short Aomori summer.

JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)

The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is a pass available only to customers visiting Japan (with a short-term visa no longer than 90 days) and holding a non-Japanese passport.

It allows unlimited rides on all JR East train lines in the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) designated area.

Place of Interest Nagano Niigata Area​​

Echigo-Yuzawa
Access: Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
GALA Yuzawa is a ski resort located only 77 minutes from Tokyo. The ski center immediately outside the ticket gate offers a full array of ski gear and clothing. After a day of winter sports, the area offers hot springs and accommodations for relaxation. In summer, the Echigo-Yuzawa area offers fishing, trekking, camping and other fun activities.

Niigata
Access: Niigata Station.
Sandwiched between the great Shinano and Agano Rivers, Niigata Prefecture flourished during the Edo Period as an important stop for ships travelling from Osaka to the northern portions of Japan. This resulted in the development of a unique variety of food and culture. Of particular note are the abundance of seafood from the Sea of Japan and the sake brewing developed for the plenitude of rice in the region.

Sado
Access: Niigata Station.
Sado Island can be reached from Niigata Port in about 60 minutes by jetfoil. Most of the island is designated as national or prefectural parkland, preserving the beautiful natural scenery. A special treat to enjoy is the old-fashioned taraiboats, essentially washtubs used for boats, as well as the ocean views. A visit to the old gold mine is another attraction, where visitors take a trip back in time when Sado was known as the Island of Yellow Gold.

Nagano
Access: Nagano Station.
Located a 15-minute bus ride from Nagano Station is Zenkoji Temple, whose 1400-year-old main building is a designated national treasure. Not affiliated with a particular Buddhist sect, it is visited by a wide range of people. A popular treat in Nagao is the oyaki, a dumpling unique to the area, made with wheat or buckwheat flour for the outside bun. Typical fillings change with the seasons, but include vegetables and a bean paste.

How to purchase

Advance Purchases from H.I.S. Travel Malaysia

STEP 1

Before leaving for Japan, purchase an Exchange Order (e-ticket) at H.I.S. Travel.

Note : Different passes are valid for different areas. Please verify your desired destinations and the valid area (Tohoku or Nagano/Niigata) before purchase

STEP 2

Before leaving for Japan, purchase an Exchange Order (e-ticket) at H.I.S. Travel.

Note : Different passes are valid for different areas. Please verify your desired destinations and the valid area (Tohoku or Nagano/Niigata) before purchase

STEP 3

Select any five days within 14 days of issuance, including that day, when you want to use the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku or Nagano/Niigata). You do not have to designate your five days of use when purchasing.

Purchasing in Japan

• This pass may not be exchanged for a different type of pass after purchase.
• Show your passport at a location where the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku or Nagano/Niigata) is sold. You will receive a pass after confirmation of eligibility.

Notes:

• When purchasing, it is necessary to present your passport. Passport copies cannot be accepted.
• While visiting in Japan, each visitor may have one JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) at a time. (Multiple passes can be purchased as long as the valid periods do not overlap.)
• JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) holders can purchase a new pass when the validity period of the old pass has expired.

Eligibility

• The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku or Nagano/Niigata) is available exclusively for visitors from abroad who enter Japan under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor”. Both of the below two conditions must be met for purchase and use.