EAST TOHOKU AREA PASS

The Tohoku Region

Although often overlooked by travelers, the Tohoku region in the north of Honshu features chiseled coastlines and mountain ranges from Tokyo to Aomori, the main island's northernmost city. The largest city in the Tohoku region is Sendai, a cosmopolitan capital with plenty of charm. Not far from the city of Sendai is Matsushima, one of the "Three Views" of Japan, where travelers can admire the reflection of a pine tree forest in the clear crystal waters of the sea. The mountainous central region features plenty of hot springs and fantastic natural scenery.

As a day-trip from Tokyo, explore Nikko, with its temples and shrines surrounded by cedar trees, and stroll by its river and sacred bridge. In Karuizawa, there is plenty of shopping to be done while awaiting your train to Gala-Yuzawa ski resort.

There is so much to explore in the Tohoku region. 

JRP Assistance

The JRP Assistance service is offered to customers who have purchased a Japan Rail Pass on the Japan-Rail-Pass or the Japan Experience website. This service provides unlimited access to telephone assistance in Japan 7 days a week and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for any questions, advice or troubleshooting relating to your train journey in Japan. This service also allows you to get a full refund of your Japan Rail Pass, should you need to cancel your order.

Conditions of the JR East Tohoku Pass 

Eligibility

• Only visitors traveling as a tourists who have a temporary visitor entry status for Japan are eligible for this pass.
• Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Exchange 

• The MCO ("Miscellaneous Charges Order" - equivalent to a Japan Rail Pass voucher) is valid for exchange up to three months from the purchase date. Travelers must exchange the pass with a printed copy of their e-voucher within 3 months of the purchase date.
• To exchange the voucher for the pass you will need your passport.
• The start date of the pass can no longer be changed once the voucher has been exchanged.

JR Exchange Offices:

• Aomori Station, Travel Service Center, every day from 10:00 to 17:30.
• Hachinohe Station, Travel Service Center, every day from 10:00 to 17:30.
• Akita Station, Travel Service Center, weekdays from 10:30 to 18:00, weekends and holidays 10:30 to 17:00.
• Morioka Station, Travel Service Center, weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, weekends and holidays 10:00 to 17:00.
• Sendai Airport, JR EAST PASS Exchange Office (Sendai Airport Transit), weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, weekends and holidays 10:00 to 18:00.
• Sendai Station, Travel Service Center, weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, holidays from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Yamagata Station, Travel Service Center, weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00, weekends and holidays 10:00 to 17:00.
• Fukushima Station, Travel Service Center, weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00, weekends and holidays 10:00 to 17:00.
• Mito Station, Travel Service Center, weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, weekends and holidays 10:00 to 17:00.
• Narita Airport Terminal 1, JR EAST Travel Service Center, daily from 8:15 to 19:00. JR Ticket Office, daily from 6:30 to 8:15 and 19:00 to 21:45.
• Narita Airport Terminals 2 and 3, JR East Travel Service Center, every day from 8:15 to 20:00. JR Ticket Office, every day from 6:30 to 8:15 and 20:00 to 21:45.
• Haneda Airport International Terminal, JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Monorail 2F Ticket Gate/Arrival Lobby), every day from 7:45 to 18:30.
• Tokyo Station, JR East Travel Service Center (Marunouchi North Exit), every day from 7:30 to 20:30.
• Shinagawa Station, Information Center (Central), every day from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Ueno Station, Information Center (Central), every day from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Shinjuku Station, JR East Travel Service Center (New South Exit), every day from 8:00 to 19:00. Information Center (East), every day from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Shibuya Station, Information Center (South), every day from 10:00 to 18:30.
• Ikebukuro Station, Information Center (Central), every day from 9:30 to 18:00.
• Yokohama Station, Travel Service Center, 10:00 to 20:00 Monday through Friday, 10:00 to 19:00 weekends and holidays.

Validity

What is included with the pass? 

This pass covers the following trains:

• Limited express trains connecting JR East Lines and Tobu Lines (Nikko, SPACIA Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa trains). The pass can also be used to travel on local and rapid trains between Shimo-Imaichi and Tobu-Nikko/Kinugawa-Onsen on the Tobu Lines. Between Kurihashi and Shimo-Imaichi Stations, the pass can be used ONLY on limited express trains that make a direct connection with the Tobu Lines.
• The Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Aomori, the Akita Shinkansen between Tokyo and Akita, the Yamagata Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shinjo, the Joetsu Shinkansen between Tokyo and GALA-Yuzawa, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Sakudaira.
• The Resort Shirakami trains between Aomori and Akita, SL Banetsu Monogatari between Niigata and Aizu-Wakamatsu, and Kira-kira Uetsu between Niigata and Sakata.

What is excluded with the pass? 

• The pass is not valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen, because this line is run by a different company than JR East.
• The pass is not valid on JR buses.

Seat Reservations

• With the Pass, no additional fee is required when reserving seats.
• It is possible to make reservations for Shinkansen and limited express on the JR East Website before arriving in Japan.
• Non-reserved Ordinary Class cars can be accessed freely.
• To access the platforms, show your pass to the JR East staff located at the platform gates.
• To reserve a seat, ask the JR East staff at the ticket office.
• It is a personal pass. Please always carry your passport when using the pass as station and train staff may check it.

Cancellation  

• An unused voucher is refundable for one year from the date of issue.
• The voucher can be refunded if it has never been exchanged in Japan.
• A cancellation fee of 15% of the value of the voucher will be retained.
• No refund is possible for a voucher received by us more than one year from the date of issue.
• For lost e-tickets, please contact us for a new copy.