Who can use the Shikoku Rail Pass?
The Shikoku
Rail Pass is a special ticket that can only be purchased by persons who
have a “Short-Term Tourist Visa”.
The criteria for enabling a person to purchase the rail pass is that they must
have the stamp for the “Short-Term Tourist Visa” in their passport.
Note: According to Japanese immigration laws a person with a
Short-Term Tourist Visa can stay for a period of 15 to 90 days in the country.
When you enter Japan, the immigration officer will stamp ‘*Short-Term Tourist
Visa” in your passport, click here for an example. Only tourists with this stamp in their passport can
purchase and use the Shikoku Rail Pass. Please see this notice for further information.
* Persons entering the country on “Interim” “Entertainment”, “Re-Entry” or
other visas cannot purchase this pass.
Types of Shikoku Rail Pass
here are 4 types of Shikoku Rail Pass, the 2 day, 3 day, 4 day and 5 day pass. You can purchase just for the Ordinary
Car for each pass. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 day pass is valid from the designated day
the pass is effective for 2, 3, 4 or 5 depending on the pass you chose.
Seat Types
If you have either the Shikoku Rail Pass for the Ordinary Car, you can use the
reserved seating. If you wish to ride in the sleeper car, you must pay the Ltd.
Exp. Fee.
Details Below: Cars with a circle can be boarded with the Shikoku Rail Pass.
Cars with the * require an additional fee.
* When making a reservation for a reserved seat (free of charge), please make
your reservation at the JR Travel Service.
** There is no need to make a reservation if you are boarding the free seating
section.
How to make Reservations for Reserved SeatingYou cannot make reservations for reserved seating before you receive your rail
pass in Japan. Please make reservations at the JR Travel Service located at
major JR Shikoku Stations prior to boarding.
Please board the Non-reserved Seating Section when the Reserved Seating Section
is full and you do not have a reservation prior to boarding. In such cases
there is no refund for your reserved seating fee.
Changes for reserved seating will only be accepted before the train departs.
How to Board the Trains
Please show your Shikoku Rail Pass and Reserved Seating ticket at the ticket gate.
If you are boarding the Non-reserved seating area just show your Shikoku Rail
Pass.. The Shikoku Rail Pass cannot be put through the automatic ticket wicket.
Please enter through the gate where the station staff is present.
Area of Use for the Shikoku Rail Pass
Unlimited travel in reserved and non-reserved seats on limited express
trains and reserved and non-reserved seats on local and rapid trains on all
lines operated by JR Shikoku and Tosa Kuroshio Railway. Additionally, unlimited
travel on all lines operated by Asa Kaigan Railway, Jotoden, Iyotetsu and
Tosaden.
Validity Period
You will be issued with an ‘Exchange Voucher’, which need to be
exchanged for your Shikoku Pass within 3 months from the issuing date.
When you exchange your voucher, please be aware that you would be asked
to designate/decide the actual starting day you will begin using your pass -
which must be within 1 month of your exchange date.
The voucher can be exchanged at the 5 JR Shikoku Exchange Offices (4
offices at the stations :Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Tokushima and Kochi Station, and
at Umeda (10 minutes' walk from JR Osaka Station).
2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day and 5 Day Passes
If you board a train on the last valid day of your pass that will overlap on
the following day when you pass expires, as along as you do not get off along
the way, the pass will be valid. However, if you wish to board a train on the
day after your pass expires there will be an extra charge if you board any
trains other than the Free Seating Section of Local Trains such as Ltd. Exp.
Fees, Exp fees and reserved seating fees.
Other Conditions
The Shikoku Rail Pass can only be used by persons whose name is on the pass.
Be sure to carry your passport for the duration of your travel. If the staff
asks for your passport when you show your rail pass, please be sure to have it
ready to show to them.
Refunds for exchange vouchers and Shikoku Rail Passes
The exchange voucher can be refunded within 1 year of issuance if it has not
been used. A handling fee will apply.
There are no refunds for passes that are past the beginning date. Also, you
cannot change the type of pass past the beginning date.
There are no refunds for trains that are late or
unable to run due to various circumstances. The valid period will not be
extended either. We are sorry but no refunds are available for delayed or
cancelled trains. The rail company take no responsibility for the arrangement
and payment for alternative transportation or an accommodation, and the payment
for a meal.
Passes or exchange vouchers that have been damaged
or lost will not be re-issued or refunded.
If you miss the designated train please be board
the Non-Reserved Seating Section of the following train.
Other conditions are in compliance with the Shikoku
Railway Co. Rules and Japanese laws. For rules concerning the exchange vouchers
they will depend on the rules and regulations of the travel agency from you
purchase the voucher.