If you intend to study or work in Japan, you will definitely have to use public transportation here regularly. Therefore, this article will show you common types of commuter passes to use public transportation in Japan.

What types of commuter passes are there in Japan?

A commuter pass is a pass for those who often have to use public transportation such as trains and buses, valid for a period of time and within a certain geographical area. Many Japanese who often move back and forth between two fixed locations when commuting to work or going to school will use this pass. If you also have to travel, buy a commuter pass that applies to the route from the station closest to your home to the station closest to your work/school.

Benefits of using a commuter pass:

Unlimited travel within the period and area to which the commuter pass applies.
Instead of having to buy a ticket each time you go, you just need to buy once a month and use it many times.
There are three time limits: 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. The longer the period is, the more money you save.

Where to buy commuter passes?

You can buy a commuter pass at ticket counters at major train stations or at ticket vending machines. However, that does not mean that you can buy at any station. You can only buy a pass at the stations of the railway company that operates the line you will use. In other words, if you only take JR lines, you won’t be able to buy a JR pass at ticket vending machines at stations of other lines.

When buying a student pass, you need to present a certificate from your school, so you can’t buy it at the ticket vending machine but buy it at the counters. The ticket counters are usually crowded, so buy it as soon as possible. Don’t forget that you can buy passes 14 days in advance from the time you start using them.

If you take multiple lines of different railway companies, you can use 1 pass for up to 3 railway companies.

How to buy a commuter pass at the counter:

Step 1: Fill in the “Registration form for commuter pass” (定期乗車券購入申込書): The first thing is to fill in the necessary information in the form. In addition to your full name and start date of use, you will also need to enter your school/work address. Be sure to prepare this information in advance.

Step 2: After filling out, bring the form to the counter to submit. If you buy a student pass, here you will have to show your student card issued by your school. The staff will check all the information and if there are no concerns, they will issue you a pass.

Note: Go to major stations in which lines you usually get on to register for a pass (in the form of an IC card). You will have to make a deposit of 500 yen to get the card. If you already have an IC card, handle your card to convert to a commuter pass. Depending on the railway company, the IC card presented can be used as a pass or not.

How to buy a commuter pass at a ticket vending machine:

(1) Go to the ticket vending machine that shows “Commuter pass” (定期券) in the station.

(2) Select “New pass” (新規購入).

(3) Select “Commuter’s pass” (通勤定期券).

(4) Select the period (1 month, 3 months or 6 months) and the start date of use.

(5) Select starting station, arrival station and train line.

(6) Select “Suica pass” (Suica定期券) or “Magnetic pass” (磁気定期券).

*If you already have a Suica, select “Continue using present Suica” (お手持ちのSuicaを利用する).

*If you want to issue a new Suica, an initial deposit of 500 yen will be required.

(7) If it is “Suica pass”, select the amount shown on the screen to top up or “No charge” (チャージしない).

(8) Pay by cash or credit card.

(9) Complete the pass purchase.

Note: This article only introduces how to buy a JR pass. With other lines, the procedure to buy a commuter pass is similar.