I purchased a JR Rail pass but only have a "voucher" that I will exchange when I arrive in Japan. Can I already reserve seats on trains in Japan, or do I need to wait until I have the physical JR rail pass? > [!AI]+ > When you purchase a JR Rail Pass, you receive an exchange order (voucher) that you must exchange for the actual pass upon arrival in Japan at a JR Pass exchange office. You cannot make seat reservations on JR trains until you have exchanged the voucher for the physical pass. > > Here's what you need to do once you arrive in Japan: > > 1. Go to a JR Pass exchange office, which can be found at most major airports and JR train stations. > 2. Present your exchange order and your passport. The name on the exchange order must match the name in your passport. > 3. You will receive your JR Rail Pass, and ==from that moment, you can start making seat reservations at any JR ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or travel service center.== > > It's important to note that while seat reservations are free for JR Pass holders, they are not mandatory on most trains. You can board any train that has non-reserved seating with your JR Pass without a reservation. However, for popular routes or during peak travel times, it's advisable to reserve a seat to ensure you have a spot on the train. > > Remember to plan your exchange and reservation time accordingly, especially if you have a tight schedule right after your arrival in Japan.