Who is eligible for a Japan Rail Pass/Regional Pass

1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing,under the entry status of “temporary visitor.”

“Temporary Visitor” entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for “sight-seeing, etc.” If you apply for a “stay for sight-seeing” when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport as a “Temporary Visitor”, as shown below. The use of Japan Rail Pass is limited to the ones that have a passport with this stamp.

Caution

Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange Order, to be turned in for a Japan Rail Pass, the exchange cannot be made unless you have the “Temporary Visitor” status; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as “Trainee,” “Entertainer,” or “Reentry Permit,” you cannot exchange the Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Pass. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary Visitor” status differs from other types of stays however short time they are.

Examples of the “Temporary Visitor” entry status stamp

2. You are a Japanese national living in a country other than Japan (having entered the country on a Japanese passport).