Job Discussion Forums

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

I've on a work visa and have been here for close to a year now. My girlfriend is coming to visit during spring break and we plan on visiting Kyoto, so I asked her to buy the JR Rail Pass back home for the both of us (which is not sold in Japan).

Problem is, I just read that the Pass only works for foreigners on a visiting visa as a "temporary visitor."

So I'm assuming when you turn in your "exchange order" for the shinkansen ticket, the worker will see my passport (and therefore see the work visa and not offer me a ticket). Or maybe I can recieve a ticket without showing my passport?

If anyone has any experience dealing with this please help me, thank you in advance.

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

basically, working visa hoders cannot exchange the ticket in for the rail pass. I did it a 10 years ago but recently was given the big "DA-ME". They are more strict these days. You can try but, chances are you will be DA-ME'd too.

chirp · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 148

They checked my passport closely when I was here on holiday with a JR Rail Pass 2 years ago.

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

When you buy the rail pass from overseas you will get a ticket not unlike a ticket for a plane. Upon arriving in Japan you exchange it for the actual rail pass. to use an airline term again, this will be you boarding pass. then you use this to get your tickets for trains, shinkansens, and the works. so when you exchange your ticket at certain stations like the one at the airport, that is when they check your passport. other than that they don't check at all. I know* cough cough* someone you use a railpass that someone else had used and returned home before it had expired. but if you get caught, it is not cheap.

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

TK4Lakers, When i initially came to Japan, I was just on a 90-day tourist permit, and was able to use the JR Pass (one week). It was a good deal.
If your girlfriend has already bought the ticket, I'd recommend that you TRY to use it.
A friend of mine who was also working in Japan had his parents buy a JR Pass when they visited him, and he used it successfully.
It's worth a shot. If you get caught, just resort to the tried-and-true "bakka gaijin" defense. Wink

chirp · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 148

BigPoppa · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 28

Anyone know a site that can sell me a JR pass without a big markup?

I don't live anywhere near the providers listed on JR's website, and AAA wants a 40% premium to sell me one.

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

Thanks for all your posts. This is a tough one though...I would be saving some nice $$$ if I am able to use the JR Rail Pass, rather than paying full price for a round trip shinkansen ticket along with other travelling expenses on the JR Rail Line.

My gf plans on buying them this weekend. I'm still torn...not sure...

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

You will not be able to trade in the JR Rail Pass voucher your gf buys for an actual JR Rail Pass. They will check your passport thoroughly. Pulling the "baka gaijin" routine will only end up with her paying for 2 JR Rail Passes and receiving only 1 to show for it (you may be able to get a refund for the one unused voucher - but I wouldn't count on it), and you having to pay full price anyway for the round trip shinkansen ticket along with other traveling expenses on the JR Line.

littleturtle · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 24

ava77 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

My mom just bought two in her name and validated them at two different stations. There was no problem. It is way cheaper also it is refundable if it doesn't work for you. i checked this before hand to make sure.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

craven · Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 130

If you've got a little extra time on your hand, and don't mind the adventure of taking local trains, the seishun juhachi kippu is available at the moment. It's a 5 day unlimited local train pass, and can be used until April 10th (or so). Basically, you have 5 stamps spaces on a card...when you get it stamped, you can use any local train for 24 hours. The days do not have be consecutive, and more than one person can use the same ticket (they just stamp two spaces).
This is a GREAT way to see local Japan...and with hyperdia listing every train route in Japan, it's really not difficult to do. If you are traveling in the Kansai region, you can use the tickets to board the Shin Kaisoku trains, which are as fast as express trains! It's cheap, and you meet lots of cool people en route.
EVEN BETTER (I sound like a car salesman)...this spring, to celebrate 20 years of service (or something), the ticket is discounted from Y11500 down to Y8000!! You can use this ticket whether you're a resident of Japan or a tourist.