Japan Rail Pass Limitation

Hello,

I have a question about the qualifications for a Japan Rail Pass, the kind that is for 7 or 14 days.

On a Web site for the Rail Pass, it states:

"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 "temporary visitor". Only persons who have a passport bearing this stamp can use a JAPAN RAIL PASS.

Does this mean that you must stay in Japan for 15 days? We will be in Japan for 12 days. Can we still use the pass?

Another part of the question is: Our daughter is currently living in Japan as a JET teacher. Can we get her a Japan Rail Pass so that she can join us on excursions.

Thank you for any help!
Allen

When entering the country as a tourist you get either a 15 or 90 day visa. People from most countries qualify for either one but since you will be in Japan for less than 15 days then it doesn't really matter.

As for the rail pass, you need that temporary visitor visa in order to get your pass in country. Since your daughter is on the JET program she has an instructor visa and doesn't qualify for the rail pass. They definitely check the visa when you go to pick up your rail pass so you can't legally get her one.

The 2 week rail pass is good for 14 days from the date you activate it. There's nothing to say that you must stay in Japan for 14 days to qualify for the pass, and you don't get refunded for unused days.

Allen,

Does this mean that you must stay in Japan for 15 days?

No.

We will be in Japan for 12 days. Can we still use the pass?

Yes.

Another part of the question is: Our daughter is currently living in Japan as a JET teacher. Can we get her a Japan Rail Pass so that she can join us on excursions.

No, since she won't have a Temporary Visitor Visa.

Dave, as always straight forward and to the point. I could use some lessons in brevity from you.

Thanks for the replies!

I had read online that you do not need to get a visa ahead of time if you were a tourist. Has this changed or do you get the visa when you arrive in Japan?

Is a passport (United States) all that we need to enter Japan?

Thanks,
Allen

Thanks for the replies!

I had read online that you do not need to get a visa ahead of time if you were a tourist. Has this changed or do you get the visa when you arrive in Japan?

Is a passport (United States) all that we need to enter Japan?

Thanks,
Allen

It depends on what country you come from if you need a visa before hand or not. Japan has a visa-waiver agreement with Japan for tourists (visa-waiver like it says, means Visa requirements for tourists have been waived), so all you need is your passport and you get a temporary visitors permit/landing permission at the airport.

You can use a JR pass even if you were there for 3 days it doesn't matter how long you are staying as long as your a temporary visitor. Your daughter is working in Japan in JET and is not a temporary visitor, she most likely has somesort of work-permit. Of course she can still join you on excursions, she just has to pay for it, and depending on where you are traveling there might be discount tickets that qualify.

Correction to say: Japan has visa-waiver agreements for tourists of some major countries, UK, Canada, Australia, the United States etc, so you don't need a visa beforehand. This applies to Nationals of those countries, and not permanent residences. Since you have a US Passport, thats all you need.