Work Visa to Tourist Visa & JR Pass

Hello-

I am planning on moving to Japan in a few months to teach English at a major Eikaiwa. I have student loans to pay off, so I was thinking of postponing any major travel until the end of my stay and saving my money for that trip throughout the year.

I was just curious, however, if it is possible (and not too difficult) to switch a work visa to a tourist visa without leaving the country?

Also, would it be possible for me to have a relative in the U.S. purchase a Japan Rail Pass for me and mail it to me in Japan?

Has anyone ever done this before?

Thanks for your responses.

Jess,

There will be no problem with changing a work visa to a tourist visa at an Immigration office in Japan, but I can't comment on whether it is possible to have a railpass bought and sent to you from outside Japan.