Order Your JRPass
Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Student Visa and JRpass

Veronica
Veronica
over 11 years ago
1 response

Hi, I'm going to Japan on a Student Visa for 6 months and have some friends coming to visit over Christmas, we were thinking about getting the JRpass as we were planning on travelling around those two weeks, is it possible for me to still get the JRpass or is there another one I should use instead?

Thanks!

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Your friends will be eligible for the Japan Rail Pass provided they are on a short stay holiday. As you are in Japan under a student visa however I'm afraid you will not be able to use the Japan Rail Pass.

If you want to travel with your friends you don't have a huge amount of alternatives as the JR Pass is a highly discounted ticket for foreign tourists. That said, you should consider these options:

  • Seishin 18 kippu - (nationwide travel using JR except bullet trains)
  • Student discounts 'Gakuwari'. If you are a student and can present a valid Gakuwari student discount card (issued by your academic institution) you should be able to get 20% off all JR travel of over 101km, and a further 10% if you book a return at the same time. This means you could get an effective 30% discount if you plan correctly.

You can read more about the eligibility criteria for the Japan Rail Pass here.

Hope this helps!


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17329 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes