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JR Pass Travel Without Passport

theprdg
theprdg
over 6 years ago
2 responses

Hi,

I'm a Canadian traveling in Japan in two weeks with the intention of getting a JR pass. I will also be applying for an Indian visa while I'm there and they would require that I leave my passport with them. During my last experience traveling with the JR pass, the station staff asked me to show my passport.

Does anyone know with certainty if I can travel with a copy of my passport instead of the original?

Doing a search on google, the responses varied from people traveling without ever being asked while others are frequently asked (not just at stations but randomly elsewhere).

Thanks!

Shawn

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 6 years ago
Expert

Hi Shawn,

The official rules in Japan are that you have to carry your passport with you at all times as a visitor. The police may also ask you for it.

The Japan Rail Pass also requires you to have your passport with you during travel and staff may ask you for it. While is may not happen a lot, it is part of the rules. As such, without a passport you would not be able to use the JR Pass, a copy would not be accepted.

Perhaps you could ask the embassy if they can give you your passport during the processing time. Sometimes (more expensive) procedures are available.

Kind regards,
Daniel

theprdg
theprdg
2 posts
over 6 years ago

Thank you Daniel!


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