Can Japanese nationals purchase the Japan Rail Pass?

Japanese nationals who reside in Japan are not eligible to purchase the Japan Rail Pass. However, Japanese nationals, who have resided permanently outside of Japan for at least 10 years, are eligible for the Japan Rail Pass.

What documents are Japanese nationals required to provide when purchasing a Japan Rail Pass?

Japanese nationals will be able to purchase a Japan Rail Pass provided they have lived permanently outside of Japan for at least 10 years, and are able to present one of the following documents (e-certificate or the printed one):

• Copy of Overseas Residential Registration issued by the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country of residence (the date of issue must be at least 10 years earlier)
• Certificate of Overseas Residence issued by the embassy or legation of Japan in the foreign country of residence (the date of issue must be at least 10 years earlier)
• As a special case limited to the USA, Brazil, and Canada, the Permanent Resident Card issued by these 3 countries can be used as written proof (the date of issue must be at least 10 years earlier)

• If a single copy of your Overseas Residential Registration verifies that any family members living with you in the country have stayed for 10 consecutive years or more, the document is also valid for those family members.
• If a child (under 12) has a family member who possesses a valid Overseas Residential Registration which verifies they live together, the document also acts as eligible proof of residence for the child.
• The copy of the Overseas Residential Registration and the Certificate of Overseas Residence must be stamped with the name of the issuing embassy or consulate abroad. The date of issue must be within the last 6 months (prior to the date of purchase of the Exchange Order).
• You cannot use a photocopy of your written proof to purchase an Exchange Order or to exchange your Exchange Order for a Japan Rail Pass.
• Definition of “10 years or more”: At the time of purchase of an Exchange Order, a date in the same month 10 years earlier or before is valid. For example, if the purchase of an Exchange Order is made in June 2020, any date in June 2010 or earlier is valid.
• You can purchase an Exchange Order and exchange it for a Japan Rail Pass only if you can present any one of the written proof described in the above (1) to (3).