Important notification regarding Rail Pass eligibility
4mar2010
Even if you hold a Japan Rail Pass exchange order, you won`t be able to exchange it to a valid Japan Rail Pass unless you have a temporary visitor stamp in your passport.
If you enter Japan under any other official status, such as "Trainee," "Entertainer," or "Reentry Permit," you cannot change the Exchange Order for a JAPAN RAIL PASS. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, "Temporary Visitor" status differs even from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods.