You are eligible to purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS if you meet one of the following conditions:

You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing under the entry status of "temporary visitor" .

"Temporary visitor" entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for "sight-seeing, etc." If you apply for a "stay for sight-seeing" when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport "temporary visitor". Only persons who have a passport bearing this stamp can use a JAPAN RAIL PASS.
* Japanese living abroad can not use this pass.

Excursion Pass for the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Nara-Himeji Area .

This pass allows unlimited use of the ordinary-class cars (including rapid-service and special rapid-service trains) when traveling in the Kansai area to Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and the many other famous sightseeing locations of the area.

Kansai Area Pass Description

One-day and four-day (consecutive days) passes are available. These passes allow unlimited travel, within the designated area, using non-reserved seats in ordinary-class cars on local trains operated by JR-West (including rapid-express and new rapid-express trains). This pass can not be used for Shinkansen trains. When boarding limited-express and express trains other than Shinkansen trains, a ticket for the additional charges for these trains must also be purchased separately.

Transportation Services

The Japan Rail West Kansai Pass provides unlimited travel within the nominated area, using non-reserved seats in ordinary class cars on local trains operated by JR West. This also includes all rapid and special rapid service trains. This pass is not valid for use on any Shinkansen Bullet Trains and requires an additional surcharge ticket before it can be used on any limited-express or express trains.

Valid Period

You must exchange your Exchange Order for a West Rail Pass within 3 months from the date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the pass. It can be any date within one month from the date the pass is received. Once the pass has a starting date written on it, the date cannot be changed. (If the passenger is traveling between stations (e.g., on a night train) when the pass expires, the pass is valid for the day following the expiration date.)