Japan Rail Pass - Can I buy the JRP for someone else?

CAN I ORDER A JR PASS FOR SOMEONE ELSE?

Of course you can order a Japan Rail Pass for someone else, or use the credit card of someone that will not travel with you, as long as you have been authorised to use the card. The only requirements for travellers to be able to use the Japan Rail Pass are to enter Japan as a tourist with “temporary visitor” status, and that the name printed on the voucher corresponds to the name in the passport of the traveller.

CAN I EXCHANGE SOMEONE ELSE'S VOUCHER FOR THEM?

No. Once in Japan, the user of the JR Pass has to be present when exchanging the voucher for the Japan Rail Pass. It’s impossible to activate a Japan Rail Pass on someone else’s behalf, as that person’s passport, as well as the identity of the JR Pass holder, will be checked by Japan Rail staff at the time of exchanging the voucher for the actual train tickets.