ThomBoh wrote:

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Alternatively, is it really actually likely that I'd be caught if I re-entered from Korea on a temporary visitor's visa, worked the last 9 days of my internship and then did my travelling? I mean I'd only be in Japan for 21 days total on the visa which is good for 90. How would they ever know that I worked the first 9 days? I know that there are certainly consequences for being caught (anyone know how bad they are?) but it seems like not a very big deal and if I didn't tell anyone here then noone would find out.

It's possible (not saying you will or wont get caught though) and it's also illegal since you are doing somthing what your visa is not intended to be. If caught it would mean that any future vists to Japan for whatever reason will be much much more difficult for you to re-enter into the country. I wouldn't know how they may might find out about it, but the fact you might be doing an internship, since you are sponsered by a company/business/organisation for the internship they might have to let immigration know at some point that you have finished your work or somthing similar?

ThomBoh wrote:

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Highcommander, you implied that I might not want to mention my intention to use the Japan Rail Pass? Is there a reason for that? I mean the way I see it it's the only compelling reason for them to grant me the temporary visitors visa, as there's nothing else from stopping me from being in Japan until May 10th since my work visa won't expire.

Possibly, it may be because (MAY be) that transport is a lucrative source of revenue for the country. I know when i went to Japan i spent over 1000 euros on Shinkansen tickets on a 470 euro 3 week j-rail pass. They only issue these to people who are in Japan on temporary vistor visa with intentions for Tourism/cultural exchange/visting family etc. The fact that you are on a different visa to a temporary vistor, mentioning that you want to change over to the temporary vistor visa while on a college/internship visa and get a j-rail pass might be shooting yourself in the foot. To some people it seems logical to do that since it saves money, but when it involves government it gets tricky since they may be effectively losing money.

I can understand the frustration though, it is expensive to use Shinkansen but at the same time you are caught inbetween time lines that makes getting a j-rail pass a bit difficult while trying to act within the rules.

Just a question, you say you are going back to Canada May 10th and your internship finishes on April 28th. Do you HAVE to be back in Canada on May 10th for any reason? I was thinking that when your Internship ends, letting immigration know that you have finished your internship should write off your visa status, you could always go home and fly back again? (would that be too expensive?). I say this because you need to be outside Japan to get a j-rail pass anyway, as far as im aware you can't get them inside the country since they are only issued to foreigners and external Japanese. You may be able to get one in South Korea, but im not 100% sure.