Welcome to the IUJ info page for train travel discounts

IUJ is the International University of Japan, a graduate school with MA, MBA, DX degrees offered in English to students from 70 plus countries, including Japan, located in Niigata (Minamiuonuma), home of Koshihikari rice, Hakkaisan Sake, Onsen Resorts and Snow!  Learn more on our website.

 

 

Gakuwari: Student Discounts on JR train fares

JR offers a 20% discount off the JR train fare for the normal fares over 100K (does not apply to express train extra charge) to full-time students (exchange and special students do not qualify). Each student may request 10 coupons an academic year (Sept 1 – Aug 31). Each coupon is valid for up to 3 months.

Please click the link below for more details:https://www.iuj.ac.jp/oss-f/pdf/gakuwariguide.pdf

How to use “Gakuwari” discount travel coupons by JR

The information below is written on the back of the JR Gakuwari Coupons, with some supplemental information provided for clarification by IUJ.

  • Full time students over the age of 12 years old (excluding correspondence students and exchange students), and traveling a distance of more than 100 kilometers one way, may use this discount coupon. One coupon may be used at one time for either a one way trip, or roundtrip with both legs purchased at the same time.
  • The coupon is redeemable only before the start of a trip.
  • In the column with an ※ circle if the trip is a one way trip (片道), or round trip (往復)　with an ink pen (black or blue)
  • The rest of the coupon must be filled in by your school before use. It cannot be redeemed without the school’s official stamp.
  • If the lines below the ※ are changed, modified or tampered with, the coupon becomes invalid and cannot be redeemed. In fact, doing so is strictly forbidden.
  • Only the person indicated on the coupon may use this coupon, and may do so only if their student status is valid.
  • This ticket purchased using this discount coupon can be used only by the person indicated. It may not be used by a 3rd party  such as family member or friend.
  • To redeem this coupon, you must present your Student Identification at the time of purchase and anytime a JR staff member requests you to do so during your travels.
  • This coupon is valued from the date of issue until the expiration date as noted (three months). However, after your graduation date, it is valid only through that calendar month.

How to Use the Machine

Note from OSS: ① On the coupon, please indicate the station’s name where you will start your travels and the destination station. If there is a transfer station along the way, please indicate that as well. You may write using the alphabet.  We strongly recommend you do these steps at home the day before purchasing JR tickets.

② There is a self-service ticket machine at the Urasa station.  Here, we have a YouTube video explaining how to use the machine.  As it can take at least several minutes and only one person can purhcase a ticket using Gakuwari at a time with the help of a call center staff, we recommend going very early or the day before to purchase your ticket and not miss your departure time.