How to Apply for a Japan Tourist Visa

Published in the February 2016 issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal.

See the rest of the pages here: https://issuu.com/filipino-japanesejournal

          The rising popularity of anime, cosplay and JPop in the Philippines has attracted a lot of potential tourists to Japan. People are drawn to Japan’s extreme image of eccentricity and traditionalism that are, surprisingly, blending harmoniously in its landscape. As part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic plan, Japan is targeting to attract 18 million tourists in 2016, 2.5 million of whom are projected to come from Southeast Asia alone. An even more ambitious goal is to raise this number up to 30 million in 2030.

In support of this initiative, Japan has recently relaxed its strict visa restrictions for Southeast Asian countries. Tourist visas for Malaysians and Thais were recently waived. Unfortunately for the Philippines, Filipinos are still required to apply for a visa to enter Japan.The good this is, multiply entry visas that would allow tourists to stay for as long as 15 or 30 days are now being issued to Filipinos. With affordable low-cost carriers operating between Manila and Tokyo and other areas in Japan like Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, the dream for Filipinos to visit Japan is now within reach.

            It is important to take note that tourist visas are only being processed through certain travel agencies accredited by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines. The application would be smooth and hassle-free if the required documents are complete upon submission. Here are some simple tips to remember:

• Visit the website of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines for accurate information. This sounds too basic and simplistic and yet this is the step that most people forget. While friends and family members can give substantial tips and advices on how to apply for a visa, the website gives you official information. It provides the list of documents to be submitted and the contact numbers of accredited agencies. Forms can also be downloaded from the website. (www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp)

• Get in touch with an accredited travel agency. Make sure that you are contacting the correct agency. The Japanese Embassy does not accept applications from other agencies not accredited by them. The visa application is free but the travel agencies charge a processing fee that ranges from P1000-P1800 for individual applicants and P2000-2500 for those with guarantors.

• Make sure your documents are complete upon submission. Some of the basic requirements to be submitted are: valid passport, visa application form, proof of previous travel to Japan or other countries (old passport stamps), Certificate of Employment, Letter of Explanation for requesting a multiple entry visa, Bank Certificate, Income Tax Return (ITR). Please note that there might be additional documents that are required to be attached apart from the above stated depending on your situation. For example, those applying for a tourist visa to visit relatives or those applying with guarantors might need to attach documents proving their relationship to the person they are visiting.

• Check the date of issue of the documents. The birth certificate and/or marriage certificate to be submitted should be officially issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) within one year. If you thought that they would not check it, well, sorry to say, but they surely will. If your copy is more than a year old, you should request a new one through the NSO branches or online.

•  Bring the complete documents to the agency and pick it up upon release. Tourist visas are released through the agencies within 5 days. You don’t directly pick it up at the Japanese Embassy. If the documents submitted are insufficient, the agency might request for additional attachments. To avoid hassles, make a checklist of all the required documents to make sure that you will not miss anything. It would be a total bummer if you exerted an effort to bring the documents to the agency only to find out that you forgot some. If you do not have time to pick up the passport at the agency, you can check if they offer delivery services through courier companies. 

With an easier and smoother visa application process, coming to Japan is no longer a far-fetched dream for those who want to see real cosplayers in Meiji Jingumae or take photoshoots under the sakura trees.

How to Enjoy Spring in Japan on a Tight Budget

This article was published in the March issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal.

Read the rest of the pages here: https://issuu.com/filipino-japanesejournal

           Spring is a very popular time for tourists to come to Japan because of the appeal of the transcendent Cherry Blossoms. Contrary to the impression that traveling to Japan can cost you an arm and a leg, enjoying this peak season on a budget is highly possible if you know where to look for the cheapest treats. 

            Watch out for discounted fares. Your airfare can eat up almost half of your budget if you are not eager to find cheap flights. Compared to other destinations in Asia, Japan can be a little more expensive, but not that expensive to hinder you and not go at all. Thanks to all the low-cost carriers that are traveling to and from the Philippines, you can avail a cheaper airfare compared to those offered by major airlines. Flights by low-cost carriers are cheap enough for your budget, but if you want to save even more, better wait for seat sales that happen 3-6 months before your desired travel time. Sometimes they are difficult to get because they easily get sold out so it requires perseverance and patience to wait and book for these kinds of fares. Moreso, these carriers now also offer flights to other parts of Japan like Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya that can be a little cheaper than the direct flights to Tokyo. These sites can also offer you an interesting adventure that is very different from the highly urbanized Tokyo.

            Book service apartments. With a growing number of people offering their own apartments or vacant rooms to tourists, you can now stay in an authentic Japanese residence like a local via websites like airbnb. Or if you are up for a greater adventure and if you don’t mind sleeping in a stranger’s uncomfortable couch for free, you can try couchsurfing and meet a new friend who can probably help you get around Japan too.

Eat at nice restaurants during lunch time. There are a lot of nice places that offer good food and relaxing ambiance may it be in Tokyo or Osaka. However, the prices of dinner menus in these posh restaurants with good views Tower can skyrocket in the evening. But there’s a cheapo way to experience these places. Make a reservation during lunchtime where restaurants offer cheaper lunch menus, sometimes as much as half the price. You get to try the food, enjoy the view and even save up a little for the next good restaurant you see around town. 

Avail special train passes. Transportation in Japan can be quite expensive but with a number of different train lines offering special passes, you can save a lot. There are passes that offer unlimited train rides or bus rides in a particular area for a day or more like the JR Rail Pass and the Kansai Wide Pass or a discounted round trip fare to a nearby destination like the Hakone Pass and the Nikko Pass.

Go to free sightseeing spots. You can go to these places without spending a penny for entrance fees. See the Tokyo skyline for free at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or stroll around the moat of the Imperial Palace in Chidorigafuchi to see the lovely Cherry Blossoms dangling on both sides of the river with boats filled with lovers scattered all around the river.

Peak seasons like spring in Japan do not always equate to overpriced traveling costs. There’s always a way for the cheapo traveler to make ends meet!