Many people around the world have always wanted to experience the wonders of Japan. From its natural marvels to its rich culture, Japan has something to offer for everyone. Securing a tourist visa is half-way to the travel experience. Here are the necessary procedures for tourist visa applications for Japan.
Table of Contents
The tourism industry of Japan
Reasons why people go to Japan
Japan is a mesmerizing place able to make anyone feel at home. This country, called Nihon or Nippon by its locals, prides itself on the number of tourists it accommodates each year. It is also one of the top performing countries in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum - being ranked first in Asia and 4th in the world overall. A small archipelagic country, Japan is the perfect place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the contemporary world.
※ World Economic Forum, The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019
Tourist attractions, culture, cuisine
Japan is quite a mixture of futuristic buildings, ancient temples, and rich countryside. The landscapes scattered across Japan are absolute delights for nature lovers for their aesthetic serenity. The top tourist destinations in the country include Mt. Fuji, Osaka Castle, The Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Historic Nara, Historic Kyoto, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Island Shrine of Itsukushima, Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, the Japanese Alps, Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, Sapporo City in Hokkaido, Fukuoka Castle, and other countless Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, to name a good few.
Who could ever resist the sakura bloom in spring? You can hold picnics beneath the splendor of the cherry blossom trees and enjoy the picturesque view with your loved ones. The timing of bloom ranges from March to May and it largely depends on the geographical location and weather. If the weather is warm, blossoms will open early. The season typically lasts not more than a week.
And not to mention, Japanese authentic cuisine is to-die-for. Indulge in a bowl of flavor-packed ramen,sushi, sashimi, among others. The foods are made with passion and intricacy, making Japan one of the countries with the most three-star Michelin restaurants. Further, if you don’t want to spend much, you can go to a nearby 7/11 or Lawson’s and other convenience stores to buy ready-made food, found almost every other block in certain areas. You can also check out the vending machines available on almost every corner.
Remarkable experience for tourists due to good services
Another trademark of Japan is its efficient and modern public transportation. There are multiple means to tour the country—through domestic aircrafts, busses, ferries, trains, and bicycles. In addition, the Japanese are known for their discipline and cleanliness, making Japan one of the safest countries in the world. Locals exhibit honesty, respect, and loyalty towards one another and to their culture and tourists should mind to do the same as they experience the culturally-rich country.
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Tourist visa to Japan
But first you need a visa! Check out what you will need to visit the country to experience all of the above.
Which countries are required and exempted?
The visa exemption arrangements make it more convenient to visit Japan. This means you can just fill out the customs card on the airplane as long as you have a valid passport. However, you may be visa-exempted or not depending on the country or region where you are from; provided, it will only be a short-term stay or a stay of up to 90 days for non-remunerative purposes. As of July 2020, there are 68 countries and regions subject to visa exemptions with certain periods and you can find them with their respective qualifications here:
Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay)
For non-exempt countries: Requirements and Additional Documents
If you are from a country or region that is not on the above list exempted from getting a short-term stay visa, you must prepare the following major requirements to get a Japan Tourist Visa:
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Passport with at least 6 months’ validity.
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A visa application form to be filled out can be downloaded from the website of the Embassy of Japan in your country. It is also available at the entrance of the Embassy or at any of the accredited travel agencies. If any of the items are not applicable to you while filling out the form, write N/A.
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I.D. picture with white background taken within the past 6 months. The applicant’s name and birthdate must be written on the backside of the photo. Have a few on hand just in case.
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A copy of your Birth Certificate.
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Daily travel itinerary in Japan.
The following are additional requirements subject in certain circumstances
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Marriage Certificate, if married.
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List of visa applicants, if traveling as family/group.
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If you don’t have a guarantor/sponsor which means you will shoulder part or all of your travel expenses, proof of your financial situation like a Bank Certificate issued within the past 6 months and a photocopy of your Income Tax Return. A Certificate of Employment may or may not be required as well.
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If there will be a guarantor who will sponsor the trip, you will need to prepare a guarantee letter, proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor (e.g Birth Certificate etc.), a Bank Certificate of the guarantor, and a photocopy of the Income Tax Return of the guarantor.
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Starting February 3, 2020, visa applicants must answer an additional questionnaire in light of COVID-19.
Please check with the Embassy of Japan for specific requirements in your country or region. All documents must be original unless otherwise stated, and a certain size (such as A4) or format (such as for your travel itinerary) may be required. Make sure that the documents are recent (usually within three months of submission).
If you are from a visa-exempt country, your passport is all you need. Your passport should be valid throughout your entire stay.
※ Japan Rail Pass, "Do I need a Visa for Japan? Japan Visa Policy" ※ Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, "Visa/Consular Services"
Process for application
After gathering the requirements, submit the following to the Embassy of Japan in your country or region, or through a travel agency if that is recommended or required where you are. The process usually lasts no longer than 7 working days but may vary per country. If your visa is approved, you will be notified either through the Embassy or the agency you use. Now, you’re all set!
Things to remember
Visa types and validity
When you decide to apply, take note that your visa application may be for short-term stay or long-term stay. For short-term stay, the purpose must be for visiting a friend/family, tourism, business, etc. which shall be valid for 90 days and must not include remunerative purposes - meaning you can’t work.. On the other hand, a long-term stay entails a stay for over 90 days in Japan and the purpose includes working. Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website to check the other variations of visa and additional requirements depending on the country you are from.
Accredited Travel agencies for Filipinos
If you are a Filipino citizen and residing in the Philippines, read on.
Due to the abundance of tourist applicants, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines does not allow direct or walk-in applications, with the exception of some cases. Hence, you must find a travel agency which will guide you with the needed documents and process such documents on your behalf. The visa itself is free but there are handling and processing fees to be paid to your chosen travel agency. Some noteworthy agencies in the Philippines are Attic Tours, Rajah Travel Corporation, Reli Tours, Pan Pacific Travel Corporation, and Friendship Tours. Each agency has different branches across the country for the convenience of interested applicants.
Note that foreign tourists are required by law to have their passports with them all the time.
Summary
Once you know how to get your tourist visa, you’re good to go! We hope this was a helpful guide. And here’s a list of some of our favorite places to visit to help you fill out your schedule.
It is fairly easy to plan your itinerary since there are numerous destinations and activities you can do in Japan. A one-week or two-week trip is vastly different from a one-month or three-month trip so carefully plan your trip to cover as many locations as possible within the period of your choice. For example, you should explore the Ueno, Shibuya and Asakusa areas in Tokyo. You can bring out your inner child and spend a whole day at Disneyland or Disneysea. If you have time, day trips out of Tokyo to Hakone or Kamakura or Nikko are also nice. Also, don’t forget to go to Osaka and take a trip to Kyoto and Nara. And if you don’t get a chance to do everything, you can always go back, as “The Land of the Rising Sun” will definitely leave you captivated and wanting more. Ready to experience freedom, calm, and fun, all at once!
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