How to Apply For a Japan Tourist Visa for FIlipinos

Applying for Japan Tourist visa is quite easy. The visa is actually free for Filipinos. However, it is not possible to directly apply for a visa at the Japan Embassy. All applicants should submit their visa application through the accredited travel agencies which has corresponding processing fees.

These are the accredited travel agencies:

1.  Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation (Makati, Cebu)- 1,200 PHP

2. Universal Holiday (Makati)- 1,200 PHP

3. Reli Tours (Makati, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Binondo, Las Pinas)- 950 PHP

4. Rajah Travel (Makati, Manila)- 800 PHP

5. Discovery Tours (Makati, Cebu, Davao)- 800 PHP

6.  Attic Tours (Pasay, Cebu)- 1500 PHP

7. Pan Pacific Travel (Makati, Manila)- 1000 PHP

We applied for a Single-Entry tourist visa thru Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation located at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati. We passed the required documents for visa processing and waited for 2 business days and luckily we were approved.

The turn around time for visa processing is actually 2 to 5 business days.

If you wish to apply for a multiple-entry visa, you need to submit a form of reason for requesting a multiple-entry visa with documents to prove that you are qualified for a multiple-entry visa. A single (or double)-entry visa may be issued, depending on the result of the examination, even if you have applied for a multiple-entry visa.

Here are the necessary documents for Tourist Visa processing:

REQUIREMENTS

All documents must be original unless otherwise stated.

1. Philippine Passport

• Broken passport is not accepted. Passports must be signed and must have at least two (2) blank visa pages.

2. Visa Application Form

• Available at the Embassy website, at the entrance of the Embassy or at any of the accredited travel agencies.

• Application form should be filled out all items correctly, If item is not applicable, please fill in [N/A]. Embassy may not accept application with blank item, no signature or no date in the form; may deny the application that is filled out incorrectly or wrong information.

3. Photo

• Specs: 4.5cm x 4.5cm, with white background.

• Photo must be taken within 6 months.

• Please write applicant’s name and birthdate on back side of the photo.

• Photo must be pasted on the application form.

4. Birth Certificate

• IT must be issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide).

• If the birth certificate from Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) is unreadable, or has incomplete information, please submit the birth certificate issued by PSA together with a birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.

• If the birth certificate is “late registration”, please submit in addition, a baptismal certificate and school record (Form 137) from high school or elementary and School Yearbook (if possible).

• If there is no record in PSA, please submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA together with a birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.

5. Marriage Certificate (if the applicant is married)

• IT must be issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide).

• In case there is no record in PSA, please submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA together with the Marriage Certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.

6. Daily Schedule in Japan (TAIZAI YOTEIHYO ）

[If applicant will shoulder part or all of his/her travel expenses]

7. Bank Certificate

Validity of Bank Certificate is three (3) month from the date of issue

8. Applicant’s Income Tax Return (Form 2316) clear Photocopy (latest).

REMINDER

Size of document for application should be A4 size only. If document is other size, please submit copy that is already adjusted in A4 size from its original and without staples or pasting pages.

Applicants are exempted from submitting (4) and (5) Indicated above if they can submit old/valid passports with used Japan visa.

It is applicant’s responsibility to ensure that he/she meet the requirements for the grant of a visa. Submission of any supporting documents not listed above is encouraged (e.g. applicant’s economic or social ties with the Philippines, urgent reasons for visit: medical certificate, wedding invitation).

For more information, please visit the Japanese Embassy website for further details.

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000232573.pdf

Japan, The Land of the Rising Sun

It was on the first week of November year 2014 when we went to Tokyo. It was during the autumn season so we have to bring clothes applicable for cold weather.

We already have our tourist visa and bought shinkansen or bullet train ticket good for 7 days that cost almost 15,000 PHP. We were able to use the said subway card all over Tokyo and as well as in Osaka and Kyoto where we stayed for a couple of days during our 9 days stay.

In Tokyo, we stayed at Anne's Hostel and it is a very affordable lodge to stay in plus there is a free breakfast included. It is a dormitory style accommodation which cost around 900 PHP per head per night. The hostel is near Asukasabashi Station and there are a few affordable restaurants nearby. 

To get to the hostel from Narita International Airport, you have to ride on the Narita Express and get off at Tokyo Station. Then, train transfer to Akahibara to Asukasabashi Station.

On our first day, we visited the Geisha district of Asakusa and its temples, and we also went to see the Tokyo Sky Tree.

We started our second day by visiting the Tokyo Tower and then started our DisneySea adventure which we truly enjoyed. The one day pass cost ¥7400 (3300 PHP). 

Our third day started with a bullet train ride to Kyoto. There were a few quick stops on our way and we are lucky enough to have a glimpse of the Mt. Fuji while riding on a Shinkansen. It was an awesome experience, the train ride was fast but smooth and we were seated comfortably. We stayed at K's House Kyoto in a dormitory type room with a free breakfast which cost around 800 PHP per person per night. After checking in we started our Geisha hunting by walking in Gion district. We also visited Kiyomezudera temple and shrine.

Osaka is our next stop on our fourth day. Of Course, we cannot miss to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Japan. We gulped on our Butterbeer while enjoying the view of the theme park.   

On our fifth day, we visited the beautiful scenery of the Golden Temple and listened to the rustling sound of the Bamboo Forest as we walked into it. We also got a chance to be a Ninja and Samurai as we enter the Ninja Dojo and store. Kyoto's takoyaki and matcha ice cream is my ultimate favourite in Japan. 

We crossed the busiest intersection which is the Shibuya crossing. We then, took a picture with Hachiko. Our sixth day was spent mostly on Tokyo's shopping district namely Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara and Ginza to buy some souvenirs and things to take home.

I continued my seventh day by visiting a relative in Yokohama. It was a half day tour wherein I tried their ramen and gyoza which were truly scrumptious. The weather is getting really cold, the leaves change colour and fall off the tree. It was nice to roam around the area by foot. In the afternoon, I went back to Tokyo and visited Ueno Park and took a quick trip to Ikebukoro.

 On my eight day, I spend my remaining time in Odaiba for some photo ops, shopping and food trips. Late in the afternoon, I went back to the hostel and met some solo travellers from different countries and we decided to go out for dinner while walking around Asukasabashi. 

I woke up early on my ninth day since I have to catch my 11:45 am flight back home (Manila). I took a train to Tokyo station and then take the Yaesu exit. I choose to ride on the Tokyo shuttle going to Narita International airport since it's cheaper.  I arrived a little bit earlier at the airport so I still have time for some snacks and shopping.

Japan is truly unique top with the richness in culture and its future oriented society.