purpose of visit to japan

JAPAN VISA APPLICATION FORM: Sample + How to Fill it Out

Whether you’re applying for a Japan Tourist Visa or a Visit Visa, the first thing you need to do is to get hold of a copy of the application form and fill it out appropriately. You can get a copy from the agency where you will be applying. But if you want to take care of it before you go to the agency, you can download a copy of the application form below with instructions.

Download the form here

How to fill out japan visa application form.

First, a few important reminders.

• Complete the form either by hand or electronically. Either is accepted. If you go the hand-written route, make sure that you write in block letters and that they are readable.
• In fields that don’t apply to you, write NA. Don’t leave any field blank.
• Print the form in an A4-size paper. Other sizes will be rejected.
• Paste a photo on the designated area. PASTE! DO NOT STAPLE! The photo must have been taken within the past 6 months.
• Use a black pen or font. Do not use pencil or one of those erasable pens.
• Avoid erasures! If it can’t be helped, use double line (2 strikethroughs). If there are too many erasures, start over. Never ever use correction tape or liquid.

Here are some parts of the form that you might have questions about. For the purpose of explanation, I filled out the form in big blue letters just to make it obvious. But when you complete your form, use BLACK.

• Given and middle names: Write both your given name AND your middle name (your mom’s last name).
• Other names: If you have a pen name or nickname or if you’re known by any other name, write it down. If none, write N/A.
• Place of birth: If you have no province and you’re born in Metro Manila, write METRO MANILA. For example, if you were born in Makati, write: Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines .
• Former and/or other nationalities or citizenships: Only if you have one. Write N/A if you have none.
• ID No. issued to you by your government: Any government-issued ID will do. I have tried using UMID. My cousin used Driver’s License. A few times, I wrote the passport number here too, I didn’t have any problem.
• Passport type: Ordinary.
• Passport number: Double check. Make sure it’s correct.
• Place of issue: You can write the city name. In the case of Manila, you can write MANILA. You can also be specific. I usually write DFA NCR EAST, because that’s what’s on my passport.
• Issuing authority: DFA.

• Purpose of visit to Japan: If applying as a tourist, write TOURISM. If you’re visiting a friend or family, write VISIT FRIEND/FAMILY.
• Intended length of stay in Japan: Number of days including the day of arrival.
• Port of entry into Japan: Name of the airport. It can be Kansai, Narita, Chitose, etc.
• Name of ship or airline: Just the name of the airline or the ship. It doesn’t matter if you’re already booked or not. If you’re concerned about funds, write a low-cost carrier like CEBU PACIFIC or JETSTAR.
• Names and addresses of hotels or persons with whom applicant intends to stay: If applying as a tourist, write down the name, address and telephone number of your hotel. If you don’t know the exact address or telephone number of your hotel, Google it! If applying to visit someone in Japan, write their name, address, and contact number.
• Dates and duration of previous stays in Japan. Write N/A if it’s your first time in Japan. If you’ve been to Japan before write the inclusive dates of your previous visits and the number of days. If you’ve been to Japan many times and it won’t fit, use a separate sheet and indicate it on the form.

• Your current residential address: If you have more than one address, list them all on a separate sheet.
• Telephone number: If you don’t have a landline number, write N/A.
• Current profession or occupation and position: Be truthful! If your current occupation or position doesn’t match the ITR you’re submitting (for example, you moved to another company), you can write a letter explaining it.
• Partner’s profession/occupation: If you’re single and of legal age, write N/A. If you’re married, write the profession of your partner. If for a minor, write the profession or occupation of parents.

• Guarantor/Inviter Info: If you’re applying as a tourist and you’re shouldering all expenses, write N/A in ALL of the fields. If you have a guarantor, write their details. If the guarantor is the same as the inviter, write SAME AS ABOVE in the INVITER fields.

• If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, please provide relevant details: If you answered NO to all the questions, write N/A.
• Signature: Sign it by hand. I’m not sure if digital signatures are accepted, but I doubt it. If the applicant is minor, a parent or legal guardian can sign, but the relationship must be indicated below the signature.

Other Japan Visa Requirements

To see the other requirements, visit this page: JAPAN VISA REQUIREMENTS

Frequently Asked Questions

1. my guarantor is based in the philippines, not japan. should i write my guarantor’s details in the fields under “guarantor or reference in japan”.

This is the most confusing part. Travel agencies have different takes on this.

The last time we asked Reli Tours, they said YES, even if the guarantor is based outside Japan, you should still write down their details under “Guarantor or reference in Japan”. They might have changed their stance but that’s what they said last time.

But some agencies like Attic Tours say that you should write down N/A instead.

To be sure, what I suggest is to leave them blank temporarily and ask the agency what to do when it’s time to submit your application. If they tell you to enter your guarantor’s details, then do so right there and then. If they say write N/A then do it then.

Or you can call the designated agency where you plan to lodge your application beforehand.

2. Should all documents be printed on A4-size paper including the ITR and bank certificate?

Documents that you have control of like Schedule of Stay, Application Form or even COE should be A4.

In my experience, I’ve submitted ITR printed on legal size and bank certificate on letter size, but they were all accepted regardless. But I’m not sure if that’s still the case now or if that’s always the case.

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Do i have to mention about my children or only my self and a husband? I dont see in the form about the children please answer my question thank you.

Ask ko lang, malaki ba chance na ma denied yung application mo pag may mga na leave ka na blank? like; other names, tel.no etc.?

Hi Kairu, group application? You will have to enumerate your companions in an additional form called “Accomplished List of Visa Applicants.”

More info here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/

Hi sir, base sa nabasa Kong information galing po sa inyong blog. Regarding po sa “BANK CERTIFICATE issued 3months before”. Eh ung sakin po Kasi mag request palang ako today April 23, 2019 then tomorrow April 24, 2019 sya ma release. Balak ko po Sana straight nako sa Japan Embassy sa Manila. Isubmit ko na po together with other documents. Possible po ba na ma approve ako kahit recent palang ung bank Certificate ko?

Sir Iam Muhammad saif Pakistan Army retired security guard job interest

Hi Zarina, that’s perfectly fine.

I think you misunderstood. It’s NOT “issued 3 months before.” It should be issued within the past 3 months.

hi, if issued ung birth certificate last nov 2017 and mag apply ako visa this december 2018, pwede pa kaya i-allow yun?

Hindi po, kasi lagpas one year na.

Hi! What if i write down three addresses and they don’t fit in the space provided? should i just attach a separate piece of paper?

I think so.

Hi, my ticket was from Manila to Osaka, but when I applied visa, I indicated that port if entry is Narita. will this be accepted?

Hi mag apply sana ako ng tourist visa paano po ba kasi first time po. Pinag aaply ako ng bf ko nasa japan salamat po. Gusto ko sana guide agency pde poba iyon

Accepted where? If sa visa application, dapat consistent.

If na-grant ka na ng visa pero iba ung entry point mo sa dineclare mo, I think ok lang un.

can I submit my payroll bank account?

Pno kung kktpos lng ng contract s ibang bnsa as ofw, gusto mg apply ano illgay s profession no.16 in application form, tnx

Hi Arth, kung ako po nasa lugar nyo, kung ano po yung profession nyo abroad kahit na tapos na contract. Pero ako lang po yun.

Okei lang po kung hindi nailagay ang sign by mother/father dun sa signature?

My Guarantor po ako. Tapos dun sa mismong visa application yung sa may work ko now, my need ba ko ipasa na itr? Kasi dun sa instruction mo sabi mo dapat my need ako isubmit. If meron saan ko po pwede kunin?

If your current occupation or position doesn’t match the ITR you’re submitting.

Hi Michiko, if the ITR and current employment don’t match, you need to write a letter explaining that you recently moved to a new company etc.

Hi sir. Ask ko po. Bf ko po is my Japanese guarantor Dun sa no.19 ilalagay ko ba N/A or ilalagay yung last na occupation nya? Retired na po BF ko.

Hi Aquajennie, I think #19 is for married lang so NA pa rin. Ask mo na lang din agency to be sure.

Ask ko lng Dba Pag first tym mag apply ng late rigestration , dba need ng form 137 and baptismal , tpos ipasa na ung both original non…. So pano Po pag pang second apply na Po need pa ba ulit ng both original ng form 137 at baptismal sa pangalawang apply ng visa Po ?

Napaka-useful nitong blog mo. Ang daming kong nakuhang tips. Napakalinaw ng explanation. Thanks!!! Taga-West ka ga?

hey hello.. my name shehroz, im apply japan visa. please tell me how to apply japan visa and which document required to visa.

If you’re a Filipino applying in the Philippines, this is our guide: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/

Otherwise, I don’t know how to help. :(

Hello. Reg. sa ID Number, do I have to put the specified ID after the number? Or basta number lang?

Hello! Ask ko lang yung guarantor ko is my sister and she is working as “Seafarer” or seawoman. Sa Royal Caribbean Cruise siya. Problem is wala silang ITR. anong pwede pa ipasa aside sa bank certificate? payslip nila or contract? Ano pwede ipalit sa ITR? pls reply. thanks

Hi Donna, ang alam ko, pwede sya magsulat ng explanation letter. Tapos submit ng other docs in its stead like payslip or COE. :)

Pero best to consult a travel agency kasi mas alam nila ang dapat gawin.

OK. Another question is yung sa visa application form na “if you have guarantor” dun ko ba i-ffill up yung name ng sister ko (taga dito siya Phils) or its applicable lang sa mga nakatira sa Japan? should i put N/a.

Hi Donna, iba-iba yung stance ng travel agencies about that. May nagsasabi na ilagay ay N/A kasi para lang daw yan pag sa Japan ung guarantor. Meron naman nagsasabi na ilagay dyan ung guarantor kahit nasa Pilipinas. Tawag ka na lang sa agency kung saan ka mag-aapply kasi medyo iba-iba talaga.

Hello i really need some advice i am from pakistan n my brother applied for japan visa since last year through some sponsor and from last two months he said you will get your visa very soon but all in vain.kindly tell me wat ll we do to do to find out whether he applied or not

I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with the process when it comes to other nationalities. :(

Hi po. Kapag po ba ang guarantor is nakatira sa Philippines, kailangan po ilagay yung name sa Guarantor / reference in Japan? Or yung section po na yun is for guarantor who lives in Japan?

Hi Inna, iba-iba yung stance ng travel agencies about that. May nagsasabi na ilagay ay N/A kasi para lang daw yan pag sa Japan ung guarantor. Meron naman nagsasabi na ilagay dyan ung guarantor kahit nasa Pilipinas. Tawag ka na lang sa agency kung saan ka mag-aapply kasi medyo iba-iba talaga.

If visiting multiple cities, e.g. Osaka, Nagoya & Tokyo, dapat ba ilagay name and address ng lahat ng accommodations? or kahit yung sa port of entry lang?

Hi Ysa, di ko alam kung ano ba dapat ang gawin pero ang parati kong ginagawa kapag multi-city, isa lang ang nilalagay ko sa form tapos the rest ay sa Schedule of Stay (Daily Itinerary) ko na nilalagay. Tinatanggap and naaapprove naman.

I want to apply for the Japan visa for the first time now while I still have my job so I can provide the requirements needed like COE and ITR. But truthfully, I really wanna quit my job na pagktapos, so say for example, I’m lucky to get approved, do you think there’s a huge chance for me to be offloaded by the Immigration during my flight date kasi kahit may approved visa ako eh I cant present any work documents na kasi I was only employed upon visa application but unemployed na upon my Japan visit?

I understand na medyo mahirap ipredict ang mga bagay bagay pagdating sa Immigration but I just really wanna know your opinion/insight on this based on your own experience or probably other people you know.

Thanks a bunch!

What’s your travel history like? And with whom are you traveling?

Want to travel with my boyfriend. Asian countries pa lang napuntahan ko so far, South Korea is one of them.

Thanks for the response!

Another question po,should I strictly follow the scheduled activities and flights?Cant I deviate from it?I’m planning to write about the tour around tokyo. But if ever my application gets approved can I do multi-city tour?

Yep, you can deviate from your submitted itinerary. :)

Hello I have an apartment. What will I write in occupation?is it Business owner or Self employed?and the name of employer? is it Self or the name of apartment?

Ay, di ko po alam kapag ganyang case.:S

Hi! I plan to leave on January 2020 can I apply now for Visa?

No. See FAQ 4.9 in this post: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/#How_early_can_I_apply_for_a_Japan_visa

Thank you for the detailed guide. I plan to visit my aunt/cousins and probably spend the Christmas/new year holidays there. Is it alright if I fill my itinerary with tourist activity even tho I will be staying at their house?

First time and personal expense. Thank you!

Yep! That’s fine. When I handle my cousins’ applications to visit my sister, I also put tourist activities in the itinerary.

Hi Sir I would like to ask kung required po ba na ung ipapasa na birth certificate from local register this year din nakuha meron po kasi ako copy ng Civil Registry Form No. 1A kaso year 2016 pa. Yung PSA ko po kasi medyo malabo letter E sa name ko

Di ko po alam :(

Thanks anyway =)

Hello po. Ask ko lang about number 20. Yung guarantor lang po ba FROM japan yung ilalagay na details? O kahit na from philippines din? Bali group po kami, ung brother ko ung magguarantor sakin. Salamat po sa isasagot po nyo.

Hi Uma, nasagot ko na po ito sa ibang comments sa taas.

Iba-iba yung stance ng travel agencies about that. May nagsasabi na ilagay ay N/A kasi para lang daw yan pag sa Japan ung guarantor. Meron naman nagsasabi na ilagay dyan ung guarantor kahit nasa Pilipinas. Tawag ka na lang sa agency kung saan ka mag-aapply kasi iba-iba talaga.

Hello! Good day!

Meron po akong gurantor/sponsor sa Japan, He’s a Friend, Permanent resident na po sya sa japan, do I still have to pass and ITR and Bank certificate kahit meron naman na po syang pinadalang mga papers like ITR/Bank certificate.

Though I don’t have ITR and COE yet because kaka pasa ko pa lang po sa boards, ano po kayang possibleng ipakita ko for proof na uuwi ako sa pinas, though I have an exam this October 27, for med. Okay na po kaya yun and my review center?

So much appreciated po for the answer.

This post might help: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/03/japan-visa-requirements-with-guarantor/

If may guarantor, usually di na need ng employment and financial docs. Pero may mga cases na pede pa rin humingi ang embassy.

Thabks you! Oh paano po yan, since, what i said po i just passed my board exam so wala pa po akong work talaga :( so wala pa akong itr and coe .

Though volunteer pa lang po ako now sa redcross dahil wala pa pong bukas na hiring, pwede ko din ba ilagay dun sa form volunteer medtech ganun po? Position and occupation.

For me, if unemployed pa, the safest is to find a guarantor, preferably close relative. Mas straightforward kasi un. And Japan is one of the few countries na hindi kiss of death ang pagkakaroon ng sponsor.

Pag ipilit mo kasi to apply without ITR, you will need to write an explanation letter. Pero pwede rin naman yun. Feeling ko lang mas ok ang chances if my guarantor, in your case. Pero feeling ko lang yan ha. :)

Good evening po. Kailangan po ba talaga na mag pa reserve ng place to stay online before submitting JP Visa Application?

Nope. You just need to know where you PLAN to stay. No reservation needed. You just need the hotel name, address and contact number.

Hi sir.. ask ako about itr, below 250000 yong sahod ko annualy, so tax extemted ako, paano ba yan sir? need ba resibo sa itr? tnx

Hi Mark, usually kahit tax-exempted, meron pa rin dapat na ITR from your employer. Nakalagay lang na zero tax.

Di naman need ng resibo sa experience namin.

If wala ka talaga ITR, pwede ka gumawa ng explanation letter kung bakit. Pero mas maganda talaga kung meron.

Hi! Question! Dapat ba one page lang yung form kapag prinint? Harap at likod? :) Or pwedeng 2 pages? Thank you!

Kami 2 pages pag nagsusubmit

Hello, all set na po lahat ng finillupan ko for VISA, ang tanong ko lang po is yung balance ng bank account ko is almost empty bago magfirst week of the month. I plan to stay for 7 days, including the time of arrival and departure. How much po yung needed para mapprove ako?

See FAQ #11 here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/#How_much_money_should_I_have_in_the_bank_to_get_approved

Good day po . Paano po kung unang country ko po na pupuntahan ay Japan . ppwede po ba kong kumuha ng visa? posible po kaya na maapprove po ?

Hi Dess, pwede pa rin naman. Mas may laban ka lang talaga pag may travel history na. Pero di naman ibig sabihin na denied agad pag di pa nakapunta ng ibang bansa.

Pano po ba mapapakita yung travel history sa pag pasa ng requirements? Bago lang kasi yung passport ko and nasa luma yung mga stamps.

You can submit photocopy of your past visas and stamps.

Hi po Yoshke, I am also a blogger and wala akong employer. Do you think okay na ilagay kong occupation is “Blogger” (similar to the one in your example) tapos N/A na lahat ng employer info?

Hi Lott, I wouldn’t recommend that. I think red flag pag N/A ang employer.

Need mo na ba magtravel to Japan agad? Is your blog your source of income?

Hello, please review po if tama yung procedures ko for getting my wife and son. 1. Application of COE, once na mareleased to ippdala ko lng po ito sa wife ko. 2. Apply lng po ni wifey ko sa Accredited agency ng Japan embassy sa pinas (e.g RELI TOURS & TRAVEL AGENCY,South Park 123, SM Mall of Asia, Bay City, Pasay City). 3. Wait for the release of visa then can go to Japan na.

Questions. For #2. Yun po bang application for ei handwritten at dun na fill upan sa agency or before going to agency pwedi prepare na? Yung po bang visa cost ei is per person? Normally po ganu ktgal marelease yung visa? Appreciate your advice po.

What do you mean “getting my wife and son”? Ang plan nyo po ba ay for them to move to Japan or mag-visit lang short-term?

If short-term lang, to answer your questions: 1. Pwede mo sya i-fill up beforehand para mabilis na ung process pag andun ka. Pag may di ka sure, i-blank mo na lang muna tapos ask the staff pag andun ka na.

2. Cost is per person.

3. Normally, 7 days ang processing.

For more information, visit: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/03/japan-visa-requirements-with-guarantor/

Ask lang, kasi recently lang ako nagresign sa company ko 6 months ago and now helping sa family business namin. I am applying for a Japanese Visa for vacation sa november with regards to submitting an ITR, do I still need to include the ITR of my last company, plus a letter explaining why wala po akong ITR ngayon?

Another question is kung need ba maglagay ng guarantor provided na I am working sa family business? thank you po sa pagsagot :)

Hi Raymund,

Wala pa naman talagang ITR for 2019. Submit mo yung for 2018 tapos gawa ka explanation letter to say na you’re involved sa family business na.

Whether or not kailangan mo ng guarantor, depende sa finances mo.

Thanks for the step-by-step guide! Big help! Just a few follow up questions:

1.) Do I need to print and include my booking confirmation from the hostel I’ll be staying in? 2.) Other than the visa application form, should the rest of the documents (bank cert, COE, ITR, schedule of stay) be printed in A4 as well? 3.) How many photos should I submit to the agency?

Thanks in advance!

I’m assuming you’re applying for a tourist visa in the Philippines.

1. Not really. Hotel reservation is not a requirement. They just need to know where you PLAN to stay. You can still submit hotel reservations but it’s not a requirement.

2. Documents that you have control of like Schedule of Stay, App Form or even COE should be A4. In my experience, I’ve submitted ITR printed on legal size and bank certificate on letter size, wala namang naging problem. But I’m not sure if that’s still the case.

3. Just one.

Also do I need to print a copy of my government-issued ID and submit to the agency?

Thanks again!

hi goodafternoon po

1.)ask ko lang po since apat kaming mag aapply ako at 2kapatid then mother ko then yung mother ko ang aming guarantor pwede bang isang ITR na lng i provide namin and need ba naka A4 size din yung clear copy ng ITR?

2.)ask ko rin po kung pwede bang hand written ang fill up namin sa documents?

Hi Saidrex,

1. Sa experience ko po when I applied with family, 1 copy lang pinrovide namin. Actually, may dala kaming maraming copies pero 1 lang ang kinuha. Just make sure you also fill out the form called “List of Visa Applicants” para alam nila na group kayo. More info here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/

2. Yep. Madalas handwritten ako magsubmit.

Dear Sir, I’m planning to go to Japan this Dec. Kaso i was worried pagdating sa immigration bcos i dont have any job or should i say housewife na lng ako now..ano ba mga needed docs na hihingin nila or malabo ang chances ko na mtatakan nila passport ko?thank you..sna matulungan mo ako

Hi yoshke Kaylangan ba mag submit ng travel clearance ang applicant(minor) to get a japan visa and what if kung baptismal lang ang isa submit dahil iba na ang address ng applicant(minor) nung nag aral sya. Yung applicant(minor) is 7yrs.old, grade2.

Hi Juvelyn,

Di naman po needed ang travel clearance pag visa application, sa experience ko applying for my niece and nephew.

Regarding baptismal/school record, di ko po alam ano gagawin sa case nyo po.

Good day. Ask ko lang re: filling application form. I will accompany my mom during our trip and will be covering for her expenses. I live and work in the Philippines. Should I fill-up the “Guarantor” area with my details? And then put N/A in the “inviter” area? Thank you so much!

Hi Dale, this has been asked many times in the Comments section, so I’m adding an FAQs section to this article na lang. See the new updates. Thanks!

Hi po. Ask ko lang po kasi hinahabol ko yung promo ng ticket for Japan and balak ko na syang bayaran tom. kahit mag aapply pa lang ako ng visa. Non refundable nga yung ticket and i take the risk na ipabook na kc sayang ung promo. Ask ko lang kung madami bang nadedeny s pagkuha ng visa application ? Im worrying din kc i cant provide for my itr but i have travelled several countries na like hongkong, taiwan and indonesia. Ano kayang chances ko na maapprove ang visa ko? Thanks.

Mahirap po ma-determine ung chances nang konti lang ang information.

Pero di naman ganun ka-strict ang Japanese embassy.

I just want to be honest, I have been deported in year 1999 in Japan,for overstaying because my family that time was financially unstable, I was lucky then to have a Japanese couple who treated me so well in a laundry shop so I rendered in return best of my ability in that work. My employer treated me so well, that some of my filipino co-workers envy me in that situation, my employer then was planning to get my children so we live together while I work with them, so they reported me to the Immigration. sad to say it ended to a broken marriage…Since then I became a single parent, with Gods blessing I was again blessed to have employed in the Philippine Government again until today. I am now in my senior age, all sons are now professionals, I want to visit Japan again , to treat myself as a single mom. Please help me.

You could still possibly enter Japan because your ban period elapsed though it is not still guaranteed that you might get an entry visa for tourist as immigration has records of you already. You can try with all the papers that supports your financial capability and strong ties to your country as it will tell them that you are going back to your country. Good luck!

Hi Ma’am Nilda,

Unfortunately, I do not have any idea on what to do for cases like yours. :(

I think it’s best to consult a travel agency for that because they might know better.

Hi, Yoshke.

Pwede ba mag pasa ng dalawang bank / bank certificate (BPI/BPO)?

Hi Den, yep!

Dear sir, I am planning to go to japan in the month of December,i am not sure on which date i will arrive in japan its either 22 December or 25 December.In my application form if i write 22 December i will be arriving in japan and submit to the embassy,but then afterwards i change my arrival to 25th December is it ok if i do that

Hi Sam, yes, that’s alright, as long as it’s still within the validity period of the visa.

Hi po. Ask ko lang po ang opinion nyo reg my situation. Wala po akong, itr, coe or business reg. self employed po ako, i buy n sell used cars, sa letter of explanation ko, ilalagay ko link ng fb page ko para makita ng consul mga binebenta kong cars. May 7 figures po ako sa bank. What do u think of my chance getting tourist visa approve? Thanks

Hi Marie, di ko po kayo masagot nang sure. Usually pag walang ITR, nadadala naman sa explanation letter + other proof of income. Pero parang malabo ung FB page kasi madali lang namang gumawa ng FB page.

Hi po! ano po kayang mas maganda, indicate ko po na may inviter ako (boyfriend ko) or mas ok po na wag na lang para di nila isipin na mag stay ako dun as tnt?

Just want to ask what is 60K enough money in the bank to have better chance of Japan Visa approval? I’ve been to 4 countries outside of the Philippines but it is my first time to apply for a Visa. Hope you can help.

Hi Ann. Merong mga naaapprove na 60K lang ang laman ng bank account. Depends on how long your trip is and sometimes, your ITR.

My apologies for the typo in my previous question. I wanted to ask if 60k is enough savings in the bank for Japan Visa application. I’m planning to visit Tokyo for 4 days. I’ve been to 4 countries outside of the PH but it is my first time to apply for a Japan Visa.

Hi, I am planning to book a trip to Japan for 5 days to visit my relatives and go for sightseeing as well. I live in Canada and I’m applying for a visa from my country. Regarding the question of what is my occupation, I don’t have a job and I’m currently a full-time student. In that case, what do I put?

Hi. I intend to visit three cities in Japan (Matsuyama, Hiroshima, and Kyoto). I plan to stay in 3 different hotels, too. How do I fill out the application form, given that the space is not enough to mention the three hotels (name and address)?

Yung ginawa ko, ung first lang ang sinulat ko sa form tapos the rest, sa Schedule of Stay ko na nilagay . :)

Hi,gusto ko po sanang mag tour sa Japan for two weeks at iyong guarantor ko po is only my boyfriend. Pwde po ba iyon? Sa tingin ko parang mahirap nga kasi boyfriend ko lang… Pwde ko po bang ilagay na Instead boyfriend iyong guarantor ko ay friend nalang. Please I need your advice. Thanks

I am a senior citizen and this will be my 4th travel to Japan ,with my husband. But now my husband is already retired and no ITR to present. But we have Bank certificates. do you think this is enough proof we have money to travel? Thank you.

Hi po! Di ko po sigurado. Pwede po kayong magsulat ng letter explaining na he’s retired.

Pero best to contact the travel agency where you plan to lodge your application to be sure po.

I already have a multiple-entry visa for Japan. I would like to apply one for my baby who will be barely 1 year old by the time we plan to fly to Japan.

Also, I did not indicate her birth father on her birth certificate. She has my last name.

What requirements do I need?

Am not sure if you are able to answer this but I’ll try since we went to Japan multiple times already. Is it ok to apply for Japan Visa for a newly release passport? My friend told me that the passport should be active after 6 months from the release before applying for Visa. Is it true?

I have never heard that rule before.

But my niece got her passport September and we applied for a Japan visa 3 WEEKS later. She was granted a visa October same year. That’s way shorter than 6 months but she was still granted a visa.

Hello I have two bank certificates one with my name only and the other an ITF bank account with my mom. Should I still put my Mom as my guarantor? or Is it okay not anymore since my name appears in the account name. thank you.

Since you have a bank account with your name only, you can apply on your own without guarantor. Assuming, of course, it has sufficient funds and you have ITR too. :)

My ITR(2018) is still using my old address. Will this have issue with the current residential address I used in my other IDs?

What other IDs?

Not sure if magiging issue. But to be safe, you can simply write an explanation letter.

Hi! I just want to ask if possible mag apply for ME visa kahit naka guarantor lang? First timers po kami ng mom and brother ko, guarantor po namin father ko. Will probably go back sa Japan after our April trip. Or should we apply for SE only? Thank you!

If you fall under the categories here, pwede: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/03/japan-visa-multiple-entry-requirements/

HI , on the “ID no Issued to you by your government” section , do i need to specify if this is a SSS id umid , passport etc ID? Example CRN-123456789452(UMID)

Me, I usually indicate the type of ID. :D

which date should i write on date of issue? like the date i issued my visa or the date of going to japan? I can’t book a plane yet cuz of corona. So there is no certain date.

The one on Page 1? Date of issuance of PASSPORT.

Hi. I just wanna ask, may sister po ako sa Japan and dun na sya nakatira. Kapag nag apply po ba ako ng tourist visa kahit unemployed ako may chance po ba na maapprove kasi may guarantor? Thank you.

Hi! Your blog is very useful especially sa mga first timer na gaya ko. If I may ask po, I already have ticket for September 16-24, 2021 but I don’t have a hotel to stay kasi andun naman yung bf ko. But he’s not my guarantor. Can I put his address sa place to stay po?

Hi Marinelle! Thanks for your comment.

I’m assuming VISIT visa yung inaapplyan mo.

Yes, pwede mo ilagay ung address niya sa address (#14 sa post).

OK lang naman na yung pagse-stayan mo ay hindi mo guarantor or na wala kang guarantor. Just make sure na sa next page, leave the GUARANTOR section with N/A answers tapos ung INVITER section ung i-fill out mo.

Very helpful po. Thank you so much! God bless and stay safe po. :)

Can I Travel to Japan I’m a US Green Card Holder

Required po ba magpasa ng COE?

I want to apply with my Wife for Japan Tourist Visa but she is not working currently so Bank Statement with Salary Credit she cannot show but I have all documents line Bank Statement, Employeer NOC etc.

Now my wife needs to fill separate Application form or I can fill her details in list of Visa Applicants?

Kindly guide.

Each applicant need to submit a separate application form. The list of visa applicants is just a reference to check which applicants are traveling together.

Hi. What if may guarantor, do i still need ITR and bank statements? Thanks.

Hi Yoshke! This post is so helpful. Just a question with a particular item on the application form tho! I am a Virtual Assistant and I registered myself in BIR as self-employed. When it comes to item # 18: (Name and Address of Employer part) – Should I write my name (since that’s how I registered the business, under my name) or Should I write my current client’s information? Thank you so much!

hi, if wala pa kong hotel and ticket, anong isusulat? :(

Di naman po required ang hotel and ticket. Kung ano pa lang ang target mong sakyan and pagstay-an.

Hi!! Thank you so much for this guide! Just a quick question. I’m a virtual assistant and currently working for just one client now. I registered myself in BIR as a professional as well (so I can file my taxes next year). In the employer name section, should I just write the name/company of my client? Or should I use my BIR information (business is just my name tho.)? Thank youuuu!

If I remember correctly, when I was a freelancer, I just wrote my job title / self-employed, and wrote by business name as registered.

(I think I’ve also tried writing my client’s company name on another occasion, but I also wrote a cover letter to explain it.)

Freelancer din po ako. Pano po kaya pag 2 employers. Balak ko ilagay name ng emloyers ko sa form pero pang isa lang ung space sa form. Okay lang na ilagay ko sya pareho sa space na un?or do i need another sheet?

Hi, i have always been using your page as a ref every time i’m doing an application.but this time, i cannot find anywhere on how i can list all the hotels given that the space is very limited. Please help what should i do? Thank you!

If I remember correctly, you can just use a separate sheet. List them down and their details (address, phone number) and corresponding dates of stay on another page.

Hi, just wanna ask if I have to sign beside a mistaken information I fill in the form or I can just leave 2 strike throughs? Thanks

Ano po sinsavi sa baba na number of application max*10 po?un mag papa appointment ka sa consulate ng japan sa uae ng pa visa appointment.malaki kaliwanagan kung masagot nyo po sir Josh.

Naku di po ako familiar sa system sa consulate ng Japan sa ibang bansa.

Hi! I have a question.

Since yung guarantor ko po is My Mom with Permanen residence na sa Japan.

May kailangan pa po ba siyang kunin doon sa Japan Embassy? Or/May kailangan pa ba lagyan ng red ribbon yung letter of invitation and Letter of Guarantee?

For visa application, wala naman po. Need nyo lang po nung Guarantee letter, and Income Certificate (Shotoku Shomeisho) from City Hall, Tax return certificate (Nouzeishomeisho: Form 2) from Tax office (Kakuteishinkokusho Hikae), OR Bank Certificate (Yokin Zandaka Shomeisho). Best if you have all three.

Need po ng stamp ng mom mo ‘yung docs na ‘yan.

Hi po, hope na makita niyo po yung comment ko. I just wanted to clarify paano po yung counting sa intended length of stay? If for example April 1- 7 yung schedule, will it be 7 days po ba or 6 days? Thank you

Hi Van! If tama ang alala ko, it should be 7 days. Day of Arrival is considered Day 1.

Hi, how are you? Sir, ask ko lang po kapag ba student applicant sa part po na current profession or occupation and position ang ilalagay po ay Student then sa Name and Address of employer po ilagay po ba pangalan at address ng school or NA lang po ilagay ko? Please advise po if ano po dapat ilagay. Salamat po in advance. God Bless

Pano kung di ko na matandaan yung exact dates nung previous stay ko sa Japan? di ko narin mahanap yung old passport ko to check :(

Hi, Dun po sa part ng employer section ng form, Pano po if I am working directly to my client (remote work direct client US) and I have three clients, is it okay lang po to put the names of my clients? Thank you

Hi. I am planning to apply for a multiple-entry visa (I already traveled to Japan early this year on single-entry) this week. And at the same time, I’m in the talks of moving to a new job/employer, though,I haven’t signed any contract yet (no start date yet) with the new employer and haven’t resigned from the current employer because everything is in the process of negotiations pa. I just want to ask, if magaapply ako ng visa this week, is it correct to put in NAME OF THE EMPLOYER field in the application form yung current employer ko pa din? I want to take a break sana before starting in the new job. Thanks!

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » Why travel to Japan? 20 best reasons to visit it

Why travel to Japan? 20 best reasons to visit it

June 15, 2022

There are a endless number of reasons to visit Japan , as the country has something to entice almost every kind of traveler.

Whether you’re dying to explore Japanese history and culture at the variety of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, indulge in diverse Japanese cuisine, or experience a ride on the lighting-fast Shinkansen trains, a trip to Japanese promises adventure around every corner.

From the chance to visit some of the many impressive temples and castles around the country, to the opportunity to take a dip in an Onsen hot spring, below you’ll find the 20 best reasons why you should visit Japan .

It’s easy to get around on public transportation

Japan has one of the most efficient and reliable public transport systems in the world, with a wide range of travel options including bus, train, and subway services across the country.

One of the best ways to get between cities is to ride the Shinkansen bullet trains , which can reach a speed of up to 300 km/h and boast a range of luxury services onboard. The most cost-efficient way to travel by Shinkansen is to buy a JR Pass online before traveling to Japan.

Book your Japan Rail Pass now

Japan is very clean

The Japanese really pride themselves on their cleanliness , and upon first arrival in the country you may be surprised by how sparkling clean the streets are.

Hotels and restaurants tend to be absolutely spotless , filled with pleasant smells, and regularly and efficiently cleaned. One downside is that there tends to be a total absence of trash cans in public spaces. However, you can just follow the Japanese example and carry garbage with you until you find a place to get rid of it later on.

Japanese people are polite and friendly

The Japanese have a worldwide reputation for being uncommonly polite, friendly, and welcoming. Although the language barrier may prove a challenge at times, people in Japan usually try to be as helpful as possible if you ask anything of them.

It’s a good idea to brush up on Japanese etiquette tips before traveling: locals will appreciate your efforts to respect local customs!

The incredible natural landscapes

Although Japan is perhaps best known internationally for its technologically advanced cities, the majority of the country is actually taken up by a vast expanse of forested hills and mountains , and there is lots of nature to explore.

One of the most obvious beauty spots to visit is the iconic Mount Fuji , but you shouldn’t rule out a visit to lesser known natural gems such as the Arashiyama bamboo forest or the Ritsurin landscape gardens on Shikoku Island .

The large number of UNESCO sites

Japan boasts a total of 21 World Heritage Sites , including 17 cultural monuments and 4 natural landscapes, and there are currently 8 more sites pending UNESCO classification.

Travelers interested in Japanese history should definitely pay a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial , which commemorates the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb, as well as Shirakawago and Gokayama , historic villages which feature unique thatched-roof dwellings.

The majestic temples in Japan

There are number of stunning historic temples and shrines in almost every town and city in Japan, while larger cultural centers can have up to 1,000 temples within their municipality.

One of the most impressive temples in Japan is the Byodoin Buddhist temple in Uji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back over a thousand years. The Toji temple in Kyoto , which boasts the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan and an extensive garden full of cherry trees, is also well worth visiting.

The unique castles

Visitors to Japan can dig deep into the country’s history by exploring the elegant architecture and fascinating family legacies of Japanese castles.

Primarily serving as the homes for local feudal lords and their family during the Sengoku period of Japanese history, the castles in Japan are defined by their elegant façades and interiors, as well as extensive defensive features.

Some of the most impressive castles in Japan include the well-preserved Hikone castle , which dates back to 1622, and the castle in Himeji .

The spectacular cherry blossom season

Japan is one of the best places in the world to view the spring cherry blossom and attend a Cherry blossom festival.

Once the cherry blossom season peaks in April , locals and visitors alike flock to Japanese parks and gardens to engage in hanami (picnics beneath the cherry trees). Some of the best places to experience the blooming flowers include Hirosaki Castle Park and Shinjuku Gyoen, located in the heart of Tokyo.

The exciting summer festivals

If you’re visiting Japan during the summer months, you should plan to experience some of the colourful Matsuri festivals which take place all over the country.

These traditional celebrations pay tribute to legendary historical events and different deities connected to an individual shrine in the towns where they take place. Many Matsuri festivals feature processions of enormous floats , colorful parades, and spectacular fireworks shows.

Christmas in Japan is magical

Spending in Christmas in Japan is worth the effort just to experience the range of extravagant winter illuminations that saturate the city streets during the festive period.

Those planning to spend winter in Japan are also advised to visit the Sapporo snow festival in Hokkaido, where you can see a range of incredible ice sculptures , many based on well-known pop culture characters.

The world-class powder snow

Winter sports enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the chance to go snowboarding and skiing in Japan at one of the many resorts across the country, as Japanese powder snow is considered some of the best in the world.

Many of the best ski resorts in Japan are located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, such as Furano, Rusutsu, and Niseko, as well as in the Japanese Alps on Honshu.

The chance to bathe in a natural hot spring

Onsens are Japanese hot spring baths filled with mineral-rich spring water heated by geothermal forces , somewhat like a natural Jacuzzi.

Onsen baths have been present all over Japan since at least the 8th Century , when the belief that hot springs had curative and rejuvenating powers was at its height. Taking a bath in an onsen is an incredibly relaxing experience , and popular with both Japanese locals and tourists.

The superb Japanese cuisine

Food is incredibly important in Japanese culture , and while in the country you’ll be able to sample a huge range of the many delicious dishes that make up Japanese cuisine.

From worldwide favorites like sushi and ramen , to Sukiyaki (beef hot pot) and Yakiniku (Japanese barbeque), there are an endless number of dishes in Japan guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Japan is also the country with the most 3-star Michelin restaurants in the world , and there are are also a number of Matsuri food and drink festivals you can experience during your trip.

The fantastic architecture

You’ll be able to take in some incredible modern architecture while in the major Japanese cities, such as the Tokyo Skytree , the tallest building in the capital.

You can also find some exquisite examples of traditional Japanese architecture all over the country, such as the majestic Ise shrines on the Shima Peninsula.

The advanced technology

From futuristic capsule hotels with complimentary tablets, to high-tech public toilets , advanced technology is in full display in every corner of Japan’s cities.

If you feel like getting an inside look at technological advancements in Japan, pay a visit to the permanent robotics exhibitions at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo’s Odaiba district .

Japan is a Mecca for manga and anime lovers

If you first fell in love with Japan through manga and anime , you’re bound to be in heaven during a visit to Tokyo, which boasts a number of anime-themed experiences .

Visit J-World Tokyo , an indoor amusement park based around popular manga characters, the One Piece Tower, or the Pokémon Mega Center Tokyo , a huge store which offers a range of Pokémon merchandise exclusive to Japan.

It’s the home of Studio Ghibli

Fans of classic Japanese animation films like Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001) shouldn’t miss the chance to see some of celebrated director Hayao Miyazaki’s creations at the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka .

Children can play on a huge replica of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro (1988) and watch animated shorts exclusive to the museum. There is also an ever-changing range of exhibitions exploring Ghibli’s creative process.

Japan is the birthplace of karaoke

If you love belting out your favorite songs, whether in front of a small group of friends or a crowd of random strangers, then you’ll want to take advantage of the huge karaoke culture while in Japan.

You might not be aware that Karaoke actually originated in Japan and continues to be incredibly popular: there are currently around 100,000 karaoke boxes and bars across the country.

The fashion

Fashion lovers arriving in Japan should head directly to Tokyo’s most stylish area , Harajuku , where most of the biggest Japanese trendsetters set up shop.

Those more interested in traditional Japanese fashion may want to pay a visit to Kyoto and try on one of the elegant kimonos or yukatas the city is famous for.

Japan is very safe

Japan is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world, and has one of the lowest global crime rates .

Japanese people often leave their doors unlocked, children are perfectly safe traveling on the subway by themselves , and visitors are able to walk around the cities at night without having to worry.

Nevertheless,as when traveling to any foreign destination, visitors to Japan should still exercise caution in crowded places and use common sense.

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Travel to Japan

A record 24.04 million people visited Japan in 2016, welcomed by Japan's spirit of omotenashi . A nation where tradition and modernity share the same space, Japan offers an exciting, unique experience for everyone. From Tokyo’s urban sprawl to the peacefulness of Kyoto, from boisterous Osaka nightlife to Hiroshima's contemplative spirit, Japan’s attractions never fail to dazzle visitors. The amazing food, unique culture, and warm hospitality will keep you coming back!

To get you started, here are some useful tools for your trip: Convert US Dollars to Japanese Yen ・ Japan Weather Forecast ・ Japan train route finder (trip planner) ・ Another train route finder Download DC-based Japan Travel Agencies & JR Pass Distributors

Do I need to bring anything special?

Not usually - just a valid passport. If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days with a roundtrip ticket. The purpose of your visit must be tourism, visiting relatives/acquaintances, attending a conference, etc.

Japan has made agreements to waive visa requirements for tourism with 61 countries and regions. You can find more information about this on the Embassy's visa section page . If you need to obtain a visa for your travels, please contact your nearest Consulate General of Japan or call the Visa Section of the Embassy at 202-238-6800.

Where should I visit in Japan?

What can i bring through customs, can i use a credit card, is japan a safe country, do japanese people speak english, what do i do if i need help or get lost, how can people call me while i'm in japan.

To call Japan from the U.S., dial 011 81 , followed by the area code and phone number. For Japanese cell phones, the area code is 80 or 90. Other common codes are 3 for Tokyo, 78 for Kobe, 75 for Kyoto, 6 for Osaka, and 82 for Hiroshima. If you're given a number that starts with 0, remove it and dial the rest. So, if the number is 080, just dial 80. You can also look up numbers via the Japan Phone Book.

Other options for calling abroad include VoIP services such as Skype .

How is Japan's public transportation system/How can I get a "JR Rail Pass"?

Excellent! Japan has an extremely modern subway and rail system, as well as the famous shinkansen bullet trains, and a large network of buses. Japan-Guide has an excellent guide to transportation in Japan, including information on the numerous tickets and passes available. You can also use the Japan train route finders at the top of this page.

The Japan Rail Pass is one of the most popular option if you'll be traveling long distances by train, or if you're looking for an economical solution for sightseeing. Japan-Guide has more information about the rail pass, but we also have a list of distributors in the DMV area available on our DMV Resources page . You must purchase an Exchange Order before you travel to Japan. You cannot buy a Japan Rail Pass in Japan.

For information about traveling on public transport system with a wheelchair or other disabilities, please check our special circumstances section below.

Can I use a drone/UAV in Japan for tourism?

UAVs are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Their website has a guide in English for those who would like to use UAVs in Japan.

For laws in specific cities and prefectures, you can try and contact local film offices, who might be able to provide you with information on filming with UAV.

What about prescription medications?

Medications are restricted by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Certain medications require a Yakkan Shoumei import/export certificate which can take over two weeks to process. For information and/or restrictions on specific medications, please check with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare .

For more information, please check the main Embassy's guide to bringing Medications into Japan . The Embassy of the United States in Japan also has good information on bringing medication for personal use, although we are not affiliated with them.

What if I'm in a wheelchair or have another disability?

What if i have a medical device (cpap machines, etc.), what if i have dietary restrictions.

Although Japanese food is considered some of the healthiest in the world, it can be difficult to find appropriate foods if you have dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and more. Many major restaurants now include pictorgrams on their menus to help, but smaller restaurants may not have them.

If you are gluten-free , Legal Nomads has provide a gluten-free card in Japanese on her website , and Celiac Travel has a different version on their website .

For vegans and vegetarians , HappyCow , Japan Vegan and Vege-Navi all have resources to help you find good restaurants. Additionally, Is it Vegan? Japan offers help with reading packaging.

For those with halal food restrictions, the JNTO provides a guide to Muslim friendly food stores as well as a travel guide. Additionally, Veg-Travel Tokyo is a vegetarian, halal, and kosher restaurant search. The Jewish Community of Japan also has helpful kosher guides.

If you have food allergies , be aware that any products containing eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp and crab will be labeled by law. The JNTO's English Tourist's Language Handbook includes information on how to indicate what you are allergic to.

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• Information Related to COVID-19 - JapanGov
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General Information

Japan: the Official Guide

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General tourism information of Japan in multi languages. Climate, Healthcare, Money, Visa, Emergency info, etc. WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/

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All you need to know about entering, leaving and staying in Japan

Any foreign visitor entering Japan must have a valid passport for the duration of their stay, and all visitors must comply with the conditions of their visas.

See below for information about the current visa requirements for Japan.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

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Three Reasons Why You Should Visit Japan

The unique culture, the rich traditional heritage, the stunning landscapes.

Japan is truly an amazing country. You can discover its culture, with sumo, samurai, and religious festivals; explore its nature, with plenty of volcanoes, forests, and lakes; or wander around unique sites like Buddhist temples and Japanese gardens.

We have chosen three reasons why you should visit Japan: its culture which is unique and lively; its traditional heritage, that makes every place unique; and its breathtaking landscapes, that widely vary from place to place. Read our short guide and learn more about the three reasons that make Japan a must-visit country!

• In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Japan has skyrocketed.
• Japan is a country that has so much to offer, that you will never finish exploring it.
• Its culture, a unique blend of foreign influences and local traditions, is easily recognizable.
• The small stretch of land of Japan offers an incredibly wide variety of landscapes.
• Japanese food is fresh, it cherishes seasonality and simple flavors.

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Exploring another country's culture is a fun and never-ending experience. In Japan, this is especially true. Its culture is unique, fascinating, and easily recognizable. Everyone knows something about sumo, the samurai, the geisha… but there is so much more to discover – any list would be incomplete.

Here are just some of the elements that make exploring Japanese culture an extremely fun adventure!

Buddhists and Shinto Festivals

No matter when you travel in Japan, there will surely be a festival somewhere. In fact, in Japan, there are as many matsuri (traditional festivals) as Shinto shrines. Every shrine organizes its own small festival to celebrate the kami dwelling inside it.

However, there are many important festivals that attract thousands of people. Some of them, like Kanda Matsuri and Gion Matsuri, come from the Shinto tradition. A long procession will go around the city, displaying the main shrine of the city. Others come from Buddhism, the most important being Obon, the Buddhist festival celebrating one's ancestors.

Every festival is a chance to join joyful parades, witness hundreds of people dressed with traditional costumes, eat special food, and take part in the many different activities.

Sumo originated 2,000 years ago and, nowadays, hardly anyone is unaware of this unique sport. Back in the days, sumo was seen as a dance to fight and drive away evil spirits, and today it is a fight of strength and intelligence between two athletes that spend their days training and eating to form their skills.

In Japan, there are sumo matches all year-round, with tournaments showing multiple matches throughout the day.

We strongly recommend to watch a full day of a tournament, as this is a sport you won't find anywhere else. Everything, from the way the fighters are dressed, to the referee, from their training, to the stage they fight on, is carefully thought to respect the sacredness of the sport.

Noh and Kabuki Theatre

Theatre is an important part of many cultures, and the noh and kabuki theatre are widely popular in Japan. Watching one of these shows is a unique experience. You will be amazed by the colorful masks, showy dresses, and the amazing skills of the performers.

Noh and kabuki are both stylized, and tell traditional stories. Noh is calm and quiet; while kabuki aims to shock and entertain the spectator with gruesome stories and spectacular performances.

The rich culture of Japan has left a rich heritage, and most of it can still be appreciated today, representing one of the strong points of the country. All over the country you will be able to visit medieval castles, religious structures, and unique gardens.

Today, these places are there to be peacefully enjoyed while meditating on the rich history of Japan.

Japan is home to many castles from medieval times, built when Japan consisted of a dozen small independent states. Many castles are on top of mountains and hills for defensive purposes. When Japan was unified, castles were built in the plains and became the center of castle towns. Many castles were destroyed later on, and only a dozen original castles survive today.

The most beautiful one is the Himeji Castle (near Kyoto), with a startling white appearance. The castle is a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was completed in 1609 and it survived many calamities. It is also a famous spot for the cherry blossom festival.

Shinto Shrines

According to Shinto, the kami (deities) dwell inside the shrines. To Shinto practitioners, they are the most important place to worship and must be visited often, especially during the festivals. Maybe the most easily recognizable element of the shrines is the torii gate, which marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred.

Two of the must-visit shrines are the Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto), famous because of its thousand red torii gates leading inside the forest; and the Itsukushima Shrine, built on a stretch of sand that gets covered with water at high tide, giving the impression that the torii gate is floating.

Buddhist Temples

Temples are to Buddhists what shrines are to Shinto practitioners. Every municipality has its own temple, which is structured always in the same way: a main hall with sacred items, a pagoda, a lecture hall, and several gates.

The Buddhist temple that is considered to be the most beautiful, is located in Tokyo: The Senso-ji Temple, built in the 7th century. Its gate, known as Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is the symbol of the capital city.

Japanese gardens represent the effort of the artist to recreate the harmony Japanese people love in nature. This tradition originated during the 7th century, and since then many different styles have been developed, each one focusing on one or more different aspects of the creation of these beautiful gardens.

The gardens, designed following the principles of harmony, are decorated with ponds, streams of water, sand, rocks, lanterns, bridges, etc. Every element is important, and what you will have to do is just to walk around and contemplate the beautiful surroundings.

Many of the best gardens are to be found in Kyoto, and they are mainly decorated following the Zen principles.

Japan is a small country, but its landscape is very diverse and, without exception, truly beautiful. Mountains, plains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests, beaches, islands, volcanoes… everything is to be found in this small stretch of land.

Here is a selection of what we think are the most unique landscapes you can appreciate.

Cherry Blossom

Cherry blossom can't be appreciated all year round, but when it's there, it's amazing. Every year, for about a month between March and April, all the Japanese cherries of the country will blossom, coloring the parks and the cities with a beautiful, soothing, relaxing pink.

The sight is so unique and charming that Japanese people have created a festival to celebrate it and a word to describe it: hanami. In Japanese this indicates the traditional custom of appreciating the transient beauty of flowers. People will have picnics under the trees to fully appreciate this beauty as long as it lasts.

Climbing Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, is the dream of many. The official climbing season goes from July to September. During this period, the mountain will be free of snow and the weather will be mild and nice.

From afar, the mountain is truly stunning. Its shape is unmistakable, and it is one of the symbols of Japan. Visibility is good during colder seasons, early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You can enjoy a relaxing view from the hot springs of Hakone.

Segano Bamboo Forest

Near Kyoto you will find this fascinating grove: A pathway cuts through thousands and thousands of bamboo trees, that move and make a rustling sound when the wind blows. You can walk or cycle through the forest.

The forest is located in the gorgeous district of Arashiyama, a popular touristic destination since the 8th century. The location has a beautiful rural atmosphere, and you will find temples, shrines, lakes and bridges there.

Aoiike – The Blue Pond

Outside the hot spring town of Shirogane you will find the Blue Pond, so called because of natural minerals dissolved into its water. In 1988, Mount Tokachi erupted, and the Biei River resulted and contained the damages.

Nowadays the pond is still a fairly unknown touristic attraction, and all you can do is to appreciate the wonderful color of the water and the peace surrounding this small place.

Hitachi Seaside Park

The park covers an area of 190 hectares, and is famous all over the country because of its baby blue-eyed flowers. In spring, around 4.5 million flowers will bloom and draw thousands of tourists. The park houses also thousands of daffodils, many different kinds of tulips, and other flowers.

Beside admiring the flowers, you can entertain yourself with numerous activities, like having a BBQ, cycling, running or walking along the athletic tracks, or sit and enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes.

Explore Japan with Asia Highlights

We have listed just a bunch of reasons why you should visit Japan, and we bet you can't wait to start exploring this unique and fascinating country. Don't wait any longer and start planning your next trip with the help of Asia Highlights. Our knowledgeable staff will craft the perfect, hassle-free trip for you and your family.

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Jessie was amazing ! Everything from her level of English to her understanding of what we valued .

We had a good time exploring the city with Selinda!

Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.

Our guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!

Our China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.

She was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,

Our tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.

He picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.

Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.

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Visit Japan Web: The Online Registration Before Arriving in Japan

Japanese customs: mysos replaced from november, 14,  2022.

During the Covid pandemic, entry procedures in Japan have changed a lot, which created some confusion. It is still somewhat the case after the reopening to tourism since October 11, even if a focus has been placed on easing the procedures especially through digitalization , to minimize human interactions and subsequent contamination risks.

Until recently, the Japanese government asked visitors to install specific app on their smartphones:

• MySOS, for advance registration of information regarding vaccine status / PCR test, for faster airport procedures in Japan (the "fast track" system)
• COCOA, an app to track contact-cases and infected persons, but it was discontinued in September 2022.

MySOS was not mandatory but highly recommended . Travelers who could not use the app were directed upon their arrival in Japan to a specific line in order to complete the necessary steps (showing a valid vaccination certificate / PCR test, etc.) which lengthened their time at the airport.

New website available since November 1st, 2022

In mid-October 2022, a new change in the procedure has been announced for all entry in Japan from November 14 included : every traveler (tourist, foreign resident and Japanese citizen alike) can register in advance on the Visit Japan Web site.

Visit Japan Web is a free, single portal to group formalities related to:

• Covid-19   🦠 ( quarantine , vaccination certificate, PCR test); The Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures section collects the information that were previously filled in the MySOS app ("Fast Track" function);
• Immigration : the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner that was formerly handed in the plane  ✈️ just before landing (does not concern Japanese citizens and foreign permanent residents);
• Customs  🛂 , with the Declaration of Personal effects and Unaccompanied Articles , to fill upon arrival, formerly either on a paper form or on the Japanese government’s Zeikan shinkoku app (税関申告アプリ).

In the facts, registering on the website has been possible since November 1, 2022 , for any arrival in Japan from November 14 in one of its largest airports:

• Tokyo -Narita,
• Tokyo-Haneda,
• Osaka - Kansai (KIX),
• Chubu ( Nagoya ),
• Fukuoka ( Kyushu ),
• New Chitose ( Hokkaido ) and
• Naha ( Okinawa ).

Travelers arriving in Japan before November 14, 2022, can still use the MySoS app to fill their Covid related data and are not the target of the Visit Japan Web.

1 blue screen and 2 QR Codes to show on a smartphone

Like with MySOS previously, each step of the registration process is ended by a change in the page display that includes:

• A blue screen , for a successful quarantine procedure registration,
• and the creation of 2 QR Codes for customs and immigration procedures.

Once all the steps are completed, a visitor’s smartphone  📱 will display first a blue screen, then 2 QR Codes to show at each checkpoint.

Starting April 29, 2023 , according to March 10 and April 26 latest announcements of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, some of the borders restrictions will be lifted and the Covid-19 quarantine procedure (blue screen) will not be required anymore .

It is highly recommended to register before departing for Japan : at the latest 6h prior to the flight’s departure, and ideally within the 10 preceding days , in order to allow time for the review of the submitted documents. Reviews are sorted by date of arrival in Japan . Visit Japan Web is available in English.

Whether you are fully vaccinated or not, consider using Visit Japan Web to make sure to board your flight to Japan, as airlines reserve the right to refuse passengers who may potentially be banned at the Quarantine Procedures step.

The necessary documents are:

• A valid email address (will be used as a user ID to each access to Visit Japan Web);
• Until April 29, 2023 , Covid vaccination certificate or negative PCR test result taken less than 72 hours before departure and translated in English (use the Japanese-English form provided by the Japanese Ministry of Health here );
• An address in Japan (for example, of the first accommodation you will be staying at).

If traveling with underage children , it is possible to register them on the same Visit Japan Web account (up to 10 travelers). Dependent or handicapped adults who cannot go through the procedures alone can also be registered in the Family members traveling with you section. However, each of them has to have their own passport or equivalent immigration document.

Each member of the family registered on the same account will also have their blue screen and 2 QR Codes, to show at checkpoints at the arrival airport in Japan.

Like with MySOS, registering with Visit Japan Web is not mandatory , however it helps going through the entry procedures in Japan faster, and reduces the hurdles of tedious formalities after 12 hours of more spent in a plane.

On April 5, 2023, Kono Taro, the Japanese Minister of Digital Affairs, announced that travelers are no longer required to show any document at arrival airport’s quarantine in Japan . However, filling information forms for immigration and customs is still a requirement.

Additional tips and advice

An Internet  📶 connection is required to use the Visit Japan Web site, especially to create the account, fill in the user’s information, and their family’s when applicable (name, passport number, etc.), the forms regarding vaccination or PCR test and create the first QR Code. The digital Disembarkation Card for Foreigners and custom procedures can be completed offline and the QR codes created upon arrival at the airport.

Creating a Visit Japan Web account is possible on a computer (Chrome browser is recommended) or on a smartphone (Chrome browser recommended on Android). In any case, before departure, make sure to be logged in only on the device you will use to travel (a smartphone ideally), and check that all information is up-to-date.

Questions asked at immigration and customs procedures are the same than on the paper forms. In any event, official Japanese sources (the Embassy of Japan or the Border Control page of the Japanese Ministry of Health for example) are the ultimate references regarding entry procedures in Japan and should be checked frequently.

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• From April 14 to 15 -- Sanno Matsuri (the Spring Takayama Festival)
• From April 29 to 5 May -- Japanese Golden Week
• May 12 -- Mother's Day in Japan
• June 6 -- Beginning of the rainy season (Tsuyu) in Japan
• June 21 -- Summer starts in Japan
• July 1 -- Season start for climbing Mount Fuji
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• North: Hokkaido , Tohoku ...

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Keikaku is a travel agency specialist of Japan and providing different kind of services:

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• Happy birthday
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• Writing your name

Kanas are the much-needed basic characters of written Japanese language. Memorize them at a fast pace with our method.

Ask any kind of question and share your knowledge about Japan in Kanpai’s community space, our Q&A section Kotaete.

Isshoni means "together" in Japanese: share your trip details (dates, places you would like to visit) and find companions to travel in Japan.

Create your Kanpai account to manage your profile and view your participation history (questions, answers).

• Application
• Requirements

Japan Visa Types

Types of long-term stay visa, working visa, highly skilled professional visa, general visa, specified visa, diplomatic visa, official visa, types of short-term stay visa.

• Japan e-Visa (Online Visa )

Tourist Visa

Business visa, transit visa.

Japan is a fascinating country that attracts people from many parts of the world. There are several Japan visa types for travelers who wish to visit Japan with different purposes .

While some foreigners only wish to visit the country, there are several foreign visitors who wish to stay in Japan for longer periods of time to study or work in the country . Therefore, Japan has short-term visas available as well as long-term visas. The types of visa for Japan are:

Japan Long-Term Stay Visa

There are several long-term visa types for Japan . The requirements and documents will differ depending on the applicant’s nationality and individual circumstances. Among the visa types for Japan, it is possible to obtain a work visa, general visa, or diplomatic visa.

When applying for any kind of work visa is necessary to have a hosting organization in Japan , generally an employer. There are exceptions such as visas granted to journalists or artists in which an employer is not required. A hosting organization is referred to as a “visa sponsor” and those who apply for a long-term visa must secure their sponsor before applying for their visa.

Japan has two main categories for work visas, the Working Visa and the Highly Professional Visa . The Working Visa is designed for a number of different kinds of professionals including professors, artists, business managers, researchers, etc.

A working visa can grant its holder authorizations for periods of three months to up to five years, depending on the case. The process to get a work permit for Japan starts with finding a sponsor in the country that will apply to the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan for a certificate of eligibility.

Japan Launches New Work Visas to Solve Labor Shortage

Documents needed for a Working Visa for Japan include:

• A completed application form
• A 4 cm by 3 cm photograph
• A return envelope with a 392-yen stamp
• Supporting documents that demonstrate the reasons for your visa request
• A letter of guarantee

Additional information can be provided by the sponsor in Japan and by a Japanese mission .

The Highly Skilled Professional Visa , HSP or HSFP visa , was introduced in 2012. This visa offers several advantages and it is designed for talented foreign workers with advanced and specialized skills.

This type of visa to Japan still is a work visa , therefore, it is not possible to apply without a job or job offer from a Japanese sponsoring organization.

Points are awarded to the applicant based on their educational and professional background , income and academic achievements based on a fixed point chart created by the Japanese Immigration Authorities. Applicants must score 70 points or more to be eligible for this visa type.

A holder of a highly skilled professional have certain privileges including:

• Possibility of engaging in multiple activities that cover different visa categories
• The length of the visa is 5 years
• Faster access to Permanent Resident visa
• Preferential processing of Immigration procedure (new visas, change of visa status, renewal, etc.)
• The HSFP visa holder’s spouse can also work full-time under certain conditions
• Possibility of bringing parents to Japan under certain conditions
• Possibility of hiring a domestic helper/nanny under certain conditions

For additional information about this type of visa to Japan it is best to contact a Japanese Embassy or Mission.

The general visa is designed for its holder to engage in cultural activities . The period of stay can range from 3 years, 1 year, 6 months or 3 months .

It is necessary to provide the following documents and requirements to get this type of visa to Japan:

• One visa application form (nationals of Russia, CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two visa application forms)
• One photograph (nationals of Russia, CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two photographs)
• Certificate of Eligibility - the original and one copy

A Certificate of Eligibility is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan.

Chinese citizens must also provide a copy of the Chinese Family Register and a Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate.

It is possible that additional documents are required based on the applicant’s nationality.

A Specified Visa can be granted to the spouse or child of a Japanese national . The period of stay with this visa can range from 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or six months.

The documents and requirements are similar to those of the General Visa . Exceptions or specific instructions apply to citizens of certain countries. For example, second-generation Japanese-Filipinos or second-generation Japanese-Brazilians making visa application to the Japanese Embassy in Manila or the Japanese consulate in Sao Paulo are also required to submit documents that clearly show Japanese ancestry, such as a copy of family register.

A Japan diplomatic visa can be granted only to individuals that will engage in activities on the part of constituent members of diplomatic missions or consular offices of foreign governments hosted by the Government of Japan, activities on the part of those who are provided with similar privileges and/or immunities as are given to diplomatic missions in accordance with treaties or international customary practices, and the activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.

The period of stay is determined by the period of the mission of the person who has requested the diplomatic visa. Among the documents necessary for this type of visa, it is necessary to provide a passport, photograph and a note verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan.

An official visa to Japan can be used for official business of foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Government of Japan . As a long-term visa, an official visa can grant stays of up to 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30 days or 15 days.

To obtain an official visa it is necessary to have a passport , a photograph, and a note verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan. A visa application form should also be completed.

Japan Short-Term Stay Visa

It is important that travelers are aware that documentation may vary according to their nationality and purpose of the visit. There are a few short-term Japan visas available

Japan e-Visa (Online Visa)

Once introduced, the eVisa system will simplify the process of obtaining a Online Visa for Japan for millions of travelers around the world. The Japan visa application form will only take a few minutes to complete online.

Applicants will just need to enter information such as their full name, date of birth, address, passport details, and travel plans. It will eradicate the need to go to an embassy or consulate to apply for a Japanese visa for eligible travelers.

The tourist visa for Japan is available for citizens of several countries from Asia , Africa , Latin American and former Soviet Union nations . A valid passport with 2 blank pages is required to get the tourist visa to Japan.

The temporary visa for tourism purposes can grant a stay of up to 90 days . Travelers can apply for a double-entry visa if they wish to make a trip to Japan within a 6-month period for tourism purposes.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Chinese travel agencies are going to be able to offer online visa application services for a chinese travelers .

At this time, there’s a Japan Tourist Visa Required for citizens from :

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Ivory Coast
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Indonesia (no e-passports)
• Marshall Islands
• Norfolk Island
• North Korea
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saint Lucia
• Sao Tome & Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent & Grenadines
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks & Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

You will need to contact the embassy nearest you to get more information .

Travelers going to Japan for up to 90 days for business purposes can get a business visa.

Japan has introduced a multiple entry visa for a temporary visit for business purposes including :

• Market surveys
• Business liaison
• Business talks
• Conferences
• Signing contracts
• After-sale service for machinery imported to Japan

The criteria for the business visa is as follows :

Nationals of countries from Asia and Asia Pacific, Central and South America, Europe, Russia and the C.I.S., parts of Near Middle East and African regions (UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, South Africa) who are employees holding supervisory positions (i.e. at least equivalent of a manager) of a corporation that satisfy one of the following listed criteria or those who have completed at least one year of full-time employment at a corporation of similar capacity can apply for a Japan Business multiple entry visa:

• A public listed enterprise (on the Stock Exchange of Singapore, Japan or another country）
• A national (state-owned) enterprise
• A joint venture with a public listed enterprise in Japan
• A company that has frequent trading with a public listed enterprise in Japan
• A company that is a member of the local Japanese Chamber of Commerce with an operational base or contact address in Japan.

There is also a temporary visa for business purposes for stays in Japan of up to 90 days which can be single or double-entry. Applicants can apply for a double-entry visa only if they have to make two trips to Japan within a six month period for business purposes.

One of the Japan visa types available for citizens of non-visa exempt countries is the transit visa . This type of visa for Japan is a requirement for travelers who need to stop over in Japan while en route to another country. To get this visa type is necessary to gather the necessary documents including a valid passport and a completed visa form .

countrymessages

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Find your way in Japan with our ultimate guide to rail travel © Chay_Tee / Shutterstock

You will fall passionately in love with trains in Japan .

Japanese people didn’t invent rail travel, but they arguably perfected it. Whether you’re on the newest shinkansen (bullet train) zooming across the country at 320km/h (199mph) or an elderly regional railcar, you can count on your train being scrupulously clean, safely operated, highly reliable, famously punctual and generally a joy to ride.

You can see almost the entire country by train, and with a wide variety of rail passes — including the iconic Japan Rail Pass — you can travel across Japan for less than US$50 per day, including the shinkansen.

Signs are in English even at the smallest stations, translation apps and devices are widely used for complicated questions, and staff are genuinely happy to help travelers.

Japan has an enormous number of train lines and kinds of train, but don’t be put off by the sheer volume: it’s surprisingly easy to navigate , even on your first trip, with your phone’s maps app and a sense of adventure.

There are different services on the Japanese train network

Trains run almost everywhere in Japan. The main backbone of the network, and the fastest, is the shinkansen. These bullet trains run from Hokkaidō  in the far north all the way to Tokyo Station , where you have to change for the shinkansen going to Nagoya , Kyoto , Osaka , Hiroshima and on to Kyushu. For travelers visiting Japan’s main sights , this will be the kind of train you take the most.

The next fastest are Limited Expess trains — “limited” as in “limited stops” — that run between cities and to rural areas on pre-shinkansen conventional lines (the non-high-speed ones). Many run through beautiful parts of Japan, so don’t count them out.

Local trains are the slowest and may even be as small as one single car. “Rapid” trains are fairly rare, and are essentially local trains that skip a few of the smaller stops.

Urban rail, commuter trains and subway lines are widespread in cities. These usually work very similarly to what you might be used to in your home country, although do watch out for limited-stop semi-expresses. The big picture transit maps can look a little intimidating, but most major cities now have a system of colors and station codes in place to help you navigate, and your phone's maps app is great for a quick idea of how to get from A to B.

Confident visitors outside major cities will love Joyful Trains, which are special tourist trains operated largely on weekends and holidays in rural areas. These might be renovated steam trains, or specially themed — JR East’s Koshino Shu’Kura is all about sake, including tastings, while the  JR Kyushu A Train is jazz-themed.

Japan’s train stations are destinations by themselves, with larger and newer stations offering a huge range of restaurants for every appetite and budget, and shops ranging from high-quality handmade artisanal local goods to Japanese malls to 100-yen stores. Convenience stores and pharmacies are also often on hand.

Do look out for special local snacks in the omiyage souvenir shops (these are intended for Japanese travelers to take back to friends and colleagues as presents) and for ekiben,  local specialty boxed bentō  lunches.

Travel short distances with a prepaid travel card

Coming from overseas, traveling short distances on Japanese railways often feels very inexpensive, while traveling longer distances without a rail pass can feel more costly. Let’s start with shorter distances.

Taking subways and urban rail is simple if you get an IC card – one of the many prepaid stored-value contactless cards – that works in a similar way to Oyster in London or Clipper in San Francisco: just tap on and tap off. Most rail operators across Japan will sell you their version, which are almost all interchangeable when it comes to loading and spending them — you can use an ICOCA card from the Osaka region in Tokyo , or a Pasmo from Tokyo in Sapporo . You can also use iPhones to get a virtual Suica card (JR East's version of a prepaid card) via the Wallet app and load it with money using Apple Pay. If you're using an international Visa card, be aware that JR East has had issues processing those payments in the past, so you may need to use a different credit card.

Travel long distances with the JR Pass

Over longer distances, the Japan Rail Pass (¥50,000 or about US$335 for seven days – less than US$50 a day!) is generally a good deal if you are planning anything more than simply Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima–Tokyo, and the flexibility it gives you to take an earlier or later train is an added bonus.

You can either buy the ticket online or from an overseas travel agent. Note that you don’t actually buy the pass itself from overseas — you buy a voucher called an Exchange Order, which you then  exchange at a major station (including all international airports) for the pass itself. 

If you don’t have a pass, tickets cost the same no matter what time of day you travel, where you book, or how busy it will be — it’s not like airline tickets where that can change wildly. Most overseas travelers still use paper tickets for everything outside urban travel.

Long-distance travel fares are based on two elements:

• Ticket price, essentially the distance you travel
• Whether you want to reserve a seat or not, and in which class, if that’s available: Limited Express and Shinkansen trains will offer non-reserved seat tickets, a reserved seat in standard class, a reserved seat in the Green Car business class, or in some regions a reserved seat in Gran Class (first class).

Tickets can be bought at stations or at JR Travel Service Centers

Use Google Maps or the  Japan Transit Planner from Jorudan to find fares, or for JR trains visit your local JR station (look for the “green window” ticket booking office or a JR Travel Service Center), where you can also reserve a seat. At major airports and in Tokyo, you can expect some basic train-related English to be spoken by "green window" ticket agents. JR Travel Service Center staff tend to be more multilingual. Elsewhere, if you speak no Japanese you may well get lucky with someone who speaks English, and you can always lean on your phone's translation apps. Write down (on a printout or even just on your phone's notes app) the dates, times, destinations and details of the train you want, for example: "12 April, Tokyo–Osaka, 12:00, window seat, Mt Fuji side please."

Unless you’re visiting during a major Japanese holiday or want to take a specific Joyful Train, there’s little need to book before arriving in Japan. You can in some cases book online, but it’s pretty complicated and I wouldn’t recommend it to first-time visitors. If you’re confused and want English-speaking advice, head to  one of the stations that specializes in Japan Rail Passes . Only a few trains outside the JR network allow prebooking.

There are many rail passes to choose from

Japan has a wide variety of rail passes available to overseas visitors, from the JR Pass valid across the JR network (with a few exceptions like the very fastest trains west of Tokyo) to regional and commuter passes.

The most useful is the  Japan Rail Pass in its six variants: 7/14/21 days and standard car or Green Car business-class versions. This is probably what you should get your first time in Japan if traveling outside Tokyo.

Adventurous travelers and long-term visitors, or anyone wanting to go deep in a particular region, could also consider:

• The  various regional passes from JR East , including the very useful  Hokuriku Arch Pass for traveling the slower way between Tokyo and Osaka via Kyoto and Kanazawa
• The many  JR West Passes , including the  All Area Pass for most of western Honshu
• The  four JR Kyushu passes
• The  three JR Hokkaido passes  
• The  JR Shikoku ALL SHIKOKU pass

You’ll usually need to be visiting with the “temporary visitor” stamp in your passport, and there may be a small discount (a couple of thousand yen or US$5–10) for buying it online or outside Japan. Otherwise, check out the details online or visit a large station, including those at airports: the bigger, the better, and the more likely to have English-speaking assistance.

Train etiquette means not disturbing fellow travelers

Japanese urban trains can be famously crowded during rush-hour, but by and large even Tokyo is no worse than any major global city.

Even if crowded, the etiquette on a Japanese train is to be as quiet as possible and disturb others as little as possible: headphones on quiet, very little chatting, backpack on your front, give up your seat to anyone who needs it more than you.

There is something of a stereotype of loutish tourists yapping away to their traveling companions on long-distance trains. Try not to contribute to it. Separate your trash according to the recycling bins, and always leave the seat as clean and tidy as you found it.

Eating and drinking is fine (even encouraged!) on longer distance trains. General rule: if the seats are subway-style along the sides of the car facing inwards then don’t, but feel free if the seats are airline-style facing forwards. If in doubt, follow the lead of the nearest senior Japanese person.

On-board facilities vary depending on the service

With the exception of the Joyful Train tourist excursion services, Japanese trains don’t have buffet cars any more, although you can see what they used to look like at several of Japan’s excellent railway museums. A shrinking number of trains still have a trolley service offering snacks, sometimes bentō  and a variety of drinks.

Good news, though: any station smaller than the tiniest rural halt will have a convenience store inside or nearby, which will offer bentō , hot meals, snacks, drinks and essentials. Many larger stations have restaurant complexes, while some smaller ones will have delightful smaller options like a soba or ramen shop.

Long-distance trains will usually have toilet facilities, with newer ones (including all shinkansen and some Limited Expresses) having excellent facilities for disabled passengers, people with reduced mobility and often ostomy facilities too.

Shinkansen and newer Limited Expresses offer two-pin US-style 110V charging ports, while wi-fi is also increasingly available and easy to use.

Most Japanese trains are not set up for luggage bigger than a small carry-on — and “small” here does not include a US-sized rollaboard or anything like a bicycle. On some trains you have to pre-reserve anything bigger. Take advantage of the nationwide luggage shipping services like Yamato  – known as Kuroneko Yamato for its black (kuro) cat (neko) logo – that ships larger bags for US$10–20.

These are the best seats for great views

Always take a window seat, whether you’re gazing out on Japan’s sprawling megalopolises from an urban train, watching the country fly by at 320km/h (199mph) from a shinkansen, or enjoying picturesque views from a slow rural train.

On the shinkansen, if you want the best mountain views — including the iconic Mt Fuji between Tokyo and Shizuoka — select a window E seat in standard class and a D seat in the Green Car.

Limited Expresses are wonderful for countryside views, with the  Hida from Nagoya to Toyama through the Japanese Alps and the Inaho from Niigata to Akita just two great examples.

Ask for help when navigating busy city networks

Urban trains, commuter rail and subways may have a set of complicated and confusing names with different stopping patterns, especially during rush hour, but this is no worse than figuring out what a “Watford Semi-Fast” is on London’s Tube or how skip-stop works on the subway in New York. As a visitor, just ask station staff or, in a pinch, a fellow passenger — and be prepared to get on the wrong train with a confident smile and a sense of affable adventure.

The majority of trains are wheelchair accessible

A significant majority of intercity, urban rail and subway stations in most major cities (80–90% in Tokyo  according to official numbers ) are accessible for wheelchair users, with elevators, stair-climber lifts, and ramps widespread. 

Older stations, such as the main Tokyo Station, may be complex and accessible only from certain entrances. Tactile strips to assist blind people or those with reduced visual acuity are almost everywhere. 

Accessible Japan is an excellent resource for information, while the very detailed  For Safe and Convenient Accessibility website offers route and station search as well as  contact details for further assistance. Station staff are keen to help wherever they can.

Many trains offer wheelchair positions, level boarding, with ramps available if you need them. Urban rail and subways have priority seating, and Japan developed the  Help Mark badge system for people with invisible disabilities to easily signal their needs. The badge is  free from a number of locations in Tokyo , under US$10 from Amazon Japan (consider having it delivered to your first night hotel), or you can DIY your own before leaving home.

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Official visa: Official

1. Applicable activities

　Activities on the part of those who engage in official business of foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Government of Japan, and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household (excludes the activities described in the section on diplomatic visas).

2. Period of stay

　5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30days or 15 days

3. Visa application documents

• (1) Passport
• (2) Photograph
• (3) Note verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan
• (4) Visa application form (In some cases this can be omitted)
• (1) Not all official passport holders can obtain an official visa/the Status of Residence of “Official”. Please note that if a foreign national in possession of an official passport visits Japan for a purpose other than official business, such as a holiday, tourism, transit, etc., the foreign national will be granted the Status of Residence of “Temporary visitor” (period of stay of 15 days, 30 days or 90 days), and will not be exempt from the obligation to provide fingerprints and other biological information at the time of the examination for landing.
• (2) Please also note that the nationalities eligible for visa exemptions are different for official passport holders than those applying with regular/ordinary passports. For details please refer to here .