Hiya I have a question for those who went to Japan. I might have a plan to visit Japan alone to look for my friend who's working thr. Just that, I heard from some of my friends, they said that there r requirements to go Japan? As in your FD or your bank account must have a certain amount of money to enter? Are those true? I just wanna know before I get the ticket. Thanks in advance.

those are the docs that you need to submit along when you are applying for a visa.
visa is not a must, but encourage to apply beforehand

check out: http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/visit.html#B

They didnt say that there's a minimum amount on your bank account or FD right? Are there any minimum amounts? Just for inquiry cause I wanna make sure all the things n stuffs I need to prepare before leaving to Japan without problems.

I went to Japan last year. The travel agent want my account balance photocopy. I showed a 13k amount for the agent and managed to go in the country.

Last year when I went there, not mistaken, the required minimum amount in your bank account should be 8k or 6k... But it's best for you to call up the Japan Embassy to clarify on the latest minimum amount

The thing is I'm not following a travel agency. So is it still the same?

Alright I will give them a call so it's easier for me to prepare. Thanks~

the last time i went is RM6k per pax... and i am not following tour agency too.

I remember that the account balance is not that important. U have to bring enough Yen when go Japan,they need to know how much u bring in when u fill up the form in the plane, the money u bring should enough for u to spend depends on the duration u stay there. If the money is enough, it won't be a problem.

Ok I will keep that in mind. If it's only 6k then it shouldn't be a problem la. Just only acc balance is enough rite? They don't really need FD?

Wow how r they gonna know that it's enough when they only have the duration of the trip? It's like they're helping u make a budget trip. "So with 1m Yen, u can stay for 4 days." Hahaha.

going tokyo again...

thikning to buy the trip to hakone + shinkasen @ Y14000

it is safe to buy online? Dun see other option thou

you have to show them both the original & photocopy, it can be FD, saving or current account.

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Added on March 23, 2010, 12:39 pmi remember i never fill up any of such form before and the immigration are all very nice and never question or check on us.

This post has been edited by wchpeng: Mar 23 2010, 12:39 PM

these are the documents required for visa application if you are going alone:

1. saving or current account statement with a minimum of RM6,000.00
2. return flight ticket
3. hotel confirmation letter/notice
4. letter from your current employer on letterhead, signed by your direct superior or HR. information to be included: your passport number, designation, monthly salary, duration of tenure and number of days you are going to spend in japan
5. photo with white background (just inform the photographer that you are applying for japan visa)

Regarding no3, what if I have a place to stay in japan? What other alternatives?

i believe that applies to rooms as well.

This post has been edited by d8kd: Mar 24 2010, 08:12 AM

Means that I need to get a confirmation letter from my friend?

you can book a room from those hotel reservation website that does not require payment/deposit. get the confirmation letter to submit to the embassy and cancel the booking after you got the visa.

I will keep that in mind then. Thanks~ Maybe I should call the Japanese Embassy for further info eh?

i need some advice from people who knows roughly the costs in japan.

im planing to visit tokyo, kyoto and a few places but i am still in the process of planing.
what im interested to know is how much roughly i should be looking to spend cash wise for things that are predictable i.e. daily food+drinks, maybe some local commuting cost (if feasible to predict) ect for say.... 20days ?(any longer or shorter ill extrapolate myself)
the figure should exclude things like flight,accomodation and JR-rail pass which would otherwise would be accounted for before the trip commence.
im not looking to go to the high end places but something that is reasonable for a typical 'holiday' for 1 person.
*no McD/KFC's meals all day everyday calculations please as i know some1 who actually did eat the cheapest fast food he could get his hands on for almost all meals when he was there

if the period of the travel is relevant, it would probably be somewhere around sep-nov

im using this estimate as im thinking of changing some/bulk of the cash im might to take over there since i think the exchange rates now seems quite favorable (british pounds>yen) *unless some1 could tell me if it will drop further

since you're planning to move from region to region (kanto - kansai), and you already accounted for JR pass, thats pretty much cover your transport expenses..
You may just need to get the Suica and reload with 5-10kyen just in case you need to ride on private lines.
as for other things, i cant suggest any as im a budget traveler, and you seems do not want 'budget mode'

suica is only for transport witin the tokyo city right?

about the 'budget' mode, its not that i on a unlimited budget, its just that if i say 'travelling with a budget' some people will start thinking... 'kiam ka na' travelling mode and think only the cheapest bento boxes for meals which is not what i want nor the objectives of me traveling to japan. i want to be able to walk into a typical family-res / sushi-ya ect and not worry about me 'going over my pre-estimated budget'