hhmmm...icici.. meaning its better to travel without a guided tour...ya i und dat there will be more flexibility and no rush..hmm thks ya

of course, by not taking the tour, you have to research places to visit

Research where you go.

Personally, i always want to visit Kansai region

Can i sleep in the haneda airport to save for 1 nite hotel stay?

Japan just as too many things too see. I will going on the early march. Probably will miss the cherry, but I check there is plum blossom something similar like chery. Just only the plum blossom bit early.
Me too thinking loiter or overnite at the airport.

i'm going in March 2011.. and from what i've heard an individual need to have at least RM6K in his/her account.. i'm a little concerned about this.. because i've purchased the ticket and i'll not be following a tour agency.. i'm going with 4 other friends.. so is there any kind of info that i should know before applying the visa besides the bank account balance?

Will i face any sort of difficulties if i'm going on the basis of tourism ie holiday? Will it be possible for me to ask any travel agency to do it for me even though i've already purchased my ticket or should i just apply the visa by myself?

Any sort of advice would be great! thanks in advance!

i hope can travel to japan too... but no $$$

Google japan embassy for the form and guideline on applying visa. If u're working now, u'll also need a written letter fr ur hr.

And yes u'll need 6k min in ur acct/...if u get everything asked done properly, u'll get it wifout question asked in few days time.

Oh yeah they'll also need ur itenary...

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Added on October 7, 2010, 8:06 amJapan visa application

Jus googled it out for u...read it, understand it & prepare it accordingly...and u shud b fine.

This post has been edited by karwaidotnet: Oct 7 2010, 08:06 AM

thanks for the info.. i've already read the requirements before i posted here.. i just need extra clarification on that matter.. seems like it's very hard to get the visa.. i'm looking if there's any other info that is listed on the web which is required for visa application..

Actually, it's not really that hard to get the tourist visa.
As long as you have all the documents in order; it'll most likely be approved.

Their main objective is to make sure that you're really going there for a holiday and not some 'other' reasons. So, just make sure you have -
* your letter from your company stating your employment;
* your bank account statement stating that you have enough funds to travel;
* a simple itinerary (sample on the embassy website) stating your plans during your time there and where you will be staying. If you have already made reservations at a hotel, you can submit the hotel confirmation slip as supporting doc.
* since you already booked the return air ticket; submit that as well.
* and all other required docs as stated on the website.

Just to add to this, i've gotten the visa first, then proceeded to buy air ticket and hotel booking. All i did was, submit an approved & signed bank account statement of RM6k, very simple printed itinerary using Excel, passport and a copy, and the visa application form (without guarantor).

In case one is afraid of booking anything in advance before obtaining the visa, dont worry

However, be sure to ask the embassy officer clearly what it's needed and do check too when's the embassy closing for lunch or holidays to prevent multiple trips.

thanks to both of you.. i'm relieved hearing that from people who actually had some experience applying their own visa.. most people i've asked are giving me all these negative responses saying it's hard to get one if we didn't have any friends in Japan etc..

Anyway.. is it necessary for me to provide the information of where i'm staying such as confirmation form for the accommodation?

All i did for the itinerary was this:

[Day 1](date): Asakusa [Stay]: K's House, (location and contact no.)
[Day 2](date): Shinjuku [Stay]: K's House
[Day 3](date): Mt. Fuji [Stay]: Sawanoya Ryokan (location and contact no.)

and etc.

Of course, in order to strengthen your application, any confirmation on air ticket or/and accommodation is a big plus.

wah..i was quoted an RM18k per pax gound tour arrangement by a travel agency! power

Lol im going very early march too.

Applied for visa before... they want letter with co letterhead fr boss saying going there so and so. Also gave them photocopy of bank acc n fixed deposit cert. After 3 days get back pport with visa+photo that looks like orbituary section.

This post has been edited by Quirky: Oct 7 2010, 10:17 PM

so the itinerary can be as simple as that.. thanks for the info! i've got the confirmed ticket for the flight, i guess that would made it easier.. As for accomodation, i was thinking of making the booking after i obtained the visa.. so, in your opinion.. should i book the hotel before applying for the visa? or make the booking after visa has been approved?

And if you don't mind.. can you recommend any good accommodation in Tokyo which is not too pricey.. a hostel would be okay too..

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Added on October 8, 2010, 10:35 ami'm relieved after hearing ppl say, it's not that hard to apply for it.. looks like i've asked at the right place.. thanks everyone!

This post has been edited by sha.sakurai: Oct 8 2010, 10:35 AM

For me, i prefer to have the visa first before booking (just in case). Of course you can cancel the booking later if anything happens, but it's a hassle for busy working people.

Accommodation-wise, i've stayed at K's House Hostel Asakusa.

Pretty decent price, quite clean, helpful attendants and fellow travellers, few walks from Metro station, convenience store everywhere, and if you're a beer person, there are a few vending machines just outside the hostel

There are many places which are cheaper, but reputation and worth-wise, K's House among the top

If you have some cash to burn, try staying in ryokan. A budget of 6k yen per night will do.

Btw, agreed on the obituary thingy lol.

I'm thinking of getting a place to stay that is near to any JR stations.. i'm planning to buy the JR 7 days pass for my trip in march.. Would love to stay in Ryokan.. but my budget is quite tight.. hehe..

Any suggestion of what kind pass i should have while traveling in Japan?

JR Pass if you plan to visit other cities besides Tokyo. For example, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and etc.

Just around Tokyo? Forget about the JR Pass, Suica touch-pass card will do.

well.. i'm planing to visit Osaka & Kyoto too.. so that's y i think the JR Pass is an option i should consider..how far is Kobe from Osaka if we're traveling by trains or shinkansen that are covered by the JR Pass?