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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen trip itself pays for the 7-day JR Pass, so every other usage is FOC.

I've not taken shinkansen from Osaka to Kobe. You should ask the veterans (living in Japan) in the neighbouring thread Club Lowyat Japan 

Maybe because he can abuse the JR Pass anyway? 

Osaka to Kobe is less than 50km....shitman....who will take Shinkanshen from Osaka to Kobe?  Osaka Itami , Kobe , Kansai Airport all are under one Bay all 3 are so near.

At Shin Osaka Station there got Express Bus & Normal high speed train link Kobe > Osaka > Kobe . Nobody will take bullet train for just 50km

For Osaka to Kobe, you can take 新快速 (Shin-Kaisoku) from Osaka station to Sannomiya station (main station in Kobe). It takes about 20-something minutes.

This is operated by JR.

Additionally, you can take the Shin-Kaisoku train from Shin-Osaka station as well. 

However, where do you plan to visit in Kobe?

Himeji station (JR) can be reached both by Shin-Kaisoku or Shinkansen.

According to timetable....

Shin-Kaisoku takes about 1 hour + from either Shin-Osaka or Osaka station.

Shinkansen takes about 34 minutes using Kodama service.

When will you visit Japan?

How long is your trip

Timetable is here

http://www.jr-odekake.net/

If you can read Japanese

you buy them either at the ticket center in Tokyo, or at the main entrance. you can't buy them online.

no you don't have to. you usually want to visit tokyo disneyland in the morning, and if you go early enough, the lines really aren't that bad. just don't go during their holidays.