Guide in applying for a Japan Tourist Visa (for Filipinos)

With the advent of low cost carriers offer of  cheap airfares to Japan  (hello Ceb Pac Piso Fare and Jetstar Friday Frenzy) comes the surge of Filipinos wanting to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun. But hold on to your credit card and do not buy that ticket just yet (eventhough it's super cheap and irresistible). We Filipinos need a tourist visa (like you don't know?). 

So without further ado, here are the simple steps in getting one :

The official website of the Embassy of Japan in Manila is a gold mine of information . Everything you need to know can be found under the Visa Section Information. Read thoroughly on which visa to apply and its corresponding requirements .

And if you feel that there is an overload of information on the japan embassy website then just continue on reading here so i can spoonfeed you (hahaha)

For tourists , requirements are :

1. Original Passport - must be at least 6 months valid at the time of departure from Japan and must have at least 2 blank pages .

2. Visa Application - duly filled up  (you may download it here) - must be printed in A4size paper

3. One recent 2X2 photograph  (white background)

4. NSO Birth Certificate (must be valid within 1 year) 

5. NSO Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

6. Day to Day Itinerary or Schedule of Stay

7. For Employees - Certificate of Employment , Leave of Absence, ITR

8. For Business owners - Business permits , DTI , SEC , ITR

9. Bank Certificate

Where to submit your application ?
The Japan Embassy does not accept walk in applicants . They have a List of Accredited Travel Agencies wherein you can submit your application. Or you may visit your favored Travel Agent and they can also submit your application for you for a nominal fee.

If you are filing as a group or family you may assign a person (must be part of the travelling group/family) to submit the application in behalf of the group/family. Just make sure everything is in order and complete because your representative cannot answer for you if you have missing forms/requirements.

The visa fee is "gratis" but the travel agencies collect a handling or service charge . 

Processing time
It normally takes 3 to 5 working days to process your visa. If you receive a call from the agency it's either you lack some documents and you need to furnish them asap or your passport is ready for pickup.

Good luck and enjoy your ramenlicious visit to Japan! :)