Presented by: Beatrice Aplon

BST2-1
What comes in your mind when you
heard the word “ JAPAN”?
Japan is arguably today's most successful industrial economy,
combining almost unprecedented affluence with social
stability and apparent harmony. Japanese goods and cultural
products--from animated movies and computer games to cars,
semiconductors, and management techniques--are consumed
around the world. In many ways, Japan is an icon of the modern
world, and yet it remains something of an enigma to many, who
see it as a confusing montage of the alien and the familiar, the
ancient and modern.
TOURISM IN JAPAN
 VISA REGULATIONS:
Japan Visa Requirements

>Philippine passport. Must have a signature and at least 2 blank pages. Broken
passports are not accepted. Must have at least 6-month validity.
>A duly accomplished visa application form. Don’t leave any blank. Just put N/A if not
applicable. You may download it from here.
>ID picture. 4.5cm x 4.5 cm. Write your name and birthdate on the back side. Paste it on
the application form.
>Birth certificate from PSA. Must be issued within the past one year from PSA Main
Office or Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). If the birth certificate is marked LATE
REGISTRATION, you must also submit Baptismal certificate, School Record (Form 137),
and School Yearbook (if applicable). The address of the church or school must be
indicated in the documents.
>Marriage certificate from NSO. Only if you’re married. If not, ignore this one. Must be
issued within the past one year from PSA Main Office or Serbilis Outlet Center
(Nationwide).
>Daily schedule. Your itinerary in Japan. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Download
the format here. Here’s what mine looked like: Sample Japan Itinerary
WITHOUT GUARANTOR

If you will shoulder part or all of your travel

expenses, you must provide the following:

Income tax return (ITR Form 2316). They need a clear

photocopy of it.
Bank certificate. Must be issued within the past 3
months. I’m not sure if they require a receipt, but I
submitted the receipt too. To be safe, when you get
your bank certificate, ask for a receipt too. There’s no
telling how big a fund is “enough” to get approved,
but (in case you’re wondering) my account had only
a bit north of P100,000. I planned on staying for a
week. I didn’t encounter any problem.
• WITH GUARANTOR

• If a guarantor will sponsor your trip, you will need to provide

the following additional documents. Note that this only
applies if the guarantor lives in the Philippines:

• Guarantee Letter. Must explain your guarantor’s relationship

to you and their contact details.
• Proof of relationship between applicant and guarantor. For
example, if the guarantor is a parent or a close relative,
submit their birth certificate too.
• Bank Certificate (original) of the Guarantor
• Photocopy of the Income Tax Return (ITR Form 2316) of the
Guarantor
• How to Apply for a Japanese Visa

• Complete the requirements, as listed above.

• Find an accredited travel agency. Except very special cases, the Japanese
Embassy doesn’t accept direct applications. They must be coursed through
any of their accredited agencies. You will find their very limited list of
accredited agencies right here.
• Submit the documents. Go to your chosen travel agency in the morning or as
early as you can. These days, Japan travel is so popular, queues can be so long
it can sometimes eat up your entire day.
• Pay the Processing Fee. In reality, the visa is FREE, but the agency will charge a
processing fee. The rates vary, but it’s usually between P800 – P1600
depending on the agency.
• Wait for your visa. After you have submitted everything to the travel agency,
there’s nothing left to do but to wait and hope for the best. If they encounter
any problem (e.g. additional requirements), they will let you know. Thus, you
must apply not so close to your date of travel. Visa processing normally takes
3-5 days, but sometimes up to 7 days. The first time I applied, I received my visa
5 days later. The second time, it took them only 2 days.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
MOUNT FUJI
Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
and the Japanese Alps
Jigokudani Monkey Park
Golden Pavilion Temple/
Kinkaku-Ji
Tokyo Tower
 The Island Shrine of
Itsukushima
Shinsaibashi (Osaka)
ROBOT RESTAURANT
Toyota Commemorative
Museum of Industry &
Technology (Nagoya)
Hiroshima Peace
Memorial Museum
WHAT MAKES JAPAN
DIFFERENT?

• Shinto -widely considered to be the native religion of

Japan. While most locals would deny being religious at
all, Shinto traditions and festivals play a huge role in
everyday life. In Kyoto alone, there are over 400 Shinto
shrines dedicated to various kami (deities).
• Customer service -Japan’s service industry sets the global
standard for excellent service, and one of the best parts is
they’re not doing it in the hopes that you’ll leave a good
tip. Most people in the service industry are courteous to a
fault. In Japan, there’s no need to thank these people; to
them, they’re just doing their job.

• Kimono - Traditional fashions such as kimono are unique

to Japan and one thing that sets it apart from other
cultures. Many locals still enjoy wearing traditional
clothes for special occasions, including graduation,
weddings, and festivals.
• Japanese cuisine - Aside from favorites loved around the
world, such as edamame (soybeans), sushi, and miso,
there are a lot of uniquely Japanese dishes even the most
adventurous foodie might need coaxing to try.
• Tatami - atami flooring originated as small, mobile
seating for the nobility during the Heian Period. By the
early Edo Period, the lower classes even started using
tatami mats. They are not only comfortable but also high
maintenance and must be replaced from time to time.
• Kawaii culture - No place on earth appreciates cuteness
as Japan does. From adorable mascots and warning signs
to pop culture icons and advertisements, kawaiiness is
one of the most prized attributes a thing can have.