MY JAPAN TOURIST VISA APPLICATION AS PHILIPPINE PASSPORT HOLDER WITHOUT GUARANTOR

My dream to visit the land of the rising sun started so early in my childhood  when I became a fan of Japan anime's (Magic Knight Ray Earth,Sailor Moon) Hikari Sentai series like MaskMan , Bioman , Turbo Ranger, Mask Rider Black and Ultraman to name a few. I  even got myself addicted to Japan documentaries shown on RPN 9 and IBC 13 every afternoon on Japan life and culture that appeared either stuck in the past or way ahead of the times. Those days when the internet was not yet available and all I have were encyclopedias in my room gazing at the images of Japan; in reverie  that someday be able to ride the (shinkansen) bullet train, walk along the chaotic Shibuya crossing , be in awe by the captivating  vast neon lights of Shinjuku , see geishas, quaint japanese houses and serene shrines in Kyoto , explore rugged beauty of northern Hokkaido, indulge in a sumptuous meal at Yatai food stalls in Fukuoka , see the infamous Osaka Castle and many more. 

Japan visa was known to be strict with few number of applicants being  granted and huge number of denied visas for what and whichever reasons that the embassy will not disclose any explanation on what went wrong. However ,the relaxation of Japan Visa for the nationals of the Philippines , and other ASEAN neighboring  countries definitely gives clear hope for those aspiring to visit and experience the land of the rising sun.

Applying for a Japan tourist visa and provided that your documents are in order ; then there's nothing to worry about. As long as you gathered all the documents and with the purest intention of coming back to the Philippines when your visa is due.

All you have to do is visit and submit documents at any of the  travel agency accredited by the Japan Embassy.

Note : This post is for Japan Tourist Visa application without a guarantor 

WHAT : documents/requirements to prepare?

1. Passport  ( with six months validity at least from the time of your application).
2. Japan Visa Photo ( Standard Photo ) . Paste it in your application form
3. Visa Application Form ( Application form.pdf ). Please don't leave anything blank. Put N/A instead.
4. Original NSO Birth Certificate with receipt and must be issued within a year. One can order online thru ( Online NSO request ). Only needed if your applying first time for japan visa.
5. Bank Balance Certificate. ( no specific amount stated , however the amount shown in the certificate must suffice your expenses. To show that you are financially capable of supporting yourself during your stay.) 
6. Daily Schedule or General Itinerary in word format. Make sure that the details from your application matches with your itinerary

    7.  Income Tax Return ( Form 2316 ) If this isn't available. Just provide a letter stating the          reason for not having one. I also forwarded copy of my Employment Contract.

    8.  NSO Marriage Certificate. Must be issued within a year

    9.  Additional proof of your vacation - exit from Japan

• certificate of employment - stating your current position , length of service , annual income  and company address and contact number
• Hotel Reservation - not a requirement although if you have you can submit it as well
• Round trip Ticket - not a requirement although if you have you can submit it as well

For those who wish to apply for  multiple entry visa . The applicant must prepare additional requirements  to be submitted along the above mentioned documents

( depending under which classification you fall under).

Classification A: Applicants with travel history as temporary visitor to Japan in the last three years without any record of violations of the laws and regulations of Japan during their period of stay.

1. Recent or old passport that shows previous stays in Japan within the last three years.
2. ITR (Income Tax Return) or Bank Certificate of the applicant or of the person who will support the applicant
3. Documents to prove residence in the Philippines (copy of Identification cards etc.)
4. Explanation Letter why the applicant needs a multiple-entry visa

Classification B: Employed individuals with sufficient financial capacity to support their stay in Japan.

1. Employment Certificate
2. ITR (Income Tax Return )
3. Documents to prove residence in the Philippines (copy of Identification cards etc.)
4. Explanation Letter why the applicant needs a multiple-entry visa

WHERE : to submit your requirements/documents?

Submit all the requirements directly in any of the accredited agencies listed ( List of Accredited Agencies). Japan visa is free however one must pay for the service fee to the agency for processing and submission of your papers to the embassy.

WHEN : will you receive your passport ?

Waiting time is within 5-7 days or more but if lucky you might receive a text or call from the agency that the passport is ready for pick up even in as short as  three days time..:*

Submitted my documents to Discovery Tours in Makati . SITE / FACEBOOK

MAKATI ADDRESS: Japan Visa Department , 301 G/F Sagittarius Building , HV Dela Costa St , Salcedo Village Makati City

• E-mail:  japanvisamnl1@discoverytour.ph
• 02-892-2849, 843-5832,843-508
• 0915-320-0780 (GLOBE)
• 0999-943-5231 (SMART)
• 0932-650-0420 (SUN)

OFFICE HOUR

• 09:00~12:00,13:00~16:30 (Mon~Fri)
• 09:00~12:00 (Sat)

A week after submission , I finally received my passport exactly one day before my chosen date of departure to Tokyo. Yehey..

By the way. Here are three helpful websites I found which are very helpful in  getting around and things to do in Japan for first time visitors.

http://www.japanican.com/en/special/tours/tokyo/index.aspx . For discounted package tours and promos.

http://tokyocheapo.com/travel/transport/cheapest-transport-to-and-from-narita-airport/ . 

http://www.japan-guide.com/transportation in Tokyo . Your best travel  web guide in Japan

That's it and best of luck in your application..see you in Japan..  : )