WARNING: Information provided on this page is intended as a guide only, and should not be construed as legal advice. It is possible that there are innaccuracies or out-of-date information on this page, so you should always confirm your visa arrangements with the relevant authorities before travelling. Click the links by each country’s title to visit the official visa information for the respective consulate.
General Information
Are you thinking about traveling abroad over school break, Christmas break or Golden Week? Make sure you have the necessary tourist visa. Most tourist visas can be obtained in that country upon entry or prior to departure from Japan. The following information below lists popular destinations from Japan and provides information only for obtaining visas in Japan prior to departure.
Use the following info as a guide. Prices and visa requirements may vary and are subject to change. All information is correct as of April 2007 and relate to the Tourist Visa class only.
Whether you need a visa or not depends on your citizenship (not necessarily where you were born, where you are from or where you are currently living), that is, what passport do you hold. Be sure to confirm with the relevant Embassy or Consulate for the most up-to-date information.
Most visa applications can be arranged yourself through the post. However, some require you to apply in person at the relevant Embassy in Tokyo. Many travel agents will also arrange visa – usually for a fee.
Other notes:
Where an application is made by post from within Japan – send cash in yen. Some embassies may accept US dollars. When sending cash in the mail, go to the post office and use registered mail (現金書留 genkin kakitome), a special registered postal envelope used for money. You must send your original passport. Passports will generally require a remainder of at least 6 months validity. Make sure the passport-sized photos you send are fairly recent. Make sure the background is white and the photo is in color, and that nothing is obsuring your face. Some countries do not require a tourist visa. Where a tourist visa is not required, the stay limit is usually 30 days.
Destination – Vietnam (link)
Visa required: Yes.
Exceptions: Citizens of: Japan, Korea, Thailand, Phillipines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
Length of stay (max.): 30 days. Single entry visa only.
Cost: Unclear. Assume ~6000 yen
Application Method: Post or in person (application form may be done online)
What you need: 2 photos (4cm x 6cm or 3cm x 4cm), original passport, application form, visa fee
Application Procedure: Fill out application form, send with the above items to the address below. Send cash through the mail. Go to the post office and ask for registered mail for cash (現金書留 genkin kakitome). Alternatively, visit Embassy in person.
Mail address/Contact Info: Consulate-General of Vietnam in Fukuoka
〒810-0801 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Nakasu, 5 Chome−3−8 Aqua Hakata, 4F
〒810-0801 福岡県福岡市博多区中洲５丁目３−8 アクア博多4階
Phone: 092-751-9331
Destination – Cambodia (link)
Visa required: Yes.
Exceptions: Citizens of: Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. (Check website for a full list)
Length of stay (max): 30 days. Single entry only.
Cost: 2800yen
Application method: Post or online e-visa.
Online application: Go to this website.
You will need to pay by credit card. You will also need a digital photo. No passport required for the application process. You will receive an e-visa email. Simply print and present the e-visa email on airport arrival. There is no visa sticker for your passport.
By post – what you will need: Passport, copy of passport data page, one recent passport-sized photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm with white background), 2 copies of residence card, visa fee (2800yen), application form,
Mail address: Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Fukuoka
〒810-0001 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Tenjin, 1 Chome−4−1 Nishi-nippon Shinbun Kaikan, 15F
〒810-0001 福岡県福岡市中央区天神１丁目４−1 西日本新聞会館 １５F
Phone: 092-717-1255
Website: http://www.fukuoka-cambodia.jp/
Business Hours: 9:30 – 13:30 Mon – Fri
Valid: For 3 months from date of issue.
Destination – Thailand (link)
For COVID-19 rules and regulations, click here.
Visa required: Only for a few countries, eg. Citizens of Jamaica.
Visa not required for Australians, Canadians, Americans, UK citizens, French citizens, New Zealanders, South Africans, etc. Most nationalities do not require a tourist visa.
Length of stay (max): 90 days
Cost: 4,500 yen
Application method: By post or in person
What you need: Passport (with at least 2 empty pages), application form, pasport photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm), personal history form, return air ticket reservation document… see here for full list.
Application prodecure: Fill out the necessary forms and send all documents and the visa processing fee to the embassy. Be sure to use registered mail (現金書留 genkin kakitome) when sending cash by post.
Mail address: Royal Thai Consulate-General of Fukuoka
〒810-0001 2nd Floor Dai Ichi Myojo, 4-1-37, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
〒810-0001 福岡県福岡市中央区天神４丁目１−37
Business Hours: 9:00 – 12:00 ; 13:30 – 17:30 Mon – Fri
Phone: 092-739-9088
Visa serivce email: visa.FUK@mfa.mail.go.th
Website: https://fukuoka.thaiembassy.org/en/index
Destination – Laos
Visa required: Yes.
Length of stay (max): 30 days (single entry)
Address: Embassy of Lao PDR
3-3-22 Nishi-Azabu
Minato Ku
Tokyo
Validity: Within 3 months of issue
Destination – China
Visa required: Yes. Visa required by all nationalities.
Application procedure: In person or by proxy if you are going through the Tokyo Embassy. Application will need to be submitted in person. It can be picked up by a proxy. Alternatively get a travel agent to organize it on your behalf such as JTB Travel, No1 Travel. It helps also to have bought your China ticket through a travel agent in Japan, as they will usually organize a visa for you at a cheaper rate. Mail applications not accepted.
Cost: Single entry 6000yen, Multuple 13000yen. Extra 6000yen for express. JTB Travel agent will do everything for 13000yen.
What you will need: Application form, 2 passport photos, passport
Address: Embassy of China in Tokyo
3-4-33 Moto Azabu
Minato Ku
Tokyo, 106-0046
Japan
Ph: 81-3-3403-3388
Office hours: 9-12am only (Monday to Friday)
Destination – India (link)
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism visas and walk-in visa applications to India have been suspended. See here for more details pertaining to visa applications.
Visa required: Yes. All nationalities require a tourist visa.
Length of stay (max. ): 6 months
Cost: Varies based on several factors including citizenship and length of time in Japan. See here and here for a breakdown of the charges.
Application method: By post or online e-visa. Send cash through registered mail (現金書留 genkin kakitome).
What you will need: Application form, photocopy of residence card, one passport-sized photo, original passport valid for at least 6 months, visa fee in cash, self-addressed return envelope without stamps.
Address to: residents of Japan are to send their visa application to the Embassy of India (rather than the Consulate General of India which applies to some other areas of Japan):
Address: Visa (Consular) Section, Embassy of India, 2-2-11 Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo. 102-0074
Phone: 03 3262-2391
Website: www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in
Destination – Guam
Visa required: No. No visa required for Australians, Koreans, UK citizens, New Zealanders, Americans
Length of stay (max.): 15 days
Exception: 90 days for US citizens. (Guam is a territory of the USA)
Destination – Hong Kong
Visa required: No. No visa required for Australians, UK citizens, New Zealanders or Americans
Destination – Australia
Visa required: Yes. Tourist visa required OR you can apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) instead. ETA method is highly recommended.
Length of stay (max): Tourist visa – 30 days. ETA – 3 months
Cost: Tourist visa – $70AUD. ETA –free (but $20 online processing fee applies).
Application method: An ETA can only be obtained outside of Australia. You will need a credit card. Apply here.
Destination – South Korea
Visa required: No. Most nationalities do not require a visa. Australians, Americans, New Zealanders, Irish and UK nationals, and Canadians do not need a tourist visa.
Length of stay (max): Length of stay depends on nationality. Australians – 3 months. Americans – 30 days. UK and Irish nationals – 3 months. Canadians – 6 months. NZ – 3 months.
What you need: Tourist visa is not required. You need a valid passport, return or onwards ticket, sufficient funds for maintenance in Korea and a contact address in Korea (hotel etc).
Destination – USA
Visa required: No. Most nationalities do not require a tourist visa as most countries will be covered by a Visa Waiver Agreement.
Australians, New Zealanders, UK nationals and most European countries are covered by this agreement and do not need a tourist visa provided you have a return ticket, be of good character, hold a passport valid for more than 6 months after your visit, and you visit for less than 90 days.
Length of stay: For those on the Visa Waiver Program, you can stay up to 90 days.
NOTE: Your passport must be machine readable.
Website link: https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html
Originally posted on the Fukushima Unofficial JET website. (No longer available)