The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[mementoman]

Hi there. Just after an opinion really. I've booked to go to Japan with a friend for 2 weeks in mid-April. The original idea was to go around Japan and see as much as possible. However, the closer it gets to going the more I'm of the opinion that I would just prefer to stay in Tokyo for 2 weeks instead. So what do you reckon?

I would suggest a week in Tokyo and a week in Kyoto as you need to see both as they are very different and will give you contrasting experiences of Japan.

[Zanza]

I personaly I wouldn't spend too long in Tokyo, it's an amazing city and sure you could spend a month there and still only see and do a fraction of the things you wanted to, but at the end of the day its just another BIG city.

As mementoman suggests, a week in Kyoto will blow you away, plenty of amazing things to see and do, and if you get bored you can always take a daytrip or two to Osaka.

[figflair]

Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it. It's such a tough call because I may never go again seeing as its expensive and time constraints etc. so I would like to see as much as possible but on the other hand I do want it to be a holiday after all and too much travelling around would just knacker me out I reckon.

Also, I was planning to get a JR pass, which currently cost ?250. If I do only end up going say Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo will it be worth the cost?

[Richard.John]

The JR pass will cover the bullet train fares (expensive) and the rest, as in local, would be a bonus, so go for it.

[Stoise]

Well, I'm off on wedensday!

[gravity0]

This may be slightly off-topic, but I'm off to London to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in about a month's time. I meet all the requirements stated on the website and haven't heard of anyone getting rejected for one, but is there any possibility I might not get it? I'd be ****ing gutted if I don't, considering I'm thinking of making Japan my first stop in a world tour.

Only ****ty thing in terms of getting a part-time job over there is that I don't have a degree.

Still, I'd be travelling with over ?13k in my bank account.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

They dont ever reach the threshold of aplications, as long as you dont have convictions for torching a Japanese embassy or something you will get it no probs.

Lack of a degree wont stop you getting teaching gigs and bar work

Unlikely that i will be visiting Nihon this year, a little bit delusioned about moving there now after having 1 set in stone job fall apart and being given the run around by other companies.

[gravity0]

Thanks for putting my mind at ease, Jushin.

I'm thinking the ?13k will give me enough time to find a cheap apartment and a part-time gig to supplement my travels.

Sorry to hear about the job.

[JAPJAC]

This may be slightly off-topic, but I'm off to London to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in about a month's time. I meet all the requirements stated on the website and haven't heard of anyone getting rejected for one, but is there any possibility I might not get it? I'd be ****ing gutted if I don't, considering I'm thinking of making Japan my first stop in a world tour.

Only ****ty thing in terms of getting a part-time job over there is that I don't have a degree.

Still, I'd be travelling with over ?13k in my bank account.

Exactly what I come over with nearly 3 years ago. If you need any help applying, just ask. I still have my original application. Good luck.

[gravity0]

Exactly what I come over with nearly 3 years ago. If you need any help applying, just ask. I still have my original application. Good luck.

Thanks JAPJAC. I've got the application here, but I'm not too sure how much detail to go into when filling in the itenary for the first 6 months. I really don't have anything planned in terms of travelling around Japan (at the moment my priorities are finding a cheapish apartment and a part-time job in Tokyo. After that I'll think about seeing more of the country). Did you go into much detail or was a simple list of the places you intended to visit enough?

Did they ask you to go for an interview? How long did the application process take?

Thanks again.

[JAPJAC]

Thanks JAPJAC. I've got the application here, but I'm not too sure how much detail to go into when filling in the itenary for the first 6 months. I really don't have anything planned in terms of travelling around Japan (at the moment my priorities are finding a cheapish apartment and a part-time job in Tokyo. After that I'll think about seeing more of the country). Did you go into much detail or was a simple list of the places you intended to visit enough?

Did they ask you to go for an interview? How long did the application process take?

Thanks again.

Basically I fibed for the itenary saying that I was going to divide my time in Japan over 3 months in each of the 4 islands. That`s what I think they wanted to hear. I had no interest in being anywhere else but Tokyo for a year in reality, still don`t, shudder to think. Anyway, half an A4 page should suffice for this part. Remember to keep quoting back to them all through your application what they require from you as per their conditions.

I didn`t have an interview as such. I was asked to present my completed application in person at The Japanese Embassy in London (nice building) and was asked some questions at a Lloyds Bank style counter.

"How long did the application process take?"

I honestly can`t remember.

I was informed by telephone. Once you have hopefully been accepted (never take it for granted) you will get the nicest looking Visa (if you`re English that is) in your passport ever (very posh indeed). Don`t mean to worry but what other matey said about it being a dead cert to get, well I don`t know what country he is from but I have heard of and met loads of English that failed getting a Working Holiday Visa For Japan. It is a privilege and should be treated as such.

The great thing is that `if` you have been accepted and given this Visa you can then go within a year of date of issue. Upon setting foot on Japanese soil then your 1 year clock starts a ticking.

Again, good luck.

[gravity0]

I'm a British Gibraltarian. I've called the embassy to make sure I'm eligible and they said I was, so that shouldn't be a prob.

I'll start working on the itenary pronto.

Thanks a lot, man.

[gravity0]

Actually, one more thing: why did these people you mention get rejected? Did they give a reason?

[JAPJAC]

I`m not sure where that is (up North?) but the reasons they said was they felt they `f**ked up` the application process and were annoyed that they were never given a proper reason why. Seems they are quite strict that`s why you have to keep ramming down their throats exactly why they should accept you in your application.

When I went to the interview there was at least 4 other people doing the same thing. In my day they issued 400 a year, I can`t believe that under 400 people a year from The United Kingdom have interest in living and working in Japan for a year on one of these wonder Visa`s. The benefits are incredible-you won`t pay any taxes, you can get credit i.e. a mobile phone, you can drive a car if you have a full U.K. license, you can work `part-time` if you can be bothered. Basically you will be in a constant Tokyo party mode for a year. Blinding.

One final thing-I think you should go in June as I did, the weather will be blinding and it will really start your holiday off with a bang.

Let us know how you get on.

(I bet your last Y10k you won`t want to leave after your year).

[112]

reading this has really got me thinking about taking a year off from work to do this, very interesting read japjac, you seem to know a lot about nihon. What is it you did when you went over? or are you still there?

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