Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marktoronto]

I finished my Japan Visa run a few days ago and everything went down without a hitch thanks to the post from Bulsajo. There were a few things he missed which would have made my trip a little easier so I've pasted his directions below with a few updates.


1.Always double-check your consolate arrangements since Japan has MANY holidays and on holidays the Embassy is closed. The Embassy number in Osaka is 81-6-213-14-1 and the hours are Mon - Fr 9 AM - 12 PM and 1:30 PM - 5 PM (but there are often breaks in the afternoon). The consolate is NOT OPEN on weekends.

2.Do not bring Korean won to Japan - no one will accept it and its VERY HARD to exchange anywhere (besides that it slows you down looking for a place). Don't forget to keep 10,000 won with you for the airport tax out of Korea, but this may be included in your plane ticket.

3.Get to the airport on time and get everything taken care of long before your flight. The lines for seats at the airport for flights to Japan are long and aggravating. You must be on the first flight out of Korea (leaves at about 10 AM) if you are going to make it in one day. Some airlines have shorter lines for those with no bags to check, look for it. (Asiana has it).

4.Once in Japan… pass through Customs and Immigration. If you are planning a one day trip then get a voucher to exempt you from the airport tax on the way out of Japan. For a one day visit you DO NOT pay the airport tax.

5.As you exit the customs area you'll see an information booth directly ahead of you. If you are not sure, you can ask them for help, but the instructions here are clear. Check if you are not sure. Don't dawdle though - this calls for quick walking and quicker thinking.

6.Off to the left of the Information Counter is an escalator going up. Take it and turn right at the top. You'll find yourself at a train ticket station. Buy a ticket for the Namba station for about 1,100 yen (express). (*updated 10/01/2003 - Prices vary so just make sure you have a goodly amount of cash on hand - its better to have too much than not enough.) The ride takes about 30 minutes and your car and seat is on the ticket. Buy your return ticket leaving Namba station back to the airport for 5pm.

7.At Namba station, find the Japanese subway line by going down about three levels and in the opposite corner of this huge station (The line you want is maroon in colour - be careful there are lots of them there) and head to Shin Saibashi station which is the first stop. Keep looking for the line, it didn't take too long to find. Ask for directions if you are lost. To buy your ticket from the machine, put in 200 yen, hit the subway button, and then push the 200 yen button.

8.At Shin Saibashi (first stop) get out at exit #7 and turn right. The Embassy is about 200 metres down the street (on your right hand side).

9.Go downstairs to booth #9 or #10 and get the E-2 application and fill it out (it isn't open until 1:30pm, so if you get there earlier than this, ask another booth to give you the form so you can have it ready when the attendent gets there.) To ensure that this happens properly BE THERE BY 1:00 PM. (The doors may still be closed for lunch (apparently as long as 11:30 - 1:30) but that gives you time to eat somewhere - but be quick). Ask the person to process you as quickly as possible (in a nice polite tone of course - if you look angry then they slow down just to piss you off - because they can). The E2 teaching visa costs 5,500 yen for US residents and 6,000 for Canadian (*updated 10/01/2003 - Once again, prices vary so be warned).

10.Bring a recent photo with you to Japan (6cm x 6cm). There is a booth there but its very expensive and will slow you down. And you never know if it will be broken or something unpredictable. Your visa will be ready between 4pm - 4:40pm. Go for a walk behind the embassy, the streets are really happening.

11.Once you have your Visa in hand you are free to do as you please. Simply reverse the directions back to the airport and you are on your way!

Good Luck! I have done this exact run myself several times so I know it can be done.

[kimcheeking]

Very detailed instructions - good job. I will ask waterbaby to add to her FAQ.


personally I don't like the stress of the one day run so I stay overnight. I fly in around 6-7 and take a leiurely stroll to the embassy. Once there walk about 1.5 blocks behind and there is a capsule in for 2,500 yen (as of 2001)

drop visa stuff off in the morning pick it up at 3pm and go back to airport. I just walk around or find a starbucks and sit down to read for the day.