Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Can anyone tell me where the Korean Embassy is in Tokyo for sure? Lonely Planet's map has it just south of Rappongi. Is this up to date? I only have a few hours in Tokyo to try to get the visa done so I don't want to be going on any wild goose chases. Thanks.

peppergirl · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

http://www.mofat.go.kr/japan/

They have info in English too. This is the address:
1-7-32, Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan( 106-0047)
Is it the same as the address in the Lonely Planet?

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 (12:00-13:30 closed for lunch - they get a loong break!)

By the way, Feb 11th is a Japanese holiday, hope you are not going to Tokyo that day!

Guest · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:38 am Post subject:

I went there not long ago and it's not too bad.

Go from Narita airport and take the Skyliner train to Ueno Station. The express train is like 1900 Yen

When you get to Ueno station you need to leave the station and take a short walk on the street to a new station for another ride.

From Ueno leave and follow the signs to the outside for Azabu-Juban

There are plenty of signs and the people there speak well. Follow the signs, leave the exit turn to the right and walk straight, do nothing but walk straight for about 5 minutes and you get to the new station.
Once there take the Oedo line on platform # 2 to Azabu-Juban ... get ticket #260

When you arrive there are PLENTY of signs on the exit to go to the embassy. Leave the exit and walk up the street for about 15 minutes. On the same side as you come out of the station there is a Wendy's and walking you go past McDonalds and so on.

The embassy/consul is on the left side, right next to a hotel, I can't remember the name, but it's an American chain name.

I have a few pictures of the area if you want ...

BUT HERE IS THE KEY

Tokyo takes 3 business days to do your visa. The hours are noted in the other reply. They ONLY accept new applications BEFORE lunch and will not let you even turn in the application after the lunch time. If you do not make it before lunch you cannot turn in the application until the next day and that is the start of the time. You can pick up the visa and passport on the third day. If you get there Friday at 2:00 you cannot turn it in till Monday and pick up on Wednesday.

I didn't know any of this when I got there ..... needless to say it was ugly

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Thanks for the information Lonely. I think you just saved me a big hassle. Now I'm scrambling to get the ticket changed to Osaka. I don't know why they didn't buy me an Osakan ticket in the first place. It's cheaper isn't it?

Seoul Skye · Joined: 28 Feb 2003

Hi,

Could you please post the pictures?

Thanks!

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I'm going to Osaka now instead.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

How can they be that strict and have such different regulations? Is that legal?

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 1:30 am Post subject:

It's not really an issue of legality, it's workload and such that they claim are the reasons for such variation. Remember, that the consul's office doesn't do just E2's for North Americans, etc. They do ALL visas for all matters for all people for Korea .. it get's quite heavy at time, but some are just sticking to the "that's how it's been so that's how it's gonna be" for their own process.

Donghae · Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Location: Fukuoka, Japan

Those hours for accepting applications may seem a bit restrictive, but, believe me, they're actually quite generous compared to some administrative offices in Japan. I had to sort out my Japanese driving licence yesterday - they take applications from 1pm till 1.30pm. 1.30pm plus 15 seconds and you'll be back the next time you get a day off!!

On the subject of convenience, if going to Tokyo, bear in mind you can now fly from Kimpo to Haneda. Dunno how it works price-wise but this would take off a lot of journey time to Incheon/Narita for a lot of people.

I note Osaka was mentioned above as possibly less hassle than Tokyo. I don't know have much experience of there, but I suggest giving Fukuoka some thought for any consular trips. Even for those not in south-eastern Korea, it's a shorter flight from Seoul to Fukuoka than it is to Tokyo and I suspect the consulate there will turn applications over faster than the Tokyo embassy can.