Korean Job Discussion Forums

[youmepicnic]

Osaka survival guide

I guess I feel the need to preface this with my suggestion that you take 2 nights. It can be done in one night, no doubt, but this leaves no room for error. Take a late flight out one evening, rest and be at the consulate first thing in the AM. Take the day and shop, eat, drink, mingle with the locals, whatever. Rest and get the visa the next day. Take a 5pm-ish flight out the second day and you will have plenty of time to get back to the airport.

What do I need at the Korean Consulate?:

As of November, 2006 I needed:

1) Passport
2) Visa Confirmation Number
3) Address and phone number of your place of employment.
4) 2 Passport Photos
5) About 7000 yen for the visa stamp, give or take for nationality


There is also a machine in the consulate in case you have forgotten or misplaced your photos. Please do not count on this as the machine was broken last time I was there.

What time do I have to be there?

The sign reads that individuals have to be there to make their applications between 9:30 and 11:30 and they can be picked up the following day between 1:30 and 3:30. If you ask or they indicate, a different time may be arranged.

Remember to take into account that the Korean Consulate will be closed for Japanese Holidays and most Korean holidays. It is best to check with them in advance.

HOW TO GET TO OSAKA

1) After passing immigration and customs you will need to find the Kansai International Trains which are located on the 2nd floor (Arrivals are on the first). Proceed up the stairs and turn right. Go out the doors and cross the bridge. Walk into the doors and look to the left. There will be a ticket booth on the wall. Go to the Red Ticket Booth.

2) Your destination is Namba Station and there are two trains you can take. The Rapid Express Train which costs 1400 yen and takes about 30 minutes making just a few stops. The other train is the regular express train that makes many more stops. It takes 45 minutes, plus stops (about 2 hours generally) and costs 890 yen. The express train is worth the extra money.

3) When you get to the Namba station, look straight ahead. Go down several flights of stairs until you reach the "basement" There are stairs down that lead to the subway. Follow the signs to Exit 7. If you see an information booth stop and ask for an OSAKA CITY MAP> have then find Osaka Capsule Inn Namba. Have them point you in the right direction.


HOUSING
I opted for the Osaka Capsule Inn Namba. It has floors dedicated for Men and Women but you can't mix the sexes on a floor.

People always say that Japan is expensive, but I find rather it is lodging in Japan that CAN BE expensive. This is a great and cheaper option. Its about 25,00KW a night (2,500 yen). Breakfast is free. Toast, boiled eggs, coffee, water, etc.


To get there:

1) Go to Exit #7 (the picture from the Namba station to the exit is above). The exit is back out of the main hub-bub and around a few corners. It�s a maze, but follow the signs. Continue walking straight until you hit the Sabi Shoe store and take your left. Walk straight and go about 200 meters. Its really about 2 blocks, small block, really. If you hit the Glamour Beauty School you have gone too far.



2) Continue walking until you get to the cartoon-ie looking Love Motel. Take a left and the Capsule Motel will be right there. Its on the left hand side. It has the fa�ade of a pyramid.



HOW TO GET TO THE CONSULATE

I prefer visual landmarks and not numbers especially in the Namba Station/Walk maze. So, I opted to get out of the maze and go to the street at Exit #10.



Once you get to street level take a left and head in the direction the Shin-Kabuki Theatre on your left (where the banners are hanging in the photo). The theatre is a shorter building with a wavy fa�ade, and it�s much older than the buildings around it. You will know it when you see it.

Enjoy the approximately 300 meter walk. You will pass by a Subway Restaurant, Exit #25, and McDondald's before getting to the consulate.

If it is before 9am, which I recommend in order to be first in line, the only real indication that you have found the consulate are two armed guards. They will be standing on either side of a metal sliding gate/door.
This pulls down drom the top. Look to the left and near flush with the building there is a plaque. It reads "Korean Consulate".

When you get to the Consulate proceed up the stairs. Fill out the paperwork, get your pictures if necessary, and then take a number. She will direct you to get a payment stamp from the machine. On the run I took in 2005 and 2006 it cost 6000 yen (Canadian and English) or 5400 yen (American). Return back to the window (you don't need to take a number again) and submit it. You will receive a Visa Acceptance Receipt and your pick up time. Congrats.



Places to see:
Shin-sai-bashi walkway
Shopping, eating, etc.

There is a castle near but you have to take a different train� I didn�t do it.

Budget suggestions all in Korean Won
Train to and from airport 28,000
Lodging 50,000
Breakfast Included
Lunch 16,000
Dinner 20,000
Snacks/water 12,000
Visa stamp v 60,000-65,000
Total= 191,000- 200,000

From the consulate, cross the street at the nearest crosswalk. Look down each block until you see the giant crab, walk TOWARDS the crab. This is the walkway for shopping.


And for the love of God and all things holy; Have some ramen, meet some people, and relax... I had a blast on my run.

Ciao,
youmepicnic

[mindmetoo]

Well done.

[laogaiguk]

Try some ta-ko-ya-ki too. They are fried round balls with octopus in the middle. They are really great, especially in Osaka. Trust me, I don't even like seafood.

[Meaghen]

Awesome,
Your info was so helpful.
My visa run stress has almost vanished!