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What is ERFS? 2022 Guide to Short-term Visa for Foreigners in Japan

Starting from June 10, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has loosened the border restrictions on entry for foreign nationals. However, you will still need to use Japan’s Entrants, Returnees, Follow-up System (ERFS) to apply to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to get permission to enter Japan. You need an ERFS certificate before you apply for a short-term visa stay in Japan.

Although Japan has not fully opened its borders to individual tourists as of early July 2022, monitored group tours are now able to arrive in Japan for a short-term stay. Foreign nationals can also enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. This includes business travelers on short stays, students in study abroad programs, participants in technical internships, and those who would provide a “public benefit” to Japan.

But what is the ERFS exactly, and how does that work? Check out everything you need to know about it here.

For more information, kindly visit the  official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan . Head to the  ERFS entry page  for the full reference.

• What is ERFS
• What is an ERFS certificate

What Type of Purposes is Eligible for an ERFS Sponsorship?

How do i get an erfs certificate, temporary visit to japan for tourism purposes with erfs, how do i get a short-term visa to stay in japan, full rundown of application procedure for the erfs.

• Information You Need to Apply for a Login ID (Online)
• FAQ About the ERFS 

What is ERFS?

ERFS, short for Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System is a system that allows foreign nationals entry into Japan. This is a necessary procedure for foreign nationals who may want to enter Japan for the first time for a short-term stay (less than three months). To be eligible, applicants must have a receiving organization located in Japan.

That being said, that doesn’t mean it’s a free pass into Japan. There are certain requirements you must meet in order to get an ERFS certificate. Typically, a clear photocopy of the “Certificate for completion of registration to the ERFS system” is compulsory.

What is an ERFS Certificate?

An ERFS certificate is required to prove that you are eligible for the ERFS system. This will help you to get a visa, which lets you get into Japan.

As of June 10, the Japanese government has listed a few foreign nationals categories that can apply for a new entry into Japan. In principle, their receiving organization, located in Japan, needs to complete prescribed applications in the ERFS.

• Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for business and employment
• Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for tourism
• Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a long-term stay

There are two options for entry into Japan for a short-term stay. One is to enter for “purposes including business and employment” and the other is for tourism. In both cases, to get an ERFS certificate, you’ll need a receiving organization. A receiving organization is an organization that will be your reason for staying in Japan. Whether that be to provide you with a tour of Japan or to have you work for them, depends on the reason for your trip and the company you choose. 

For example, if you are planning to visit Japan in the near future under group tours, you will need to find a travel company that can sponsor your ERFS.

The visa application for entering Japan for sightseeing purposes under the ERFS usually goes as follows:

• Find a Japanese travel company and buy a package tour.
• The company will apply through the ERFS system for you and issue a Certificate of Completion of Registration.

Keep in mind that having the ERFS is not the complete visa application. You will need other required documents for visa application.

Now, foreign citizens traveling to Japan can stay for less than 90 days for tourism — so long that they have. travel agency to organize the trip and serve as the receiving organization.

The validity of this visa is 3 months from the date of issue. The typical requirements (excluding additional documents according to teach country or region’s policy) are:

• A valid passport
• A completed visa application
• A passport-sized phonograph
• A certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS System (受付済証)

You will need to apply for a visa yourself. Once you have your ERFS certificate you will need your passport, a picture of yourself, any other relevant documents and a visa application form, which you can find here . 

Once you have everything you can visit the Japanese embassy in your country to apply for a visa. You will have to make an appointment first, so do not show up unannounced.

To enter Japan under the ERFS on a short-term visa, both the receiving organization and the applicant must complete the whole process. We’ve broken down the detailed procedure of this application system so you know exactly what to expect.

First step: ERFS preparation from the receiving organization

• Confirm that your company, sole proprietor or travel agency can issue the ERFS
• They will apply online to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which will be processed through the foreigner new entry online application system (ERFS)
• Receive a certificate that is sent online

Second step: Preparation to enter Japan from the applicant

• Once you get the ERFS certificate, prepare it with visa issuance application required in your embassy
• You will get a confirmation of your application status. 
• Issue your short-term visa. 
• Enter Japan while complying with all COVID border measures for international travel , including downloading MySOS app and checking vaccination requirements. 

Last step: While in Japan

• Travel agencies, companies or other receiving organizations must manage the foreigner’s health status. 
• Four tour participants, you need to report any changes to your health, which will be put on record. 
• For tour participants
• When there is a change in your health
• Request a report without exception.
• Save the action history.

Return from Japan

Upon your return to your home country, your travel agency will save your contact information for one week after the tour ends. 

FAQ About the ERFS 

What will happen if the receiving organization violates the commitments pledged on the erfs.

If the contents of the application are false, the receiving agency may not be able to accept applications for new entry of foreigners. (See the full commitment here ).

Can applications for the ERFS together?

It is possible for the receiving organization to do it individually or collectively.

Is it possible to correct information in the ERFS?

Changes under the application can be modified. However, after completion (before applying for visa), you cannot modify the data.

In the ERFS registration, can the foreigner use the email address of the local travel agency (receiving organization) instead of their personal email?

This is not possible.

Does the person in charge of acceptance need to apply? Is it possible for a third party (travel agency, etc.) to collectively apply for a proxy?

The application procedure can be delegated to a third party. However, some third parties may take over the application procedure for a fee. Please note that doing so may violate the Administrative Procedures Legal Law.

Do I Need to Issue the Visa Under the ERFS by Myself?

Typically, you, the applicant, will be the one to issue the visa at your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. However, there are some countries in which the visa applications should be submitted through travel agencies accredited by Japanese overseas establishments.

If you’d like to know more about anything, you can visit the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website . Here’s the ERFS page and the Visa page.

What is an ERFS?

The Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System, or the ERFS, is a system that foreigners have to go through if they want to enter Japan for a short-term stay. Once you have gone through the system you will get a certificate which you can use to get a visa to Japan.

Do I need the ERFS to enter Japan?

Yes. As of right now, anyone trying to get into Japan for a short-term stay must get a visa, and do that you will need an ERFS certificate.

Do I need a visa to enter Japan?

While some countries didn’t need visas to enter Japan, that was before the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, foreigners from every country will need a visa to be granted entry into Japan.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes and should not be taken as official, legal advice. Kindly refer to official sources and consult with a legal expert.

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How to Enter Japan on a Package Tour with the ERFS System

Note: Japan reopens to visa-free tourism for most nationalities starting October 11, 2022. Therefore, most of what is written below is now moot. We are leaving it on our site as a reference and record of this system, but you can safely ignore it.

Last update: October 10, 2022

ERFS Visa Process FAQ

IMPORTANT: If you are an American citizen living in the United States or a Canadian citizen living in Canada, you can apply for your visa online using Japan’s new eVISA system .

• Q: What is the first thing you should do when you start the process? Unless you are an American or Canadian citizen (see note above), you should contact your local Japan embassy or consulate and find out if you can visit in person to apply or if you must apply by post/courier. Policies vary widely by location and this can significantly affect processing time, so do this first!
• Q: How long does it take to get the ERFS certificate? Some Japan travel companies will sell you just an ERFS, so it will only take a day or two. Other companies, who follow the letter of the law, will insist on selling a full package tour, so it can take a week or more. In either case, once you agree on terms and make payment, they will apply to the Japanese government system on your behalf. This system will produce a PDF of your ERFS certificate within 24 hours of application (often almost immediately). They will email you the ERFS certificate, which you take to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. They require five business days to process and issue the actual visa. Under ideal conditions, you could do the whole process in two weeks, but it would be better to have month or so to avoid stressing.
• Q: How long is the certificate of eligibility valid? The ERFS certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue listed at the bottom of the certificate.
• Q: How long is the visa valid? The actual short-term tourist visa that the Japan embassy or consulate will put in your passport is valid for three months from the date of issue (which is clearly written on the visa itself). That means, you can use it to enter Japan within three months of that date. Note that this is different from the duration of stay to which the visa entitles you (see following).
• Q: How long can you stay in Japan with the short-term tourist visa? This depends on how long your package tour is. In our test application, we applied using a one-week package tour and they gave us 15 days.
• Q: How many times can you enter Japan with the visa? The visas are single-entry visas. So, for example, you cannot take a ferry from Japan to South Korea during your Japan trip and then reenter Japan with that visa (even if it’s within the duration of the original visa).
• Q: How long does it take for a Japanese embassy/consulate to process the visa? 5~7 business days.
• Q: What do you have to submit to the embassy/consulate when you apply? – Certificate – Application – Passport photo May also be asked for: – Pamphlet of tour – Itinerary of tour – Tour company name and contact details – Guide name – Contact details
• Q: What happens if Japan opens to independent travelers after you get your ERFS visa? In this case, we assume that the ERFS visa would become irrelevant. You could fly to Japan and they would ignore that visa and give you a 90-day tourist visa on arrival as they did in the “old days.” Note, this is conjecture at this point, since this hasn’t yet happened, but we see no reason why this would not be the case. For a related situation, see the following question.
• Q: What happens if Japan opens to independent travelers after you have entered the country on an ERFS visa? Since the short-term tourist visa you get under the ERFS system is single entry and for a limited time (in our test case it was 15 days), we assume that you would have to leave Japan before the duration of your visa is up. But there is an easy way to extend your stay: Fly or take a ferry to South Korea (which is open to independent travelers) and immediately return to Japan and you’ll be given a 90-day tourist visa good for independent travel (as long as you can show that you have the funds to support this). BUT, this is only possible if Japan reopens to independent travelers.

Kyoto Vacation Checklist

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• Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
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• If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
• A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
• World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world

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How to Travel in Japan as a Tourist Since June 2022

Updated with september 7’s measures.

Tourists have been allowed again in Japan since June 10, but under very specific conditions.

Given Japan’s poor communication and the last months’ ever-changing requirements, it seems that the gradual tourism resumption framework is somehow unclear or blurred by older measures. We thus summarized what travelers need to know to take a trip in Japan this summer 2022 and after, under the current requirements.

Students, businesspeople and residents’ relatives whose situations fall under other requirements since March are out of the scope of this article that will only focus on tourists.

📝 General requirements

During his visit in London in early May , Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised the reopening of the borders in line with the other G7 countries for June.

Technically, tourists are indeed allowed entry to Japan, but there are specific requirements as explained below:

🛃 Daily entry cap

Since September 7, the daily entry cap in Japan has been raised to 50,000 (it gradually raised since early 2022 in a trend that is expected to continue).

However, it is not really something to worry about .

The limit is indeed on the number of slots allotted to the airlines landing every day in the archipelago. If you bought a flight  ✈️ to Japan, you may land anyway .

That is to say, provided you can find an affordable flight this summer, given the lengthening of flight duration consequence of the war in Ukraine, the flaring up of the kerosene prices due to the worldwide inflation, the staff shortage…and strikes that may occasionally disturb the beginning of the vacations’ period.

📄 Getting a tourist visa

Since March 2020, touristic trips reciprocity in the visa waiver program agreements with several countries in the world has been suspended by Japan, something that the European Union has been recently holding against the country. Even so, Japan resumed visa issuance for tourism purpose from 2022, June 10.

However, a travel agency based in Japan must act as a sponsor for any touristic trip . The agency must declare each of their travelers beforehand through the Japanese immigration’s ERFS system, in order to get a PDF authorization called " UketsukeZumisho ".

Then, prospective travelers must go - generally in person – to their nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate with the following documents to apply for a visa:

• This filled-in form ;
• An ID photo ;
• Their passport;
• The " UketsukeZumisho " authorization received from the travel agency;
• Cash to pay the visa fee; and,
• A lot of patience (the wait can last several hours even with an appointment).

They must make sure to book their appointment at the embassy leaving enough leeway to complete the whole process.

Naturally, the documents list is non-exhaustive and details for application are to be checked with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your area. Make sure to book your appointment as soon as possible as the earliest date available may be scheduled several weeks later.

Afterwards, the passport stamped with a tourist visa is usually returned in about 5 working days (timelines may vary depending on the area).

🏥 Health insurance

Travelers must subscribe to their own health insurance that must cover medical costs in case of hospitalization due to a severe form of Coronavirus  🦠 .

Many clients who pay at least a part of their reservation with a bank card  💳 (especially the "Gold" or "Premier" holders) may already have such a coverage, but each traveler is advised to check the conditions of their insurance contract.

If not covered, subscribing to a third-party insurance is mandatory and fortunately not that expensive. Kanpai suggests several reliable companies here:

👃 PCR test before departure

In the same way as to travel in many other countries in the world, it is still mandatory for travelers aged 6 years and older to get a negative Covid test before departure , regardless of their vaccination status. The test must be made at the earliest 72 hours before the departure of the flight for Japan .

Important notice : you must fill in this specific certificate and submit it to the Japanese immigration (a physician’s signature or a laboratory stamp are not necessary anymore to validate it).

The PCR test is not required anymore since September 7th to flight to Japan, but only for travelers who received their three vaccine doses (being infected with Covid is not considered being vaccinated). The authorized vaccines are:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer)
• Spikevax (Moderna)
• Vaxzeveria (AstraZeneca)
• Jcovden (Janssen)
• Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
• Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)

💉 No mandatory vaccine or quarantine

Japan includes the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom (98 countries in total) in its blue countries list. Therefore, travelers who stayed in these countries during the 14 days-period prior to their arrival on the archipelago do not need to be vaccinated to enter the country (see the PCR test information above). Moreover, they don’t need to be quarantined .

If your country happened to be downgraded to the yellow countries list (which is not impossible considering the recent BA4/BA5 variants wave, even if Portugal went through it without being demoted from the blue countries), only triple-vaccinated travelers would be exempted of quarantine . For the others, 3 to 7 5 days of isolation in a hotel  🏨 could be required depending on the results of a PCR test after 3 days.

📲 App to download

Each traveler arriving in Japan must have their own smartphone  📱 and download the Japanese government’s app " MySOS " .

The " Fast Track " system has the additional advantage to fill personal information beforehand in MySOS such as:

• Passport number;
• Vaccination certificate, and more importantly;
• A negative test certificate.

It helps save time with the arrival procedures at the airport: Tokyo -Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya - Chubu , Osaka - Kansai , Fukuoka , and recently Naha ( Okinawa ), Sapporo New Chitose ( Hokkaido ), Sendai, Hiroshima and Takamatsu.

The renting of a Pocket Wi-Fi to be permanently connected to the internet  📶 in Japan is all the more necessary.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group Individual travel

That is the most confusing point. From May 24 to June 4, the Japanese government conducted test package-group tours from various countries, but this test period is now over.

There is no limit (minimum or maximum) anymore regarding the number of travelers : you can travel alone, in couple, with family or friends, regardless of the number of travelers.

Entering a package group tour is not mandatory ! Some travel agencies may offer this kind of service to compensate for the shortage of guides or to make the cost of the guide more affordable (see below) but it is not a condition required by the Japanese government.

🚶 Planned itinerary

Your trip must, to a certain extent, be planned and organized by a travel agency . While travelers could book their flights and hotels themselves between June 10 and September 7, it is now required to go through a travel agency (staying at relatives’ homes is therefore not possible).

Moreover, the whole country is accessible to sightseeing and there is no longer any prefecture restriction, and you can naturally benefit from the famous JR Pass to travel in Japan at an affordable price.

The itinerary is not planned with compulsory visits or schedules to follow! If a travel agency tries to impose such travel and if it does not suit you, feel free to check other travel agents.

😷 Face mask and sanitary guidelines

While wearing a face mask  😷 outdoor is not recommended anymore in Japan since May 14, most of the Japanese population is still wearing it.

As for tourists, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization and Health Minister's guidelines , the mask must always be worn indoor (unless you can keep your distances and do not need to speak!) and outdoor only if you need to speak to someone standing within a 2 meters radius.

Of course, travelers must respect all the other sanitary recommendations (such as washing hands frequently and keeping social distance). It is also recommended to avoid places that are too crowded and the rush hours in transports and restaurants.

🙇🏻 Mandatory guide (only from June 10 to September 7)

In addition to providing the authorization for requesting a tourist visa (see above), the Japanese travel agency is the guarantor of your abiding to these guidelines.

Consequently, at the resuming of international travel, each "group" (from 1 traveler) had to be permanently escorted by a tour-guide , including during meals. Its means there was no leeway for an autonomous trip , except in the hotel room, toilets  🚽 (naturally), and at the onsen   ♨️ .

The guide had to keep records of the visits, transports and restaurants used every day may the Japanese immigration request a reporting in the event of a Covid case.

Naturally, this responsibility and the large working hours of the guide (without any day-off) generated very expensive rates , usually amounting to several hundred dollars per day.

Considering their very limited number, few guides are still available, especially for the traditional touristic peak season.

🗾 When will these restrictions end?

That is THE question in everybody’s mind… to which nobody can answer yet . It is very difficult to find any logic in the decision-making process when taking into account the choices made over the past 2 years.

July 10th’s parliamentary elections are likely key to the evolution of the situation, but it is unrealistic to expect any easing for the next weeks to come.

Want to know when Japan will reopen its borders to free individual travelers? Subscribe to Kanpai’s Newsletter and get information on real time:

It is highly probable that the system implemented on June 10th, and modified on September 7th, will stay in place for quite some time . Travel restrictions are gradually eased but no one knows when they will be totally lifted, or which ones will remain, especially the visa and planning with a travel agency requirements.

Depending on the evolution of the sanitary, economic and diplomatic conditions as well as domestic and international pressures, an easing can reasonably be envisioned by the end of 2022.

In the week following the implementation of these measures, only 1,300 authorization requests were made to the Japanese immigration. Many agencies have been taken aback and have been gradually organizing the trips for summer and autumn   🍁 .

Later, the number of 252 entries in Japan for sightseeing purpose between June 10 and 30 was disclosed, 7,903 in July, and 10.826 in August . About 20,000 tourism visa applications have been made for September, and nearly 36,000 for October and later. The top 5 of tourist visa applicants includes South Korea, the United States, Thailand, France, and Australia.

Anyone is free to enjoy this possibility to go (again) to Japan after 30 months of complete closure to tourism, or to wait without knowing until when these restrictions will last.

What is certain however, is that those who have the motivation and the budget to travel in the next months will both benefit from a historically low Yen  💴 (and consequently a high purchase power in Japan, that partially compensates the additional cost for the guide) and a travel exclusivity that will not happen again anytime soon!

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Japan Travel Agency ERFS Service

Japan travel agency erfs, qualified japan tour company for erfs, most frequently asked questions.

•  What materials do your travel company need to provide for ERFS documents? We need clear passport pictures, flight information, and a travel itinerary for every tourist.
•  Does your travel agency provide ERFS files for foreign travelers? Our company can provide free ERFS files but you need to purchase part of our service offerings according to our company regulations.
•  Japan allowed self-guided tours, do I still need a tourist visa? Starting from September 7, Japan has allowed self-guided tours, but visas are still required. we can provide you with free ERFS documents and other documents required for the visa application.
•  As a US citizen, do I need a visa to enter Japan for travel? Yes, currently all foreign tourists need a visa to enter Japan, as a qualified Japan travel agency, we provide the service of Japan visa and ERFS files.
•  Are your travel agencies qualified to provide ERFS files? As a qualified Japanese travel agency, we have provided 300 ERFS documents for foreign tourists as of today.
•  How long will it take to process the ERFS documents? If the materials are complete, our travel agency in Japan will take about 1-2 days to complete the processing of the ERFS documents. They will be sent to you in the form of a PDF file, printed out, and submitted to the Japanese embassy together with other materials.
•  What documents do I need to apply for a Japanese tourist visa? As of September 1, 2022, the materials for applying for a Japanese tourist visa include ERFS files, a detailed travel itinerary, and information of Japanese travel agencies.
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For travel agencies, Land operarion in Japan and ERFS registration

• 2022 Aug 26

Dear travel agencies, (This post is for  B to B) Hello, This is Hirokane ISHIKAKI, the manager of Local Travel Partners. I hope you are doing well. Due to Japanese government’s polices, Japan can welcome only limited travelers from abroad at this moment. But recently, a few regulations have been removed. Now the Japanese government requires conditions below. Below is my understanding after hearing PM Kishida’s online press conference and reading newspapers. (today=August 26th, 2022) 1), VISA 2), ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System) The host travel agency in Japan (like our company) applies to the government for information on incoming travelers and obtains approval. You need to submit ERFS when you apply for visa to the Japanese embassy. 3), Tours which are arranged by travel agencies (No individual trip booked by travelers by themselves)  4), Wearing masks (as he did not say “no need to wear masks”)

Not requred 1), If you have been vaccinated 3 times, PCR test before entering Japan is not required from September 7th. 2), A tour guide companion is not a must. (from when? It is not specified yet.)

If you have guests who are planning to travel to Japan under your ordermade tours, please contact us. We can support land operation and ERFS register.

I do hope the government reopen the borders completely without requiring ERFS and visa as soon as possible. But at this moment, this is the only way to welcome guests from abroad.

I look forward to working with you and welcoming your guests.

Visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Best regards, Hirokane ISHIKAKI

Happy Holidays!

Not available : 11th and 13th august 2023 private tour from shimizu, for cruise ship passengers who will call at shimizu port., recent article.

Local Travel Partners Inc. 2-1-10-3F Oguro Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City, Japan +81-54-260-4890

Copyright ©  Travel Shizuoka｜Local Travel Partners

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what i see online is mostly 20~30k yen pp, its such a scammed

An extensive post/thread asking the same question = https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294232-i525-k14097491-Erfs-Japan.html

>>what i see online is mostly 20~30k yen pp, its such a scammed

However, I won't label the fee as a scam though. Registered local TAs are legally responsible for the tourists and to the local authorities as stipulated.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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How to Apply for Japan Tourist Visa?

• Client contacts Rajah Travel (or any travel agency accredited by Japan Embassy) to book a package tour. The package tour does not only refer to group tours organized by the travel service provider in Japan. It is possible to organize a package tour for a private party (for example, a family of 4), but this customized arrangement will be between Rajah Travel and the travel service provider in Japan.  
• Rajah Travel coordinates with the travel service provider in Japan about the package tour request. Rajah Travel will request specific documents from the package tour participants as required by the travel service provider in Japan in order to apply for the ERFS.  
• The travel service provider in Japan registers the package tour participants with the ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-Up System) in Japan. The travel service provider in Japan must be accredited with the ERFS first to proceed with the registration of the package tour participants.  
• If successful, the ERFS will then provide a "Certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS" to the travel service provider in Japan for each participant.
• The travel service provider in Japan then sends the Certificates to Rajah Travel.  
• Rajah Travel then applies for the ERFS single-entry tourist visas at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. Travel agencies in the Philippines cannot apply for the ERFS tourist visa directly unless acquired accreditation from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.  
•   If successful, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines will then issue the ERFS single-entry tourist visas and send them back to Rajah Travel.   
• Rajah Travel then returns the passports with the ERFS single-entry tourist visa to the package tour participants.

5 Days Japan: Osaka Highlights

5 Days Japan: Tokyo Highlights

5 Days Japan: Colors of Hokkaido

/edited 070522 /updated 031623

Welcome to ALTOUR Japan!

Challenging the world with a spirit of the globalism, ALTOUR JAPAN was born to seek for becoming the only company in the world. We are pleased to introduce new company ALTOUR JAPAN to the world. The U.S.-based Japanese company Wing Mate, and Europe and the U.S.-based leading travel agency ALTOUR have formed a joint venture ALTOUR Wing Mate. ALTOUR JAPAN has been established as the function of the Japan branch office of ALTOUR Wing Mate. ALTOUR Wing Mate has provided not only the worldwide business network to serve its clients at Los Angeles, New York, San Jose, Alabama, London, Paris and Bangkok, but also the worldwide operation of its own call center in Japanese and English languages for 24hours per day and 365 days per year to respond all kinds of requests and troubles from its clients such as arrangements for unexpected business trips, flight changes, and flight cancellations.

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JAPAN TRAVEL UPDATES IN Covid-19

General covid-19 update in japan.

Considering the increase of domestic travelers, the number of newly tested positive is gradually showing a decline. The number of cases requiring inpatient care is decreasing as well. https://covid19.mhlw.go.jp/extensions/public/en/index.html As of May 24, the rate of third vaccinations was about 89% for the elderly aged 65 years and older, and about 58% overall. https://www.niid.go.jp/niid/en/2019-ncov-e.html

Japan travel updates (Foreigners traveling to Japan – How restrictive entering country)

Are foreigners allowed to enter Japan? Yes, starting from June 10th, 2022, not only business travelers but also tourist from countries on the “blue list” are able to enter Japan. Border Category List https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_category.html What are the requirements for those who can enter Japan now? As written on the following page of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, tourists from foreign country must visit Japan on a guided tour organized by a Japan-based travel agency or operator who will complete prescribed applications in the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS). Visa will be necessary as well and we ALTOUR JAPAN will support clients with both. https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html Are there on-arrival PCR tests, isolation, home quarantine? Would vaccination certificate be necessary? No. On-arrival PCR testing, isolation, home quarantine, vaccination certificate will NOT be necessary for foreign tourists from the countries on the “blue list”. Other requirements will still be necessary including pre-departure test. For more information, please check https://www.altourjapan.com/dl/Travel-to-Japan.pdf

Japan travel updates (Japanese traveling from Japan to Overseas)

The number of Japanese traveling abroad has drastically declined since March 2020 due to COVID as well. In December 2019, 1.7M Japanese traveled oversea. The lowest number was April 2020 when only less than 4,000 people traveled. The number gradually increased since then and it was about 52,000 travelers in November 2021, still -96.8% growth compared to 2 years ago. https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/#graph--outbound--outgoing--transition https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/

JAL/ANA update of flight operations in COVID-19

Japan Domestic Domestic flight operation of JAL and ANA has recovered to nearly the pre-COVID level. In December 2021, JAL operated 91% of scheduled flight – it was the first time they recorded more than 90% since COVID hit the travel industry. In January 2022, JAL’s operation rate will be 97%. As for ANA, the flight operation in December 2021 is 86% and in January 2022 will be 95%. JAL and ANA also announced the number of reservations made for the New Year holiday. JAL saw 0.98M reservations were made, 84.3% compared to 2019 and 64.8% increase since last year. ANA marked 1.08M reservations, 71% compared to 2019 and 12.3% increase since last year. Source JAL: https://press.jal.co.jp/en/ ANA: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/pr/ Aviation Wire: https://www.aviationwire.jp/

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Update: Japan to Relax Its Restrictions for Autumn Travel

Update: JGA is no longer offering ERFS, as Japan soon plans to relax its restrictions that require tourists travel on a package tour and apply for a visa (even for tourists from the U.S. and other countries that were visa-waiver countries prior to the pandemic). Japan's relaxed restrictions could occur as soon as October, 2022 and Prime Minister Kishida is expected to make an official announcement “in the coming days,” according to Nikkei Asia .

Need to Enter Japan with ERFS Certification but wish to book your own flights and hotels? For those traveling to Japan within the next 90 days, there seems to be a good solution: Japan Guide Agency, or JGA. It's one of the few that for Entrants, Returnees Follow-Up System (ERFS) certification doesn't require travelers to book a hotel through the agency. There are already tourists in Japan who have received an ERFS certificate from JGA, gotten a Japanese Visa, and been able to enter Japan. Here are the details:

1 Go the JGA ERFS Site to Apply and Pay

Go to the JGA ERFS site , select the number of travelers, then checkout. Note that you'll need to supply the details of your flights to and from Japan, as well as the first hotel you stay at. The hotel will appear on your ERFS. At time of writing, the fee is JPY 30,000 per person (same per person pricing for adults and children, including infants).

After checking out, you'll receive a confirmation of your purchase as well as a tour itinerary to complete. You'll need to complete and return the itinerary to JGA before JGA can issue the ERFS certificate to you, typically the following working day.

2 After Receiving the ERFS Certificate, Apply for a Japanese Visa

U.S. and Canadian citizens may apply for a Japanese eVISA . The site says to allow at least 5 working days, but many have had their visas issued faster. Here's a good summary from Flyertalker seigex on the various status updates that can apply once you've applied for the eVisa:

• Application Not Made -> You didn't submit your application yet, you need to check the box to the left of the application and then click the orange “[ Application >” arrow on the bottom right of the application list to actually submit it.
• Temporarily Received -> You've successfully submitted it, there will be an OK next to it saying the basic check has been completed
• Accepted -> It's been accepted and moved in to the queue for someone to verify it, this took me about 12 hours to see the change, i would suspect yours will change in a few hours.
• Examined and Passed -> It's pending issue
• Ready for Issuance -> should be quick (thanks  sensei  )
• Issued -> You have an eVisa, and you should have an expiration date showing up as well. Soon after this you should be able to download the eVisa, though I've heard you need to be able to pull it up on your phone at the Japanese airport as it has a rotating QR code that needs to be refreshed.
• Withdrawal Requested -> You requested it to be withdrawn to fix an issue they alerted you about, like no middle name.
• Withdrawn -> The withdrawal has been completed, this takes about 12 to 24 hours in my experience.

3. Pre-Register on the MySOS Web Site or App Prior to Flying to Japan

As of September 7, 2022, U.S. citizens who have been fully vaccinated and boosted (triple vaccinated) with vaccines approved by Japan do not require a pre-travel COVID-19 test. See Current Japanese Border Measures .

Go to the Fast Track page . Posters have noted that the Web site tends to work better than the app; go to Web Sign Up page to register, the Log In . You'll ultimately need to upload your vaccination certificate and complete the questionnaire and pledge so as obtain the green or blue screen that you'll show at Immigration along with your eVisa and passport, to enter Japan.

My Trip to Japan is in Spring 2023; Can I Apply for an ERFS Now?

No, it's too early, because the ERFS is only valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Those with travel within the next 3 months (or a little more, given processing times) may apply for an ERFS certificate. You'll want to ensure that your ERFS is valid for stay dates in Japan, since Immigration can review ERFS validity at the time of entry into Japan. Also, it's possible that by the time of your future trip, Japan will downgrade COVID-19 from its current status (roughly equivalent to Category 2) such that independent tourists will again be permitted, without requiring ERFS certification or a Japanese host organization.

What If I Need to Postpone My Trip to Japan?

As long as you enter Japan within the validity of the original visa, you can change your dates. But if your postponed trip has you entering Japan after your original visa has expired, you'll need to redo the process of obtaining an ERFS and reapplying for a Japanese visa.

Where Should I Stay in Japan?

TravelSort Clients can ask us for our luxury travel recommendations based on their preferences. Having lived, worked, and traveled extensively in Japan we're well positioned to assist. Also see our Aman Kyoto , Park Hyatt Kyoto , Amanemu , and Ritz-Carlton Tokyo reviews, among others.

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Thanks for the article! Looks like JGA is no longer accepting applications for ERFS… unless I’m not seeing something obvious?

We are sorry, the Japanese government’s border control is now rapidly changing. So the ERFS issuing is now suspended. We are looking forward to supporting your Japan visit after everything is getting back to normal. Thank you.

Raymond, yes, JGA has stopped offering ERFS in anticipation of Japan relaxing restrictions for autumn travel; we’ve updated the post at the top.

So does this mean no one can enter the country until October?

No, some visitors have already successfully applied for ERFS, received their visa and gone to Japan or will go to Japan using a visa. But for those who haven’t yet applied for ERFS and aren’t traveling until late October or later, we recommend waiting until the official announcement, which should be any day now, so as to know the exact date when individual travel without ERFS or a visa will be permitted.

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Japan reopens to British travellers – with strings attached

The uk is in japan’s ‘blue list’ group of countries, along with the us and most of europe, article bookmarked.

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Japan reopens at last to international tourists today following a near-complete two-year ban on foreign arrivals.

However, only a select few may go – namely those booked on to private group tours approved by the Japanese government.

Those who are eligible must still test before travel, fill in a health form and wear masks for much of the trip. Meanwhile, individual tourists remain barred from the country.

The Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida last month confirmed that, from 10 June, international tour groups from certain “blue list” countries including the UK would be permitted entry.

The country’s daily entry cap on tourists has also been doubled to 20,000,

Today’s updated Foreign Office (FCDO) advice reads: “From 10 June, tourists will be allowed to enter from the UK and other ‘blue list’ countries provided they are sponsored and registered on the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS) by an approved Japanese travel agency.”

Travel hopefuls will need the assistance of a Japan specialist tour operator, since the ERFS website is entirely in Japanese.

Once booked on an approved tour, tourists must:

• Take an approved Covid-19 test within the 72 hours before their flight departure time - this can be a nucleic acid test such as an RT-PCR or LAMP test, or a “qualitative antigen test”
• Sign a written pledge that commits them to abiding by the quarantine and self-isolation rules and to a number of other requirements
• Complete an online health questionnaire and obtain a QR code

A full list of valid and invalid Covid test types are outlined here , with the clarification that rapid antigen tests and kits are not accepted.

Previously a bucket list favourite, Japan has retained some of the world’s tightest travel restrictions as the pandemic lingers on.

The country saw 32 million international tourists in 2019, a figure that slipped down to 4 million in 2020 and 0.25 million in 2021.

The government attempted to ease its travel restrictions in summer 2021, before making the decision to close its borders once more in November 2021.

Business travellers, foreign workers and visitors such as entertainers have been allowed into the country only since 1 March 2022, subject to the same strict rules as group tour arrivals.

Speaking in Tokyo in late May , Mr Kishida said: “We will resume accepting tourists on package tours with guides from the 10th of next month.

“Step by step we will aim to accept tourists as we did in normal times, taking into consideration the status of infections.”

Yesterday three of the the country’s biggest business lobbies – Japan Business Federation, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the chambers of commerce of the US and other G-7 nations – published a statement urging Mr Kishida to make a more dramatic change to still-strict border rules.

The trio called on the government to restore visa waivers for business travellers, resume individual tourist travel and eliminate the cap on daily international arrivals, among other measures.

“These additional steps will help to ensure that Japan’s entry policies are better aligned with those of G-7 partners and will contribute to a more rapid recovery of Japan’s economy,” said the organisations.

Seino Satoshi, president of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), said: “Despite the pandemic, we have worked with people in inbound tourism to prepare for its recovery.

“We will welcome the return of international tourists to Japan as the first step in the recovery of inbound tourism.”

Travellers can find more practical info on entering Japan at the JNTO website.

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JAPAN VISA: LIST OF TRAVEL AGENCIES Accredited by the Embassy

Because of the sheer volume of applications, the Japanese Embassy doesn’t accept direct or walk-in applications, except in rare special cases. Instead, tourist and visit visa applications must be coursed through an officially designated travel agency, which will then compile and submit the applications in bulk.

The downside of this system, of course, is the service fee. The embassy’s processing of the visa is FREE-OF-CHARGE. But the travel agency will collect a service charge per application. But this system has ensured a fast, efficient way to process visa applications. In fact, the Korean Embassy has followed suit and employed a similar model recently. The fee varies from agency to agency, so if budget is a concern, contact them before showing up at their office.

Here’s how to apply for a Japan visa:

✅ tourist visa requirements, ✅ visit visa requirements.

Below is the list of all travel agencies that are accredited by the Japanese Embassy. Of these, we were able to try Attic Tours (Roxas Blvd), Reli Tours (SM Megamall), and Friendship Tours (Dusit Thani), and we didn’t encounter any problem with any of them.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Attic Tours Phils., Inc

Manila Main Office Unit 202 Coko Building 1, Patio Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Telephone Nos.: (02) 556-6301, (02) 556-6302, (02) 556-6303, (02) 556-6304, (02) 556-6305

Hotel Jen Branch Ground Floor, Hotel Jen Manila, 3001 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Telephone Nos.: (02) 984-0566, (02) 668-9845, (02) 516-0699

SM North EDSA Branch Ground Floor, The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City Telephone Nos.: (02) 372-3254, (02) 373-2594 Mobile No.: 0917-898-0905

SM City Fairview Branch Upper Ground Flr. Annex 3 Bldg. SM City Fairview, Quirino Highway cor. Regalado Ave. Brgy. Greater Lagro, Novaliches, Quezon City Telephone Nos.: (02) 829-0761 Mobile No.: 0917-189-1228

SM Cebu City Branch 2F, SM CITY CEBU, North Reclamation Area, Mabolo Cebu City Telephone Nos.: (032) 239-8435

Cebu Waterfront Branch Waterfront Airport Hotel, 1 Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu Telephone Nos.: (032) 341-2011, (032) 341-2012

Davao Branch Level 3, SM City Davao, Quimpo Boulevard, Talomo, Davao City Telephone No.: (082) 225-8920 Mobile No.: 0917-321-1328

Discovery Tour

Makati Main Office Unit301, Ground Floor, Sagittarius Building, H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City Telephone Nos.: (02) 892-2849, (02) 843-5832, (02) 843-5083 Mobile Nos.: 0915-320-0780, 0999-943-5231

Cebu Branch Door No. 203-A1, 2nd Floor, Northgate Center, Don Manuel Gotianuy Complex, Gov.Cuenco Avenue, Banilad City, Cebu Telephone Nos.: (032) 340-1822, (032) 340-1824 Mobile Nos.: 0916-958-3489, 0999-420-5556, 0922-769-8369

Davao Branch Door 109, Ground Floor, Court View Inn Building, Quimpo Boulevard corner Sandawa Road, Davao City Telephone Nos.: (082) 285-7188, (082) 284-4114, (082) 321-1315 Mobile Nos.: 0915-326-0111, 0920-210-4677, 0923-423-2207

Friendship Tours and Resorts Corporation

Makati Main Office 3rd Floor, Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City Telephone Nos.: (02) 810-9622, (02) 893-8180 Mobile No.: 0917-548-1810

Cebu Branch Unit 2-508, 5th Floor, OITC 2 Building, Oakridge Business Park, A.S. Fortune Street, Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu Telephone Nos.: (032) 345-3459, (032) 344-4825 Mobile No.: 0917-724-3373

Rajah Travel Corporation

Makati Branch 3rd Floor, 331 Building, 331 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Telephone No.: (02) 894-0886 Mobile No.: 0917-529-6774

Manila Branch Ground Floor, GLC Building, Mabini corner T.M. Kalaw Streets, Ermita, Manila Telephone Nos.: (02) 523-8801, (02) 523-8802, (02) 523-8803, (02) 523-8804, (02) 523-8805, (02) 523-8806, (02) 523-8807 Mobile No.: 0917-854-3614

Reli Tours and Travel Company

Makati Main Office 3rd Floor Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, Telephone Nos.: (02) 894-1210, (02) 893-7259, (02) 893-9226

SM Mall of Asia Branch Bay City, Pasay City Telephone Nos.: (02) 556-1445, (02) 556-1446, (02) 556-1447

SM Megamall Branch Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, EDSA, Mandaluyong City Telephone Nos.: (02) 637-4694, (02) 637-4695, (02) 637-5020

Binondo Branch 4th Floor Lucky Chinatown Reina Regonte corner Dela Reina Streets, Binondo, Manila Telephone No.: (02) 242-0640 Mobile No.: 0906-492-1000

SM Southmall Branch Alabang-Zapote Road, Las-Pinas City Telephone Nos.: (02) 800-4948, (02) 800-4949, (02) 800-4950

Pan Pacific Travel Corporation

Note: Pan Pacific only accepts applications WITHOUT documents written or printed in Japanese.

Binondo Head Office 353 E.T. Yuchengco Street, Binondo, Manila, Philippines Telephone No.: (02) 243-6666 Email: [email protected]

Cebu Branch Diplomat Hotel. Suite No. 6, 90 F. Ramos Street. Cebu City Email: [email protected] Telephone Nos.: (032) 254-0343, (032) 254-0345, (032) 254-0347, (032) 254-0349

Ermita Branch G/F Pacific Place Apartelle Suites. 539 Arquiza St. Ermita, Manila Email: [email protected] Telephone Nos.: (02) 523-1990, (02) 526-6427

Makati Branch Unit LG-1 Herrera Tower Condominium. # 98 V.A. Rufino St corner Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Email: [email protected] Telephone Nos.: (02) 810-8551, (02) 810-8552, (02) 810-8553, (02) 810-8554, (02) 810-8555, (02) 810-8556

Universal Holidays, Inc.

Makati Main Office Ground Floor, Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Ayala Center, 1223 Makati City Telephone Nos.: (02) 859-3857, (02) 859-3858, (02) 859-3859, (02) 859-3860, (02) 618-2359 Mobile Nos.:　0917-634-8280, 0917-530-2998

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I was just wondering if you were able to verify Universal Holiday’s Cebu branch ‘coz I am seeing a Cebu branch in their site but it is not listed in your page nor in the official site. I have tried this branch before and would really like to use their service again.

Hi Mat, I think legit naman sya kasi yung accreditation ng Japan Embassy yata ay per company, hindi per branch. So since accredited yung Universal Holiday, most likely kasama lahat ng branches nila.

Update! I applied for multiple entry at the Cebu branch and thankfully na.approve naman. I asked them why they were not listed and I think it has something to do with limitation of what type of visa they were allowed to apply. Nakalimutan ko ano exactly yun. Hehehe. Yung inaply ko tourist visa w/o sponsor which is pwd nila i.process.

Thanks for the reply.

Hello! Do I really need to apply a Japan visa in an accredited travel agency?

All applications will go through an accredited agency. But you can apply at other non-accredited agencies, but they will still course it through an accredited agency rin so mas mahal sya.

Hi For the visa application, since I just had my passport renewed, and of course it is all empty though i had made multiple travels in the past 5 years and it is all in the old passport. What can you advise for such? Would it matter if my new passport is empty? or should i send in also the copy of my old one? just to show that i have record of my old trips?

Hi Nel, I can’t say for sure because I had a different experience each time I applied. There was a time when the agency also took my old passport too. There were also times when they did not. So I’m not sure what the protocol is.

My advice is to just bring your old passport when you visit the agency and ask them for their reco. :D

Hi is canadian tours accredited? thank you.

Wala po sya sa official list as of Oct 2018

I am a Ghanaian and wanted to visit Japan with my team (its an agriculture company) for an AGRO Tour. How can I do with ease and through which agency can I do this?

Hi! Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the policy for Ghanaians. :(

Hi! Just want to ask if you have an idea how to get accreditation in Japan. Thank you

Hello Sir! My mom is a retiree (no income) and I want to sponsor her trip to Japan. I will accompany her and sponsor all her expenses during the trip. Kindly advise me as to how to go about my mom’s visa application. Thanks in advance.

This should help: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/

Take note yung WITH GUARANTOR na additional requirements

Is there an ordinary way of applying Japan visa or there are embassy’s that are only created for refusal especially qingdao in china? most people have never say anything good about them before

any agencies near dasmarinas city,cavite?

Hi. Can I apply from Liberia, Africa? If yes what are the requirements?

Is there agency in baguio city for tousirt japan visa?Thank you

Hi! I think so far, wala pang designated na agency sa Baguio. But you can still apply sa ibang travel agencies. Ico-course din nila yan sa designated agency.

Hi..I am a FILIPINO.I would like to inquire a tourist visa requirements…I am working in Singapore…I want to go to japan as tourist any agency that i could talk to here in Singapore? Thanks

Hi! Im on my graduate study program have my research conference presentation at Osaka Japan by January 2020.Do I need to apply a tourist visa Japan?Thank you for the reply.

I just wanted know po if it is possible that the applicant, being a student, his guarantor will not be his parents? His girlfriend will have to support and shoulder his travel expenses as a graduation gift for him. Would this be acceptable? Thank you in advance po.

Hi Charmaine, I haven’t tried something like this, so I don’t know for sure. But the biggest challenge here is proving the relationship.

According to the travel agency we consulted before, it’s still better if the sponsor is a close relative because you can easily prove the relationship using birth certificates.

Best to consult the travel agency where you will lodge your application.

Hello good evening i apply japanese visa to traveland here in Sagay city…. Many documents needed from my japanese guarantor …and i comply it all but im waiting the original documents from japan because traveland ask me to bring along with me original documents from my guarantor or the person who invites me ..im hoping you will answer me about my few questions …it is needed to have an interview in japanese embassy? Can i do interview in cebu City only?

Hi Maji, if you’re visiting Japan for a short stay only, usually there is no interview.

How much rate the travel agency charge for the processing of visa.

May plan po kami ng family ko na mag tourist visit sa Japan this year at ako po yung representative applicant. ask ko lang po sana apart po sa akin if kailangan din po ba yung wife ko at nung anak ko na adult ( 19y/o) na mag provide requirements such, employment cert., bank cert and ITR? Thanks

Hi ian, ang alam ko po, if kayo ung sasagot ng gastos, no need na for your wife and child. Basta same time kayo mag-apply.

Yung experience ko po kasi nung sinagot ko ung trip ng nanay ko and pamangkin ko, documents ko lang po ung sinubmit.

Pero tawag na lang din po kayo sa agency kung saan kayo mag-apply to be safe.

Depends on agency and type of visa. Tourist visas usually range P700-1000, Visit visas P1500-P2000. Call the agency where you plan to apply to be certain.

Hi, I am a bit confused because there is actually another list in the Japan embassy website specifying the accredited agencies. I think there were only 7 listed (UHI, friendship, Panpacific, Reli, etc.). For the list you specified here, ang nakalagay sa embassy site is List of Registered Agencies. May difference ba ang dalawa?

Hi Karmela,

Thanks for raising this. We emailed the embassy to clarify. Hopefully they’d respond soon. :D

Perhaps di lang naupdate ni Japan Embassy yung website nila? When I checked din kasi sa website ng Japan Embassy, sa lower part, it shows na parang 2014 pa yata yung last update nila dun sa site.

Not sure. Let’s wait for the confirmation from the embassy.

I just received feedback from the embassy. Here’s their reply:

Accredited agencies are agencies that directly submit visa application to our office. Registered agencies are those allowed to handle package tours for Japan and they need to submit the applications to any of our accredited agencies.

Thanks, Karmela.

Nagreply na rin sila sa amin pero di nila nasagot ung question exactly. Anyway, we updated the post na rin. Thanks for sharing this. :)

Been to Japan twice (with guarantor) planning to go there next year January pero without guarantor na. I can provide bank certificates, COE and ITR but I am a minimum wage earner sa province. Makaka apekto kaya ito sa pag apply ko? Salamat.

Lahat naman ay pwedeng makaapekto. Pero hard to say without much information.

hello good evening , pwede po ba mag apply sa attic tour dito sa davao ng working visa para japan po ? were japanese decendant .

Please how can I get Japan visa

hello po i am plqnning po to apply tourist visa for japan.the same po ba yung mga requirements ?

Pls let me know visit visa requirements thanks a lot.

Hello po sir. I plan to apply for a Japan Work Visa. May idea ho ba kayo kung ano mga mga documents aside sa COE po na kinakailangan para ma ready ko po. I plan to process it with Discovery Tour Branch dito sa Cebu. Hopefully merong expedite. Salamat.

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Chocoholics in japan set for sticker shock after cocoa surge.

(Bloomberg) -- Chocolate fans in Japan, among Asia’s biggest cocoa buyers, are heading for a sticker shock later this year as an unprecedented surge in cocoa prices finally filters through to stores.

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Itochu Corp., one of the country’s top trading companies and cocoa importers, says a sudden spike in the retail price of chocolate is inevitable and expects processors to use more substitutes to rein in costs.

Cocoa has been on a tear, with New York futures more than doubling since the start of the year. The rally may have further to run as lower crops in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the top suppliers, leave buyers struggling for beans and traders pulling out of the market make prices vulnerable to large swings.

Some of the impact has already begun to reach consumers, with chocolate prices in March rising about 10% versus the prior year, government data show. Fuji Oil Co., a manufacturer of vegetable oils and fats and industrial chocolate under Itochu, will also raise the price of chocolate with a high cacao percentage by more than ¥1,000 ($6) per kilogram at the wholesale level in July.

A more drastic increase is likely to happen in September to reflect the high cocoa prices in March and April, said Yoshitomo Yamada, cocoa and sesame section manager at Itochu. Existing stockpiles can keep processors operating normally for now, with the price spike likely to come about six months later.

“No one knows what to do,” Yamada said in an interview, referring to measures for managing the surge in cocoa prices. “We haven’t had this level of tightness before. We don’t know if $12,000 might be appropriate, or if $15,000 might be appropriate, or $8,000.”

Read More: Andurand’s Bet Shows Allure of Trading Wild Cocoa Markets.

Japan is a large market for high-value confectionery and it sources about 75% of its cocoa imports from Ghana, World Bank statistics show. Itochu is one of the biggest merchants handling those purchases and supplies national chocolate brands such as Meiji and Lotte.

The country might have to import more from No. 1 producer Ivory Coast due to uncertainty in supplies from Ghana, even though consumers are more familiar with the flavor and branding of beans from there, Yamada said. Some customers have already asked for Ivory Coast cocoa specifically to avoid a shortage.

In addition, Yamada said Fuji Oil could offer another solution to the cocoa crunch. It is a large producer of cocoa-butter equivalent, known as CBE, made from palm oil and sunflower oil.

Customers will not notice a big difference between cocoa butter and CBE, Yamada said. Demand for this and other substitutes will rise in Asia, where there is a huge diversity of purchasing power, he said.

(Updates to add Fuji Oil’s price increase in July in fourth paragraph)

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A Japanese town will erect a large mesh barrier to stop negligent foreign tourists from taking photos of Mount Fuji

• Tourists flock to Fujikawaguchiko, a town in Japan, to take pictures of Mount Fuji. 
• An official said foreign tourists crowd the area, leave trash, and ignore traffic laws. 
• In response, the town will erect a mesh barrier blocking the scenic view to dissuade tourists. 

A Japanese resort town will erect an eight-foot-tall barrier to dissuade poorly behaved foreign tourists from photographing Mount Fuji at a popular photo spot.

An official from Fujikawaguchiko discussed the preventive measure in a statement to Agence France-Presse , a French international news agency, on Friday.

"It's regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can't respect rules," the official said.

According to AFP, local construction of the mesh barrier, which will stretch about 65 feet, will begin as soon as next week.

Fujikawaguchiko has several areas where tourists can snap a photo of Mount Fuji, the tallest peak in Japan, but the outlet many are flocking to a specific photo-op spot near a Lawson convenience store. Lawson is unique to Japan, making photos of the store and Mount Fuji appealing to foreign tourists.

"A reputation has spread on social media that this spot is very Japanese, making it a popular photo location," the official said.

The official told AFP that foreign tourists had caused disruptions amid their quest for the perfect photo, including overcrowding the area, leaving behind trash, and ignoring traffic regulations.

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They added that the mesh barrier is the final resort after foreign tourists ignored traffic signs and warnings from security.

The barrier will also help local businesses, the official said, pointing toward a nearby dental clinic where some tourists have parked without permission. Others were spotted climbing onto the dental office's roof to take photos of Mount Fuji, the official said.

The official told AFP that locals hope to remove the barrier once tourists' behaviors have changed.

Representatives for Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Fujikawaguchiko's latest move against foreign tourists comes after a similar situation in Kyoto.

An executive district council member for Gion, considered Japan's geisha district, told AFP this month that tourists are banned from entering certain private streets . The official said tourists had been misbehaving.

"We don't want to do this, but we're desperate," the official told AFP.

The country has experienced a tourism boom that's brought 25 million tourists to Japan in 2023, according to Bloomberg.

The outlet that Japan's government hopes to reach 60 million visitors by 2030.

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