Since lots of people are asking how to get a Japanese Tourist Visa here in the Philippines, including me before I got mine (yey!) so I think it's nice to share my experience with you guys. I've been to Japan last Nov - Dec this year (2015) and it is ahhhhmazing! :D
As you would know, Japan Embassy in Philippines doesn’t accept Tourist Visa applications via walk-in. You will need an accredited agency to process the visa for you. Also, visa application price differs from each agency and what kind of visa you are applying for. In my case, I went to Reli Tours to process my visa and the price range is about Php 950 - 2,500.
For more details about the accredited agencies and their locations, click here.
APPLYING AS A TOURIST WITHOUT GUARANTOR
- Philippine passport - Must have at least 6 months remaining validity, a signature, and at least 2 blank pages.
- Visa application form - you can get it in your chosen accredited agency or you can download it here HERE. Don’t leave anything blank. Just put N/A if not applicable. The travel agency advise me as well when they review my application form.
- Visa Photo - 45mm by 45mm or 2x2 inches with white background and paste it neatly on your application form.
- NSO Birth Certificate - issued within the last year. If you're Birth cert. is "late registration" just provide a copy of your baptismal or/and form137 or/and school year book.
- NSO marriage certificate - Obviously, this only applies to married applicants. Single applicants like me can ignore this.
- Schedule of Stay - they also call it the TAIZAI NITTEIHYO. Just put the dates, where you are going and the name and address of where you are staying.
- Bank Certificate - this is to prove that you can support your expenses while in japan. Just request it on your bank and it will just take a few minutes to process and cost 100 pesos. btw, my bank is BDO.
- Letter of Explanation - This is optional. I wrote one because I don't have a job yet when I apply and I explain that my trip is a gift from my parents. Also, if you have any supporting documents that is not listed above just say it here and provide it.
FYI:
All the papers you provide must be original and the embassy will not give back the documents.
Just go your preferred agency, give the requirements (make sure everything is okay before leaving the house), they will check it if your documents are complete and after that you'll pay and get the receipt. After 4 days, I received a text message from the agency that my passport is available to pick up so I went there the next day feeling excited and nervous. I didn't ask first if my visa was approve. I just gave the my receipt, the guy there look for my passport and then he look inside it and make me sign a paper with list of names for passport releasing purposes and he just check a box. I didn't look what box he was checking because I'm so nervous and excited about the result.
So I got my passport, leave the agency and then I went to the nearest coffee shop and take a peak inside and voila! my most awaited visa. I was ecstatic that moment and I'm smiling like an idiot all by myself. hahaha!
Anyways, I hope that this helps you somehow and Best of luck!
Just leave a comment below if you have questions and I'll answer it if I can. Ciao!
