Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bureau
at 5-5-30 Kōnan, Minato-ku (Mon-Fri 9am-
noon & 1-4pm;
T
03 5796 7112,
W
www.immi-moj
.go.jp). To reach it, take the Konan exit from
Shinagawa station and then bus #99 from bus
stop 8. Go early in the day, since the process
takes forever. Bring along passport photos, a letter
explaining your reasons for wanting to extend your
stay, and a fee of ¥4000. In addition, you may be
asked to show proof of
su
cient funds
to support
your stay, and a valid onward ticket out of the
country. If you're not a national of one of the few
countries with six-month reciprocal visa exemp-
tions (these include Ireland and the UK), expect
a thorough grilling from the immigration o
cials.
An easier option - and the only alternative available
to nationals of those countries who are not eligible
for an extension - may be a short trip out of the
country, say to South Korea or Hong Kong, though
you'll still have to run the gauntlet of immigration
o
cials on your return.
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, South Korea, France, Germany, Denmark,
Taiwan and Hong Kong aged between 18 and 30
can apply for a
working holiday visa
, which grants
a stay of up to one year and entitles the holder to
take paid employment as long as your stay is
“primarily deemed to be a holiday” - full details of
the scheme can be found at
W
mofa.go.jp.
British nationals are also eligible for the
volunteer
visa scheme
, which allows holders to undertake
voluntary work for charitable organizations in Japan
for up to one year. Your application must include a
letter from the host organization confirming details
of the voluntary work to be undertaken and the
treatment the volunteer will receive (pocket money
and board and lodging are allowed, but formal
remuneration is not). You must also be able to show
evidence of su
cient funds for your stay in Japan.
Contact your local embassy or consulate to check
the current details of the scheme.
Foreigners legally allowed to stay in Japan for
more than ninety days - basically those with legal
employment or married to a Japanese citizen -
must obtain
residency status
before their first
ninety days is up. Resident cards can be issued,
with prior arrangement, at the main international
airports, though most end up applying at their
local government o
ce. The resident cards (Zairyū
kādo;
ࡏཹΧʔυ
) include your photograph and
must (legally speaking) be carried at all times,
though they're rarely checked. In addition, if
you're on any sort of working visa and you leave
Japan temporarily, you must get a
re-entry visa
before you leave if you wish to continue working
on your return. Re-entry visas are available from
local immigration bureaus.
EMBASSIES IN TOKYO
Australia
2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku
T
03 5232 4111,
W
australia
.or.jp.
Canada
7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku
T
03 5412 6200,
W
canadainternational.gc.ca.
China
3-4-33 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku
T
03 3403 3380.
Ireland
2-10-7 Kōjimachi, Chiyoda-ku
T
03 3263 0695,
W
irishembassy.jp.
New Zealand
20-40 Kamiyamachō, Shibuya-ku
T
03 3467 2271,
W
nzembassy.com/japan.
Russian Federation
2-1-1 Azabudai, Minato-ku
T
03 3583 4224,
W
tokyo.rusembassy.org.
South Africa
2-7-9 Hirakawachō, Chiyoda-ku
T
03 3265 3366.
South Korea
1-2-5 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku
T
03 3452 7611.
UK
1 Ichibanchō, Chiyoda-ku
T
03 5211 1100,
W
ukinjapan.fco
.gov.uk/en.
USA
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku
T
03 3224 5000,
W
tokyo
.usembassy.gov.
JAPANESE EMBASSIES AND
CONSULATES ABROAD
You'll find a full list on
W
mofa.go.jp.
Australia
112 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra
T
02 6273
3244,
W
au.emb-japan.go.jp.
Canada
255 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
T
613 241 8541,
W
ca.emb
-japan.go.jp.
China
7 Ri Tan Rd, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing
T
010 6532 2361,
W
cn.emb-japan.go.jp.
Ireland
Nutley Building, Merrion Centre, Nutley Lane, Dublin
T
01 202 8300,
W
ie.emb-japan.go.jp.
New
Zealand
Level 18, Majestic Centre, 100 Willis St, Wellington
T
04 473 1540,
W
nz.emb-japan.go.jp.
Singapore
16 Nassim Rd
T
65 235 8855,
W
sg.emb-japan
.go.jp.
South
Africa
259 Baines St, Groenkloof, Pretoria
T
012 452 1500,
W
japan.org.za.
South
Korea
18-11 Junghak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
T
02 2170
5200,
W
kr.emb-japan.go.jp.
UK
101-104 Piccadilly, London
T
020 7465 6500,
W
uk.emb
-japan.go.jp; 2 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh
T
0131 225 4777,
W
edinburgh.uk.emb-japan.go.jp.
US
2520 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC
T
202 238 6700,
W
us.emb-japan.go.jp.
Health
To find an English-speaking doctor and the hospital
or clinic best suited to your needs, phone the
Tokyo Medical Information Service
(Mon-Fri
9am-8pm;
T
03 5285 8181,
W
www.himawari
.metro.tokyo.jp); they can also provide emergency
