Ohayo! I am Carol, the traveling patata. I have traveled in 14 countries and my favorite country so far is Japan, the land of Anime and kawaii potatoes. Since childhood, my dream is to land my feet at the land of the rising sun, to see their cultures, the world of Anime and to witness by my own eyes the beauty of Japan. Since it is a solo travel, I am going to share to all of you how I traveled alone at the three major cities of Japan; Osaka. Kyoto and Tokyo for 10 days. My apology, this is my 1st ever blog and I'm just writing based on my experience and sorry for my grammar, I am not so fluent in English.
- How to go to Japan for Filipino living in Saudi Arabia
- How to get Japan Visa for Filipino living in Saudi Arabia
- How to go to Japan for Filipino
- 10-day Japan Itinerary
- 10-day Japan Expenses
- Japan Japan travel tips to save a lot of money
Currently, I am working overseas, in Saudi Arabia. I booked my ticket through online website cebupacific. Since it is not peak season, I got my ticket only for 13,923 return from Manila to Osaka and Tokyo to Manila (September 10-20 2017).
Note: For OFW, make sure na meron kayong Balik Mangagawa para hindi kayo magbayad ng TRAVEL TAX and terminal fee. At immigration, they will also ask about it, so better to print screen.
How to get Japan Visa for Filipino
The Embassy of Japan in Manila is not accepting direct application from the applicant. It must be through registered or accredited agencies assigned by the Embassy. I chose the Universal Holidays located at Dusit Thani Makati https://www.universalholidays.com/.
You can also refer to the website of Japan kung ano ang malapit na agencies para sa inyo go to link for your reference>>> http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000037.html.
I submitted my application on August 22 Tuesday, they informed me via text message that my visa is ready for pick up and on August 24, Friday (2-3 working days), I got my Japan Visa.
Since I am an OFW, the agency also asked for my return ticket to Saudi Arabia. Please see below the requirements for Single Entry Tourist visa.
⦁ All documents must be original unless otherwise stated.
⦁ Philippine Passport ( Broken passport is not accepted. Passports must be signed and must have at least two (2) blank visa pages.
⦁ Visa Application Form (Available at the Embassy website, at the entrance of the Embassy or at any of the accredited travel agencies.Application form should be filled out all items correctly, If item is not applicable, please fill in [N/A]. Embassy may not accept application with blank item, no signature or no date in the form, or with erasures; may deny the application that is filled out incorrectly or wrong information.
⦁ Photo (Specs: 4.5cm x 4.5cm, with white background.
Photo must be taken within 6 months. Please write applicant’s name and birthdate on back side of the photo.Photo must be pasted on the application form.
⦁ Birth Certificate (It must be issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide). If the birth certificate from Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) is unreadable, or has incomplete Information. Please submit the birth certificate issued by PSA together with a birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar. If the birth certificate is “late registration”. Please submit in addition, a baptismal certificate and school record (Form 137) from high school or elementary and School Yearbook (if possible). If there is no record in PSA .Please submit a “Certificate of Non-Record” from PSA together with a birth certificate from the Local Civil Registrar.
⦁ Marriage Certificate (if the applicant is married)
(It must be issued within one year from PSA Main Office/Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide).
⦁ Daily Schedule in Japan (TAIZAI YOTEIHYO)
⦁ Bank Certificate . Validity of Bank Certificate is three (3) month from the date of issue
⦁ Applicant’s Income Tax Return (Form 2316) clear Photocopy (latest) [If applicant will .
- Special Note: Period of stay in Japan must not exceed for 15 days (for first timer and tourist visa only)
You can Fill Up and download the Japan Application Form:
http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000163096.pdf
The visa fee is 1200 pesos (rush, because I only have 3 weeks before my scheduled flight).
And tada! my 30-day Visa with maximum stay of 15 days.
 |
| PATATA'S VISA |
Japan-Japan Travel Total Expenses (10 days Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo)
Flight via Cebu Pacific 13,923 php
Visa Fee 1,200 php
Hotel Sun White (Osaka Sept 10-12) 5,161 php (397 SAR, 11,700 Yen)
B&S Eco Cube Shinsaibashi (Sept 12-16) 4,641 php (357 SAR, 10,500 Yen)
Hotel Mystays Asakusa (Sept 17-20) 8,515 php (655 SAR, 19, 300 Yen)
I booked my hotel through booking.com, you can follow this link so you can have another 10% discount for all the hotels all over the world>>>> https://www.booking.com/s/44_6/362b9d4d. When booking, you have to register so in the future, booking.com will give you amazing discounts and secret deals.
My Tours and Activities (land arrangements)
I booked my tours via KLOOK https://www.klook.com/invite/1P32H?c=PHP
4G Sim Card 1,585 php
Hakone Free Pass (2-Day) 2, 424 php
Osaka Amazing Pass 1, 232 php
Kyoto Temples & Shrines Day Tour from Osaka 2, 854 php
Sky Hop On and Hop Off Buss Pass 1, 641 php
Universal Studios Japan Day E-Ticket 3, 615 php
Pocket money for food and transportation 20,000 php
Total 66,791 php (4,702 Saudi Riyals)
Japan Japan Travel tips to SAVE a lot of Money
*Japan is quite expensive and Evian is one of the cheapest bottled water in vending machines.
Vending Machines are everywhere*I traveled alone so it is quite expensive especially if you do not have someone who is going to share the hotel expenses. I have friends and acquaintances in Japan but I chose not to contact them.
* I have my credit card for my shopping especially I bought a lot of liquors, sake and Sapporo beers and Japanese instant noodles. I also bought some sushi at local supermarket. Japanese street foods are so delicious and will make you full.
*Since there is no TAX at airport, it is better if you are going to buy souvenirs there. At local markets, they usually display the price but exclusive of tax, unless you are going to buy in tax-free shops but they have a minimum purchase 5,000 yen worth of products. Also, buy local foods and products with the locals, they offer good prices way better than in the malls with the same quality. As a tourist, you can also help the locals for their living. Always remember the /2, why? If you see a souvenir or ride in taxi or whatever you are going to purchase, always divide the price of yen into 2 or make it half, so you know how much of that in peso if you are a budget conscious like me or the easiest way is to download an APP, the currency converter. You should also look for DAISO, the 100 yen store. It is really convenient when you found one, they have a lot of products with a fixed price of 100 yen.
*I also found out that you can save a lot of money if you are going to arrange your own trip and arrange for land arrangement tours than purchasing a package tour from agency. I saw a lot of package tour ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 including hotels and flights but for only 4-5 DAYS and sometimes only in Tokyo excluding your pocket money. I spent 66,791 for 10 days and the best part of it, I visited the 3 major cities of Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka). If you are traveling with grandparents, infant and children and people with special needs, I advise that you should purchase a travel package because in Japan, it requires a lot of walk.
* Always use train. Japan's train system for me is way better than you could imagine, they are always on time and not crowded. You can also see a lot of people and realize how amazing the Japanese people act in crowd. They are well-disciplined and very polite. I only ride taxi once, going to bus terminal at Osaka bound to Tokyo. The 5-minute ride cost me about 1,400 yen, 676 php, 50 sar. The Uber is not operating in Osaka, so no choice but to ride a taxi. Uber is operating in Tokyo, so from the station to my hotel in Asakusa, I used Uber App (cheaper than taxi). You can see below the guide to Japan Railways. In every station, you can also pick the Railway Station Guide.
 |
| It may look complicated but I swear it is so convenient habibi! |
 |
| Taxi in Japan |
*If you are going to travel alone or with companion, always buy internet sim card. As you see above, I bought my sim card through Klook and pick up at Kansai Airport. Mr. Google Maps will help you a lot especially if you are lost.
My Japan Japan 10-day Itinerary
Daily Schedule in Japan (TAIZAI YOTEIHYO)
Sorry, I am not going to write the day 01-10 of my trip since I have enjoyed so much, I have forgotten the details of it, but I will mention to you the attractions, ways of saving money by purchasing pass for Kyoto Osaka and Tokyo.
I arrived so late! Just imagine at the middle of nowhere, I walked alone, asked the skater boys where is the location of my hotel and after few minutes of walk, I arrived safely at my hotel! Yeah, that is Japan, you can walk freely at the middle of the night and no one will harass you! So, since it is so late, I decided to sleep and take rest and start my adventure on the next day. Before, I left the Osaka International Airport terminal, I first get my internet sim card and osaka amazing pass
- HIS counter (1/F) next to the Northern Exit in the Arrival Hall (from 08:00 pm to 10:00 pm).
If you want to see the best sights in Osaka, this pass is for you! The Osaka Amazing pass gives unlimited use of the Osaka subway, tramway, and bus network plus entry to dozens of Osaka's top tourist attractions. Here are some destinations covered by the Osaka Amazing Pass. It also included the ticket when you are going to enter the landmarks.
 |
| View from Osaka Castle |
 |
Osaka Castle Park |
 |
| HEP 5 Ferris Wheel |
 |
| The famous Dotonbori |
 |
| Tsutenkaku Tower |
 |
| MAP OF OSAKA CASTLE PARK |
 |
| After you pray, write your wishes Habibi |
My
 |
| A Japanese house |
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OSAKA JAPAN
Since my hotel is near the metro station, I just took the train. If you are confused, you can ask the personnel at train station. Usually, in each station, there will be like a brochure how to get to Universal Studios Japan. If you know the platform of JR Lines, there is a direct line to Universal Studious which will cost you about 180 yen.
 |
| Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. This is part of my tour when I also book the one day kyoto tour through Klook Website. |
 |
| Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/ |
 |
Try this JJ Salted Egg chips, since I traveled alone, food is my buddy! |
 |
| Matcha Ice Cream! |
I will stop for now coz I am too busy watching K-drama and I will do the part 2 of my Japan Trip later. I hope this blog gives you some information on how to go to Japan, to get visa and gives you ideas how to travel alone. See you next time! Thank you Ethz sa pagedit ng grammar ko hahahhaa
Just check my facebook page for more pictures
https://www.facebook.com/cutieecarol20
