Category: Japan

Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA

KYOTO

After spending 3 days in Nagoya & 2 days in Hiroshima, it’s time to move to the next city – Kyoto. I already visited Kyoto with my high school friends in 2015 but the city is so beautiful I didn’t mind going back.

I took a 7-hour Willer Express night bus ride from Hiroshima to Kyoto. I arrived Kyoto around 6:45 am the following day & I immediately walked to the hostel to leave my things & freshen up.

It was also in Kyoto where I met my good friend & colleague Rona who has been going around Osaka while I was in Hiroshima. We decided to meet & go around in Kyoto & Osaka for 3 days before she heads up to Tokyo & meet another set of friends.

With my Kyoto-Osaka buddy & good friend Rona

Accommodation

I loved my previous stay in Backpacker K’s House Kyoto I decided to stay there again for this trip. Rona & I decided to stay in a mixed dormitory room to cut down expenses & also to meet & talk to other travelers. Each night stay in a 6-bed dormitory room costs ¥2,900. Not bad, right?

The hostel’s 2nd floor common bathroom

I really like this hostel. The staff were so nice they allowed me to use the shower & toilet even before check in; they also allowed me to use the common lounge area while waiting for Rona. They also kept our luggage while we walked around the city (check-in time was 3:00 pm).

Backpacker K’s House Kyoto Communal Lounge & Dining Area

Also, this time we had some spare time to meet & hang out with the other hostel guests in the on site bar. We even met a group of Filipino guys who are now based in Brisbane, Australia. What a small world!

Places We Visited

Just like the 2015 Japan trip, we only spent 1.5 days in Kyoto. Given the limited time, Rona & I only chose the places to visit. We went to the following places:

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – what a beautiful view! 😍

A trip to Kyoto will never be complete without a visit to the bamboo forest. Just like last year’s itinerary, this beautiful place came first. We wanted to make it different by taking the Sagano Scenic Railway trip but all the seats were sold out. Oh well, another reason to go back to Kyoto. (No entrance fee)

Access: From JR Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano line to JR Saga Arashiyama Station & walk for 10-minutes to the bamboo forest. You can also visit the nearby Tenryū-ji, a Zen temple located beside the bamboo forest.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kyoto’s most beautiful temple 😍

As mentioned in my past Kyoto blog, this Golden Pavilion Temple is the most famous & the most beautiful temple in Kyoto. The autumn colors of the leaves added beauty to the temple surroundings. (Entrance fee: ¥400 per person)

Access: From the bamboo forest, walk to the Randen station of the Keifuku Randen Tram Line. Take the local tram to Kitano Hakubaicho station & walk up for 10 to 15 minutes to Kinkaku-ji. If you still have more time, you can get off Omuri-Ninnaji Station & check out the temples (Ninna-ji, Myōshin-ji & Ryōan-ji) on the way to Kinkaku-ji. Note that you need to board different buses in between these temples; make sure to avail the 1-day bus pass for this.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The 3 storey pagoda before upon entering the Kiyomizu-dera Temple grounds

After going back to JR Kyoto Station, we hopped on to Bus 206 to go to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This Japanese Buddhist temple is located in the hills east of Kyoto. Famous for its autumn & spring sightings, the temple grounds provide beautiful sunset & city view. This temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Tip: The temple grounds tend to get busy during sunset. Make sure to go there early if you want to secure a good spot while watching the sunset.

Gion

After waiting for the sunset in Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Rona & I decided to walk 15 minutes down to Gion area. Our main purpose here was to hunt for geishas. We went back to same street & geisha house we went to in 2015 & luckily we saw a handful of them. Mission accomplished!

Nearest train station: Gion-Shijō Station of the Keihan Main Line

Fushimi Inari Taisha

The iconic torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha

The following morning, Rona & I went to Fushimi Inari Taisha. This shrine is famous for its torii gates up to the top of Mount Inari. Again, we did not bother going up to the top of the mountain due to limited time. (No entrance fee)

One of the small shrines in Fushimi Inari Taisha

Nearest train station: Inari Station of the JR Nara Line

Tōfuku-ji Temple

Located 10 minutes by foot from Fushimi Inari Taisha is Tōfuku-ji Temple. This Buddhist Zen temple is famous for its spring & autumn colors. This temple is also dubbed as one of the great five Zen temples of Kyoto.

One of the smaller halls in Tokufu-ji Temple (forgot the name, sorry!)

Nearest train station: Tōfukuji Station of the JR Nara Line | From Fushimi Inari Taisha, turn right & walk for about 10 minutes to reach Tōfuku-ji Temple.

Tip: Make sure to check out the garden near the Tsutenkyo Bridge. It’s at its best during autumn. (Entrance fee: ¥400)

OSAKA

After our brief stay in Kyoto, Rona & I took the 29-minute train ride to Osaka. Yes, it’s my 2nd time in Osaka. Since I’ve been to this city before, I decided to just walk around & relax a bit. I needed to take my time because the past few days were really tiring.

With Rona in Mikkabozu Kamoshi, a known local ramen joint in Osaka

Accommodation

Due to Majo’s last minute decision to join the 2015 Japan trip, my friends & I ran out of accommodation choices. We stayed in an Airbnb flat somewhere in Namba area. For this trip, I decided to book early & stay in what was supposed to be our 2015 Osaka accommodation – the Osaka Hana Hostel. Yes, it is also part of the Hana Hostel / J-Hoppers Hostel Group. [Update – Osaka Hana Hostel has ceased operations.]

The hostel is located in the Chūō Ward, a few minutes walk from the Shinsabashi shopping street. The nearest subway exit is Exit 7 of Shinsaibashi Station. I spent 3 nights here & decided to stay in a 6-bed male dormitory room.

Slept in this bed for 3 nights in Osaka Hana Hostel

Just like any other Hana Hostel branch, each bed includes its own reading light, pillow & sheets, curtains, curtains (for privacy), universal plug & a storage box beside the bed. Toilets & bathrooms are shared by guests per floor. I paid ¥3,100 per night (¥9,300 for 3 nights) because it was peak season. It’s still affordable in an expensive city like Osaka.

The hostel people were one of the nicest people I met on my trip (shout out to Kazzy!). They helped us in all of our questions; they even recommended good places to visit & eat. The hostel has a spacious kitchen, lounge & dining facilities on the 2nd floor & 5th floor – a good place to meet & hang out with other guests.

Osaka Hana Hostel’s 2nd floor communal dining, kitchen & lounge area

Osaka Hana Hostel is definitely a good accommodation choice in Osaka. It has the most affordable rates per bed or room, the most convenient location, the nicest staff & the best facilities you can have in a hostel.

Tip: The hostel staff will give you a coupon for the sake bar in the first floor. Make sure to try the different flavors of sake + alcoholic drinks. Good stuff.

Places to Visit / Things to Do

Since I’ve been to Osaka the past year, I sort-of took advantage of my 4 days there. Aside from taking day trips to Nara & Kobe, I just stayed in the Chūō area.

Dōtonbori

Always a busy night in Dōtonbori

Dōtonbori is one of the busiest tourist destinations in Osaka. It is the home of the famous Glico Man signage & the Dōtonbori canal. It is also the home of famous takoyaki shops, ramen places (like Ichiran!) & Don Quixote.

Dōtonbori canal at night.

Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s largest shopping district. Home to different specialty stores & brands, tourists flock this area almost every day. The perfect time to walk around the shopping street is during lunch time where there are less people. Make sure to go to check out the big GU store in the middle of the shopping arcade.

Hozenji Yokocho Alley

Located behind the Hozenji Yokocho Temple is an alley of local bars, izakaya & restaurants. I walked along the alley to just see what’s in there. Looks like the bars, izakaya & restaurants offer authentic Japanese meal experience. I would love to go back & try some restaurants there. The alleys gets a bit busy during night time, so make sure to go there around 6:00 in the evening.

Tip: All these places are located a few minutes walk from Midōsuji Line’s Shinsaibashi Station Exits 5 & 6.

Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden

View of Osaka from the 39th floor of the Floating Garden Observatory

The floating garden observatory is located in the 39th, 40th & the rooftop floor of the Umeda Sky Building. The observatory is the ‘bridge’ that connects the 2 sky buildings. It offers a 360-degree view of Osaka.

The best time to go is during night time where you can see the beautiful city lights of Osaka. Note that it can also be really crowded during night time; but that is only before the elevator access. Entrance to the observatory costs ¥1,000 per person. You can stay as long as you want to.

Tip: We got our tickets from the hostel at a discounted price of ¥900. Ask your hostel / hotel; they might have discounted tickets too. Also, the Willer Express Bus Terminal is located in the 1st floor of the east tower.

Access: Get off at Osaka Station & walk for about 7 to 10 minutes to the Umeda Sky Building grounds.

Ichiran

The. Hype. Is. Real. The. Hype. Is. Real.

Ichiran is definitely a must try when are in Japan. The ramen chain originated in Fukuoka, the birth place of tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen. Ichiran ramen is probably the best ramen I’ve ever tried – rich & creamy pork bone broth, perfectly cooked noodles, tender pork slices & red pepper sauce all in one bowl. It was really good I ordered another serving (yes, you can do that) of noodles. I went to their Dōtonbori branch twice – one for dinner with Rona & the other one for brunch.

Ichiran is the place to be! 😋

Tip: Plan out what time you’ll visit this ramen chain. People usually line up outside & wait for their turn. If you’re staying nearby, then you won’t have any problem because they are open 24/7.

Pablo

Pablo signage you’ll see outside the Shinsaibashi shopping street store

Pablo is known for the freshly baked cheese tarts. People line up in their Shinsaibashi branch just to buy boxes & pieces of these heavenly cheese tarts. I believe it is also something worth trying when in Osaka.

Oh Pablo cheese tart, why so good?

The Pablo branch here in Manila has mixed reviews; if you want to know the real taste of the cheese tarts, make sure to head to their Japan stores. I’ve also tried another famous cheese tart store in Japan named Bake (tried it in Fukuoka because the Osaka branch is far from where I stayed). I believe Bake’s has better crust, but Pablo’s filling is a stand out. Both cheese tart shops are worth the try.

Pasalubong shopping in Don Quixote & Daiso

Pasalubong shopping is always part of the itinerary when a Filipino is out of the country. The perfect places to buy goodies & treats in Osaka are Don Quixote & Daiso – located both in Dōtonbori / Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade. Both stores have everything you need – from chocolates, to noodles, clothes, accessories & even house stuff.

Some of the Kitkat chocolates you’ll get in Don Quixote 😋

Don Quixote offers tax-free shopping for purchases more than ¥5,000 provided you have your foreign passport with you. Daiso on the other hand is famous for their ¥100 (+ tax = ¥108) goodies. Your ¥10,000 will have a long way to go in both shops. Make sure to head over these stores before going home to the Philippines, okay?

The Kyoto & Osaka leg of this trip had almost the same itinerary as that of last year’s with some additional sightings like the Kiyomizu-dera & Tōfuku-ji Temple in Kyoto & the Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden in Osaka. It was mentioned above that I did 2 separate day trips from Osaka – one day in Nara & another day in Kobe. Those 2 cities will actually be the topic of the next part of the Going Solo in Japan Series. Stay tuned!

The beautiful autumn colors of trees in Tokufu-ji Temple 😍

Make sure to also check how I conquered the <₱50,000 challenge in going around 7 Japan cities for 13 days. Click here to know more. If you are planning to apply for a Japan tourist visa soon, I also posted a blog about the 4 easy steps in applying for it.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also send me a message on Facebook, drop a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) 🇯🇵 & have a nice day! 😃

PS. All photos above were shot using my HTC Re & HTC One M8.

Going Solo in Japan Series: HIROSHIMA

Four weeks ago, I started the Going Solo in Japan Series & talked about my 3-day stay in Nagoya. I’ve been to beautiful parks & gardens & enjoyed the peak of autumn in a laid-back & chill city.

After spending 3 awersome days in Nagoya, I headed down south to Hiroshima. I took a 3-hour Willer Express bus ride to Osaka, then another 6-hour night bus to Hiroshima. I had a 3-hour layover in between trips but I just stayed in the bus terminal. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, I went straight to the only fast food restaurant open at 6:0 am – McDonalds to have breakfast. It was also the same time when a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off Fukushima Prefecture. I was so relieved I was 1,000+ kilometers away from the epicenter.

With my friend Michiko in Shukkeien Garden

Michiko, a good friend of mine, decided to join me in my 2-day trip around Hiroshima. She is currently working somewhere in Fukuyama (about 1.5 hours away from Hiroshima). I waited for her to arrive in the train station before we headed to the hostel to drop off our things.

We only had limited time in Hiroshima but we made sure we’ve done as much as we can. Let me give you the details on where we stayed, what we went & what not to miss in Hiroshima.

Accommodation

As mentioned in my Going Solo in Japan summary blog post, I stayed in Hana Hostels / J-Hoppers Hostels because of excellent reviews & also to avail their discount every 3-night stay. I only had 1 night in Hiroshima so I decided to stay in Hiroshima Hana Hostel. [Update: Hiroshima Hana Hostel has ceased operations.]

Hiroshima Hana Hostel is a well-rated backpackers hostel located a few minutes walk from the JR Hiroshima Station. I stayed in a 4-bed male dormitory room while Michiko stayed in a 4-bed female dormitory room. Each hostel bed has it’s own reading light, pillow & sheets, curtains (for privacy) & universal plug. I paid ¥2,800 for a night’s stay. Affordable, right?

Hiroshima Hana Hostel’s 5th floor common area

The hostel features common lounge, kitchen & dining facilities. There is also a common rooftop terrace (with laundry facilities) where you can hangout & drink with other guests. Since there were only a few guests during my stay, I had my solo drinking session in the rooftop (Michiko fell asleep! Haha).

Note that the hostel is located near the main train station in Hiroshima; you will hear every train that arrives & leaves the station. Good news is the hostel reception provides free ear plugs for guests who wish not to be disturbed by the train noise. I would recommend staying in Hiroshima Hana Hostel; it is centrally-located & it has everything you need.

Hiroshima 3-Day Tourist Pass

This is how the tourist pass looks like

Michiko & I went to the tourist information center to ask for a map & to ask for the best way around Hiroshima for 2 days. I ended up getting the 3-day Hiroshima Tourist Pass (Small Area) for only ¥1,000. The pass includes unlimited rides to city buses, trams & a round-trip ferry ride to Miyajima Island. Good deal, right? Make sure to have your passports (Michiko forgot hers!) with you because the pass is only sold to foreigners.

One of the modern trams in Hiroshima!

Places We Visited

Just like any other city, there are lot places to see in Hiroshima. Michiko & I decided to go to start with the farthest then to those just within the city. We went to the following places:

Itsukushima

Itsukushima, more popularly known as Miyajima Island, is a famous small island in Hiroshima Bay, about an hour away from the city. It is famous for the torii gate which is submerged in water during high tide. This structure also marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine.

Itsukushima Shrine “submerged” in water

The island has different temples & forest walking trails. It also has freely wandering deers & monkeys. The best way to explore the island is by foot. We spent around 5 hours walking around the island.

How to go to Miyajima Island:

  • Fast route: Take the Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (around 20 minutes for ¥410) then take a short walk to the port. Board the JR Ferry (around 10 minutes for ¥180) to Miyajima Island. This route is recommended & free for all JR Pass holders.
  • Slow route: Take Tram Line 2 from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (around 45 minutes for ¥260) then walk to the port. Board the Matsudai Ferry (around 10 minutes for ¥180) to Miyajima Island.

Enjoyed the autumn colors while walking around the island 😍

If you are not in a hurry, I recommend taking the slow route just like what we did. We passed by different Hiroshima sightings along the way plus the tram experience was nice.

Genbaku Dōmu / Atomic Bomb Dome

The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall when the bomb exploded in August 1945. The dome is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome from the Motoyasu River side

Access: From Hiroshima Station, take Tram Line 2 or 6 & get off at Genbaku-Domu Mae Station. A one way ride costs ¥160 & takes about 15 minutes.

Hiroshima Dreamination (only from mid November to early January)

Hiroshima Dreamination is a decorative street feature along Peace Boulevard where trees are decorated with colorful illuminations & giant monuments & characters. The bulbs are lighted from 5:30 pm to little past 10:00 pm every night.

One of the very few photos I took when we went to see the dreamination

Access: The dreamination structures are a short walk from the Peace Memorial Park. It is something you check out when you are in Hiroshima during autumn & winter. (No entrance fee required)

Shukkeien Garden

Shukkeien Garden is a historic Japanese garden located in the middle of Hiroshima City. The garden features scenic ponds, beautiful tea places, pavilions & a rainbow bridge.

Spent a few hours walking around the peaceful Shukkeien Garden 😍

Access: The garden is a 15-minute walk from Hiroshima Station. Alternatively, you can take Trams 1, 2 or 6 to Hacchobori station then transfer to Tram 9 to Shukkeien-mae station. The garden has an entrance fee of ¥260 per person.

Hiroshima Castle

Also known as the Carp Castle, the Hiroshima Castle is one of the few castles built literally in the middle of a city & not on top of a hill. The original castle was destroyed during the atomic bomb explosion in 1945 but was eventually rebuilt in 1958. What I like about this castle is its simple design & its wooden exteriors.

Outside Hiroshima council – its wooden exteriors made it look beautiful 😍

Access: Hiroshima Castle is 10 minutes by foot from the Shukkeien Garden. Entrance to the castle grounds is free but entrance to the castle building costs ¥370 per person.

What Not To Miss In Hiroshima

I ate some really good food / snacks in Hiroshima which you must not miss when you visit the city. Check them below:

Momiji Manju

Momijis everywhere in Miyajima Island; you can buy per piece or per box.

Momiji manju is a Japanese maple-leaf shaped steamed bun that originates in Miyajima Island. It features different fillings like green tea, cream cheese, custard, red bean, chestnut, chocolate, etc. My favorite fillings are custard & cream cheese. Please take note that these steamed buns should be consumed 5 days from the time it was bought. Too bad I wasn’t able to bring some back home.

Okonomiyaki

Reichan’s Okonomiyaki – Yum!~

Okonomiyaki is one you should not miss in Hiroshima. It is the famous pan fried food made of cabbage, batter & anything you want in it. We tried Reichan, located in the 2nd floor of the JR Hiroshima Station.

Meiji Green Tea Ice Cream (!!!!!!)

Literally freaked out when I saw this in Lawson. Wish we have this here in PH! 😋

In my recent 2-week trip in Japan, I only saw this Meiji Green Tea Ice Cream in Hiroshima. I found it in Lawson convenience store near JR Hiroshima Station. The last time I saw this was in a 7-Eleven Convenience Store somewhere in Taitō, Tokyo. It’s a must try in Japan! I wish we have this here in the Philippines.

How I wish I stayed longer in Hiroshima but I had leave for Kyoto to meet another friend who is travelling in Japan. I would love to go back & explore more of what the city has to offer.

Hiroshima is a city one should not miss when visiting Japan. It may not be as busy as Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka but it is definitely as beautiful as any other Japanese city.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also send me a message on Facebook, drop a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

Thank you for reading! 😊

PS. All photos above were shot using my HTC Re & HTC One M8.

Tuesday Tips for Filipinos / Philippine Passport Holders: 4 Easy Steps On How To Get Your Japan Visa (Tips Included!!)

Getting a Japan tourist visa is probably the most nerve-wrecking part of planning your trip. The fate of your trip will depend on the outcome of your application. Some say applying for a Japan tourist visa is a difficult process. I say it’s not – coming from someone who has already applied for tourist visas twice. It’s just like any other visa application process.

In 2015, I applied for a tourist visa with 2 friends for our 9-day Japan trip. All 3 of us were granted a single entry visa valid for a 15-day stay. Last year, I applied again for another tourist visa for my 13-day solo trip. Few days after, my passport came back with a 5-year multiple entry visa up to 2021. Good stuff, right?

My first ever Japan tourist visa!~ Of course I had to cover the visa details 😏

Let me show you how you can easily get your own Japan tourist visa. It’s simple as downloading & filling in the application form, preparing the necessary documents, applying through an accredited travel agency & getting back your passport after a few days. I will discuss these 4 easy steps in detail below (will also include some tips based on my personal experience). Allow me to also share some snaps I took in my past 2 trips to Japan.

Note: Some details below were obtained from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines website. The tips below apply to people who are employed in a private company. Business owners can also use the steps below but they might need to submit a few more papers related to their businesses. 

Step 1: Download & fill in the application form

The first step is to visit the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines website & check on the visa application requirements. Kick start your application by downloading the application form from the website. Make sure to print this form in an A4-size paper with proper margins. Alternatively, you can ask for application forms in the embassy entrance or in the accredited travel agencies.

Write down your details neat & clear using a black or blue pen only. The accomplished application form should not have any erasure.

Tokyo DisneySea is a must-see in Tokyo; allot 1 day for this theme park~

Step 2: Gather the necessary documents

The embassy requires certain documents to be presented in order for them to decide on your application. Why is this so? It’s because they need to see that you are a registered Filipino citizen, you are qualified to go out of the country, you are capable of supporting your trip & that you will come back to the Philippines after your trip.

So what are the documents the Embassy of Japan require? Please see the not-so-long list below:

Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months during your trip. The laminated part should be in perfect condition. It must have your signature & have at least 2 blank pages.

Birth Certificate & (if married) Marriage Contract – Both documents should be obtained from the National Statistics Office & must be issued within the past 12 months. You can check lower left portion of your document (near the bar code) to see the date your document was issued. If you do not have time to go to the NSO to get these documents, you can always request from the E-Census & NSO Helpline websites & they’ll have them delivered to your doorsteps.

Note: If you have a used Japan visa in your old or valid passport, you are exempted from submitting this requirement. The embassy already has a copy of your documents when you submitted them before.

Photo – The embassy website mentions that the photo should be 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm with white background. It’s best to wear something formal when having your photo taken. You only need 1 photo that you will attach in the application form.

Don’t miss the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto! 😍

Income Tax Return / BIR Form 2316 – You need to submit a copy of your latest income tax return. The form needs to have your signature. This will show the amount you earned for the past year as well as the amount of taxes you paid to the Philippine government.

Certificate of Employment – This is not listed in the embassy’s requirements but the agencies require this. You need to ask for this certificate from your HR officer. The certificate should contain your gross annual income, position & date when you started working for your employer. It’s best to get it on the same week of the application.

Bank Certificate – The embassy won’t tell you how much money you need to have in your account when you apply for the visa. However, the agencies require that you need to have at least ₱100,000.00 in your account. I know it’s quite a big amount of money. As of June 2023, the Embassy of Japan in the Phillippine added some requirements. First, the bank certificates should now include the account’s ADB or average daily balance. Second, if the bank certificate has no ADB and the applicant has no BIR Income Tax For, then the applicant should provide the account’s bank statement for the last 3 months.

Daily Schedule in Japan / Taizai Nitteihyo – Japan is one of the very few countries that ask for the detailed itinerary of your stay. The embassy needs to see what days are you arriving & leaving Japan, where will you stay (includes physical address, email address & phone number) & which places / areas are you going to explore. The embassy DOES NOT REQUIRE confirmed airline tickets & hotel / hostel reservations; you can just indicate your intended flights & hotel accommodations in the daily schedule. If you want a sample itinerary, I can send you the one we used 2 years ago. Feel free to send me an email to request for the said copy.

Osaka’s Dōtonbori canal at night + the famous Glico Man

TIP: It is always better to apply for a visa as a tourist rather than a visitor of a friend or a relative. The latter requires additional documents (invitation letter, photo, etc) that need to be submitted together with your application.

TIP 2.0: Some people previously ask me why did I book my airline tickets without having a Japan tourist visa. I told them that I would take a risk & spend less than ₱5,000 (before) for round-trip ticket rather than spend ₱15,000 – ₱20,000 pesos on a round-trip ticket last minute. I’ve saved more which I can add up to my daily expenses in Japan. Of course, you lose ₱5,000 if you get denied. If your documents are complete, I don’t see any reason why your application will rejected.

Step 3: Apply in a Japanese Embassy accredited travel agency

Now that you already have your application form & requirements, it’s time to submit them to the relevant agency. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines does not directly accept visa applications. The office has authorized a handful of travel agencies that can accept these visa applications with, of course, a handling fee. These applications are compiled daily & are being sent to the embassy for processing.

I personally recommend Reli Tours & Travel Agency. They have one of the cheapest visa handling fees among the agencies (only ₱950) for tourist visa applications with no guarantors. They have different branches here in Metro Manila; my last 2 applications were handled by their Dusit Thani Hotel office.

All documents will be checked before your application will be accepted. After everything has been checked & accepted, they will ask for the visa handling fee. They will give you a receipt + a stub which you will present when claiming your passport. Applications usually take 3-7 working days.

TIP: If you want Reli Tours to submit your documents next day , make sure to hand over your applications before 5:00 pm in the Dusit Thani Hotel office. Any application submitted after 5:00 will still be accepted that same day; but will be submitted 2 days after. Note that other Reli branches have different cut-off times.

USJ’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter should be in everyone’s list!

Step 4: Go back to the agency & claim your passport

The agency will normally send you a text message once your passport is ready for claiming. Note that they will not inform you if you have been granted a visa or not. You will only know if you were granted a visa when you sign the passport release sheet with a check mark in the ‘Yes‘ box.

You can either be granted a single entry visa valid for 3 months from the date of issue & is valid for a 15-day stay in Japan or a multiple entry visa valid for x years (can be 1, 2 or up to 5 years) from the date of issue & is valid for a 30-day stay per entry.

TIP: Passports can only be claimed in the afternoon from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Make sure to go there on time.

The list of requirements might be a little intimidating; but I tell you, once you are done gathering all the necessary requirements, the visa application process will be as easy as these 4 steps! So what are you waiting for? Book your plane tickets, gather all the needed documents & apply for your Japan visa as soon as possible. A trip to Japan is something you won’t regret. 😉

My 5-year multiple entry Japan tourist visa issued last year 😏

Have you encountered any problem when you applied for your Japan visa? Did the agency require additional documents from you? Do you have any questions or clarifications with the things mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments – it’s always nice to hear from you guys.

Alternatively, you can also send your questions & thoughts to contact@thewkndtravel.com or via Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. Thank you for reading & have a nice day!

PS. All photos above were shot using my HTC Re & HTC One M8.

Going Solo in Japan Series: NAGOYA

Three weeks ago, I shared to you how I conquered the ₱50,000 x 13-day Japan trip challenge. I went around 7 different cities in the southern part of Japan. I mentioned there that I will blog about the 7 cities I visited in 4 different posts. So yeah, here’s the first one!

European vibe in Noritake Garden

The first 3 days & 2 nights of the trip were spent exploring the beautiful & laid-back city of Nagoya. Nagoya is the capital of the Aichi Prefecture & is also one of Japan’s famous port cities. People normally skip this city because they say there isn’t much to see compared to Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka; but I am here to debunk that notion. This city has some of the most beautiful gardens I’ve been to in my whole trip. Let me elaborate below on where I stayed & what I did in my short stay in Nagoya.

Meijō Park near Nagoya Castle grounds

Accommodation

It’s not a secret that accommodation is one of the most expensive in all of Asia. Just like my previous Japan trip, I stayed in hostels. You still get a your private space (beds with curtains) in a room for 3-6 people at a very affordable rate. I stayed in 7-bed dormitory room in Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel in Nakamura Ward. It is a 5-10 minute walk from the JR Nagoya Station & also near to both Willer Express pick-up & drop off points. The hostel is also located near different convenience stores & local restaurants. You won’t have any problem looking for food in the middle of the night. 😉

My dormitory room in Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel

The hostel staff were really nice & helpful. I remember one of the staff told me he loved the Philippines when he visited a few years back. He also wants to fly back soon & explore more places / provinces. The hostel has an on-site bar & restaurant in the ground floor where you can meet & interact with local people & tourists. It also has a communal dining & lounge area in the 3rd floor exclusively for the guests. The property also offers free Wi-Fi to all guests. If you ever plan to go to Nagoya, I recommend that you stay in Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel. The hostel also has private rooms for those who do not want to stay in dormitory rooms.

Transportation

Going around Nagoya is not difficult. The city has numerous JR & local subway lines that take you to almost all tourist attractions. Transfers between train stations & lines are convenient & tourist-friendly.

I didn’t get the Japan Rail Pass or the 1-day tourist pass during my stay; I only re-used my IC card from last year’s trip. I added credit & used it in every train ride. I also used this IC card in convenience stores, fast food restaurants & other shops.

Places Visited in Nagoya

Atsuta Jingu

Atsuta Jingu entrance

Atsuta Jingu is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines in all of Japan. This is somewhat similar to Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine. Each entrance to the shrine grounds has a torii gate. I went there on a Sunday & there were many Japanese families spending some quality time in the shrine grounds. Anyway, the shrine can be reached by a 5-minute walk from Meitetsu Nagoya Line’s Jingumae Station or Meijo Line’s Jingunishi Station. (No entrance fee)

Shirotori Garden

Shirotori Garden is a traditional Japanese garden with pathways around ponds & streams. This garden is also home to different events & fairs. Luckily, there was an organic food fair the day of my visit. The garden can be reached by a 5-minute walk from the Atsuta Jingu Shrine. (Entrance fee: ¥300)

Beautiful morning in Shirotori Garden

Noritake Garden

Noritake is one of the world’s leading tableware brand that originated in Nagoya in the 1900s. Noritake Garden was built in the former production grounds of the company. It has a craft center where you can see & experience how these wares are being done. There is also a museum which houses the exceptional crafts of Noritake through the years.

Inside Noritake Garden

The garden & recreation area provides a European vibe making you think if you are really in Japan. This is one of my favorite places in Nagoya; I will definitely visit again when I go back. (Entrance fee: Garden grounds: free | Craft center: ¥500)

Peaceful yet beautiful walkways around Noritake Garden

Osu Kannon Temple & Osu Shopping Street

Osu Kannon Temple is Nagoya’s most famous Buddhist temple. The temple’s center of attraction is the wooden status of Kannon, the Japanese goddess of mercy & pets. I went to the temple grounds during night time I wasn’t able to get a decent photo of it. (No entrance fee)

Beside the temple is the Osu Shopping Street. Compared to Tokyo’s Akihabara District, it has hundreds of shops specializing in electronics, anime, cosplay & Japanese goods. This shopping street is a good place for buying souvenirs . (No entrance fee)

Osu Shopping Arcade at night

The Osu Kannon Temple & Shopping Street can be found a few steps from Tsurumai Subway Line’s Osu Kannon Station. Alternatively, you can go down at Kamimaezu Station, a common station of Tsurumai & Meijo subway lines.

Sakae Ward

Afternoon stroll at Nagoya Central Park

Sakae is Nagoya’s downtown district. Department stores, specialty stores & restaurants are all located in this area. The local party scene can also be found here. It is also in this area where you will find 2 iconic Nagoya landmarks – the Oasis 21 & Nagoya TV Tower plus their own version of Central Park.

The futuristic Oasis 21 in Sakae Ward

Nagoya TV Tower from the Central Park

This area can be accessed by going down at Sakae Station or by a 20-30 minute walk from JR Nagoya Station.

Meijō Park

Don’t get me wrong, my initial plan was to go & see the Nagoya Castle. When I walking at towards the entrance, I saw a park full of red, orange & yellow leaves. Since I already know how Japanese castles look like (from my visit in Osaka Castle in 2015), I opted to just go to the nearby Meijō Park. Autumn was definitely at its peak when I went there. I enjoyed walking around, sitting on different wooden benches, observing people & thinking about random stuff. I tell you, it was the best decision I made that day.

The Meijō Park can be found a few meters walk from Meijō Kōen Station (nearest) or Shiyakusho Station (other station; this one is near Nagoya Castle). (No entrance fee)

Best decision I made that day – skip Nagoya Castle & walk around Meijō Park 😍

You might notice I didn’t go to so many places in Nagoya. Um… Yes. To be honest, I wanted the itinerary to be as flexible as possible. I didn’t plan on where to go or what to do; I only asked a few suggestions from the hostel staff & people I met plus check some online sites. I took my time in exploring & enjoyed every single minute I spent in these places.

Also, I missed a number of notable places in Nagoya like the Tokugawa Garden, Nagashima Spa Land, Nabana no Sato Flower Park, Toyota Automobile Museum & Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture.

3 days (or strictly speaking 2 full days) are not enough to explore the beautiful city of Nagoya. The city has so much to offer I want to go back there soon!

It was also announced last year that Legoland Japan will open a theme park in Nagoya. It will be the 8th in the world & the first in East Asia. Legoland Japan is expected to open to the public next month, 1 April 2017. Another park to add in the list for my next visit!

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also send me a message on Facebook, drop a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

PS. All photos above were shot using my HTC Re.

Going Solo in Japan: 13 days & 7 cities for less than ₱50,000

Last October 2015, my friends & I went for a 9-day x ₱40,000 (each) journey around 3 key Japan cities. We enjoyed our first 5 days in the very busy Tokyo, literally walked around the ancient capital Kyoto & sort-of relaxed in the hippie city of Osaka. Towards the end of the trip, I kept on telling my friends that I will go back to the country really soon.

It didn’t take long until the next Japan trip happened. 3 months ago, I went on a 13-day solo Japan trip around 7 cities. I met 2 friends along the way, but I was on my own most of the time. It was a life-changing experience! I want to do it again.

Deer selfie at Nara Park

In 2015, I only spent ₱40,000 for the whole 9 days in Japan. For the 2016 trip, I challenged myself to try to fit in ₱50,000 (all in!) for the whole 13 days in. That’s additional 5 days & 4 nights, but only an additional ₱10,000 from the last budget. I may not have someone to share the cost of getting a pocket Wi-Fi, but not buying tickets for theme parks like DisneySea & Universal Studios Japan helped stretch the budget for a few more days.

The Japanese Yen (¥) to Philippine Peso (₱) exchanged rate changed from ₱0.39 in 2015 to ₱0.45 last year. This change in the currency rate affected the budgeting a lot; but it was all good. I was able to fit in ₱50,000 for the whole 13 days (including tickets); I even managed to hoard some chocolates & treats for my family & friends back home.

Hiroshima’s Shukkeien Garden

Let me elaborate below how I conquered the challenge. The discussion will be divided into 6 parts – Plane ticket, Bus pass, Route / itinerary, Accommodation, Pocket Wi-Fi & Everyday expenses.

Plane Ticket

It was late January 2016 when I came across a Cebu Pacific Air seat sale to all their destinations. I randomly checked possible dates of a Japan trip; I found a round-trip ticket for November for less than ₱5,000 (fare only). With no hesitations, I booked the said Manila-Nagoya-Fukuoka-Manila ticket. The trip was 13 days long; it includes 2 weekends & 1 Philippine holiday. What made me more excited is that my trip coincides with the peak of autumn in most places in Japan.

Round-trip Japan ticket for less than ₱6,000 was definitely a bargain!

I added baggage to my ticket a few days before my departure to & from Japan. Overall, I paid ₱5,907.87 for my round-trip ticket. A normal ticket Japan would cost around ₱15,000; so getting a ticket at this price is such a bargain.

Note that a Philippine passport holder is required to pay a travel tax worth ₱1,620 before leaving the country.

Visa

The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines does not accept personal visa applications. All applications should go through their accredited travel agencies. I submitted my requirements to Reli Tours & Travel Agency in Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City. Visa handling fee costs ₱950.

It only took 3 working days before I got my passport back. The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines granted me a 5-year multiple entry visa valid until October 2021. Good stuff.

Willer Express Japan Buss Pass

Given I fly in to Nagoya & fly out from Fukuoka, I had to plan out my route from one city to the other. I was checking the bus routes of Willer Express when I saw their Bus Pass promotion.

The bus pass allows you to book up to 3 rides per day for 3, 5 or 7 days days at a certain amount. I took advantage of this promotion & got myself the ¥10,000 3-day bus pass which can be redeemed Mondays to Thursdays. I took 3 overnight rides & 1 night ride using the bus pass. It saved me around ¥8,000 & 3 nights of hostel accommodation.

Kobe’s iconic tower

Route

If you think about it, 13 days is quite a long trip; so I told myself I must visit as many cities / places as I can.

Note: I will not talk about where I went in these cities; watch out for the 4 separate entries about these 7 cities.

I flew in to Nagoya & stayed there for 3 days & 2 nights. People normally skip this city because they believe there isn’t much to see. To be fair, they actually have scenic temples, parks & gardens. On the 3rd night, I took a 3-hour bus to Osaka, then another 6-hour overnight bus to Hiroshima.

European vibe in the middle of Nagoya – inside Noritake Garden

Genbaku Dōmu / Atomic Bomb Dome – UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hiroshima

The following morning, I met with my friend Michiko at the Hiroshima JR Station. We spent 2 days & 1 night in Hiroshima Prefecture; we visited Miyajima Island, then walked around the historical city & ate the best okonomiyaki in the area. On the 5th night, I took a 7-hour overnight bus to Kyoto.

With my friend Michiko before in Hiroshima

Upon arrival in Kyoto, I went to the hostel & waited for my friend Rona. We went around Kyoto for 1.5 days; we’ve been to the bamboo forest, plus temples & shrines. We also went to Gion to hunt for some geisha. We also met some cool people (Japanese, Dutch & some Filipinos based in Australia) at the hostel bar & enjoyed a night of drinking & sharing stories.

With Rona in a local ramen restaurant before she left for Tokyo

After another morning of temples & gardens, Rona & I boarded the 30-minute local train to Osaka. Rona stayed for a night (before she left for Tokyo) while I stayed for 3 nights. I went to some new places in the city – those I missed when I was there in 2015. I also met some amazing locals in Osaka plus a few tourists from Malaysia, South Korea & Germany. I also took day trips to Nara (with Rona) & Kobe (all by myself) which were both 1-hour local train rides from Osaka.

A beautiful sunny day in Nara Park

Dōtonbori – Osaka’s busiest place at night

On the 10th night, I took a 9-hour overnight bus all the way to the port city of Fukuoka. My final 3 days & 2 nights were spent here. Some parks & temples basically made up my last days in Japan. There were also awesome nights of drinking & walking around with some new friends from Singapore, Argentina, France & the US.

Ōhori Park – a place of scenic beauty in Fukuoka

I made a good choice of staying 2-3 days per city; I was able to visit most of what each city has to offer.

Accommodation

I’ve mentioned in my How I enjoyed a 9-day Japan trip for less than ₱40,000 all in blog post that Japan has one of the most expensive accommodation rates in Asia. To save some money, I decided to stay in hostels. Daily rate per bed in a dormitory room costs around ¥2,700 – ¥3,200. Each bed includes free Wi-Fi, a bed sheet, a pillow, a universal plug & a reading light. Also, these beds have curtains around so you still have your own privacy.

My dormitory bed in Osaka Hana Hostel

Hostels in Japan are generally clean & quiet. Dormitory rooms have common & clean shower areas & toilet. Hostels also provide free shampoo & soap. All properties have common lounge areas & kitchen facilities where you can meet fellow travelers.

Backpacker K’s House Kyoto Communal Lounge & Dining Area

I’ve stayed in 5 different hostels for 9 nights (3 nights were spent in overnight bus rides). The Hana Hostels / J Hoppers Group gives a ¥300 yen discount for every 3rd night stay in their hostels. I was able to get 2 x ¥300 yen discounts. I’ve provided a table for a summary of my accommodation costs:

The average daily rate would cost around ₱1,320 per hostel bed. It is a bit expensive if you compare it to the hostel rates in other Asian cities, but they are pretty affordable & reasonable in Japan. Also, all the hostels I stayed there are near subway stations & have excellent reviews online.

Pocket Wi-Fi

Given I will be on my own most of the time, I got myself a pocket Wi-Fi to help me navigate around each city / place. It also helped me check on the train schedules to different places.

I got my 3G pocket Wi-Fi from Japan Wireless for ₱3,268.15 for 12 full days. The package was delivered directly to my 1st hostel in Nagoya. The package included an extra battery bank, a pouch, charger & an envelope (to be used when sending the package back). I returned on my last day by dropping it in the nearest post box (can be dropped anywhere in Japan). I recommend getting a pocket Wi-Fi every time you go to Japan to prevent from getting lost.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – a must-see place in Kyoto

Daily Expenses

Just like the 2015 Japan trip, I gave myself a daily budget to cover all meals, transportation costs, entrance fees & beers (lol). I raised the daily budget to ¥3,500 per day (higher by ¥500 from the last year’s daily budget) because I was on my own & I don’t have anyone to share my meals & expenses with. There were also times where I splurged on food, like when I ate at Ichiran Ramen twice! Their ramen was soooo good I had to go back. I also had a kobe beef lunch set in Kobe which was also gooood!

Ichiran ramen was sooooo good! Too bad we don’t have one here in Manila

Kobe Beef’s melts-in-your-mouth goodness!

Instead of getting daily breakfast from 7-Eleven or Family Mart, I drop by the supermarket before going home at night to buy my own bento meal. Most supermarkets offer discounted food at night because they need to sell all cooked food before the stores close. I store these packed meals at the hostel fridge & just reheat them the following morning.

One of the many bento breakfasts I had

I also had some spare money from the daily budget which I used to buy some chocolates & treats for family & friends back home.

Summary

All expenses are in. Let’s have a look how much I spent all in for this 13-day trip. Note: Exchange rate during my trip: ¥1 = ₱0.45 (doesn’t include items paid via credit card -> pocket wi-fi & bus pass)

See? I made it! I survived a 13-day Japan trip around 7 cities for less than ₱50,000. It may not be as super affordable as travelling in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City or Kuala Lumpur; but Japan offers a different kind of experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

I know I’ve said it in my previous Japan blog, but I will say it again here. Travelling to Japan isn’t that expensive as many people think. There will always be ways to make it really affordable. I’m telling you, next time you see a cheap round trip ticket to any city in Japan, go ahead & book it. It’s a trip you’ll never regret!

Watch out for the specific blog posts about the experiences I had in the 7 cities mentioned above. It will be posted here in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also send me a message on Facebook, drop a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

Autumn colors in Meijō Park, Nagoya 😍

PS. All photos above were shot using my HTC Re.