My Japan Tourist Visa Experience
Speaking from my personal experience, I have applied for a Japan tourist visa twice, and on both occasions, I specifically applied for a single-entry visa.
The first time I applied, I submitted my application through a visa processing agency. The second time, I applied during the period when Japan visa applications had transitioned to VFS processing. If you prefer to use an agency, that is also an option. An agency can assist with your application and submit the required documents through the appropriate visa application center. On both occasions, my visa was processed relatively quickly. I received my visa in approximately seven working days, which was not so surprising considering that I was traveling during the summer months.
For my first trip to Japan, I spent most of my time between Osaka and Tokyo. During my second visit, I spent considerably more time exploring Kyoto, along with Tokyo. For this sample itinerary, however, I am focusing on Osaka and Tokyo, as these are two of the most common destinations for first-time visitors to Japan. The itinerary combines major attractions, cultural sites, shopping areas, food destinations, and a few popular day-trip options. Below is the itinerary I personally used as a reference for my Japan visa application and trip planning.
Please keep in mind that this is based on my personal experience and is provided as a sample only. Visa processing times, application requirements, and outcomes may vary depending on your circumstances and the applicable procedures at the time of your application. You should always make sure that your itinerary accurately reflects your own genuine travel plans.
9-Day Sample Itinerary | Osaka & Tokyo
Travel Dates: September 4â12, 2024
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Destinations: Osaka & Tokyo
đ¯đĩ Day 1 â September 4, 2024
Cebu â Manila â Osaka
âī¸ Arrival
- Flight from Cebu to Manila
- Activate eSIM before boarding the international flight
- Flight from Manila to Osaka via Kansai International Airport
- Take the Nankai Express Line from Kansai Airport to Namba Station
- Walk approximately 11 minutes to the accommodation
Accommodation: Bon Hostel
Location: Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan
đ¯đĩ Day 2 â September 5, 2024
Kyoto & Nara Day Trip
đĻ Nara
- Nara Park
- Nara National Museum
- Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
- Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
- Todai-ji Temple
âŠī¸ Kyoto
The following destinations were part of the tentative plan:
- Kyoto Tower
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Kinkaku-ji Temple
- Kiyomizu-dera
đ¯đĩ Day 3 â September 6, 2024
Osaka Bay Area & Kita District
Osaka Bay Area
- Osaka Aquarium
- Allow approximately 1â2 hours
- Lunch at Tempozan Marketplace
Kita District
- Explore the Kita District
- Osaka Castle
- Osaka Castle Park
đ Dinner
- Menya Ageha
đ¯đĩ Day 4 â September 7, 2024
Minami District & Tennoji
Minami District
- Kuromon Market
- Tokyu Hands Department Store
- Shinsaibashi-suji
Dotonbori Area
- Dotonbori Arcade
- Glico Running Man sign
- Ebisu-bashi Bridge
- Amerika-mura
- Hozenji Yokocho
- Hozen-ji Temple
- Mizu-kake Fudo statue
- Doguyasuji Arcade
- Den-Den Town
- Abeno Harukas Observatory
đ Evening
- Overnight bus from Osaka to Tokyo
đ¯đĩ Day 5 â September 8, 2024
Modern Tokyo & West Side
Accommodation: Pegasus Hotel
Location: Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
Harajuku
- Meiji-jingu Shrine
- Omotesando
- Nezu Museum
- Explore the museum garden
Shibuya
- Shibuya Crossing
- Hachiko Memorial Statue
Roppongi
- Roppongi Hills
đ¯đĩ Day 6 â September 9, 2024
Traditional Tokyo & East Side
Asakusa
- Senso-ji Temple
- Asakusa-jinja Shrine
Ueno
- Tokyo National Museum
- Ueno-koen Park
- Ueno Toshogu Shrine
đ¯đĩ Day 7 â September 10, 2024
Imperial Palace Area & Shinjuku
Imperial Palace Area
- Imperial Palace East Garden
- Kitanomaru-koen Park
- Yasukuni-jinja Shrine
- Yushukan Museum
Shinjuku
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices Observation Deck
Hibiya
- Hibiya-koen Park
đ¯đĩ Day 8 â September 11, 2024
Tokyo DisneySea
- Spend the day at Tokyo DisneySea
- Enjoy the park's attractions, shows, and dining options
đ¯đĩ Day 9 â September 12, 2024
Tokyo â Manila â Cebu
âī¸ Departure
- Travel from Tokyo to Narita International Airport
- Flight from Tokyo to Manila
- Flight from Manila to Cebu
- End of Japan trip
âī¸ Trip Summary
Total Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Main Destinations:
- đ¯đĩ Osaka
- đ¯đĩ Tokyo
Day-Trip Destinations:
- Nara
- Kyoto
Main Interests:
- âŠī¸ Japanese temples & shrines
- đ¯ History & culture
- đ Food & local markets
- đī¸ Shopping
- đ City exploration
- đĸ Theme parks
- đ Intercity travel
đĄ Planning Note
This itinerary is based on a personal Japan trip and is provided as a sample only. You can adjust the destinations, activities, accommodations, transportation, and number of days according to your own travel dates, interests, budget, and circumstances.