Plans to visit Japan next year

[Devian]

Hi all
Please advise how better arrange everything. I mean i don't want to go to a travel agencies, because they have poor offers and only for short period stay in Japan 3,7-10 days. but i want to stay as much as i'll have visa valid. i don't know what situation in other countries but in my (Ukraine) maximum visa for travells issues for 3 months. and i want all my legal time to spent there. But as a read at our embassy website, i have to assign information from Japanese travel agency (as my adpromissor) to issue visa. Any suggestion, how i can do this without travel agencies? is it possible to find someone who will be working maybe like some personal guide during visit and be my adpromissor?
or smthng like this.
Thanks in advance

[ArmandV]

First, check the length of stay you're allowed on a tourist visa for your country. Some countries are allowed three months, some 90 days.

Shop around for airfares. Prices are high right now due to the oil market.

Get maps and brochures of the sites and cities you want to visit. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ is a good source for free brochures and maps.

Check hotel or ryokan (Japanese inn) prices on the Internet. You can find some good deals.

Lastly, enjoy your trip!

[Devian]

Thanks for you advises and source u gave. these prices for ryokan are for one night stay? If it's than is possible maybe to rent appartment i think it be much cheaper and convinient? Because for 90 day stay in Japan for two persons in ryokan even in cheapest 10000 yens per day it's already 900000 yens=8343.294USD! it possible to rent astounding apparts for this money!

[Fel1city]

Try youth hostels and JR Passes, and get hold of a Lonely Planet guide book, and "Japan by Rail" book: invaluable guides to what to see and how to get there
Have fun!!

[ArmandV]

Thanks for you advises and source u gave. these prices for ryokan are for one night stay? If it's than is possible maybe to rent appartment i think it be much cheaper and convinient? Because for 90 day stay in Japan for two persons in ryokan even in cheapest 10000 yens per day it's already 900000 yens=8343.294USD! it possible to rent astounding apparts for this money!

Depending on the city, ryokan prices will vary. In Kumamoto, I stayed at one for around $39/night. In Tokyo, I stayed at one for about $55/night in Shibuya.

[Gnarf]

It can be hard to rent apartments as a foreigner in Japan. The available options will be limited, especially if you only have a tourist visa. But look at www . sakura-house . com, they specialize in renting apartments to foreigners. Of course the prices vary depending on the location but it can be worth checking up.

Another option is to have a long stay at a youth hostel which often are very cheap. You can search for them at www . tripadvisor . com.

Good luck!

[Glenski]

Guest houses (also called gaijin houses) can be rented by the day, week, or month. They are like boarding houses, and some offer private rooms (a little more expensive, of course, than the usual facilities).

Then, there are places like LeoPalace21 that offer fully furnished apartments with no guarantor needed. With them, you pay EVERYTHING up front, whether you stay a week or a year, plus a service charge for cleaning. Nice places from what I hear (and see on the ads), but who has the money to pay for a year up front?

[Akakubisan]

Leopalace would be good for a 3 month stay, everything is included, utilities, internet etc. Here is there website http://www.eg.leopalace21.com/.
You will need to find out if they will rent to you without a gaikokujin torokushou (foreigner card). I live there and it was required, but I am staying in there apartment for at least 1 year.

They have a search for apartments, but it is only on there Japanese website http://www.leopalace21.com/
Good luck

[Devian]

Great! very useful sources. Thank you very much guys! i owe you.
Now i'm going to explore all of them.
By the way did i mention that i'll go with my girl (after we'll get married i want to arrange, like, honeymoon):-)? Does it act a part in searching where to stay? we both are not fastidious. :-)

[Devian]

I've just have phone conversation with Japan embassy in my country, they said that's it impossible to get visa without travel agency:( Can these all apparts, ryokans, guest houses, youth hostels as be my guarantor? Now problem, how can i get to Japan even if i don't need a guarantor to rent a room? i'm absolutely confused, i don't understand a point what for these hotels practicing renting without guarantor if a foreigner can't get visa without him? i'm falling apart :( do i still have chance. please give me a hope.

[Glenski]

From your original post:as a read at our embassy website, i have to assign information from Japanese travel agency (as my adpromissor) to issue visa. Any suggestion, how i can do this without travel agencies?Trying to bypass immigration's regulations is futile.

Do what they say. Get your tourist visa by getting the information from the travel agency. If you want to come here badly enough, you'll do it.

Please don't ask us non-Ukranians if a hotel can serve as your tourist visa guarantor. That can be answered only by your local immigration office/embassy.

One more thing:
Most apartments here require a guarantor, and that is usually your Japanese employer. As a tourist, you are not employed here, so forget apartments (unless you are 100% certain one does not require a guarantor), and instead focus on other types of housing...

but do this through a travel agency, as your office requires.

[NekoMama7]

I assume that both Japanese Embassy/Consulate Office and Immigration would ask you how much cash you have available for your trip, in addition to a return ticket. A 3-month stay in Japan as a tourist would require a significant amount of money, even if you choose bargain lodgings.

[Devian]

I'm not trying to bypass immigration's regs. I only want to spent my time there exploring their culture, lifestyle, sights etc and it's impossible to do in 10 days tour that offers my travel agencies.
You are right. Maybe i should first consultate with travel agency.
I know that it cost much. Thats why i'm only planning visit, basing my budget on your advises.
Really thank you all for taking a part solving my problem!