Administration

With all the fuss around traveling these days, it’s very important to get all the necessary documents and papers together and to have it all ready well in advance of your trip since these things (bureaucracy) take up the most time.

Be sure to have a valid traveling pass (passport). If you have a Belgian traveling passport (this is for many others too, but be sure to check your country is on the list) it  just needs to be valid for your stay in Japan (NOT an additional 6 months as before) This was descided on February 2008. You need a valid passport for the duration of your stay and a plain ticket that proves your stay will not be longer than 3 months. Make sure your haircut fits the picture

Whatever you do, don’t burn your fingertips, as you will have to press both of your thumbs onto a registration device during customs check!

If you travel alone, then keep a card or document on you that holds your home adress, bloodtype and religion, just in case some unforseen things happen to you.

In order to keep an overview of everything, make a traveling plan on paper:
It should encompass financial details, transport possibilities and a plan of sightseeing things you want to visit. Add + 30% to 40% to the amount for inconveniences as they will always occur. Then go to the bank and take out the amount of money in Japanese Yen. Because in most, if not all, shops and restaurants (and dojo’s) you can pay in cash only!

A credit card is only convenient if you can withdraw cash somewhere. Make sure it’s a visa or american express and not a mastercard! YOU CANNOT WITHDRAW CASH WITH A MASTERCARD!!! (I speak out of experience hehehe).

February 20, 2009 | Categories: Preparation | Leave A Comment »