Qataris to be issued multiple-entry visas to Japan

It's great news for frequent travelers to Japan!
Japan will issue multiple-entry visas valid for one or three years (maximum stay up to 90 days each visit) to Qatari passport holders from 3rd October 2016.
Here's an explanation of application process.

Necessary documents are as following.
1) For those whom employed
 a. Visa application form
 b. One passport size photo (taken within 6 months)
 c. Passport (need more than 2 blank pages)
 d. A copy of passport (picture page)
 e. A copy of Qatari ID card (both front and back)
 f. A copy of flight booking (return or round trip, not one way)
 g. Employment certificate (stating name, nationality passport number, job title, joining date and monthly salary)
 h. Request letter to explain the reason of applying for the multiple visa, mentioning purpose of trip (sightseeing, vacation, business meeting etc.)

2) For spouses and children of above
 - Documents a. to f. as above.
 - Guardian's letter from a breadwinner and a copy of his/her passport.
 - Marriage certificate (for spouses) and birth certificate (for children).
 - Document h. above.
 - If not applying for visa with a breadwinner, employment certificate of a breadwinner is required.
 - If the breadwinner already has a multiple visa, a copy of his/her multiple visa is required.

Enjoy your travel!!!

LCCs operate domestic flights in Japan

There are five LCCs operating in Japan, links to their official site and routes are as following.

Peach Aviation

Operating 14 domestic routes, Osaka(KIX)-Sapporo, Osaka(KIX)-Sendai, Osaka(KIX)-Tokyo(NRT), Osaka(KIX)-Matsuyama, Osaka(KIX)-Fukuoka, Osaka(KIX)-Nagasaki, Osaka(KIX)-Miyazaki, Osaka(KIX)-Kagoshima, Osaka(KIX)-Okinawa(Naha), Osaka(KIX)-Ishigaki, Tokyo(NRT)-Sapporo, Tokyo(NRT)-Fukuoka, Tokyo(NRT)-Okinawa(Naha) and Okinawa-Fukuoka.
Flight Schedule

Skymark

Operating 17 domestic routes, Tokyo(HND)-Sapporo, Tokyo(HND)-Kobe, Tokyo(HND)-Fukuoka, Tokyo(HND)-Kagoshima, Tokyo(HND)-Okinawa(Naha), Ibaraki-Sapporo, Ibaraki-Kobe, Ibaraki-Fukuoka, Ibaraki-Okinawa(Naha), Sapporo-Nagoya, Nagoya-Okinawa(Naha), Kobe-Sapporo, Kobe-Okinawa(Naha), Kobe-Nagasaki, Kobe-Kagoshima, Sapporo-Fukuoka and Fukuoka-Okinawa(Naha).

Jetstar

Operating 16 domestic routes, Tokyo(NRT)-Osaka(KIX), Tokyo(NRT)-Sapporo, Tokyo(NRT)-Fukuoka, Tokyo(NRT)-Okinawa(Naha), Tokyo(NRT)-Oita, Tokyo(NRT)-Kagoshima, Tokyo(NRT)-Kumamoto, Tokyo(NRT)-Matsuyama, Tokyo(NRT)-Takamatsu, Osaka(KIX)-Sapporo, Osaka(KIX)-Fukuoka, Osaka(KIX)-Okinawa(Naha), Nagoya-Sapporo, Nagoya-Fukuoka, Nagoya-Okinawa(Naha) and Nagoya-Kagoshima.

Vanilla air

Operating 3 domestic routes, Tokyo(NRT)-Sapporo, Tokyo(NRT)-Okinawa(Naha) and Tokyo(NRT)-Okinawa(Amami).

Spring Japan

Operating 2 domestic routes, Tokyo(NRT)-Saga and Tokyo(NRT)-Hiroshima.

Traveling Japan with a housemaid or nanny

Sometimes it's very hard to travel with little children but if you could bring your housemaid or nanny with you, it would be much easier and relaxing.
You might think it's impossible to arrange visa to travel Japan for your housemaid or nanny, but actually it's possible and not difficult!

Just prepare all required documents and submit to Embassy of Japan in Qatar.
Here's a list of documents required, but it may varies by cases please confirm with Embassy of Japan.

• Visa Application Form (download form from the website)
• Original Passport of your housemaid/nanny
• Copy of your housemaid/nanny's RP
• Passport size photo (x1)
• Sponsor letter (to certify employment and mention the reason for travel (ex. traveling with young child and need assistant) and sponsor to cover all the expenses during travel)
• Letter of Guarantee (download form from the website)
• Schedule of Stay (download form from the website)
• Copies of sponsor's passport and RP
• Copy of flight ticket
• Copy of hotel booking confirmation
• Sponsor's 6 months bank statement 

Japan rail pass and regional rail passes

Japan Rail Pass may famous among travelers to Japan which can save a lot of money to spend for transportation.

There are regional rail passes also available which may save much more than Japan Rail Pass for who travels limited area only.
For example, Japan Rail Pass for 14 days costs 46,390 JPY but JR East Pass (Tohoku area) costs 20,000 JPY for flexible 5 days within 14 days.
If you travel only Tokyo and Kyoto, then may could save more by take flight to Kansai/Itami from Haneda (ticket price starting from about 10,000 JPY) and use Kansai area pass which costs 6,300 JPY only with 4 days validity (see the link to JR West Rail Pass below).

Regional rail passes are available in following areas.

• Hokkaido Rail Pass (*)
• JR East Pass (Tohoku area) (*)
• JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata araa) (*)
• JR TOKYO Wide Pass (*)
• Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
• Ise-Kumano Area Tourist Pass
• JR West Rail Pass (*)
• ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass (*)
• Kyushu Rail Pass (*)

Japan Rail Pass is only purchasable in overseas so that you need to arrange it well in advance, but some regional rail passes (marked as (*) on the list) are purchasable at JR stations in Japan.

Tips for tax-free shopping in Japan

Did you know that it's very easy to shop tax-free in japan?
Unlike EU countries, you can get a tax refund/exemption on site.
No long queue at customs in the airport!
Enjoy tax-free shopping next time when you travel to Japan!

Who is eligible to shop tax-free in Japan?
Foreign visitors (on short-term visa) and Japanese citizens reside overseas.

How to find tax-free shops?
Look for the sign "Tax-free Shop."
There are tax-free shops everywhere in Japan nowadays.
Here is the list of major tax-free shops.

• Super markets - AEON, DAIEI, ITO YOKADO
• Department stores - MITSUKOSHI, ISETAN, TAKASHIMAYA, DAIMARU/MATSUZAKAYA, SOGO/SEIBU, etc.
• Clothing store - UNICLO
• Drug stores -TSURUHA DRUG, DAIKOKU DRUG, MATSUMOTO-KIYOSHI, etc.
• Electronics retail stores - YODOBASHI CAMERA, YAMADA DENKI, BIC CAMERA, LAOX, many stores in Akihabara, etc.

The tax-free shop locator provided by Japan Tourism Agency may helpful to find tax-free shops.
Some shops offer further discounts to foreign tourists, check the websites!

How to shop tax-free?
Tell the clerk that you want to buy it tax-free before making payment. ("MENZEI" in Japanese.)
Then the clerk will tell you the procedure.
At the most of small shops you may get tax exemption at the register, just pass your passport to the clerk.
At the department stores and large super markets you may need to go to the service counter to get tax refund. In this case, make full payment at the register then bring the goods, receipt and your passport to the service counter. Department stores tend to take service fee of 1.1% of the purchased price (excluding tax).

The points need to attention
You can get tax exemption/refund only on the day of shopping.
You must bring your passport when you go shopping.
Need to purchase over 5,000 JPY for consumable items and over 10,000 JPY for other items.
The name of the credit card must be same as the passport holder who claim tax exemption/refund.