A Little Time in Japan and Little Time in China

Japan will always be on the top of my travel list. June was spent traveling around the southern parts of Japan. Previous visits were short, but we now had the ability to spend as much time as we liked or could afford on the weak USD. We started in Osaka since a couple of friendsContinue reading “A Little Time in Japan and Little Time in China”

Acquiring Central Asian Visas in Tokyo

It’s been a long time (a few years actually) since I’ve written anything substantial in a blog post, so please forgive me as I get my ‘blog legs’ back in order. Oddly enough, this will start off with a case of deja vu from early 2008. Back then we were traveling around Laos and VietnamContinue reading “Acquiring Central Asian Visas in Tokyo”

General information for Central Asian visas in Tokyo

Keep the following tips in mind when getting visas here: Plan, Plan, Plan. Specifically the order that you will be traveling to these countries, the number of entries desired, etc. Central Asian visas are date specific (i.e. 1-Sept-2012 to 31-Oct-2012 for 1 entry with a maximum time in country of 30 days). Visas for theseContinue reading “General information for Central Asian visas in Tokyo”

Tajikistan Visa in Tokyo with GBAO

The GBAO permit (to see the eastern half of the country and Pamirs) cost is included in the base visa cost, but you MUST ask for it separately (in person and in your processing cover letter). If you don’t have a cover letter they will give you one to copy for the request at theContinue reading “Tajikistan Visa in Tokyo with GBAO”

Kyrgyzstan Visa in Tokyo

A Kyrgyzstan visa is very straight forward and simple to get in Tokyo. Cost for Americans: ¥8000 JPY for a 30 day single entry tourist visa, payable by wire transfer (ATM) with receipt due at pickup time. NOTE: The consul will tell you that you don’t need a Kyrgyz visa if you have a multi-entryContinue reading “Kyrgyzstan Visa in Tokyo”

Uzbekistan Visa in Tokyo

The Uzbek consulate in Tokyo unfortunately does not have a usable website (in Japanese, let alone English). You have to fill out your information at the website below, print it out, and give it to the consulate. Make sure that you mark Tokyo as the place of visa issuance. Under Occupation ‘Representatives of business groupsContinue reading “Uzbekistan Visa in Tokyo”

Kazakstan Visa in Tokyo

The consulate will keep the original passport for entire length of time (drop off Monday and pick up the following Monday afternoon at 15:00). Cost for Americans: $30 USD for 1 month single entry, $60 for 2 month double entry (30 days per entry max). Payable at time of pickup via wire transfer (ATM) receiptContinue reading “Kazakstan Visa in Tokyo”

Sticker Shock in Japan

The island nation of Japan takes its food very seriously or at least tries to justify the large price tag for a very polished melon and other things most people find for much less back home or on the other side of the South China Sea. The same melon here in Japan would only setContinue reading “Sticker Shock in Japan”

What to see outside of Tokyo: Kamakura..shrines, the Giant Daibutsu and a great bar!

If there is one place to visit outside of Tokyo Kamakura is it.  The city itself can’t be fully seen in one day so see what you can and try to get back in the future.  Here’s a great online guide to Kamakura Shrines.  The city has many transportation options if needed but it is aContinue reading “What to see outside of Tokyo: Kamakura..shrines, the Giant Daibutsu and a great bar!”

What to see in Tokyo: Design Festa Gallery Harajuku

Design Festa Gallery as they say it is ‘the space where the dreams of artists connect with visitors, ‘ .    The space allows anyone to exhibit as long as it is original. They have had over 4500 exhibits  since 1998. The space is constantly changing and there’s always something interesting to see.  It’s a greatContinue reading “What to see in Tokyo: Design Festa Gallery Harajuku”