Teachers who would like to start teaching right away or are signing for another year in Korea with a new school will need to make the famous "Japan visa-run". It used to be able to be completed in just one day, but with new consulate requirements taking effect in 2006, it now takes at least two days, both in Osaka and Fukuoka. Teachers should submit their documents before 3pm of the day they arrive and their visa will be ready for pick-up by 4pm of the following day barring any complications, though the likelihood is that they will be ready before noon. Teaching becomes legal once the teacher has obtained the E-2 visa. We advise schools and teachers not to teach before returning from Japan with their visa.

Required Items:

- Your passport with remaining validity of at least one year
- Visa issuance document
- A completed Visa application form
- One passport-size photo
- The visa fee of 6,000 Yen (approximately 60,000 KRW)

Osaka

Address: 2-3-4 Nishi-sinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan, 542-0086
Phone number: 81-(0)6-6213-1401~3
Service Hours: 9:00-12:00, 13:30-17:00 (Mon-Fri) Closed weekends and holidays (listed below)
Directions from the airport:

1. Take the "RAPIT" train, NANKAI line, from the airport and get off at the last stop called "Namba". Once you clear customs, just follow the signs or you can ask any imformation desk at the airport; anyone manning these desks will speak English. It costs about 1,500 Yen and takes 40 minutes.
2. From Namba station, go straight out exit 25 until you reach the Holiday Inn Nankai Hotel. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk, or just a few minutes by taxi (expensive). The Korean consulate is right across from the hotel.

- 10 minutes from the Korean Consulate
- 30,000 - 40,000 KRW per night (seasonal)
- Korean Operated
- Reservations and payment must be made prior to departure from Korea

Take exit 10 from Nipponbashi station and keep walking until you reach the Nipponbashi 3 intersection (Nipponbashi san-cho-mae). You should be able to see a restaurant called the Yoshinoya Rice Restaurant. Call Osaka House at 6633-7789 and they will come and pick you up.

DISCLAIMER: Osaka House is not affiliated with ParkEnglish in any way. We merely put them forth as an option for teachers going on a visa-run who are not familiar with the area. Our suggesting of Osaka House as an option for lodging should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the establishment, its staff or ownership, and anyone choosing to stay at Osaka House does so with the understanding that Parkenglish cannot be held liable in the event of damages sustained as a result.

Fukuoka

1. Take the subway from the airport to Tojin Machi station (9th stop from the airport right after Ohori Koen station).

2. From Tojin Machi station, go out exit one (1) which says Korean Consulate on it. Go straight out the exit towards the traffic light. Cross the intersection and turn (if you hit the river you've gone to far!). Go straight for about 10 minutes and you will arrive at the consulate which is a building with a Korean style roof and a Korean Flag (don't be fooled by the Chinese consulate). Most of the buildings in the area have maps.

Important Pointers:

1. Make sure your air ticket includes the Incheon Airport tax. Keep 20,000 KRW on you just in case.
2. Buy Japanese Yen at Incheon Airport before you depart for Japan. No one will accept KRW in Japan and its VERY HARD to exchange and you won't get a good exchange rate.
3. Get to the airport as early as possible (at least 2 hours before your flight time) as lines at customs and security can be quite long.
4. Always double-check your dates since Japan has MANY holidays and on holidays the Embassy is closed:
   
   

   Korean Holidays

   - March 1st
   - July 17th
   - August 15th
   - October 3rd

   Japanese Holidays

   - January 1st-3rd: New Years (Shogatsu)
   - The 2nd Monday in January: Coming of Age (Seiji No Hi)
   - February 11th: National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinenbi)
   - March 21st: Spring Eqinox Day (Shunbun No Hi)
   - April 29th: Green Day (Midori No Hi)
   - May 3rd: Constitution Day (Kenpo Kinenbi)
   - May 4th: "Between Day" (okumin No Kyujitsu)
   - May 5th: Children's Day (Kodomo No Hi)
   - The 3rd Monday in July: Ocean Day (Umi No Hi)
   - The 3rd Monday in September: Senior Citizen's Day (Keiro No Hi)
   - September 23rd: Autum Equinox Day (Shubun No Hi)
   - The 2nd Monday in October: Health and Sports Day (Taiiku No Hi)
   - November 3rd: Culture Day (Bunka No Hi)
   - November 23rd: Labour Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha No Hi)
   - December 23rd: Emperor's Birthday (Tenno No Tanjobi)

   *If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the consulate will be closed the following Monday as well.