My first trip to Japan was in 1989 for a 3 week vacation and I returned in 1991 with the birth of my daughter in Fukuoka. These first trips were my first exposure to Japan and the secret to who I am. I have since traveled to Japan on three additional occasions now. Follow me on my Journey and learn more about Japan and how it may help you understand who you are.
Continuing to Explore
It was clear to me that I needed to continue to explore my Ancestry and Culture. I recognized the best way for me to do this was to move to Japan. As I am an Architect I thought it would be great if I could find a Komika (Old Folks Home in the Country) or some historically significant structure to adaptively reuse as my future home, studio, cultural center and retreat. Achieving my goals along with helping others.
Covid 19 Hits all of us
I had planned to go back to Japan in the Spring of 2020 to find a new home in Japan. I had tickets bought, hotel reservations made and big plans. And then the entire world was shocked with something my generation had never seen. A pandemic with Covid 19 that shut down the world. Thinking the pandemic would be over in a few months I just waited, thinking it would open back up next month, then the next month and the next thing I knew it was 2 years. I continued to study my ancestry and cultural background, while locked down knowing I would one day be able to go. I used this time to develop prototype products that used ideas that use my design background and integrate my cultural background and its crafts in hopes of a collaboration with Japanese crafts individuals one day.
Growing impatient
I finally decided to draft a letter to be sent to the Embassy explaining my situation, wanting to retire in Japan, discover my roots and culture, etc., requesting a VISA. I sent it to the Japanese Consulate in Los Angeles thinking I would like to plan a trip in late October. Within a couple of days of sending it they called me. Surprised, I explained my situation. The person I spoke to said it was too early to apply for a VISA and maybe things may open by then. But if things did not get better and travel was not open yet, I could send in my application for a VISA as a relative of a Japanese National (even though my grandparents are no longer living) along with all the back up information. After I got off the phone with her, I thought to myself, hey why wait until October, just go now.
VISA Processing
So I put my application and reference material together and sent it in. Same thing, in a couple of days someone called to inquire about my application. I explained my situation and that I had spoken to someone a couple of weeks ago and was given instruction to apply as a relative of a Japanese National. He then put me on hold for a while and then came back on the phone and said, ok we will try to process it. In about a week I got my VISA! Contemplating this trip for two years now, I was finally granted a Category (V) As a Temporary Visitor VISA. Soon I will continue my search for my Ancestry, Cultural Heritage, and find a new home and Cultural Center in Japan later this month. I’m excited to finally start another chapter in my life.
VISA Instructions
These are the instructions required to obtain a VISA. More information can be found at https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/NewVisaCategoriesToBeAccepted.pdf
The instructions were very specific; I needed to show that I was related to a Japanese National.
Here were the items that I needed to include with my application of a Visa.
☐ VALID PASSPORT:
☐ COMPLETED VISA APPLICATION FORM (Visa application form):
☐ ONE PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH:
☐ FLIGHT ITINERARY/RESERVATION:
☐ SPOUSE/PARENT’S FAMILY REGISTRY (KOSEKI TOHON 戸籍謄本) AND ☐ COPY OF JAPANESE PASSPORT ☐ COPY OF US IMMIGRATION STATUS:
☐ SCHEDULE OF STAY: Describe your (detailed) daily activity plan in Japan.
☐ MOST RECENT BANK STATEMENT: Bank statement must be issued by a bank in the U.S. under your name and current address.
☐ PROOF OF CURRENT ADDRESS: Copy of CA Driver License or CA ID. If ID does not list current address, please provide a utility bill copy.
☐ COPY OF CDC COVID-19 VACCINATION RECORD CARD (if applicable)
☐ PRE-PAID SELF-ADDRESSED RETURN ENVELOPE AND
☐ COMPLETED RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
PREPAID return envelope with tracking. USPS (Priority or Express) or FedEx (no handwritten airbills)
Let this Journey finally begin!
Current plans are ongoing.