Do FG tourists have to have hotel lined up to enter Japan

[wangta]

Japan on a tourist visa?

Post deleted.

[matsuki]

Certified hotel booking? All they ask for is an address you will be staying at. Pick a hotel and note the address. You're not going to be arrested or in trouble if you stay somewhere else.

[yanpa]

Yup, Japan ain't the USA, where I turned up once with no idea where I was going to stay (it was booked, just someone else had booked it for me). Or China (where a printout of a subsequently cancelled online reservation sufficed).

Now, if you try and re-enter Japan on a chain of short-term landing permits, e.g. after a quick jaunt to say Korea, you may get some hassle, especially if you turn up shit-faced drunk and belligerent.

[wangta]

Thanks guys.

Choko - I heard sometime before (maybe about 5 yrs ago) that the Jp police check out foreign visitors by requiring hotels to give them lists of foreign tourists, people coming for a short time for business etc. I'm guessing that if it's true this would be done by the local koban near the relevant hotels.

If that was a while ago then I can only guess what security measures they have in place now.

Yanpa - I've never been drunk and belligerent remotely near any hotels, airports, immi offices etc. I'm strictly a few Sapporo beer with plenty of food type person. I'm especially careful in Korea where the immi people and police (and there's a shitload of them around and just as many military around) are just itching to find a reason to delay your travel plans no matter how nice the other K staff are.

[omae mona]

What's up with deleting the original post?

[Doctor Stop]

You know of course they have a gaijin gulag beneath the airport?

[wagyl]

Perhaps he is scared that Immigration are monitoring the board, and will be able to identify his username with his passport.

If that is the case, too late! The liquidation drones have already been launched!

[Samurai_Jerk]

What's up with deleting the original post?

The guy is out of his mind.

I'm especially careful in Korea where the immi people and police (and there's a shitload of them around and just as many military around) are just itching to find a reason to delay your travel plans no matter how nice the other K staff are.

I love the way he turned this into yet another anti-Korea rant.

[matsuki]

Choko - I heard sometime before (maybe about 5 yrs ago) that the Jp police check out foreign visitors by requiring hotels to give them lists of foreign tourists, people coming for a short time for business etc. I'm guessing that if it's true this would be done by the local koban near the relevant hotels.

That's an odd rumor?? They don't normally ask nationality when you book though they will likely ask for a passport when you check in....which I don't recommend anyone let them make a copy of after a Swedish dude I know had quite a ton of problems from one of these scans/scams at a major hotel (was a lone worker, without the hotel's knowledge, that was giving out copies for dubious uses)

[Wibble]

Choko - I heard sometime before (maybe about 5 yrs ago) that the Jp police check out foreign visitors by requiring hotels to give them lists of foreign tourists, people coming for a short time for business etc. I'm guessing that if it's true this would be done by the local koban near the relevant hotels.

That's an odd rumor?? They don't normally ask nationality when you book though they will likely ask for a passport when you check in....which I don't recommend anyone let them make a copy of after a Swedish dude I know had quite a ton of problems from one of these scans/scams at a major hotel (was a lone worker, without the hotel's knowledge, that was giving out copies for dubious uses)

I think this is about law requiring for hotels to keep copies of passports of non-Japanese residents staying. Supposedly someone from the local koban swings by the hotels and collects the passport copies on a regular basis for unknown purposes (probably just to fill up some boxes somewhere). For residents, they don't need to see a passport or any ID at all, just a Japanese address. Hotels don't need to know nationality in advance, so this can't be to "check" foreigners in advance.

Guessing the original question was about filling out the landing card on arrival?
I entered Japan once as a visitor with no idea of the address where I was to stay. Immigration didn't seem to care that I'd left that bit blank, but that was years ago. I would guess it happens a lot and unless something else is suspicious, it's not a problem.

[matsuki]

I think this is about law requiring for hotels to keep copies of passports of non-Japanese residents staying. Supposedly someone from the local koban swings by the hotels and collects the passport copies on a regular basis for unknown purposes (probably just to fill up some boxes somewhere).

Is or was that an actual law?

[Taro Toporific]

I think this is about law requiring for hotels to keep copies of passports of non-Japanese residents staying. Supposedly someone from the local koban swings by the hotels and collects the passport copies on a regular basis for unknown purposes (probably just to fill up some boxes somewhere).

Is or was that an actual law?

I always wondered about that too since nobody ever asked for my passport at Japanese hotels when I was a tourist (they just wanted my credit card to check in).

tripadvisor.com 3. Re: Is passport required for check in to the Japanese hotels?
Sep 24, 2012, 1:10 AM
Japanese law only says those who who do not have a Japanese address, hotels are to record passport information.

If you have a Japanese address then you do not have to show your passport.

The problem is some hotels don't seem to understand the law very well and request all foreigners show a passport. By stating you are a resident of Japan and writing in your Japanese address at check in should be enough.

Here's the law in Japanese if you wish to print out a copy with you:

www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/2005/03/tp0317-1.html

(If you can't read Japanese, the main part first in the color red under part 2, which states only foreigners who DO NOT have a Japanese address are to have their passport information recorded)

If they ask and if you want to, you can show them your ARC/Alien Registration Card or Resident Card (which you are supposed to carry with you in case you don't have your passport on you), but that's up to your discretion (showing it to the hotel that is). The hotel cannot legally compel you to show your Alien Registration Card/Resident Card if you already have a Japanese address.

[Russell]

I always wondered about that too since nobody ever asked for my passport at Japanese hotels when I was a tourist (they just wanted my credit card to check in).

tripadvisor.com 3. Re: Is passport required for check in to the Japanese hotels?
Sep 24, 2012, 1:10 AM
Japanese law only says those who who do not have a Japanese address, hotels are to record passport information.

If you have a Japanese address then you do not have to show your passport.

The problem is some hotels don't seem to understand the law very well and request all foreigners show a passport. By stating you are a resident of Japan and writing in your Japanese address at check in should be enough.

Here's the law in Japanese if you wish to print out a copy with you:

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/2005/03/tp0317-1.html

(If you can't read Japanese, the main part first in the color red under part 2, which states only foreigners who DO NOT have a Japanese address are to have their passport information recorded)

If they ask and if you want to, you can show them your ARC/Alien Registration Card or Resident Card (which you are supposed to carry with you in case you don't have your passport on you), but that's up to your discretion (showing it to the hotel that is). The hotel cannot legally compel you to show your Alien Registration Card/Resident Card if you already have a Japanese address.

Hmm, the Japanese link indeed states that foreigners without Japanese address should have their passport information recorded, and have a copy taken as well.

Funny how they go out of their way to state the reason for this measure: as countermeasure against foreign terrorism...

[yanpa]

I think this is about law requiring for hotels to keep copies of passports of non-Japanese residents staying. Supposedly someone from the local koban swings by the hotels and collects the passport copies on a regular basis for unknown purposes (probably just to fill up some boxes somewhere).

Is or was that an actual law?

I always wondered about that too since nobody ever asked for my passport at Japanese hotels when I was a tourist (they just wanted my credit card to check in).

The only time I've been asked for ID (including while travelling as a tourist) is when I was travelling with my parents, who were obviously not local.

[dimwit]

When travelling to Tokyo on business, I have been told that I must present a passport to be copied by the front desk staff. As I recall, this all started after 9/11.

[havill]

No, but it raises a big yellow flag with immigration ... And you can expect many, many more followup questions to determine if you are a legit "visitor."

Remember that as a tourist foreigner, you do not have the Right to be in Japan... There is no need for immigration to Prove that you intend to stay in Japan illegally to deny you, and there is no court or appeal process usually (do a web search for "plenary power immigration"). If immigration has a "hunch" that you are or will be a bogus tourist, they'll turn you around on the next flight home. Thus, not having a place to stay or adequate funds or having an idea of what you will do helps contribute to their "hunch".

Japan's not the only country that does this. Go onto YouTube and watch the immigration show from AU, CA, NZ, and UK (" Border Patrol", "Border Security", etc). My favorite is the Australian version. You can see countless examples of AU immi turning away all sorts of people of all countries, sexes, religions, and races on the grounds that " they don't appear to be legitimate tourists" because they don't have an obvious place to stay or a way to feed themselves.

My favorites are when AU turns away American bums (that often appear to mentally not have it all together) with no credit cards, cash, or job... And claim they'll get by by "foraging in the outback" or "my friends will hook me up" or "I've lived a month in American on $20 via Cup of Noodles, so all I need for Sydney for two weeks is $20."

[omae mona]

When travelling to Tokyo on business, I have been told that I must present a passport to be copied by the front desk staff. As I recall, this all started after 9/11.

Dimwit, you live in Japan, right? (sorry, forgot your current status). If so, whoever told you that was wrong.

[Russell]

When travelling to Tokyo on business, I have been told that I must present a passport to be copied by the front desk staff. As I recall, this all started after 9/11.

Some hotels ask for passports, but when I firmly answer that I live in Japan, they say sorry and ask me to write my address on their check-in form.

No problems for me.

[dimwit]

When travelling to Tokyo on business, I have been told that I must present a passport to be copied by the front desk staff. As I recall, this all started after 9/11.

Dimwit, you live in Japan, right? (sorry, forgot your current status). If so, whoever told you that was wrong.

Yep. I'm in the middle of Shikoku paying off a mortgage so I'll be here for a tad. I agree that they were wrong, but the contract work I was doing was extremely lucrative so why rock the boat?

[omae mona]

When travelling to Tokyo on business, I have been told that I must present a passport to be copied by the front desk staff. As I recall, this all started after 9/11.

Dimwit, you live in Japan, right? (sorry, forgot your current status). If so, whoever told you that was wrong.

Yep. I'm in the middle of Shikoku paying off a mortgage so I'll be here for a tad. I agree that they were wrong, but the contract work I was doing was extremely lucrative so why rock the boat?

Well personally I don't carry my passport with me when I'm out and about. It's large and inconvenient, plus I'm screwed if I lose it. So if I showed up at a hotel and they demanded my passport, i wouldn't have much choice but to tell them to fuck off..

[Yokohammer]

When travelling to Tokyo on business, I have been told that I must present a passport to be copied by the front desk staff. As I recall, this all started after 9/11.

Dimwit, you live in Japan, right? (sorry, forgot your current status). If so, whoever told you that was wrong.

Yep. I'm in the middle of Shikoku paying off a mortgage so I'll be here for a tad. I agree that they were wrong, but the contract work I was doing was extremely lucrative so why rock the boat?

Well personally I don't carry my passport with me when I'm out and about. It's large and inconvenient, plus I'm screwed if I lose it. So if I showed up at a hotel and they demanded my passport, i wouldn't have much choice but to tell them to fuck off..

Problem is, some of 'em seem to think it's ok to ask for your gaijin card if you say you don't have your passport, which is strange because people who have gaijin cards have an address in Japan. I've only run into that situation once (at the Super Hotel in Kyoto, because all the proper hotels were fully booked), but as I remember the Camelot in Yokohama does the same thing. Told 'em to fuck off and that was the end of it. The law or ordinance or whatever it is clearly states that only foreigners who do not have an address in Japan are obliged to show ID, so I don't understand the gaijin card requests at all. It seems to be only the 3rd rate cheapo hotels that do it though.


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[Mike Oxlong]

I've seen that too, usually with hotels that came as part of a "hotel pack" offered as a bundle with airfare for domestic travel. Used to use those occasion for holiday travel when airfare would get out of hand, but was actually cheaper if you included a hotel for a night.

[wangta]

What's up with deleting the original post?

The guy is out of his mind.

I'm especially careful in Korea where the immi people and police (and there's a shitload of them around and just as many military around) are just itching to find a reason to delay your travel plans no matter how nice the other K staff are.

I love the way he turned this into yet another anti-Korea rant.

I love your obsession with the way I refer to my travelling experiences outside Japan as if you're the only person who's allowed to do that. I sense you're an ageing gaijin who goes to Harajuku and watches all the young people, taking not so surreptitious photos with your 'I've got an I Phone'.

I am coming to Tokyo. I'll know you when I see the balding, dumpy gaijin with the Asahi Supa Dry beergut snivelling outside the local NHK office, offering to pay the NHK fee because he watches tv with a tv tuner on his laptop.

[Samurai_Jerk]

What's up with deleting the original post?

The guy is out of his mind.

I'm especially careful in Korea where the immi people and police (and there's a shitload of them around and just as many military around) are just itching to find a reason to delay your travel plans no matter how nice the other K staff are.

I love the way he turned this into yet another anti-Korea rant.

I love your obsession with the way I refer to my travelling experiences outside Japan as if you're the only person who's allowed to do that. I sense you're an ageing gaijin who goes to Harajuku and watches all the young people, taking not so surreptitious photos with your 'I've got an I Phone'.

I am coming to Tokyo. I'll know you when I see the balding, dumpy gaijin with the Asahi Supa Dry beergut snivelling outside the local NHK office, offering to pay the NHK fee because he watches tv with a tv tuner on his laptop.

Nice try but I think you're confusing me with one of your wet dreams.

[kurogane]

The easiest way to avoid any problems is to just have a hotel address ready for that box on the landing card. I usually use a Toyoko Inn in Oi-machi because I have the address written down in my little book for some reason. It's just about filling in boxes and ticking off checklists after all. Trying to buck the game is like kicking a sleeping Rottweiler.

The passport copy request thingy has been very uneven for a few years: some ask, some don't.

As a general question, why does anybody even breathe harder over being asked for ID anywhere anytime at all? My impression has always been that it is more one of those sophomoric Anglo-American things; that permanent adolescent obsession with childish prinicples over intelligence, if you will. Do any of us not so cursed by birth actually get excited about it?

[Wage Slave]

I don't get annoyed by being asked for ID at all. I can't see why it is of the slightest offence and some people will use identity fraud to gain an unfair advantage and even commit crime. Nor do I care about being fingerprinted at immigration - provided it is fast and clean. What's the problem? All people are seeking to do is verify your identity in situations where it is important.

[yanpa]

Random address/officialdom anecdote: while passing through customs (*not* immigration) at Haneda earlier, I realised I forgot to write an address on the customs form, but it was accepted; the customs dude took a look through my passport, stopping at the (expired, due to Zairyu card) visas page, asked me if I lived in Japan, and bid me on my way.

[matsuki]

The easiest way to avoid any problems is to just have a hotel address ready for that box on the landing card. I usually use a Toyoko Inn in Oi-machi because I have the address written down in my little book for some reason. It's just about filling in boxes and ticking off checklists after all. Trying to buck the game is like kicking a sleeping Rottweiler.

Pretty much this

The passport copy request thingy has been very uneven for a few years: some ask, some don't.

As a general question, why does anybody even breathe harder over being asked for ID anywhere anytime at all? My impression has always been that it is more one of those sophomoric Anglo-American things; that permanent adolescent obsession with childish prinicples over intelligence, if you will. Do any of us not so cursed by birth actually get excited about it?

Asking to see your I.D. is no biggie, we have to do it all the time in kaigailand when we use CC, no? It's taking a copy of your I.D. that's just unnecessary and with identity theft rampant, just a risk not worth taking. They want to verify your info, fine...but I have at least two bank accounts in this country that I've opened using nothing but keitai pics/scans of IDs so yeah, a copy of your passport can really fuck you over if it falls in the wrong hands.

[IparryU]

The easiest way to avoid any problems is to just have a hotel address ready for that box on the landing card. I usually use a Toyoko Inn in Oi-machi because I have the address written down in my little book for some reason. It's just about filling in boxes and ticking off checklists after all. Trying to buck the game is like kicking a sleeping Rottweiler.

Pretty much this

The passport copy request thingy has been very uneven for a few years: some ask, some don't.

As a general question, why does anybody even breathe harder over being asked for ID anywhere anytime at all? My impression has always been that it is more one of those sophomoric Anglo-American things; that permanent adolescent obsession with childish prinicples over intelligence, if you will. Do any of us not so cursed by birth actually get excited about it?

Asking to see your I.D. is no biggie, we have to do it all the time in kaigailand when we use CC, no? It's taking a copy of your I.D. that's just unnecessary and with identity theft rampant, just a risk not worth taking. They want to verify your info, fine...but I have at least two bank accounts in this country that I've opened using nothing but keitai pics/scans of IDs so yeah, a copy of your passport can really fuck you over if it falls in the wrong hands.

When you open bank Japanese accounts online they allow you to take pictures of your ID and proof of address.

But every hotel i checked in i just give them my id and the chick fills in the forms for me. When they asked for a passport i just ignore it and give my Japan id...

Easy solution, and it prompts them to fill shit in for you.

[Russell]

I don't get annoyed by being asked for ID at all. I can't see why it is of the slightest offence and some people will use identity fraud to gain an unfair advantage and even commit crime. Nor do I care about being fingerprinted at immigration - provided it is fast and clean. What's the problem? All people are seeking to do is verify your identity in situations where it is important.

The problem is that they justify this by saying it is a countermeasure against terrrrorism, but at the same time they do not require the same from the Japanese population.

In other words, it is discrimination.