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Travel Abroad
the essential | the useful | airports
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| PEAK PERIODS |
| Tickets are most difficult and expensive to book during peak periods. Unfortunately these periods also coincide with most of the school breaks. However, with advanced booking, many good deals can still be found. The peak periods are aproximately as follows: 23 December - 7 January; 20 March - 7 April; the first week in May and most of August. Be sure to book your ticket as early as possible to ensure a decent price as well as a confirmed seat (it can take up to two weeks or longer to confirm your seat). For those of you traveling over winter break (end of December, beginning of January) booking in September is advised. Even earlier booking is advised for those traveling to Australia in December. |
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| RE-ENTRY VISA |
| You must have a re-entry visa stamped in your passport in order to re-enter Japan from abroad. These are available at the Immigration Bureau in Kyoto (for more information on Immigration, please refer to the section on visas). Prices are 3,000 yen for a single re-entry stamp and 6,000 yen for a multiple re-entry stamp (which is good an unlimited number of times until your current residency visa expires). Even if you are not planning on traveling abroad within the next year, you should consider obtaining a re-entry visa anyway. If you should need to go home on short notice for an emergency, the last thing you'll want to worry about is going through the hassle of immigration (the process generally can take up to several hours). |
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| TRAVEL AGENCIES |
| There are several travel agencies that cater to the foriegn population in Japan. Most of these agencies specialize in issuing inexpensive group-fare tickets. All of them have English speakers on staff who are willing to help you find the cheapest airfare and hotel rates possible (although, often you should be sure to ask if the prices being given are the cheapest. Chalk it up as one of those idiosyncrasies, but nine times out of ten if you ask, they'll come up with a cheaper price--though it may involve long stop-overs or an odd connection.) Before booking with one of these agencies, faxing your request, in order to avoid miscommunication is advised. The agency will normally fax you back some information in English. Usually they request a deposit be made soon after booking your flight, which can be made only via bank transfer (refer to the financial section for more details) or by visiting the office in person. The remaining balance is usually due about one month prior to departure. Remember that you are not assured a ticket until your seat is "confirmed." Several listing for travel agencies can be found in such publications as the Kansai Time Out, and the Daily Yomiuri, but the best way to find a good travel agency is ask your fellow JETs. Flight reservations for domestic travel made 2 months in advance to 28 days in advance will receive discount prices. |
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| The following is a brief list of travel agencies specializing in discount bookings for foreigners: |
| Name |
Telephone |
Fax |
GS Travel
e-mail:
gstravel@pearl.ocn.ne.jp |
Osaka:
06-6281-1230 |
Osaka:
06-6281-1255 |
| No. 1 Travel |
Osaka:
06-6363-4489
Kyoto:
075-251-6970 |
Osaka:
06-6363-4721
Kyoto:
075-251-6976 |
A'cross Travellers Bureau
e-mail Osaka:
across.osaka@maptour.co.jp
e-mail Kyoto:
across.kyoto@maptour.co.jp |
Osaka:
06-6345-0150
Kyoto:
075-255-3559 |
Osaka:
06-6345-0191
Kyoto:
075-255-3569 |
| Legend Travel |
Osaka:
06-6281-8600 |
Osaka:
06-6281-8622 |
| Academy Travel Inc. |
Osaka:
06-6303-3538 |
Osaka:
06-6301-3263 |
| STA Travel |
Osaka:
06-6262-7066 |
Osaka:
06-6262-7065 |
| Travel Kingdom |
Osaka:
06-6309-2199 |
Osaka:
06-6307-5779 |
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travel abroad
the useful