Cultural Visa

[lieoah]

I am wondering if any of you have, or know of anyone who has been granted a Cultural Activities visa? The rules for this visa seem unspecific from the mofa webpage (at least in my eyes). I've heard it needs to be something that you have already studied in your own country before you enter Japan, but that doesn't make sense when they put tea-

Comments

[shizuku_san]

I'm a student of Harada Roshi, a Zen master in Okayama who specializes in teaching Westerners. I spent 3 months there on a tourist permit, but everyone who stays at his monastery longer than that stays on a cultural activities visa. They need a letter from him as their sponsor, which I think serves as proof that they can support themselves and won't become a burden on society or work illegally, and it takes a good bit of bureaucracy, trips to the immigration office, and paying of fees, to receive the visa. I think immigration takes into account how serious you seem to be, because I know several people who wanted to stay longer than 3 months, but not a lot longer, and some of them were refused and either had to change their flight and go home early, or take a speedy overnight trip to Korea and come back on a new tourist permit, even though the roshi was sponsoring them.

I don't know if this helps any, but I thought I'd share just in case.
Good luck!

[shizuku_san]

Yes, I think pretty much everyone who goes there has studied Zen in some form in their own country, but I don't remember that being a big part of their application for a cultural visa. It may just be more proof that you're serious, if you already have spent a significant amount of time studying something. As I said, it seemed to be easier for people who were going to stay a year to get their visa than it was for people who only wanted to stay 4 or 5 months.

[peanutxpeanut]

My friend just got a Cultural visa, after staying for 6 months on 2 tourist visas. He lives with his partner, an English teacher, but couldn't find local work. He's a musician (piano) and plays shows whenver he can.
He takes taiko lessons once a week in the back of a flower shop. The taiko teacher agreed to sponsor him for a Cultural Visa and by golly, he got it.
Although, this is Shikoku, so our immigration offices aren't as busy as big Honshu cities...

[peanutxpeanut]

From what he said, the documents required were pretty extensive. He had to prove he had an interest in it (music) before coming to Japan, but I reckon having tattooing as an interest beforehand, or as a career goal can be demonstrated. The general taboo of tattoos is the biggest obstacle, but not impossible.

He's really amazing on piano though and had quite a following back in the States before he came so the music connection was easy to prove. Combining piano and taiko and/or American and Japanese music was his intention on the application form. Taiko is pretty damn cool so it's easy to make a connection with that, if even once a week (and free!)

He got a letter from his taiko instructor, proof of prior interest (a letter from his label, and mentioning music as his major) as well as proving he can support himself (savings or a provider).