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US citizen living here getting travel visa for China?
As mentioned in the title, I'm a US citizen with a US passport living in Tokyo. I'd be looking to buy a ticket in December, so a fairly quick turn around.
Any advice? "That's not enough time to be certain you can get your visa processed" is also a great response (might try HK then with a 72 day trip).
Thanks for any advice!
p.s. I've googled but am having a hell of a time with my google-foo at this point in the night!
honestly the visaforchina site is legit, it's the official outsourced visa center for china in japan. i've done the process twice from tokyo and it's pretty straightforward
for december you're fine timewise as long as you get an appointment soon. the slots open up about a month out and they go quick. i'd check the site every morning around 9am when they refresh. regular processing is like 4-5 business days so if you go mid-november you'll have your passport back by early december easy
the hk thing is worth considering too if you just want a quick trip. 72 hour visa-free transit is real but you need a confirmed onward ticket out of hk within those 3 days. i've done it and it's chill but you're limited to hk itself, can't cross into mainland china from there unless you have the full visa already
oh also worth mentioning - if you're a us citizen the visa is valid for 10 years but they'll only give you 60 or 90 day stays at a time. i've seen people assume they can just stay for months on end and get surprised at the border
for the appointment itself, the roppongi office has a weird rule where you can't bring bags larger than A4 through security. there's a coin locker area but it fills up fast. pack light or leave your backpack at home
one last thing - the new year holiday in china is around jan 1 so the center might close for a few days. if you're applying in december check their holiday calendar first, wouldn't want your passport stuck there over the break
since you're a us citizen living here with a zairyu card, the process is actually easier than if you were applying from the states. the center in roppongi handles all the paperwork and they're used to foreigners who live in japan, so it's less of a headache than dealing with the embassy directly
for december travel i'd book your appointment for late november, the slots open 4 weeks out at 9am sharp. the 15k yen fee is for us citizens specifically, and they only take cash. there's a seven bank atm in the building lobby if you forget
the photo thing is real though - i've seen people get sent to the konbini downstairs to retake theirs. just use the photo booth at the center itself for 800 yen, it's not worth the hassle of saving 600 yen and getting rejected
Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspec… 🗼 Iconic Landmarks
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspective, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck (2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya) for 2,000 yen, open until 10 PM. Both spots are less crowded on weekday mornings.
⛩️ Cultural Temples and Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito), Tokyo's oldest temple, open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM. For a quieter experience, explore the Meiji Jingu Shrine (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya), set in a large forested area and free to enter. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🍜 Must-Try Food Experiences
Sample authentic ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya), where individual booths let you focus on the tonkotsu broth, starting at 1,290 yen. For a unique twist, try conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya (1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya), with plates from 100 yen. Reservations are not needed, but expect short queues.
🏯 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Yanaka, a district that survived WWII bombings, with narrow lanes and traditional shops like Yanaka Ginza shopping street (3-11-1 Yanaka, Taito). For a bohemian vibe, wander Shimokitazawa (Kitazawa, Setagaya), known for vintage stores and indie cafes. Both areas are best explored on foot in the afternoon.
🚇 Getting Around
Use the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway networks, with a 24-hour pass costing 800 yen for unlimited rides on most lines. The Suica or Pasmo IC cards are rechargeable and work on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM and 5-7 PM) to travel comfortably.
🌃 Best Evening Spots
Watch the sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku), where the free observation deck is open until 10 PM. For nightlife, head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku (1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku), a maze of tiny bars with a cover charge of around 500 yen. Reservations are recommended for popular bars.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws crowds to Ueno Park (5-20 Uenokoen, Taito), with over 1,000 cherry trees. For autumn foliage, visit Rikugien Garden (6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo) in November, lit up at night for 1,000 yen. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast for peak dates.
🎁 Unique Souvenirs
Buy traditional crafts at Kappabashi Kitchen Town (3-18-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito), famous for realistic plastic food samples and kitchenware. For quirky gifts, explore Don Quijote stores, like the one in Shibuya (1-16-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya), open 24 hours and offering everything from electronics to snacks. Prices are reasonable, and tax-free shopping is available for tourists.
honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.
for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.
also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.