The Japan Trusted Traveler Program

[rbjhan]

I probably should have done that, my application got rejected just under 2 months after I submitted the initial application - I guess the amex ultimate card was not 'platinum' enough for their liking.

Unfortunately I don't currently have a card with the word 'platinum' on it. Going to try and re-apply with one of my previous (now closed) signature cards - this is a higher level than a platinum card but unfortunately they probably don't know that, so fingers crossed!
Edit: I've heard they confirm that the card is active at the second screening so this might not work either?

Oh I heard you. The Japanese are very cough about these thing....If you are going to show them a higher level card, be prepared! Like bookmark the page from the bank showing this is actually higher etc...
I knew this so specifically pick one of my platinum cards.

 

[Himeno]

If only Australians had access to US Global Entry. There is another way to get JP TTP by showing a Global Entry card, which doesn't require all this high level credit card nonsense.

 

[Peso]

If only Australians had access to US Global Entry. There is another way to get JP TTP by showing a Global Entry card, which doesn't require all this high level credit card nonsense.

Wouldn't really change things unfortunately, as the Global Entry pathway is only for US Citizens/Nationals.

Eligibilities: トラスティド・トラベラー・プログラム（ＴＴＰ）カテゴリー、疎明資料一覧 | 出入国在留管理庁

Firsthand rejection account from a blogger: https://loyaltylobby.com/2017/03/25...travelers-non-u-s-citizens-with-global-entry/

 

[RealtimeY]

I just passed the preliminary inspection today (31 Jul) after applying on 20 June - so 41 days in total.

 

[cwd]

Picked up my card the other day, on departure from Haneda (landside). Had applied back in June, received preliminary approval at the end of July about 41 days later.

Here's the location of the booth/office, in the distance with the green signs above it. It's all the way to the right on the departures level.



Used a Visa Signature card with no issue, it was never queried. Took a good 5 or 10 minutes to get the card. A good chunk of that was trying to get my index fingers working on the fingerprint reader. In the end I was told to just use my middle fingers, and those worked fine. Now I just have to remember to use those when using the card. There was plenty of paperwork being done behind the counter, but required very little interaction with me.

Had picked up the necessary revenue stamps from a Lawsons in Shinjuku - had to get 11 x 200JPY stamps. Ask for: shūnyū inshi / 収入印紙

Next visit has me arriving in Fukuoka, so no automated gates for me.

 

[rbjhan]

I am going back in Feb, landing at NRT.
Will update the experience with the card and auto gates.

 

[elanshin]

Wait time seems a bit long right now.
I applied back in early October and am still waiting on preliminary inspection.

Missed one JP trip and about to miss the second one.

I guess I'll still have a trip in March.

 

[rbjhan]

Wait time seems a bit long right now.
I applied back in early October and am still waiting on preliminary inspection.

Missed one JP trip and about to miss the second one.

I guess I'll still have a trip in March.

And I thought two months was long!!
Sigh, I also missed one trip because of this....

 

[elanshin]

And I thought two months was long!!
Sigh, I also missed one trip because of this....

Well it's about 10 weeks now for me now and I don't expect it to show up in the next few days.

I was just really lazy earlier in the year. Should've gotten it in time for my March 2024 trip.

 

[rbjhan]

Well it's about 10 weeks now for me now and I don't expect it to show up in the next few days.

I was just really lazy earlier in the year. Should've gotten it in time for my March 2024 trip.

How many times do you go in a year?!

 

[elanshin]

How many times do you go in a year?!

This year was a bit more than normal, but 4 work* trips so far.
Feb - 8 days
Mar - 6 days
Jun - 4 days
Nov - 5 days

* I may or may not have also done other things that aren't work related but the government doesnt need to know that for expense purposes.

 

[rbjhan]

This year was a bit more than normal, but 4 work* trips so far.
Feb - 8 days
Mar - 6 days
Jun - 4 days
Nov - 5 days

* I may or may not have also done other things that aren't work related but the government doesnt need to know that for expense purposes.

Ah I see, work trips
Work doesn't get you APEC cards?

 

[elanshin]

Ah I see, work trips
Work doesn't get you APEC cards?

Considering it, but before the last 2 years I wouldn't have enough trips in the APEC block to justify the hassle of applying for APEC.

 

[rbjhan]

Considering it, but before the last 2 years I wouldn't have enough trips in the APEC block to justify the hassle of applying for APEC.

Ah I wish I have work that pay for trips to Japan!

So where have you visited, outside of work in your free time of course

 

[elanshin]

Ah I wish I have work that pay for trips to Japan!

So where have you visited, outside of work in your free time of course

I used to live in Nagoya for a while, so Ive travelled a bit around Chubu (Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka).

Shikoku is the only main island still to visit although I haven't done Kyushu that extensively. Sea of Japan area is still relatively light for me, but recently went through most of northern Tohoku.

Although these days its hard to get out of Tokyo. I end up just having meetings in Tokyo. We'll be going to visit a friend in the southern edges of Nara for new years and then spending the rest of the trip in Yokohama since Tokyo is ridiculously priced during the new years period.

 

[rbjhan]

I used to live in Nagoya for a while, so Ive travelled a bit around Chubu (Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka).

Shikoku is the only main island still to visit although I haven't done Kyushu that extensively. Sea of Japan area is still relatively light for me, but recently went through most of northern Tohoku.

Although these days its hard to get out of Tokyo. I end up just having meetings in Tokyo. We'll be going to visit a friend in the southern edges of Nara for new years and then spending the rest of the trip in Yokohama since Tokyo is ridiculously priced during the new years period.

Tokyo hotel prices, sigh.
Dormy Inn Ginza was 13K when I stayed there Apr 22, then 15K Nov 22.
May 23 it was up to 17K and I chose somewhere else.
Next year it's consistently 20K+

I've been to Nagoya a few times but didn't find the city interesting...sigh
Gifu I do like a lot though, especially Okuhida onsen!
Feb I'll be staying in Nakatsugawa for one night.