Sunday, October 04, 2009

My mother

My mother was staying with me for the last six months and today she left to India with my brother. Father and Mother are not part of the family in Japan. Each country has its own rules and regulation for immigration. But Japanese government is kind enough to give permission on some exceptional cases for mother to stay with her son if that son is the only one male offspring.

My mother’s temporary visa which was for 90 days could extend once more for another 90 days. So, she could stay in Japan for 180 days. I like to share my own experience of bringing mother to Japan as I think it may help some people who wish to bring their family members here.

At first I applied for certificate of eligibility for my mother too along with wife and kids. Mother’s application was returned on grounds of immigration limitations and I proceeded for temporary visitor visa application at Chennai consulate. The process and documents required to get visitor visa to Japan are very easy and on the third working day, we will get the visa stamped on the passport.

The documents I did send from here to stamp the temporary visa were the following; Application form, Letter of Guarantee, Schedule of Stay, Income tax certificate, Photocopy of my passport (the page of passport where mother’s name is written is important to prove the relationship) and Alien registration card. If the application for the visa is processed through an agent, it is necessary to give authorization letter in white paper. Before proceeding for a temporary visa, even though consulted with experienced friends, it is advisable and necessary to check the MOFA website for the updated information and application form.

Mother was under treatment also, while she was in Japan. There was no insurance coverage for the treatment since she had visitor status. The doctors in Tokyo treated her as if she is a resident of Japan. The hospital staff also co-operated throughout the treatment in the clinic at Higashi Ojima. Since she was undergoing physiotherapy treatment, she had to attend the clinic regularly.


On holidays we used to go for outing to the nearby places. The life is meaningful and the time is worth if spent with the dear and near ones. The bits of pleasures and joyous moments after sharing become more enjoyable life experiences. So were the gone days for me too.

Mother forms our world in our childhood and she transforms our life with her presence. In Indian culture, mother is more than God and assumes various roles in the family relations. She is the uniting force among the offspring in a joint family.




The presence of mother gives a sense of security to us in our childhood. We feel it more when we are sick. That sense of security is unique and none of the robotic technology could be an alternative. While writing this, I have been thinking about those who could not feel the presence of their mother. Unfortunately there is a significant section of our society with such people.

Contrary to the negative remarks appearing in many websites against the Japanese attitude towards foreigners, we could not notice even one such negative experience at the hospital or the public places we visited during the last 180 days. It prompts me think that the anti- Japanese propaganda may not be really true. It may be from some groups with vested interest. The Japanese doctor who was treating her asked for a group photo on the day when we told her that mother will go back on 4th October.

Coming back from Narita Airport, my mind was void at times. With the feeling of swinging between the unreal world and the real world outside, I entered to the Keisei train boarded for Ueno. Those who could not feel the presence of human mother have the feeling of imaginary mother and often we call it mother-nature. Whatever be the feeling, mother is the big part of our real world!

Thursday, October 01, 2009

What are the places to see in Tokyo? – places to visit in and around Tokyo

Tokyo is an incredible place to visit! This is what I read in many sites when I searched for ‘Places to see in Tokyo’ in google and Yahoo. It is almost 10 days since my brother landed in Japan. We visited around 15 places in and around Tokyo. The visiting schedule is hectic and he has 3 more days in Japan.

I asked some of my friends for their recommendations. Most of them suggested places like Tokyo Tower, Yokohama China Town, Kamakura, Asakusa Sensoji temple, Ginza, Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Mount Fuji, Five lakes, Hakone, Akihabara Electric city, Odaiba, Ueno Gardens and Zoological park etc. We could complete our schedules one by one except the Mount Fuji Trip. There is no point in travelling all the way to Mount Fuji only to view the mountain. Mount Fuji is open for climbing on July and August.


A first time visitor will definitely get excited by seeing Tokyo and its surroundings. The technological development Japan could achieve is amazing and significant. A short time visitor will be interested to watch the Japanese discipline and obedience to the law. The pin-drop silence at many of the crowded railway stations is another noticeable thing in Japan that a first time visitor will get astonished. Japanese people are silent due to the disciplined nature at public places like railway stations and bus-stops. They are even silent inside the train also. Most of the times we later realize people talking inside train and public places are foreigners!

Visiting Japan itself is an experience for foreigners! Probably we can not see a place like this at any other part of the world except here! Let me confirm once more that Japanese people are unique! We have many things to learn from Japan. The places we visited are not many, but everywhere we could observe some of the common things like discipline, silence, Obedience, Politeness, Smiling faces etc.


Today, we are planning to go to Imperial Palace. Tokyo Imperial palace is a great place to visit in Tokyo and it is the residence of Japan royal family. Imperial palace was built during the 250 years long Tokugawa Shoguns rule at the center of Tokyo as a fortress for protection. East Gardens of the Imperial palace is open to public daily except on Mondays, Fridays and on national holidays and this is the only par to the palace that is open for visit. For a visit to the imperial palace, we need to book in advance. If you plan your visit to Imperial palace click on this link and book in advance. Imperial Household Agency Homepage




Now, I can suggest some of the places to visit in Tokyo during your short trip next time.


1. Tokyo Tower
2. Mount Fuji
3. Hakone – Gora – Sounzan – Togendai – Ashi Lake trip
4. Odaiba
5. Kamakura
6. Ueno
7. Shinjuku
8. Shibuya for shopping
9. Akihabara Electric city
10. Yokohama China Town
11. Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea
12. Asakusa Sensoji Temple
13. Harajuku
14. Tokyo Imperial Palace
15. Ginza



The list goes without ending here with just 15 places, but I have just listed some of the major attractions in and around Tokyo, which we have visited with the advices of our friends. Just do searches in google or yahoo. They will give you more insights about the places to visit in Tokyo. However, I think, the above places in Tokyo cover a good trip to Tokyo.

Tokyo is a unique and wonderful tourist destination. Tokyo is not only to be read, but also a place to be experienced by walking and riding throughout the length and breadth. It is curious to learn how the ancient Japanese culture transforms slowly to modern technological advancements.

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