I've registered for a gaijin card 4-5 times and they've never assumed that I wanted proof of registration, so it is best to ask for it if you need it.

Thanks again for your help and sorry for my late reply, the last time was rather busy because of my coming stay in Japan. Perhaps the best is really to decide when I arrive at the airport, as much is going to depend on my current condition. The Idea with the KIX helpdesk sounds good if I am going for some real accommodation.
Out of the blue, the University assigned me a "personal tutor" so this is my opportunity for further questions

Last edited by Tanhuser (2010 March 25, 6:45 pm)

Actually, I didn't slept the whole flight and the time between flights (summed up to 18 hours) so I was really tired when I arrived in Osaka. Besides that it was raining and not that nice to walk around so I went to an cheap "backpacker" hotel as suggested earlier. but I didn't found a "Welcome Inn Desk" or something like that and the Tourist Information didn't want to make a reservation for me. At least they got me a telephone number to call.

vix86 wrote:

Jarvik7 wrote:

Not exactly true. Gaijin cards don't come in the mail (you have to go back to pick it up) and the only paper you get is a sheet with your application number and the date to come back for it. If you want proof of registration (to get a cellphone) you have to specifically request it, though I don't recall if it costs money or not.

You're right it doesn't come in the mail. I was being figurative. When I got my certificates though I didn't have to request them per se, they expected we just wanted them and told us to come back in like a day or two. They do cost money and for like 2 I think it was something like 500-700yen; pretty cheap. Incidentally its also a great show of the retarded bureaucracy here in Japan that you have to come back a day or two later to get a piece of paper they could just as easily give you the day you hand over the paperwork. But what can you do.

I was there today and the only thing (besides the paper with the comeback time) I got was a paper called "Application for certificate of alien registration". My tutor (who speaks as bad English as I speak Japanese, which makes  things not really easier) said I have to go somewhere near Minami-Senri Station but I have the feeling he confused some things. Do I have to fill this paper out and bring it back to the city hall (where I just came from)... and then come back again the next day?