Just posting this report for reference for other working holidayers.
To extend you have to go to your nearest 'Immigration Bureau', which is alternatively called an 'Immigration Office' or 'Immigration Center'.
information centers
I was expecting it to be a case of "submit and then wait", but they actually issued a new resident card on the spot. I had to fill in some forms, which included you writing a micro-essay on why you wish to extend (I put the usual 'more travel, more language exchange' stuff).
The most important issue to them seemed to be whether you were able to / were supporting yourself financially. They told me they'd need proof of this, so I had to go and print out some bank statements and an email that proved I was doing some work (English teaching). I think either would have been fine - they just wanted it to be clear that I was very unlikely to run out of money.
The items you need are: proof of funds or income; a residence-card sized photo (e.g. link) which can be obtained from photo booths; a 4000yen revenue stamp from a convenience store; your current residence card, and your passport.
After I had all this I submitted it, and they gave me a new residence card after a small wait, with + 6 months expiry date. Total time spent, including printing stuff at a net cafe and getting photo and stamp, was about 3.5 hours.
To extend you have to go to your nearest 'Immigration Bureau', which is alternatively called an 'Immigration Office' or 'Immigration Center'.
information centers
I was expecting it to be a case of "submit and then wait", but they actually issued a new resident card on the spot. I had to fill in some forms, which included you writing a micro-essay on why you wish to extend (I put the usual 'more travel, more language exchange' stuff).
The most important issue to them seemed to be whether you were able to / were supporting yourself financially. They told me they'd need proof of this, so I had to go and print out some bank statements and an email that proved I was doing some work (English teaching). I think either would have been fine - they just wanted it to be clear that I was very unlikely to run out of money.
The items you need are: proof of funds or income; a residence-card sized photo (e.g. link) which can be obtained from photo booths; a 4000yen revenue stamp from a convenience store; your current residence card, and your passport.
After I had all this I submitted it, and they gave me a new residence card after a small wait, with + 6 months expiry date. Total time spent, including printing stuff at a net cafe and getting photo and stamp, was about 3.5 hours.
