Japanese visa centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg will open on February 12. This was announced by the Embassy of Japan in Russia and the Consulate General of Japan in St. Petersburg.

In Moscow, the visa center will open at 16s5 Olympic Avenue. In St. Petersburg, it will be located at 21/5 Stremyannaya Street. Documents will be accepted from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The visa processing fee will be 970 rubles. The visa itself for citizens of Russia, CIS countries, and Georgia is issued free of charge.

The minimum visa processing time is four business days. “However, it is recommended to submit documents to the visa center at least several weeks before the planned trip,” the press release notes. Currently, visa applications for Japan are accepted by the embassy. The diplomatic mission will accept documents until 12:00 PM on February 12.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a history dating back over 800 years to its first recorded mention in 1147. It grew from a medieval fortress (the Kremlin) into the political and cultural heart of the Russian state, serving as the center of the Tsardom, the Soviet Union, and now the modern Russian Federation. The city is famed for its iconic landmarks like Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Kremlin complex, which reflect its long and turbulent history.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a historic Russian port city founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great as a “window to the West.” It served as the imperial capital for over two centuries and is renowned for its grand Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, including the Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum. The city endured a pivotal 872-day siege during World War II, a testament to its resilience and enduring cultural significance.

Olympic Avenue

Olympic Avenue is a major thoroughfare in the host city of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China. Originally constructed and significantly renovated for the Games, it serves as a central artery connecting key Olympic venues like the National Stadium (“Bird’s Nest”) and the National Aquatics Center (“Water Cube”). Today, it stands as a lasting symbol of the event and a prominent public space within the Olympic Green.

Stremyannaya Street

Stremyannaya Street is a historic thoroughfare in central Saint Petersburg, Russia, known for its 19th-century architecture and its long association with trade and commerce. Its name, meaning “Stirrup Street,” originates from the 18th century when it was home to saddlers and harness makers serving the nearby stables of the Imperial Guard. Today, it remains a vibrant street lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks like the Moscow Railway Station.

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a rich cultural history spanning over two millennia, from its early imperial era and feudal shogunates to its modern transformation after World War II. It is renowned for its unique blend of ancient traditions—such as Shinto shrines, tea ceremonies, and samurai heritage—with cutting-edge technology and contemporary pop culture. Key historical sites include Kyoto’s historic temples, Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial, and the iconic Mount Fuji, reflecting both its deep spiritual roots and its resilience.

Russia

Russia is the world’s largest country by land area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Its history is marked by the rise and fall of the Tsarist Empire, the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution that established the Soviet Union, and its re-emergence as the Russian Federation in 1991. Culturally, it is renowned for its vast contributions to literature, music, ballet, and architecture, with iconic sites like the Kremlin in Moscow and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

CIS countries

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional intergovernmental organization formed in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with most of its members being former Soviet republics. Its primary purpose was to facilitate a peaceful transition and cooperation among these newly independent states in economic, political, and military spheres. Today, it serves as a forum for discussion and limited integration, though its influence and cohesion have varied significantly among its diverse member countries.

Georgia

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, with a rich history dating back to ancient kingdoms like Colchis and Iberia, and it is considered one of the world’s earliest Christian nations, adopting Christianity as its state religion in the 4th century. Today, it is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the historical monuments of Mtskheta and the cave city of Uplistsikhe, and its unique polyphonic singing tradition. Its capital, Tbilisi, is a vibrant cultural hub blending medieval, classical, and modern architecture.