Consulate General of Japan

Had a fast and efficient visit today for my transit visa for Japan. Parking can be expensive and hard to find, but otherwise a very smooth experience. No appointment is needed. Check in on the first floor, proceed to floor 17, take your ticket (two different line: one for Japan citizens and one for visa applicants), wait to be called, submit your papers to a friendly clerk, answer all their questions, and be done! Visa is usually ready in about 4 business day. You have to pick it up in person. Easy-​breezy!

They don’t have Parking so it’s your problem where to park your car, there’s metered street parking it public parking around the building but of course it’s downtown it’s pricey! And still, you have to walk.
Inside the building before you go in, they will ask for an ID, and reason for your visit, they will make a sticker pass for you to get in that building. Which I guess for the safety.
It’s on the 7^th floor as I remember, the security was nice and welcoming, he’s not Japanese tho but still has good service like Japanese. They’re very strict in security safety I guess, I think it’s good!
You’ll get a number and sit down, and wait for your turn, sometimes they have available visa applications around. Line was fast but depends maybe what day and time.
They have a mini library which is cool. You can read book and magazines while waiting.
Very good customer service. Talked to the manager on the Phone regarding a visa pick up, and he was very helpful and he talks politely. I worked for a Japanese company before so I know how they treat customers. And of course they never let me down. Japanese service is excellent all the time! Even if sometime they don’t speak much English, compared to Chinese businesses, Japanese still talks to you slowly and politely, unlike Chinese they don’t understand you then it’s your problem! They will get mad either! Lol!
I finished about less than 15−20mins depends on the people.
Way to go Japanese consulate!

The Consulate is located on the 17^th floor of a gigantic office building in Downtown LA, and their parking lot is $ 4/​15minute. Seems like a daunting task just to get there but you just need to plan it all out. It opens at 9:30am, so I was there at 9am, found street parking ($ ⁴⁄₁ hour) on the street in front of 300 Olive Street. It’s a 1minute walk to the office! Check in at the lobby of the office with your ID, which is on a higher level than the plaza. And then you get to the 17^th floor, go through security and then get a ticket right away. I was early so I got the first ticket, and spent time at their mini library. When it was 9:30am sharp, I was helped, Japanese style! The transaction took me literally 2mins. Done!

Came here today for Japan work visa. Everyone is polite and will help you in case you have a question.

This year, 2016 I came again. Very friendly, very helpful!!!

Went at 11:20am today to apply for a spouse visa, and there was no line for the visa window. I was done in under 5 minutes.
It was my first time coming here. I ended up parking under Weller Court because I was familiar with that area. I don’t recommend parking far and walking a long distance when it’s high 80s/​low 90s out… Glad that I at least knew what the building looked like, I kept looking at it as my guide to make my way over to it from Weller Court. Spotted other parking lots much closer that I’ll definitely be using for my return trip to pick up my passport and visa. There are 2 lots located on Hill Street: one between 3^rd and 4^th, next to the Grand Central Market, and the other is on the corner of Hill and 3^rd. Both were marked less than $ 10 for the daily maximum (which isn’t too bad).
The most direct access from those two lots would be to take the stairway path adjacent to the Angel’s Flight Railway, as it will take you to the lower level of the Water Court (basically a food court plus some other businesses), from which you can enter the building in which the consulate is located. I got a little lost trying to figure out which of the twin buildings was building 2, but eventually found signs that led me in the right direction. The side with Famima is for building 1, the side with Panda Express and Starbucks is for building 2.
Up one level is the lobby level, and you’ll need to check in at the desk with photo ID so that they can issue you a visitor pass. Let them know where you intend to go. Then take the elevator up to the 17^th floor.
When I got there, the security guard had gone to use the restroom, so I waited at the entrance until he returned. He was very patient and polite. He does a bag check and tells you to walk through the detector whenever you’re ready. There’s a small table (really small!) table where you can put your snack/​food/​drinks to the left of the entrance.
Once inside, depending on if you’re business is for passports, etc. or visas, you pull a ticket for the appropriate window.
There was no one at the visa window, but I still pulled a ticket. Then I rang the white buzzer on the window (it tells you to ring for assistance).
I handed over my visa application with my passport and Certificate of Eligibility + photocopy, and she checked the documents over, stamped them with dates and a reference number, and told me I could come back next Tuesday or any time after that.
And that was it. Very quick and simple! =)
Note: Let the security guard know if you wish to use the restroom because he has the keys to unlock those doors.

I have called the Japanese consulate in Los Angeles twice, first on a visa question, and second on a money-​wire regulations question. Both times I spoke to a receptionist, who listened without interruption — how rare is that! — and then transferred me to a knowledgeable consulate professional, who in turn gave me clear and comprehensive information. While I hope not to be disappointed if I ever actually have need to visit, I feel they have earned a full five stars at this time.

Be on time, be courteous, be patient. These people are all about efficiency. No food or drink allowed inside. There is a small desk where you can store your water or snacks. Just bring a magazine or book to read. If you get there right away when it opens, then you can get your items done rather quickly or by the end of the day. This review is regarding my mom getting her passport renewed. You can venture around the building as there are stunning views of downtown Los Angeles. If you want to keep it cheap, pack your own lunch and picnic. Reminder for parking, expect to pay $ 20 at one of the nearby lots. Pay $ 1 and go take the funicular from the top to the bottom.
Cheers!

Very efficient, polite, friendly, and helpful.
Located on the 17^th floor of the 2 California building, the security to get to this office is thorough yet not excessive.
When you get to the office, take a number. They speak English so don’t panic if you walk in and see everything in Japanese and hear everyone speaking Japanese. Of course if you speak Japanese… no problem! They also have a library off to the side in case you (or your children) need to pass time if you are there for awhile.
This office handles visas for U.S. citizens who are NOT just traveling as tourists or who are staying in Japan for more than 90 days and also for those who are not U.S. citizens who need a visa to travel to Japan. They also handle Japanese passports and renewals.
Note that they are closed for lunch promptly at 12 and return exactly at 1pm. Parking in the area is insanely priced. They do not validate for parking. Best to check their website and/​or call first to make sure you have everything you need so you don’t have to make a return trip.

The 17^th floor of a nice building. Call and ask when it’s not busy that way it’s quick. They have really nice people working there or really rude ones that won’t help you at all.