Visit Japan Web, entry rules and trip planning in one place
Practical, regularly checked guides for travel to Japan: arrival formalities, visas, the new tax-free system, trains, destinations and safety on the ground.
What do you need to enter Japan?
Select your nationality and country of residence to see the documents usually required, what to carry at the border and the vaccination advice for travel to Japan.
Information provided for guidance only. Please confirm it with the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country and with a travel-health clinic.
Changes to know for 2026 to 2028
Four updates affect travel to Japan, on arrival and on departure. Each one is covered in more detail in the dedicated guides.
- In place
Free arrival QR code
The Digital Agency's online service lets you register immigration and customs details before landing. It runs in a web browser, costs nothing on the official portal and remains optional, but it usually shortens airport formalities. See the step-by-step guide.
- July 2026
Departure tax raised to ¥3,000
The International Tourist Tax, charged on every departure from Japan, rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person. It is normally added to the price of plane and ferry tickets.
- 1 November 2026
Tax-free shopping becomes a refund
Shops charge the full price including consumption tax. Customs then confirms the purchases when you leave Japan, and the tax is refunded afterwards. Goods must leave the country within 90 days of purchase and be presented at departure. How the refund works.
- Around 2028
JESTA, an electronic travel authorization
Japan plans an online pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, similar in spirit to the US ESTA. Fees and procedures are not final, and nothing needs to be done before launch.
Quick facts
- Time zone
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
- Currency
- Japanese yen (¥)
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance and fire
- 119
Guides by topic
Nine sections follow the order of a trip, from paperwork to safety on the ground.
Japan entry requirements
Passport, visa, arrival QR code, customs and insurance.
Plan your trip to Japan
Seasons, weather, packing and the time difference.
Japan travel budget & money
Cash and cards, ATMs, the yen and realistic budgets.
Mobile data & eSIM in Japan
eSIM, pocket Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi compared.
Transport in Japan
Flights, bullet trains, rail passes and IC cards.
Japan itineraries & tours
Routes from one to three weeks and organized tours.
Destinations in Japan
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Okinawa and more.
Japanese culture & country facts
Religion, etiquette, food, the flag and key facts.
Safety & health in Japan
Crime, earthquakes, typhoons, health and emergency numbers.
Prefer to hand over Visit Japan Web?
Immigration and customs: the assistance service checks your information, completes Visit Japan Web on your behalf and forwards the QR codes generated by the official system by email before departure, for a single price of €69.
Frequently asked questions
What is Visit Japan Web?
It is Japan's online service for preparing immigration and customs formalities before arrival. Travellers enter their passport, flight and accommodation details, and the official system generates QR codes that are scanned at the airport instead of paper forms.
Do I need a visa to travel to Japan?
Citizens of around 70 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and EU countries, can stay up to 90 days for tourism without a visa. Work, study, long stays and non-exempt nationalities require a visa obtained before departure.
What budget should I plan for a trip to Japan?
Excluding flights, allow around $130–230 per person per day for a comfortable mid-range trip, including accommodation, transport, meals and sightseeing. A return flight from the US typically costs $1,000–1,600, depending on the season.