Japan Travel Talk No. 0 - Inaugural Issue

 
One of the Consulate’s missions is to promote tourism to Japan, and we often receive questions on a variety of topics such as visa and customs requirements, how to exchange currency, using cell phones and Wi-Fi, Rail Passes, the language barrier and more. Through this periodic publication, we will try to answer some of these questions and also share some of our own experiences from living and visiting Japan with the goal of making your next trip that much more fun and pleasant. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics that you would like to have us cover in future issues! You can email our info address (info@se.mofa.go.jp) with the subject line “Japan Travel Talk” or post comments on our Facebook page.
 
Before we begin, here is the fine print: The Consulate does not promote third-party products and services, and we cannot make specific recommendations or directly assist with travel planning and arrangements. We don’t sell Rail Passes or other tickets. We will do our best to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information but understand that some things change and are out of our control. The goal of this blog is to be a source of useful, fun and objective information for your trip to Japan.
 

Photo Source: Consulate Staff

With that out of the way, let us explain a little about the Consulate. Officially, we are the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, and one of Japan’s 18 diplomatic posts in the United States and its territories. Our Consulate provides consular services, such as visas, passports, certificates or support during emergencies for Japanese, U.S. and other nationals who reside within our area of jurisdiction, which includes Washington, Montana and the northern panhandle of Idaho. We also promote cultural, economic and educational ties in this area through a variety of programs and partnerships.
 
If you’re a U.S. citizen and are planning a short trip to Japan for tourism purposes, you most likely would not need to interact with the Consulate before travel; U.S. citizens can visit Japan for up to 90 days without the need for a visa for non-commercial activities such as sightseeing and visiting friends and family. Visa requirements for Japan vary by nationality and purpose, and you can find more information on our website.
 
By far, the topic outside of visa requirements that we receive the most questions on from travelers is whether they can bring their medications. In most cases, yes, but there are some items that are restricted or prohibited, such as narcotics and stimulants. Generally, visitors can bring up to a one-month supply of their prescription or over-the-counter medications for personal use. Special certificates or extra steps are needed for larger quantities or restricted medications, and you can find more information, along with other customs topics, here.
 
Finally, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is the country’s official promotion body and a good resource for travel information. Check out their website for trip planning ideas and information about transportation, lodging, cuisine, regions, seasonal festivals and activities, and more.
 

Japan Travel Trivia   How many international visitors did Japan welcome in 2018? 1 million 5 million 10 million Over 30 million Find the answer in the next issue.

In the next issue, we would love to start responding to your questions about travel. Stay tuned, and see you soon!  
 
 
Japan Travel Talk Team