Traveling to Japan Quick Facts
2024/9/12
PASSPORTS:
・No minimum remaining period of validity required, but passports must be valid for entire duration of stay in Japan.
・One blank passport page required for entry stamp or visa insert.
TOURIST VISA & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
・No visa required for citizens of the U.S. and other visa exemption countries for short-term (less than 90 days), non-revenue visits.
・Even when a visa is not required, travelers are responsible for making arrangements to depart Japan within the permitted period of stay, and immigration authorities may request to see return tickets or proof of next travel from Japan upon arrival.
・Visas, if needed, are not issued at airports and must be applied for in advance of travel. Visas may be required even for transit between different airports or different terminals at the same airport.
※ Please visit the Consulate’s Visa page for more details, including requirements and how to apply for visas.
・All foreign visitors entering Japan are required to make declarations for the immigration clearance inspection, which can be done in advance with an online system set up by the Japanese government called Visit Japan Web. This system can also be used for customs clearance. Users can open accounts, fill out the required forms online or with a smartphone, and generate QR codes to use at automated declaration kiosks at major airports in Japan.
TRAVELERS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS & REFUSAL OF ENTRY:
・Travelers with certain criminal convictions may be refused entry into Japan.
・Decisions on allowing or refusing a traveler’s landing will be made during the immigration clearance process upon arrival. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan is in charge of these matters.
・If you have concerns about entering Japan with a criminal record, please contact the Immigration Services Agency Information Center directly.
Tel: +81-3-5796-7112
Email: info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE & RESTRICTIONS:
・Anyone entering Japan is required to submit a customs declaration for items that they are bringing with them or sending separately (unaccompanied articles). Customs declaration forms are typically handed out inflight to passengers before arrival to fill out, or travelers may use an online system operated by the Japanese government called Visit Japan Web to submit all required information for immigration and customs clearance.
※ Please visit the Japan Customs page on customs clearance for more information.
・Personal items for your trip such as clothes, toiletries, and small electronics are generally allowed and exempt from duty fees.
・Meat, fruit, vegetables, and other animal and plant products are subject to quarantine inspection and may be prohibited. There may be restrictions and special customs procedures for other types of food products.
・Weapons, controlled substances, and various other types of items are prohibited or restricted.
※ Please visit the Consulate’s Customs Information page or Japan Customs for comprehensive information on what you can and can’t bring to Japan.
CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:
・Anyone entering Japan with currency or other physical means of payment exceeding 1 million yen (¥1,000,000) is required to make a declaration to Customs.
※ Please visit Japan Customs for more information.
BRINGING MEDICATIONS:
・Up to a 30-day supply of personal prescription medications are generally allowed, but controlled substances including narcotics, stimulants, and psychotropics are restricted and may require special procedures to bring into Japan. Medications that contain amphetamines (e.g. Adderall) or cannabis ingredients are prohibited and cannot be brought to Japan even if you have a legal prescription from another country.
・Some medical devices, such as CPAP machines, also require advanced approval for bringing to Japan.
※ Please visit the Consulate’s or the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s pages for more information on bringing medications to Japan.
VACCINATIONS & HEALTH:
・There are no vaccine requirements for travelers from the U.S. but standard vaccinations are recommended.
※ Please visit the Japan National Tourism Organization’s page for more information.
・Currently, there are no COVID-19-related restrictions or vaccine and testing requirements for travelers from the U.S.
※ Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page for the latest information about COVID-19 measures.
・Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended.
※ Please visit JNTO's page for more information on travel insurance and receiving medical care in Japan.
DRIVING IN JAPAN:
・It is possible for tourists to drive in Japan with a valid International Driving Permit issued in their home country before their trip.
※ The Japan Automobile Federation has a helpful page on driving in Japan.
SUPPORT DURING TRAVEL:
・Please refer to your home country’s embassy in Japan for information and resources for travel in Japan, especially on what to do in an emergency.
※ The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has a helpful page with information for U.S. citizens traveling to Japan.
MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING IN JAPAN:
・The Japan National Tourism Organization is a good resource for all your questions about traveling to Japan, such as on money, what to pack and wear, area and attraction guides, getting train tickets, accessibility, and much more!
For more information about travel requirements, please refer to the pages linked here or contact the Consulate.
Have a fun and safe trip to Japan!
・No minimum remaining period of validity required, but passports must be valid for entire duration of stay in Japan.
・One blank passport page required for entry stamp or visa insert.
TOURIST VISA & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
・No visa required for citizens of the U.S. and other visa exemption countries for short-term (less than 90 days), non-revenue visits.
・Even when a visa is not required, travelers are responsible for making arrangements to depart Japan within the permitted period of stay, and immigration authorities may request to see return tickets or proof of next travel from Japan upon arrival.
・Visas, if needed, are not issued at airports and must be applied for in advance of travel. Visas may be required even for transit between different airports or different terminals at the same airport.
※ Please visit the Consulate’s Visa page for more details, including requirements and how to apply for visas.
・All foreign visitors entering Japan are required to make declarations for the immigration clearance inspection, which can be done in advance with an online system set up by the Japanese government called Visit Japan Web. This system can also be used for customs clearance. Users can open accounts, fill out the required forms online or with a smartphone, and generate QR codes to use at automated declaration kiosks at major airports in Japan.
TRAVELERS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS & REFUSAL OF ENTRY:
・Travelers with certain criminal convictions may be refused entry into Japan.
・Decisions on allowing or refusing a traveler’s landing will be made during the immigration clearance process upon arrival. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan is in charge of these matters.
・If you have concerns about entering Japan with a criminal record, please contact the Immigration Services Agency Information Center directly.
Tel: +81-3-5796-7112
Email: info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE & RESTRICTIONS:
・Anyone entering Japan is required to submit a customs declaration for items that they are bringing with them or sending separately (unaccompanied articles). Customs declaration forms are typically handed out inflight to passengers before arrival to fill out, or travelers may use an online system operated by the Japanese government called Visit Japan Web to submit all required information for immigration and customs clearance.
※ Please visit the Japan Customs page on customs clearance for more information.
・Personal items for your trip such as clothes, toiletries, and small electronics are generally allowed and exempt from duty fees.
・Meat, fruit, vegetables, and other animal and plant products are subject to quarantine inspection and may be prohibited. There may be restrictions and special customs procedures for other types of food products.
・Weapons, controlled substances, and various other types of items are prohibited or restricted.
※ Please visit the Consulate’s Customs Information page or Japan Customs for comprehensive information on what you can and can’t bring to Japan.
CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:
・Anyone entering Japan with currency or other physical means of payment exceeding 1 million yen (¥1,000,000) is required to make a declaration to Customs.
※ Please visit Japan Customs for more information.
BRINGING MEDICATIONS:
・Up to a 30-day supply of personal prescription medications are generally allowed, but controlled substances including narcotics, stimulants, and psychotropics are restricted and may require special procedures to bring into Japan. Medications that contain amphetamines (e.g. Adderall) or cannabis ingredients are prohibited and cannot be brought to Japan even if you have a legal prescription from another country.
・Some medical devices, such as CPAP machines, also require advanced approval for bringing to Japan.
※ Please visit the Consulate’s or the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s pages for more information on bringing medications to Japan.
VACCINATIONS & HEALTH:
・There are no vaccine requirements for travelers from the U.S. but standard vaccinations are recommended.
※ Please visit the Japan National Tourism Organization’s page for more information.
・Currently, there are no COVID-19-related restrictions or vaccine and testing requirements for travelers from the U.S.
※ Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page for the latest information about COVID-19 measures.
・Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended.
※ Please visit JNTO's page for more information on travel insurance and receiving medical care in Japan.
DRIVING IN JAPAN:
・It is possible for tourists to drive in Japan with a valid International Driving Permit issued in their home country before their trip.
※ The Japan Automobile Federation has a helpful page on driving in Japan.
SUPPORT DURING TRAVEL:
・Please refer to your home country’s embassy in Japan for information and resources for travel in Japan, especially on what to do in an emergency.
※ The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has a helpful page with information for U.S. citizens traveling to Japan.
MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING IN JAPAN:
・The Japan National Tourism Organization is a good resource for all your questions about traveling to Japan, such as on money, what to pack and wear, area and attraction guides, getting train tickets, accessibility, and much more!
For more information about travel requirements, please refer to the pages linked here or contact the Consulate.
Have a fun and safe trip to Japan!