Japan Entry Requirements

Visa-Free Entry to Japan

Citizens of 68 countries and territories can enter Japan without a visa for stays up to 90 days (some countries are limited to 30 days).

Countries with 90-day visa-free access include:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• All EU member states
• Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
• South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei

Countries with 30-day visa-free access include:

• Argentina, Brazil, Mexico (and most of Latin America)
• Some Southeast Asian countries

**Always verify** your specific country’s allowance on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mofa.go.jp) before traveling, as agreements can change.

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Passport Requirements

Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Japan. Japan does not require 6 months of remaining validity — but your passport must not expire while you are in the country.

Make sure your passport has at least one blank page for the entry stamp.

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Visit Japan Web (Optional but Recommended)

Visit Japan Web is Japan’s official online service that allows you to pre-register your:

• Immigration information
• Customs declaration
• COVID-related information (no longer required but the platform remains active)

Using Visit Japan Web speeds up the immigration process significantly — you can complete your landing card and customs declaration before you board your flight, then simply show QR codes at the airport.

How to register:

1. Go to vjw-lp.digital.go.jp
2. Create an account
3. Register your trip details
4. Complete immigration and customs forms
5. Download QR codes

This takes about 15 minutes and is well worth doing.

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What to Declare at Japanese Customs

Japan has strict rules about what you can bring in. Always declare:

Declare if you are carrying:

• Cash or monetary instruments exceeding ¥1,000,000 (approximately $6,700)
• Gifts and purchases exceeding ¥200,000 in value
• Alcohol: more than 3 bottles (760ml each)
• Cigarettes: more than 200 cigarettes (or 250g of tobacco)
• Perfume: more than 2 ounces

Prohibited items — do not bring:

• Narcotics, stimulants, cannabis (zero tolerance, severe penalties)
• Firearms and ammunition
• Counterfeit goods
• Certain meats and agricultural products (check current rules)

Japan takes customs violations extremely seriously. Fines and criminal charges apply.

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Arrival Process: Step by Step

1. Land at your airport (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, or Chubu)
2. Immigration: Queue for foreign nationals. Show passport. Biometric fingerprints and photo are taken on first visit. Hand over or show Visit Japan Web QR code.
3. Baggage claim
4. Customs: If nothing to declare, use the green channel. If declaring items, use the red channel or show Visit Japan Web customs QR code.
5. Exit arrivals hall: Buy Suica card, get cash from ATM, buy transport ticket or take train to city.

Immigration wait times: Can be 30–60 minutes at Narita during busy periods. Narita has two international terminals — check yours before landing.

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How Long Can You Stay in Japan?

Visa-free travelers can stay up to 90 days (or 30 days depending on nationality). You cannot extend this stay beyond the permitted period while on a tourist entry.

Overstaying your permitted duration results in deportation and a ban from re-entering Japan.

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Can You Work in Japan on a Tourist Entry?

No. Working on a tourist visa is illegal in Japan, including for remote workers. Japan launched a Digital Nomad Visa in 2024 for remote workers — see our separate guide for details.

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Japan Arrival Airport Guide

Narita Airport (NRT): Tokyo’s main international hub. 60–90 minutes from central Tokyo by train (Narita Express) or bus.

Haneda Airport (HND): Closer to central Tokyo (25–40 minutes). More convenient but fewer international routes. Growing rapidly.

Kansai International Airport (KIX): Serves Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. 45–75 minutes to Osaka city center.

Chubu Centrair (NGO): Serves Nagoya. 28 minutes to Nagoya station by limited express.

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Book Your Japan Hotels

Start planning your accommodation alongside your visa/entry preparation.

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