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Japan is one of the most rewarding destinations on earth, and one of the most straightforward to enter provided your documents are in order. The arrival itself is fast and orderly. What slows people down is the admin they could have done at home, which is what this checklist is for.
Entry requirements
Japan allows visa-free short stays for citizens of many countries, including UK, EU, US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders. Others need a visa arranged in advance, and the list is updated from time to time.
Rather than relying on a general summary, open the corridor page for your passport from the Japan destination page. It tells you whether you need a visa, how long you may stay, and links to the official Japanese source. For the process behind the requirement, see our Japan entry requirements guide.
Passport validity. Japan requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay. Airlines and immigration officers commonly apply a wider margin as standard practice, so check the requirement shown on your corridor page before you book rather than at the airport.
Blank pages. Have at least one or two blank pages available for the entry stamp.
Visit Japan Web. All arrivals complete immigration and customs declarations, and these are now handled through the Visit Japan Web service. Register and complete your declarations before you fly. You arrive with QR codes ready to scan, which is the single biggest difference between a five-minute arrival and a forty-minute one.
Getting connected in Japan
Japan has excellent mobile coverage, but using your home SIM abroad means roaming charges. Sort your connectivity before you fly.
The simplest option for most travellers is an eSIM, which you buy and install on your device before departure and activate when you land. There is no physical SIM to swap, no shop to find, and no dependence on airport Wi-Fi while you are trying to work out your train to the city. Saily covers Japan.
For a fuller breakdown of the options, including how local, regional, and global plans differ, see our guide to the best eSIM for Japan.
Travel money
Japan remains more cash-reliant than most comparable countries. Plenty of smaller restaurants, temples, and rural businesses still do not take cards, so plan to carry yen for day-to-day spending rather than assuming you can tap everywhere.
The practical approach is to withdraw yen from a Japanese ATM after you arrive rather than buying currency before you leave. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept most international cards and are found nationwide, including in small towns. Airport exchange counters are the option to avoid.
A multi-currency travel account makes this easier, because it lets you hold and convert yen and use a card that is designed for withdrawals abroad. Wise is one option.
Packing and admin reminders
- Visit Japan Web registration completed, with declarations submitted
- eSIM purchased and installed before departure
- IC transport card (Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA) added to Apple Wallet or Google Pay before arrival
- A card that works for overseas ATM withdrawals, plus some yen for the first day
- Travel insurance confirmed, including any activities you intend to do
- Passport with the validity your corridor page specifies
A few Japan-specific things worth knowing
Carry your passport. Japan legally requires foreign visitors to carry their passport. In everyday situations a photo of the bio page is usually enough, but the original is needed for duty-free purchases and currency exchange.
IC transport cards work almost everywhere. Load an IC card and use it on trains, buses, and in convenience stores across the country. Adding it to your phone before you travel saves queuing at a machine on arrival.
Tipping is not practised. Service is included in the culture rather than in a gratuity, and tipping is generally treated as unusual rather than generous.
Trains reward planning, not spontaneity. Reserved seats on long-distance services can sell out at peak times, particularly around national holidays. If your itinerary depends on a specific train, book it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Japan?
It depends on your nationality. Many passports, including UK, EU, US, Canadian, and Australian ones, are covered for visa-free short stays. Check the corridor page for your passport from the Japan destination page for the requirement that applies to you.
Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa for Japan?
Check the Hong Kong to Japan corridor page, which shows the current requirement and links to the official source.
Do Saudi Arabian citizens need a visa for Japan?
See the Saudi Arabia to Japan corridor page for the current requirement and the official application route.
What is Visit Japan Web and do I have to use it?
It is the official online service for completing immigration and customs declarations before arrival. Registering in advance means you arrive with QR codes ready to scan rather than filling in paper forms in the hall.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Japan?
Japan requires validity for the duration of your stay, but airlines commonly apply a wider margin. Check the requirement shown on your corridor page before booking.
Should I get an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi for Japan?
An eSIM is lighter, needs no collection or return, and works from the moment you land. Pocket Wi-Fi can suit groups sharing one connection, but it is another device to charge and hand back.
Can I use my card everywhere in Japan?
Not reliably. Card acceptance is good in cities and in larger businesses, but many smaller restaurants, shrines, and rural shops are cash only. Carry yen alongside your card.
Where should I get yen?
Withdraw from a Japanese ATM on arrival rather than exchanging before you travel. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept most international cards and are widely available.
Do I need to carry my passport around in Japan?
Yes. Japan legally requires foreign visitors to carry their passport, and the original is needed for duty-free purchases and currency exchange.
Is tipping expected in Japan?
No. Tipping is not part of the culture and is generally not expected in restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
What should I sort before I fly to Japan?
Visit Japan Web registration, an eSIM, an IC transport card added to your phone, a card that works for overseas ATM withdrawals, and travel insurance. Everything else can wait until you land.