Do I need a visa?

Currently, Japan has agreements with 67 countries allowing these citizens to enter Japan without the need for a visa. Nationals of all other countries will require a visa.

Everyone who enters Japan must be in possession of the following documents:

A valid passport that is valid during your stay

A return flight ticket or a ticket to the next destination

Required documents for your first destination within Japan

Documents proving the purpose of the trip

What can I bring through Customs?

Baggage or accompanying items which are deemed as being for personal use only, and are within the restricted quantity of duty-free as specified by the customs regulations. Find out more about Customs rules and regulations from the 

Are credit cards widely accepted? Would you recommend bringing Travelers Checks, cash or credit cards?

Although most stores and restaurants will accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards, travelers should keep in mind that Japan is still very much a cash culture.

Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, so carrying cash is not a real problem. Travelers Checks are also an option, although it is wise to have these available in either Japanese yen, or US dollars.

When is peak travel season?

The difference between the peak and off-peak travel seasons in Japan is severe. If you have a flexible schedule, try to avoid these particular time periods when prices skyrocket and transportation and hotels tend to be fully booked. New Year–December 27 to January 4 and adjacent weekends. Golden Week–April 29 to May 5 and adjacent weekends. The Summer Bon Holiday–the week centering on August 15.

How can I get to central Tokyo from Narita Airport?

Travelers can reach central Tokyo in a number of ways. JR Narita Express trains, limousine buses, or trains on the Keisei Dentetsu railway are all on hand to transport you into the metropolis.

The Narita Express is one of the quicker options, whisking you into Tokyo Station in approximately 60 minutes. The fare is around 3000 yen and the Japan Rail Pass is valid.

Limousine buses also have many direct lines to major stations and hotels, and travel times vary from 60 to 90 minutes depending upon the traffic and your final destination. Fares for the limousine buses are around 3,000 yen.

The Keisei Dentetsu Limited Express–known as the Sky Liner–shuttles between Narita Airport and Ueno in downtown Tokyo in about 60 minutes. The fare is around 2000 yen. There are also other express train options that will take you into the city.

What types of plugs and electricity standards are used in Japan?

Japan uses plugs that consist of two flat parallel prong pins.

So before you leave, don’t forget to bring a conversion plug or a transformer so you can charge your electronic devices in Japan.

The main voltage in Japan is uniformly 110V, and there are two types of frequencies in use: In the east of Japan they use 50 Hertz and, in the west, (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka) 60 Hertz.

Electronic devices such as hair dryers (with double voltage), shavers and (travel) irons should therefore work everywhere in Japan. If not, a step-down transformer can be used to convert the voltage requirement.

What timezone is Japan in?

Japan’s standard time zone is GMT+9. That means that all over the country (there are no different time zones within Japan) it is nine hours later than the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/CET). Japan does not use daylight savings time.

What is the typical weather like in Japan throughout the year?

Due to the stretched out landscape of Japan, the country has many different climate zones. The weather varies enormously from region to region. Japan has four different seasons, which are noticeable all over the country. Every season in Japan has its charms, brought by the seasonal changes in temperature and weather.

How is the Wi-Fi and internet connectivity situation in Japan?

To use Wi-Fi in Japan, it is technically possible to use your own 3G / 4G / 5G device, but the roaming charges can be high. It is, therefore, recommendable to use wireless hotspots. Especially in the major cities in Japan, many WIFI hotspots are popping up everywhere.

Is there an international tourist tax in Japan?

A departure tax of 1,000 yen is required for anyone (regardless of nationality) who leaves Japan.