japan travel registration

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Visit Japan Web

This is a service that allows you to perform arrival procedures(immigration, customs) and "Tax-free shopping service" online.

Announcements

Mar 7, 2024 The URL of our site has changed
Jan 25, 2024 Unified 2D codes for immigration clearance and customs declarations
Dec 14, 2023 Suspicious apps such as "Visit Japan Web Info" were found
Apr 28, 2023 It is no longer necessary to present a valid vaccination certificate or pre-departure inspection certificate
Apr 1, 2023 The "Tax-Free Purchase" feature was released

About Visit Japan Web

This is a web service that can be used for immigration procedures (immigration clearance, customs declaration). It can be used not only by those entering the country from overseas but also by those returning to Japan. By registering the information necessary for immigration procedures in advance and presenting the 2D code at the time of immigration procedures, you can go through the immigration procedures smoothly. Foreigners can also use it for tax-free purchases during their stay in Japan.

Although you can register the information necessary for immigration procedures from a PC, you will need to present your 2D code at the time of immigration procedures using your smartphone or tablet.

All you need to register is your airline ticket, passport, and email address.

Steps for immigration procedures Steps for tax-free purchases Operating instructions open_in_new Opens in new tab

Start using the service now open_in_new Opens in new tab

Frequently Asked Questions

About using Visit Japan Web open_in_new Opens in new tab
Quarantine open_in_new Opens in new tab : Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Immigration open_in_new Opens in new tab : Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Customs open_in_new Opens in new tab : Ministry of Finance
Animal Quarantine open_in_new Opens in new tab : Animal Quarantine Service
Plant Quarantine open_in_new Opens in new tab : Plant Quarantine Service

Terms of Use・ Privacy Policy

Please use the chatbot for inquiries.

Chatbot open_in_new Opens in new tab

Business owners

Information regarding proxy input

Visit Japan Web

This is a service that allows you to perform arrival procedures "immigration ", "customs", and "Tax-free shopping service" In addition to those entering the country from overseas, it can also be used by those returning to Japan. This page contains information related to the system and information for business operators related to this service.

Please see the Visit Japan Web Landing Page for information on how to use it.

Important information

A suspicious app showing Visit Japan Web Info that pretends to be a Visit Japan Web service has been discovered. The Visit Japan web service provided by the Digital Agency does not provide any app. Additionally, we will never ask you to enter your credit card information. In case you download a suspicious app, please uninstall it immediately.

Furthermore, Visit Japan web services offered by Digital Agency are available at the following URLs.

Visit Japan Web Service (https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/)
Visit Japan Web Online service for Immigration , Customs and Tax-free shopping service (https://services.digital.go.jp/visit-japan-web/)

Please be sure that you are accessing to the official website.

Update information

System change to unify 2D codes for immigration and customs declarations was made on January 25,2024 at 3:00JST. (January 25,2024) Please check details here.
Suspicious app called “Visit Japan Web info” has been found recently. Our service does not provide any app. If you downloaded suspicious app, please uninstall it immediately. (September 14,2023)
Anyone entering Japan on or after April 29, 2023 will no longer be required to show a valid vaccination certificate or a test certificate obtained before departure. Please check details here With the above change, the "Quarantine procedure (Fast Track)" icon will be removed on April 29 at 00:00 JST. (April 28, 2023)
New function "Tax-free shopping service" released (April 1, 2023)
New functions "Passport OCR input", "VISA link", "3rd party proxy input" released (March 28, 2023)
The guide page in Chinese（Simplified, Traditional) and Korean pages have been opend. Visit Japan Web （November 1, 2022)
Quarantine “Fast Track” is available via Visit Japan Web.（November 1, 2022)

About service

Use the service.

Two-dimensional code of service provision URL

See Usage Instructions

Guidance for operation, usage instructions, and other information for users can be found here. Check it out now

Operating Environment and Notes

We recommend using the latest versions of the browsers for the best experience with the service.
Please check Frequently Asked Questions：System requirements for the latest operating environment.
A two dimensional code which is displayed by Visit Japan Web includes personal information. Please be careful when handling this.

Frequently Asked Questions

About using Visit Japan Web
Quarantine：Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Immigration：Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Customs：Ministry of Finance
Animal Quarantine：Animal Quarantine Service
Plant Quarantine：Plant Quarantine Service

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

For inquiries about Visit Japan Web, please use the chatbot. The chatbot URL https://chatbot.vjw.digital.go.jp/qadialog_webchat/

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Instruction manual

Visit Japan Web: The Online Registration Before Arriving in Japan

Japanese customs: mysos replaced from november, 14, 2022.

During the Covid pandemic, entry procedures in Japan have changed a lot, which created some confusion. It is still somewhat the case after the reopening to tourism since October 11, even if a focus has been placed on easing the procedures especially through digitalization , to minimize human interactions and subsequent contamination risks.

Until recently, the Japanese government asked visitors to install specific app on their smartphones:

MySOS, for advance registration of information regarding vaccine status / PCR test, for faster airport procedures in Japan (the "fast track" system)
COCOA, an app to track contact-cases and infected persons, but it was discontinued in September 2022.

MySOS was not mandatory but highly recommended . Travelers who could not use the app were directed upon their arrival in Japan to a specific line in order to complete the necessary steps (showing a valid vaccination certificate / PCR test, etc.) which lengthened their time at the airport.

New website available since November 1st, 2022

In mid-October 2022, a new change in the procedure has been announced for all entry in Japan from November 14 included : every traveler (tourist, foreign resident and Japanese citizen alike) can register in advance on the Visit Japan Web site.

Visit Japan Web is a free, single portal to group formalities related to:

Covid-19 🦠 ( quarantine , vaccination certificate, PCR test); The Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures section collects the information that were previously filled in the MySOS app ("Fast Track" function);
Immigration : the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner that was formerly handed in the plane ✈️ just before landing (does not concern Japanese citizens and foreign permanent residents);
Customs 🛂 , with the Declaration of Personal effects and Unaccompanied Articles , to fill upon arrival, formerly either on a paper form or on the Japanese government’s Zeikan shinkoku app (税関申告アプリ).

In the facts, registering on the website has been possible since November 1, 2022 , for any arrival in Japan from November 14 in one of its largest airports:

Tokyo -Narita,
Tokyo-Haneda,
Osaka - Kansai (KIX),
Chubu ( Nagoya ),
Fukuoka ( Kyushu ),
New Chitose ( Hokkaido ) and
Naha ( Okinawa ).

Travelers arriving in Japan before November 14, 2022, can still use the MySoS app to fill their Covid related data and are not the target of the Visit Japan Web.

1 blue screen and 2 QR Codes to show on a smartphone

Like with MySOS previously, each step of the registration process is ended by a change in the page display that includes:

A blue screen , for a successful quarantine procedure registration,
and the creation of 2 QR Codes for customs and immigration procedures.

Once all the steps are completed, a visitor’s smartphone 📱 will display first a blue screen, then 2 QR Codes to show at each checkpoint.

Starting April 29, 2023 , according to March 10 and April 26 latest announcements of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, some of the borders restrictions will be lifted and the Covid-19 quarantine procedure (blue screen) will not be required anymore .

It is highly recommended to register before departing for Japan : at the latest 6h prior to the flight’s departure, and ideally within the 10 preceding days , in order to allow time for the review of the submitted documents. Reviews are sorted by date of arrival in Japan . Visit Japan Web is available in English.

Whether you are fully vaccinated or not, consider using Visit Japan Web to make sure to board your flight to Japan, as airlines reserve the right to refuse passengers who may potentially be banned at the Quarantine Procedures step.

The necessary documents are:

A valid email address (will be used as a user ID to each access to Visit Japan Web);
Until April 29, 2023 , Covid vaccination certificate or negative PCR test result taken less than 72 hours before departure and translated in English (use the Japanese-English form provided by the Japanese Ministry of Health here );
An address in Japan (for example, of the first accommodation you will be staying at).

If traveling with underage children , it is possible to register them on the same Visit Japan Web account (up to 10 travelers). Dependent or handicapped adults who cannot go through the procedures alone can also be registered in the Family members traveling with you section. However, each of them has to have their own passport or equivalent immigration document.

Each member of the family registered on the same account will also have their blue screen and 2 QR Codes, to show at checkpoints at the arrival airport in Japan.

Like with MySOS, registering with Visit Japan Web is not mandatory , however it helps going through the entry procedures in Japan faster, and reduces the hurdles of tedious formalities after 12 hours of more spent in a plane.

On April 5, 2023, Kono Taro, the Japanese Minister of Digital Affairs, announced that travelers are no longer required to show any document at arrival airport’s quarantine in Japan . However, filling information forms for immigration and customs is still a requirement.

Additional tips and advice

An Internet 📶 connection is required to use the Visit Japan Web site, especially to create the account, fill in the user’s information, and their family’s when applicable (name, passport number, etc.), the forms regarding vaccination or PCR test and create the first QR Code. The digital Disembarkation Card for Foreigners and custom procedures can be completed offline and the QR codes created upon arrival at the airport.

Creating a Visit Japan Web account is possible on a computer (Chrome browser is recommended) or on a smartphone (Chrome browser recommended on Android). In any case, before departure, make sure to be logged in only on the device you will use to travel (a smartphone ideally), and check that all information is up-to-date.

Questions asked at immigration and customs procedures are the same than on the paper forms. In any event, official Japanese sources (the Embassy of Japan or the Border Control page of the Japanese Ministry of Health for example) are the ultimate references regarding entry procedures in Japan and should be checked frequently.

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Visit Japan Web: How to register

Travelling to Japan? Visit Japan Web registration will save you precious time on arrival. Here's a step-by-step guide of what to do.

If you’re planning to visit Japan, it’s highly recommended that you take time to complete the so-called “Fast-track registration” before travel. This expedites the arrivals process after you land, granting access to a special lane at the airport.

Fast-track registration was previously done through the MySOS app, but from 1 November 2022, Japan has switched over to Visit Japan Web (VJW) instead. Here’s how the transition process works:

If you have not registered yet, you should do so via VJW
If you have already completed MySOS registration, you can use the MySOS blue screen for entry into Japan up till 13 January 2023

Those who have previously registered via MySOS are welcome to register again via VJW if they so wish.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the VJW registration process. It’s not significantly different from MySOS, although it has the added convenience of bringing immigration and customs clearance under the same portal.

Visit Japan Web

Visit Japan Web registration should be done at least six hours prior to your scheduled arrival time. There are three sections to complete:

Quarantine (Fast-track)
Immigration

Completion of each section will generate a QR code, which travellers will show at the arrival airport to expedite procedures.

Step 1: User registration

After creating your VJW account, the first step is to register your personal details.

You’ll first be asked two questions:

Do you have a passport issued by the Japanese government?
Will you enter Japan with a (special) re-entry permission?

For the vast majority of Singaporeans, the answer to both will be “no”.

You’ll then need to provide your passport details.

If you’re travelling with children, you may register them under your VJW account. The portal is vague about what the cut-off age is for an individual to require their own VJW account; with MySOS it was 13 years and above.

If you cannot complete the procedures of the airport by yourself, such as infants, you can register as a family members traveling with you without creating an account, and the representative can also enter the family members traveling with you portion to create a QR code. For those who can do the procedure by themselves, we ask that you prepare to be able to display it on your own smartphone, etc. as much as possible. -Visit Japan Web

I believe the idea is that as far as possible, each traveller should have their own device to display their own QR code, for efficiency reasons. If that’s not realistically possible, then they can be registered on someone else’s VJW account.

Step 2: Trip registration

The next step is to register your trip details.

Optional field, for your own reference
Planned arrival date in Japan
If you’re flying a codeshare, enter the name of the operating airline
If you’re flying a codeshare, enter the main flight number (i.e. not the 4-digit one)

You’ll also be asked for your intended address in Japan. You can enter the postal code (without hyphens) of your hotel here and see if the fields auto-populate. If they don’t (as was the case for the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, postal code 1028585), then you’ll need to enter the information manually.

Step 3: Quarantine procedures (fast-track)

When you first click on the quarantine procedures (fast-track) tab, you’ll see a red screen and a “not yet registered” status. This should look familiar to anyone who’s completed MySOS registration previously.

Our goal is to turn this screen to blue. This involves completing three sections (not four; you’ll either submit a vaccination certificate or a pre-departure test).

Unless you have all your documents already scanned on your computer, I’d recommend doing this section from your phone so you can snap photos and upload them immediately.

The first step is to upload a copy of your passport’s information page.

Once that’s done, the tag next to Passport will change to “Scanning”. Sit tight. You won’t be able to continue with fast-track registration until the system has scanned your passport.

This should take 10 minutes at most, and you’ll receive an email confirmation once it’s done (add [email protected] to your safe list).

Refresh the page and the tag next to Passport should have changed to “Please verify”. Click on it and confirm your scanned details.

Now return to the “Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures” screen and scroll down. You’ll see the tag next to Questionnaire WEB has changed to “Please register”. Tap on it, and you’ll be sent to another webpage. Toggle the language on top as necessary.

To complete this section, you’ll need to provide:

Date of arrival in Japan
Arrival flight details
This section can be left blank if you don’t know
Whether or not you’re a crew member
Nationality
Date of birth
Address of accommodation
The calendar is not translated into English. All you need to know is 月 is month, and 日 is day. The rest should be intuitive enough
Departure flight detail
Remember to include your usual country of residence in your travel history
Health declaration
Email address
Contact number
Alternative contact number

Most of the information here should already be pre-populated, though for whatever reason, the accommodation information isn’t ported over. You’ll need to complete this again, keeping in mind the following:

Don’t include hyphens for postal codes. Once the postal code is entered, the rest of the field should auto-populate
If the system refuses to recognise your postal code, leave the postal code field blank and enter the values manually
Remember to select the last option “lodging or destination facility”

Double check your responses, and click “complete response” when done.

Return to the “Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures” screen and scroll down. You’ll see the tag next to Vaccination certificate has changed to “Please register”.

Tap on it and select “Will submit”. If your vaccination certificate details are in Japanese or English, tap “yes” for the first prompt, provide the details of your three doses and upload a copy of your vaccination certificate.

As a reminder, three doses of any of the following vaccinations, in any combination, will satisfy the fully vaccinated criteria (Janssen and CanSino only requires two doses).

Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 who travel with fully vaccinated parents/guardians will be treated as fully vaccinated. Children aged below six will be treated as fully vaccinated, regardless of their parents’/guardians’ vaccination status.

That’s it! You’ll be brought back to the “Pre-registration for Quarantine Procedures” screen, which will now show your vaccination certificate as “being reviewed”. There’s nothing more to do at this point; you can ignore the last section on pre-departure testing since you’re fully vaccinated.

Your information will be reviewed, and you’ll receive an email once your status changes. In my case it took about 1 hour.

Return to the VJW portal, and you’ll see the status screen has turned to blue. You’re all set!

Step 4: Immigration

The disembarkation card requires some additional details, namely:

Your country and city of residence
Purpose of visit
Intended length of stay in Japan
Declaration

The rest of the information should already be pre-populated from Step 3.

Step 5: Customs

The customs declaration requires some additional details, namely:

City of departure to Japan
Number of family members travelling with you
Declaration

Other sections

There are two additional sections in the VJW advising on travel insurance and emergency contact information. These are just FYI; no action is required from you.

Visit Japan Web registration has now gone live, which brings the fast-track, immigration and customs forms under one portal.

Registration should be relatively quick, and my approval was received in one hour, but the key thing is to do it early. There’s bound to be a deluge of applications over the next few days, so if you’re travelling soon you’ll want to give yourself plenty of buffer time.

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Tourists can now pre-register their Covid-19 documents with Visit Japan Web

This new website replaces the MySOS app and lets travellers pre-register the required documents before entering Japan

Japan is finally reopened to the world and tourists are able to come in and explore all the new attractions that have opened since the pandemic. Thankfully, Japan has dropped many of its entry restrictions, but still encourages travellers to prepare for their trip by pre-registering all Covid-19 documents before entering the country.

Previously, this fast track pre-registration was done through the MySOS app. However, as of Tuesday November 1 , the pre-registration system has been changed to Visit Japan Web . You’ll only be able to use MySOS until January 13 2023 if your information was previously registered in the app. If not, you will have to submit all your documents through Visit Japan Web.

Visit Japan Web can be used for both international travellers and Japanese nationals to help speed through quarantine, immigration and customs declaration procedures. Once your account has been made, you can register the required documents before arrival, including your vaccine passport or negative test certificate (if required).

The website also allows you to pre-register your disembarkation card for immigration (not required for Japanese citizens and foreign residents with re-entry permission), as well as your customs declaration.

After submitting all the necessary information, you will receive a QR code that you must show when you arrive at the airport. If you don’t register your information before your arrival, you will need to do it at the airport. So to save you time and hassle, we highly suggest you take the time to pre-register before your flight.

For more information on Visit Japan Web, visit the website .

Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, visit japan web: how to register your arrival in japan (step by step).

Japan has finally re-opened its door to tourism, an event that I’m sure many of you have long awaited.

With thousands of people entering Japan every day, you can imagine things can get chaotic quickly, so you’ll want to minimize the stress by doing all the immigration and customs processes before your arrival to Japan. And yes, you can do all that online.

Read on to find out how you can simplify your immigration entry to Japan!

PS: I entered Japan twice while COVID protocols were still in place. It was a painful experience. If you have a morbid curiosity what it was like to enter Japan while all the COVID protocols were still in place, you can read my experience here .

What is Visit Japan Web?

Is visit japan web required to enter japan, step 1: register for a visit japan web account, step 2: register details of visitors who will be visiting japan, step 3: register for a trip to japan on the visit japan web, (optional) adding your child to your visit japan web account, step 4: immigration clearance, step 5: customs declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Japan Web is Japan’s online service for immigration procedures and customs declarations, launched in November 2022. While Japan was still dealing with the pandemic, Visit Japan Web also doubled as a way to verify COVID-19 vaccinations.

After Japan scrapped its COVID-related entry requirement, it became a place where visitors could complete their immigration and customs procedures before arriving in Japan. It does make the airport formalities quite efficient!

What is Fast Track?

Now, what is Fast Track ? Fast Track was a way to handle COVID-related quarantine procedures on Visit Japan Web. After registering for an account at Visit Japan Web, you could upload your vaccination document to have it pre-verified before you arrive in Japan. As of 29 April 2023, this process is no longer required .

No, Visit Japan Web is NOT a requirement to enter Japan . You could just rock up to Japan without completing Visit Japan Web.

However, you’ll have to do the same things you do on Visit Japan Web when you check in for your flight. Then when you land at the airport in Japan, you’ll need to fill in the immigration card physically on paper if you have not done Visit Japan Web.

The information that you need to fill in on the physical card is the same one that you would have provided on Visit Japan Web. So might as well prepare it before you arrive. It’s free and fast. And as a bonus, if everyone uses Visit Japan Web, it will make immigration faster for everyone.

Visit Japan Web procedure step-by-step

The process of completeing Visit Japan Web thankfully can be done online. To prevent any confusion, I’ll cover exactly how you can utilize Visit Japan Web to make your arrival in Japan easier:

If you don’t have a Visit Japan Web account yet, you can register for an account here .

Account registration is free and very straightforward. Just create an account with your email address and a password. You’ll need to verify your email but that’s easy enough to do – they’ll send you a 6-digit code via SMS (text message) to your phone that you need to input on the Visit Japan Web before you can proceed to step 2.

💡 Save your Visit Japan Web account credential! You can use the same account again for your future travels to Japan, so make sure to save your Visit Japan Web credential.

From my understanding, every adult needs an account for themselves, but kids under 18 can be added on to their parent/guardian. With that said, I have heard of instances where people added their spouse/parents to their account and were able to go through immigration just fine. I’ll go over how to add other people to your account in Step 2.

Once you have your account set up, proceed to log in with the password you’ve set in Step 1 before.

Then, provide your details by clicking on the button that says “ Your details ” and start filling in the form. Again it’s quite straight forward so I won’t go into too much detail here.

The only thing I would say is, please make sure your passport number is correct and that it matches the passport you’d be using to enter Japan!

If you’re traveling with children under 18 : Once you’ve registered yourself, you can also register your kids to your account. I’ve written in detail about registering children to Visit Japan Web below .

Next, you’ll need to register your trip to Japan by clicking on “ + New registration “.

You can do this for each trip you’ll be taking to Japan if you’re planning to go more than once. Make sure you give a unique name for each trip so that you can manage multiple plans if you need to.

Again, if you’re traveling with children and have provided their details in the “Details of family members traveling with you” section, you can indicate that the child will be traveling with you on this trip. The child’s name will come up as a dropdown that you can toggle later on. I’ve written in detail about registering children to Visit Japan Web below .

If you’re traveling with children, you can add them to your Visit Japan Web account as long as they are under 18 ! If you do this, they’ll be able to skip quarantine even if they are not fully vaccinated, as long you (the parent) are fully vaccinated.

Here is how:

1. Add your child’s details to your Visit Japan Web account

Once you’ve registered yourself on Visit Japan Web, you can register kids who are under 18 in your account by clicking on “ Details of family members traveling with you “. You’ll need to provide their passport number and personal details, similar to what you’ve done for yourself when you provided your details.

2. Include your child as a family member traveling with you

Once you’ve provided their details, you’ll be able to select your child’s name when you’re registering a trip plan. Make sure they are selected under “family members traveling with you”, and make sure they show up on the confirmation page when you register the trip plan.

If you forgot to include them when creating your trip, you don’t have to start over. You can just edit the existing trip plan and make sure the blue box next to their name is checked!

Now the big question: Can you also add other family members who are not your child to your Visit Japan Web?

From my understanding, every adult needs an account for themselves. However, I have heard many instances where people signed up their spouse or parents with their account under “Details of family members traveling with you” and were able to go through just fine. However, please bear in mind that each adult will still need to provide their vaccination certificate and obtain the blue screen.

If you do this, just ensure each adult has a screenshot of their QR code upon landing.

If you are a resident of Japan, you do not need to complete this step.

But as a visitor, the next thing you can do is complete your immigration clearance by filling out the disembarkation card. This is the exact same procedure for entering Japan as it has always been, even before COVID, except it’s no longer done by writing down your info manually on paper.

You could still do this when you land via the paper way, but it literally took me seconds to do it online and I don’t see why you shouldn’t just do it now.

When you’re done, you’ll be provided with a QR code that will be scanned when you are in the immigration queue, so I recommend screenshotting this QR code for immigration later. You’ll still receive your passport stamp as usual at immigration.

Similar to the disembarkation card, you can also do your customs declaration online so you can just breeze through when you’ve landed. Again, this is the same procedure as it has always been for entering Japan, just digitized now!

When you’re done, you’ll be provided with a QR code you can use when you arrive at the airport. Again, screenshot this QR code !

After clearing immigration, you’ll see a machine at the baggage carousel area to register your passport and QR code for customs declaration. The machine will also scan your face. Go ahead and do this, and then you can simply walk out of the airport using the facial scanner machine at the exit.

(Optional) Travel insurance and emergency contact

If you have travel insurance, you can also provide the information here, as well as your emergency contact in case something happens to you while you are in Japan. But this step is completely optional.

(Optional) Tax-Free QR

Japan allows tax-free shopping for purchases above 5,000 yen on a single receipt at participating stores. Normally, you’ll need to show your passport upon purchase. If you obtain the Tax-free QR from Visit Japan Web, then you don’t need to show your passport. However, it is still recommended to carry your passport or an ID with you.

And that’s all!

Frequently Asked Questions about Visit Japan Web

Still have questions about entering Japan? Here are a few questions I get asked a lot:

1. When should I complete the disembarkation card on Visit Japan Web?

You can start the process as early as you want, as long as you complete it no later than 6 hours before you arrive in Japan. I’ve done mine 3 weeks before my arrival, as well as 12 hours before arrival for an emergency visit, and both times things went according to plan. No drama!

2. Can I travel to Japan if I have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or if I am not considered fully vaccinated?

Yes, you can enter Japan! There are no more requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations to enter Japan.

3. Can I travel to Japan with kids who have not been vaccinated against COVID?

Yes, you can! There are no more requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations to enter Japan.

4. What should I do if I’m only going to be in Japan for a layover?

Many people have asked me about what to do if you’re only in Japan for a layover and don’t have a hotel booked because you won’t be staying overnight, and thus won’t have an address to fill out with.

While I must preface this by saying I am not sure since I haven’t experienced this myself, based on the accounts of other people on Reddit , it seems that you should be able to use Visit Japan Web to fast-track even if you’re only there for a layover. Simply use the address and phone number of the airport you’re going to be flying out from.

What else should I do or prepare before my travel to Japan?

Visiting Japan is no doubt one of the most exciting travel experiences. Here are a few more tips to make your travel smoother!

If you are traveling alone, you can look into getting a prepaid SIM card .
If you are traveling in a group, or have multiple devices, another option is to rent a pocket Wi-Fi, which you can get here
If you like my writing style, you can check out all my posts related to Japan to prepare for your visit to Japan.

And that’s all about fast-tracking your arrival in Japan! Let me know in the comment below if there is anything more you need to know 🙂

257 Comments

April 3, 2024

Everyone talks about the procedures for entering into Japan. What about the process when we leave Japan? Do we need to update the information online as well or do we just go through the normal process at the counter? Thanks

Hey CK, what information are you referring to?

Hi Melissa,

I am just wondering what is the immigration process when a tourist leave Japan. If I remembered correctly, we used to complete the disembarkation card and then line up to have our passport stamped. With the digitilization of the entry process, has the exit process change?

You still need to get your passport stamped again on the way out but there’s no more disembarkation card

January 16, 2024

Do I need to register for the Tax Free QR code if I want to have tax-free shopping? It seems impossible to take a picture of my passport that the website will accept when in comes to this QR code, but if I select the option in which I say I don’t need the tax free code, everything goes smoothly. Can’t I just present my passport at stores or when retrieving the JR Pass?

Hey Carol, you don’t have to. I didnt and just showed my passport and it still worked.

December 2, 2023

I just registered my 17 years old son to my upcoming trip as himself and not adding him to my account. Do you think it’s okay or he needs to be under mine since he’s under 18?

December 4, 2023

should be fine as long as he can produce the QR at immigration

December 5, 2023

Thanks Melissa for the response. He has his own QR code. Do I just need to fill out one e-custom form for three of us or each one of us has to do it since we have to show the QR code?

Hey Andrew, I think you can do for each. On arrival, there is a machine that scans the custom QR before you can exit the airport.

December 6, 2023

Thanks Melissa for the update. I will get the QR code for each one of us and try to scan just one as a family at the scanner and see what happens. I appreciate your responses.

November 27, 2023

Thank you for your post! I was looking on how early or how late I can fill-up the embarkation form and information was provided.

It said on the Japan website that you can do it up to 6hrs prior to your departure. I saw some people posted that they did it as far as 2 months before their departure and they had no issue.

November 13, 2023

Just want to say “Thank you” for this post, it is very helpful article.

November 6, 2023

For the “Intended address in Japan” under the Register planned entry/return section, if I am staying in multiple hotels, do I just fill the first hotel in? Thank you.

November 7, 2023

yes i would fill in the first one

November 2, 2023

Hi there! I’ll depart from Indonesia to Hongkong then Hongkong to Japan, I am wondering for the flight number which one I should write? Is it the Hongkong to Japan flight? Thankss

Hey Vin, use the Hong Kong to Japan one

September 24, 2023

I’m in the process of doing the Visit Japan registration. We are doing a 10 day Bike Tour of Kyushu. We are travelling to different places each day. The site asks for Accommodation details of where we are staying. Do i just put in the first address of the Hotel?

yeah i would put the first one

September 12, 2023

My husband has completed his own registration on the VJW and came across the question ‘how many family members are you travelling with’ giving the option of ‘over 20 years old’. Should he select 1 as he’s travelling with me (I’ll be doing my own VJW) to have my own account/QR code but wasn’t sure if that option was for adding someone to your account or simply saying how many people you are travelling with! Hope that makes sense?!

We’re coming on our honeymoon so want to make sure we’re doing it right!

Thanks so much!

Hey Amy, there have been people saying they were able to add their spouse to their VJW account. You will each get assigned QR code. Just make sure you have your QR for each of you ready at immigration.

September 2, 2023

Hi Melissa! If I do VJW, does that cause any issues with getting the “temporary visitor” sticker needed for activating my JR Pass? I was in Japan in 2018 and remember needing that sticker to show eligibility for the JR Pass. If you use VJW, you still have to see an immigration officer at NRT, correct? Thanks!!

September 3, 2023

yup, no change to the previous immigration process, except you no longer need to fill out the arrival card in the airport

September 4, 2023

Thanks so much! I’ll be there with my wife next April. We land at NRT at ~4pm local time, so praying that the immigration line isn’t terrible. I’ve heard it is not as bad now since they eliminated all of the Covid-related procedures … how much time do you think doing VJW saves you for the whole immigration/customs process?

August 12, 2023

Hi Melissa, I would like to know if I need to submit VJW only once or thrice for my trip? I already have an existing account. Every new entry, I’ll have to use this account and new Trip name?

Sin – Osaka (5days) Osaka – Hokkaido (5days) Domestic Flight Hokkaido – Osaka ( 2 days) Domestic Flight

Thank you for your kind help.

Hey Lav, you only need to submit VJW once every time you enter Japan from another country (international flight). You don’t need to do it for your domestic trips. Judging from your itinerary, you only need to do it once for your Sin – Tokyo flight.

Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

Cheers! Lav

June 29, 2023

Hi, I’ll be flying from Istanbul to Tokyo with Korean Airlines and I have a layover at Incheon Airport, Seoul. For the “Last Flight Number” in the immigration clearance part, I wrote the flight number from Incheon to Narita. Is this correct?

And in the customs declaration part should I add “Incheon” as my point of embarkation or “Istanbul”? I will not be going through customs at Incheon airport because I will be staying in the transfer zone as a transfer passenger. But I will be taking the 2nd flight from Incheon airport which will be the last flight. Since I wrote flight number of the flight from Korea to Japan, is it better to choose Incheon? I’m sorry for the long question, I’m really confused.

July 3, 2023

1. I would write the flight from incheon to narita as well 2. for customs, i would still put istanbul

June 21, 2023

Hi there, the website asks to put the main flight number in case of codeshare flights. Is this the flight number i booked through or the operating flight?

Hey Ahmad, I would put the flight number of the operating flight.

June 20, 2023

Is it a must to fill in Visit Japan Web to enter the country? When should I fill in and any suggestions on that? tq

Hey Jeffrey – it’s not a must, but it will make it easier when you land since all they have to do is scan your QR at the immigration

That means once i landed in any airports in Japan, I could cut the queue without waiting ?

U mention that you’ll have to do the same things you do on Visit Japan Web when you check in for your flight. I have no idea regarding filling any documents while checking in for the flight. Could you pls explain more for this? thanks and appreciate it

Hey jeffrey, if you didnt do VJW, you’ll have to: 1. Fill in an arrival card at immigration point 2. Join the queue 3. When you get to front of queue, Immigration officer will need to check your details and process your entry, then she/he will give you the immigration sticker and let you in

with VJW: 1. You still have to join the queue 2. When you get to front of queue, immigration officer will just scan your QR, then she/he will give you the immigration sticker and let you in

So it cuts down the time you spend getting in to Japan. And if everyone does VJW, it cuts down overall time spent in queue as its faster for the officer to process everyone’s entry.

Hope that explains.

Hi, I would like to ask whether Malaysians are required to fill in visit japan web? Since Japan authority no longer needs vaccination approval?

June 18, 2023

As is described, upon entering your details on the VJW, it is advised that the passenger gets a QR code. Excuse my ignorance, what do I do with this QR code ? Do I print the page showing the QR code and take it with me to show the Japanese Officers ? Please assist. Thanks.

Hey Samir, you don’t need to do anything. Immigration officer will scan it when you go through immigration in Japan. I would screenshot it to make sure you have it when you get to Japan.

Hi Melissa, In your reply, you say immigration officer will scan the QR code. Scan it ” from where” ?? Thanks in advance. Samir

Usually from your smart phone

December 27, 2023

Hi , I will have connecting domestic flight. Indonesia-Haneda-Hiroshima. The Flight Number is from Indonesia to Haneda? Hotel address will be at Hiroshima ,is it ok?When I arrived at Hiroshima I need to fill up new Japan visit Web again or only show only the one that I will show at Haneda? Thanks

Yes, Indonesia to Haneda only. and yes, an address at Hiroshima will be enough. You only need to do VJW once to enter Japan. They wont ask you in Hiroshima since that is a domestic flight.

June 15, 2023

hi, may i know..is this the same with visa?

Hi Santi. Visit Japan Web is not visa. You are still required to obtain visa from the Japan embassy in your country. Once you get the visa, you could input the visa information to your VJW account to make immigration easier

June 14, 2023

HI , I WILL ARRIVE IN JAPAN BY CRUISE SHIP,AND LEAVE AT HANEDA AIRPORT, ON THE VJW APPLICATION IT DOESNT SEEM TO ALLOW YOU TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AS YOU CANNOT STATE YOUR ARRIVAL PORT, ONLY LISTS AIRPORTS,SO IS THIS SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY SITUATION???

Hey Lee, it seems that VJW is only for airports for now

June 10, 2023

Hi, just working through the japan web stuff. It asks for flight but only numbers if the prefix for my flight is D7, do I include the 7 or just the other 3 numbers? Don’t want to stuff it up. Thanks

Hey Sam, I believe D7 is the airline carrier code. If I were you I would just include the other 3 digit after selecting the airline carrier from the dropdown

June 8, 2023

Hi, I have a question – do each traveller need to complete this form to enter Japan. My husband registered and added me to his entry form. Thank you!

Lori, technically each traveller should complete their own, but I have heard it’s ok to include family members on your account. At immigration, they only care to scan your QR code

June 6, 2023

On the first page you are given the option to register for a QR code to help reclaim VAT taxes. This requires you take a picture of your passport. For the life of me no matter what device or lighting I used the website kept saying my picture was too dark. It seemed just fine to my eye but maybe with a US passport’s underlying patterns It is impossible for the machine to read it. In any event I was despairing finding a solution but then checked the “no” box for the VAT (not sure that’s the actual name of it in Japan). When I did that it took me on into the website where I could manually input my info as clearly spelled out in the article. Previous to that I couldn’t get by the first screen and there was no indication that the passport photo requirement was only for the VAT QR code. Whew! Thanks so much for all the useful info!

Thanks Helen for sharing this useful information!

May 31, 2023

I am going to hire a car with Toyota and I saw their conditions are that I must have the immigation arrival stamp in my passport in order to to hire….Could you clarify that with the Visiot Japan Web QR codes I will still pass through the normal immigatation and get the stamp… thanks Geoff

yup you will still get a stamp

May 28, 2023

Thank you for all the usefull infos!

May 24, 2023

Hi Melissa, This is very informative! I have a question, we are travelling from Canada, landing in Tokyo, 2h20 lay over, next flight to Osaka, then board a cruise ship. My question is, do we clear customs and immigration at our first stop Tokyo, or in Osaka? We have 4 hours to get to ship. I googled the distance between airport and port, it is 30 mins away, from what I read. I’m wondering if we clear customs at our first stop. This would make it easier Osaka. Thanks so much for your help.

Hey Collette, I think you will go through customs in Tokyo since the Osaka leg is a domestic leg. Was it booked under one booking? Maybe asking your airline would be the best bet

May 23, 2023

Thank you for the advice. However, I have a problem using JAPAN WEB. I created an account on my personal computer and all worked OK, but when I tried logging on using my mobile phone I can’t – message says loginID or password are incorrect. So using my phone I go through the “change my password” process but type in the exact same password as on my PC. This is accepted and I can now logon, but not from my PC getting the exact same error message. So I change the password again on my PC to the exact same password again – this is accepted and I can logon again from my PC, but not with my phone. The issue seems to be the different keyboards for my personal computer and the mobile phone generating different code for the required special characters in the password.

May 15, 2023

Great post, very informative! Thanks for sharing this helpful info.

May 5, 2023

Hi I completed the procedure on Japan web prior to change of rules and received QR codes for immigration and customs. Do I need to go back and update as there is an additional bit about tax free shopping. I don’t particularly wish to avail of this facility.

you don’t need to do it if you’re not going to do tax free shopping in Japan

April 30, 2023

I followed your advice to fill out Visit Japan Web. It was very helpful, thank you.

April 29, 2023

I’ve just visited the Japan Wen and found something that you may be interested and may want to update your readers. [Quote] Anyone entering Japan on or after April 29, 2023 is no longer required to show a valid vaccination certificate or a test certificate obtained before departure. With the above change, the “Quarantine procedure (Fast Track)” icon was removed on April 29 at 00:00 JST. [/Quote]

Two question. 1. Visit Japan Web – Can I complete all the process for the Vist Japan Web in advance before flying to Japan or are there certain parts where I have to complete only when reaching immigration 1) registration of Japan Web account 2) immigration information (ie, disembarkation card information), 3) customs information (ie, customs declaration)

2. Collection of JR Pass – Understand that only those who have passports bearing the Immigration stamp or sticker can exchange and use a JR Pass. Does that mean that we cannot use the Immigration E-gates?

Thanks Cae, I have updated my post to let people know vaccination is no longer required

1. You can complete all before arrival 2. Yes, this is correct. though I was not aware tourist (who qualify for JR pass) can Use E-gates?

Hi Melissa, thanks for the reply.

1. Just to clarify, can i complete the entire Visit Japan Web (including customs info) a week in advance? 2. How do i check if i can use the e-gates.

1. Yes you can, as long as you know your flight info. I think one of them asks for seat number if I remember correctly but I cannot remember if it was because of COVID. You can try and let me know! 2. I found this re: JR pass “When you use an automated gate at the airport, no stamp/sticker will be stamped or put on your passport. Therefore, you need to either use a manned automated gate or ask a clerk to apply a stamp/sticker in your passport. However, a customer who has a “registered user card” under the Trusted Traveler Program will be required to show the card to confirm the “Temporary Visitor” status.” ( Source )

April 25, 2023

I believe Japan has now lifted any Covid vaccine requirements for entry. Effective May 8, 2023, you will no longer need to show Covid vaccination proof.

April 26, 2023

Hey Nigel! Yep, you are right – just saw the news. VJW will still have the immigration and custom QR though, which will help expedite processes on arrival.

How about including elderies (patents) in the same Visit Japan Web account? Does it work? Or still need to register separately?

The reason being they are not tech savvy like us. So m thinking to include them in the same registered account.

Yes you can include them. But be prepared to flash their blue box on arrival!

April 13, 2023

Hai, saya mau tanya , saya dan suami sudah mendapatkan barcode dan halaman biru untuk bagian sertifikat vaksin, namun anak saya yg berusia 1tahun masih berwarna merah , pdhal sudah saya kaitkan dalam anggota keluarga saya , apa yg harus saya lakukan ? terimakasih

April 18, 2023

Hey Winona, buat anak yg berwarna merah tidak apa2, asal orang tuanya punya box biru.

April 11, 2023

Hello! Does a Booster count as a third vaccination? Thank you for your helpful information 🙂

Usually it does, yes.

April 10, 2023

Thank you for the very helpful write up.

I will be visiting Japan with my hubby. Wonder if I could just create one VJW account and input both our details (instead of having to create separate accounts). Would it work?

i have heard people do this and it works for them as long as you both receive the blue box on your respective profile

I will submit my vaccination certificates but it shows: Registration procedures: Time remaining to complete registration: 00 hours 00 minutes

And I can’t click the Register vaccination certificate button.

Anything I can do?

Hey it seems that you have exceeded the time given to complete the VJW process. Can you double check the arrival time you’ve provided? It should have expired 6 hours before your arrival. You can create another trip and redo the process.

April 28, 2023

A bit confused here. Does that mean the whole registration thing have to be done on the flight as it will expire 6 hours before arrival?

Or is there a portion that I can do before flight take off and a portion that I need to do after touchdown.

Thanks in advance for the clarification.

Hey Mich, You can complete all before arrival. Btw, vaccination is no longer required to enter Japan

May 6, 2023

Any idea if I were to travel to Tokyo, stay for a few days, then fly to Sapporo, then fly back home.

I just registered with the Visit Japan Web and updated a trip on Tokyo. Do i need to do another for Sapporo, so that I have a QR for “Immigration” and Customs again? And another for exiting Japan to fly back home?

Hey Mich, you only need to do it once when you enter Tokyo.

Hey, trying to register my trip and when I click it it asks for my VISA application info, but I don’t need one since I’m from the USA (just an overnight layover in Tokyo) heading back to LA from the Philippines. Not sure what to do as I don’t see any FAST TRACK info options at this point or anywhere else. Any ideas on what to do?

Hey Naundi, by visa, I assume you mean the “link VISA” option inside the trip detail on the VJW website? the visa part is a new step and it’s optional. If you won’t need a visa to Japan, then just skip that part and do the rest of the steps. right below it is the “Quarantine procedures (Fast track)” button that you’ll need to complete as detailed on the article above.

April 8, 2023

Received attachment file vaccination healthcert.oa from Notarise email, is this the file to upload to Visit Japan Web?

I received my vaccination certificate on email from notarise but unable to save it as psf file, click on the printer icon nothing show up and I wonder is it because i read it on handphone not pc. Pls help. Thanks.

Hey Ronald, you can try uploading screenshots if you cant save it as PDF

April 7, 2023

Thank you for sharing, I followed your steps and all gaps were so easy to fill up. One note: now it is possible to attaché 2 or more photos of vaccination certificate. Waiting for approval of vaccinate because I have only first dose Janssen and Pfizer booster. Wish me luck, All the best to you!

April 6, 2023

Hi Melissa, what do i have to do?, I have a vaccination certificate and i cant load it, it turned yellow and says ” review completed”. I must have pushed wrong button while doing the process. Please help. Thanks

Hmm you can create a new trip and try submitting the vaccine certificate again? make sure you are meeting Japan’s requirement for vaccination

April 4, 2023

I filled everything out and was accepted on the Visit Japan site, but I never got a QR code. Where is it? It didn’t appear when I did it on my computer, and didn’t appear when I did it on my phone.

Hey Stan, I need more info. Did you follow the steps I outlined above? there is no longer a QR code for the trip. You just need the blue box in the trip detail. For immigration and customs, the QR is inside the trip detail page.

May 22, 2023

Same happend me , so is it a separate line for those who got the QR code ? O how is this going to work with out QR code , How can I see the QR code ? Inside my trip details .

Hey Carolina, Starting 29 April, you no longer need to provide covid vaccination. You only need Visit Japan Web to do immigration and custom procedures. To get QR code for those, you just need to click on the “display QR code” button inside the trip detail (scroll down to see it)

April 2, 2023

Hello, if I will travel from Milan to Tokyo with a landing on Abu Dhabi (and wait 4 hours there), should I insert MILAN as Point of embarkation in custom declaration?

Furthermore I always used the Flight No./Name of Vessel of Abu Dhabi – Tokyo flight.

Hope I did the right thing 🙂

Thank you for your guide, it is amazing!

I am sorry if I do another question, but what is an Unaccompanied article? I don’t understand if I should include my luggage!

Thank you in advance, regards.

April 3, 2023

Hey Zac, it usually means the luggage you check in vs the one you’re bringing on board

April 27, 2023

Unaccompanied is not your check-in luggage, but other luggage you have sent separately to retrieve on your arrival. That’s my understanding, anyway.

Hey Zac. Yes i would do as you have stated – Milan as point of embarkation and the Abu Dhabi flight for the flight number

Just want to say, I love your post! Its very useful.

March 27, 2023

Hello Melissa,

The last two legs of my flight have Japanese cities as destination: the first one to Tokyo and the next to Osaka (from Tokyo). For the purposes of VisitJapan, which one should I choose: the one that lands in tokyo (being the first to land in Japan), or the last flight which is actually from Tokyo to Osaka?

March 28, 2023

i’m guessing you have to go through immigration in Tokyo then go to the local terminal to take your Osaka flight? If so I would put the Tokyo one. If you go through immigration in Osaka, then I will put Osaka one.

March 26, 2023

Hi there thank you for the amazing information. Question for you. Is there a time limit on the booster? Meaning as long as it’s done before you leave it’s considered valid?

Also. If I choose to test instead. Do I just do everything I can and wait until I arrive in Japan or do I submit my test once I have results?

Hey TJ I think there is no time limit. I don’t see this requirement on the website. To be safe it should be done 14 days before your arrival in Japan though.

If you decide to test, submit it as soon as you have the result to VJW. But the test must be done within 72 hours of your arrival to Japan, not any time earlier.

Can you clarify VJW?

VJW = Visit Japan Web

March 22, 2023

Hi there I need some help. After modifying some passport details I have been advised that the QR codes need to be updated as they do not update automatically. Could you please advise on this matter? Unfortunately nobody is answering my query on the Visit Japan chat.

Hey Violetta, where did you hear that you need to update the QR?

March 23, 2023

Hello Melissa:)

Thank you for getting back.

A disclaimer appears right after the passport information changes are made. It says the following:

“Editing passport details will cancel your pre-registered quarantine Fast Track and will require details registered again. The created QR code is not automatically updated so update the QR code after checking the details registered”.

After that no further instructions are shown. I did refill the quarantine Fast Track details again, and also received an approval. However I’m afraid the QR codes might not work.

I also tried asking through the chat but had no answer.

Do you think I should erase my application and re-apply?

When you refill the fast track, did you do it through a separate trip? if so, it should be fine since the QR code would have been generated via the new passport detail

Thanks you for the detailed info. It’s been so helpful especially the updates. My query is – I have registered the whole family under one account so 2 adults and under 18 kids. I -as the primary account holder- have filled out one disembarkation card for foreigner and declaration of personal effects. Do I need to fill it out for the other adult and kids too? Thanks you.

Hey May, yes you have to fill out the card for each adult and kids too. You can do it via Visit Japan Web – you just need to select your kids names from the dropdown, which will allow you to access their disembarkation card too.

March 21, 2023

I am currently filling in my fast track but what do I do if we are staying in multiple addresses in the one trip? Do I then need to add in each place we are staying in the trip?

You can just fill in the first address that you’ll be staying in

March 20, 2023

This step by step is brilliant, thanks Melissa. It’s our first trip to Japan from Australia (April 2023). I registered all 4 of us using my iphone only (husband, 18, 16 yr olds) and have received blue boxes for all. All happened within a few hours. Very grateful to peruse this website and confirm I was doing it right. Easy once you get the swing of it, I anticipate our arrival will be much less stressful with all this sorted.

Hi Ellyanne, Thanks for the comment! I hope you’ll have a lot of fun in Japan, April is a great time to visit. Make sure everyone has their QR code screenshot on their mobile devices so that it will be easy to show! Once you have the Blue box, you should not be waiting in line at all and should proceed to immigration. There might be a line at immigration though.

March 19, 2023

Thank you for the information on this page, it was very useful. I uploaded my Vaccination Certificate and the review was completed in 8 minutes! I was impressed.

Hey David. I’m glad you were successful! Have fun in Japan.

March 18, 2023

I hope you can answer my question. I am travelling with my 2 boys -age 8 and 4. They do not satisfy the 3 vaccine COVID requirement so I put “will not submit” in the Fast Track section. I understand children under 18 have exemption as long as the accompanying parent/adult meets the covid requirements. Question is do I also put “No” under “Do you wish to do prior registration of a test result certificate taken less than 72 hours before departure” OR do I leave this bit unanswered- which means it will remain “Yellow” with the wording “Please register”.?

You can put No or leave it blank, it will remain yellow eitherway. They will be ok as long as you have the blue box!

On the vaccination certificate submission page, it wants a list of vaccine names and manufacturers, and then asks for the date of “third” vaccine. I have received 4 doses altogether as I have had a booster dose in February this year. Wondering if I should put the date of the latest 4th vaccine as the “third” one they are asking for.

Hey David. You can just put the date of the third one. It doesn’t matter when, they just want you to have at least 3 doses.

March 16, 2023

Hi Melissa, how did you do the customs part one for the family? My mom, brothers and I will each have our own accounts on VJW, is there a category/part that we can list all our names for customs?

March 17, 2023

Hey Eve, when doing the customs part, one of you just need to declare that you’re traveling with 2 other adult family member. Then you can all use the same QR code for customs.

I followed your steps to the letter and even completed the disembarkation and custom declaration portions. However when I clicked on quarantine procedures (fast track), I get this big blank space with a grey line going in circles. I have left it running for hours, even overnight and nothing happened. I have tried returning to the previous page and starting again and yet I am stuck at that blank page. I cannot get to the page to upload my vaccination certificate. Did I miss a step somewhere? I need to complete this quickly within the next few days. I would hate to have to join the long queues to do it manually at Narita. Help!

Hey Jeanie. Have you tried using a different browser or different device?

Thanks for the tip. Tried it on my tablet and it is working (being reviewed).

Awesome! Hope you get the blue box soon.

Hi Melissa! This is probably a very simple question, but wanted to confirm. When you filled out the Disembarkation card for foreigner, on the section for Immigration information to Japan– asking about “Last flight number”, is that referring to just my flight number? the word “last” is what confuses me. Thanks!

Hey Nica, they just mean the flight number you take to get to Japan. It’s possible some people take multiple flights to get to Japan and they just want to make sure you provide the flight number of the last leg

March 14, 2023

Hi,we are flying to Tokyo and starting a cruise straight away. What go we enter as our address in Japan – the ship or the port?

March 15, 2023

hmm! I would put the ship if they have an address

March 13, 2023

Hi. Just want to ask do I need to do declaration of personal effects and unaccompanied articles for my child?. in the no of family member page its not allowing me to modify and because of that it says there 1 adult and 1 child travelling with my child. it should be 2 adults.

I can’t see how to make a comment so I thought I’d get my question in by doing this! The visit japan web just won’t accept my password no matter what I try and there is no answer that I can find to help me. All suggestions as to how to resolve this welcomed.

Do you mean when you’re creating an account or are you trying to log in to an account you’ve previously created?

Hey Jean. Is this for the customs declaration?

Hi. Yes melissa the customs declaration. is it optional for children?

For customs I have always just filled out one for the family, and my husband and toddler just goes with me

March 11, 2023

Hi Melissa, thank you for your very clear guidance on the VJW. I have a bit of a problem. The name on my vaccination certificate is different from that on my passport. That is because my vaccinations were done in Hong Kong using my HK ID Card which bears my maiden name. My passport which was issued in Canada is in my married name. Recently, I made a sworn declaration before a government official in Hong Kong that both names refer to the same person. Should I upload that declaration along with my vaccination certificate? I’m sure there are others who are in a similar situation and wonder how they overcome this problem. Thank you.

Hey Monica, usually they are quite specific about having the names match. I suggest checking out this fb group and asking your question there: https://m.facebook.com/groups/913769919120863/

March 12, 2023

Thank you Melissa. I just stumbled upon this in the Fast Track FAQ of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Q. What should I do if my family name changes due to marriage, etc., so the name on the vaccination certificate does not match the name on my passport? A. On the vaccination certificate, please use a pen or pencil to clearly write your name as indicated in your passport. Please upload an image of the certificate that clearly shows the full name you have written. Please note that your document might not be accepted if the names in the vaccination certificate and passport differ significantly (for example, neither your first nor family name actually matches between the two documents).

This might be the solution to my problem. I’m sending you this for the information of others who are in a similar situation.

hey Monica. Thanks for this info! It does indeed sound like it would solve the issue. let us know if you’re able to get through with this.

Guess what? I uploaded my vax certificate “as is” without putting my passport name on it and they accepted it. I suppose it’s because my first and middle names are exactly the same. Thanks for bearing with me!

that’s great to hear! Have fun in Japan!

March 10, 2023

Hello! We took our PCR in the morning but our departure is 3:45 pm. When it says 72 hours, is that specific that we need to take it in the afternoon instead. I registered it and got completed. It gave me a blue color. That does mean I don’t need to take the PCR again? I was thinking to take it again. Please advise! Thank you so much 🙏

hey ana. if it’s more than 72 hours i would take it again. the airline might check when you are checking in for your flight.

March 9, 2023

it was fabulous help thank you for registering.on Japan web.How do I use my registration when I arrive at the airport in Tokyo?

Hey Anna, if you have followed all the steps above, then all you need to do is show the Blue box when you land in Tokyo. Then if you complete the steps for immigration and customs, then you just need to show the QR codes for those.

March 7, 2023

Hello, thank you for this information. But would just like to check, I already had 3 covid-19 vaccines but may last vaccine was January 2022 and I will be travelling this June 2023. Do I still need to provide negative RT-PCR test when entering Japan? Thank you very much.

Hi Jen, as long as you provide the 3 vaccine certificates and get the blue box as I outlined in the blog post, you won’t need to provide negative RT-PCR.

Hi I have just received Email to say ‘we have re received and accepted image ‘ for our quarantine but I had logged out of system and I don’t know how to get back in for taking a screenshot It seems to come up that you have to register Thanks

Hey jennifer, you can login here with the password you’ve created before https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001

What if I don’t have a vax certificate? I only have vaccination cards. My country is inefficient and my shots cannot be found in their system.

You can take photos of the vaccination card and upload them to VJW, as long as your name, date of birth, the name of the vaccine, and the date you received the vaccine are clearly stated on the card. You can review the requirement here: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_vaccine.html

March 6, 2023

Hi. Thanks for sharing this. I will be filling this up later. So from what I read above, there will no more QR code for the quarantine portion of the procedure but we can still do Fast Track. Am I right?

yes! you just need to submit your certificate or covid test and wait for the box to turn blue and you’re good

Hi I will be picking a JR pass which will need a stamp on my passport. Using the fast track system for everything including immigration and customs will I miss getting my passport stamped since everything is automated with the QR code or will there be an immigration officer that stamps the passport after checking your QR codes. Thanks!

hey AK. you’ll still get the stamp. They will just scan the QR on immigration.

Thanks for confirming!

Today 06-march-2023 I checked this site ( https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/ ) but it doesn’t have an option to upload certificates anymore.

“Notice No longer required to register your passport and answer the questions on the web for the Quarantine process (Fast Track) from Dec. 28, 2022. Due to these updates, QR code for Quarantine will not be shown any longer. The “Fast Track” service for quarantine procedure has been available in Visit Japan Web from November 1st, 2022.”

Hi Keenan, QR code is no longer generated but you can still do fast track online. in order to do fast track, you need to sign up for an account and upload vaccination certificate there. Please read the blog post from Step 1. It will tell you step by step what you need to do: https://girleatworld.net/visit-japan-web-how-to/#step-1

March 4, 2023

Thank you so much for this detailed page explaining EVERYTHING. This was extremely helpful. My trip to Japan is in about 2 weeks (arrival on March 17). I started doing the “Quarantine Fast Track” yesterday. Submitted around 2pm USA Eastern Time. Later in the evening, around 8pm, my info was accepted. Living in the US, I have had the first 2 Pfizer shots, the first booster shot, then the second booster shot last September. I have 2 CDC cards, front and back. This gave me 4 jpeg files to upload. I used Adobe to combined the 4 jpeg into 1 pdf file, compressed it, then submitted it. It seems that you can only upload 1 file on Visit Japan Web. I was incredibly stressed about this part. Hope this helps my fellow USA residents. The rest (Disembarkation Card and Declaration) was super straightforward. Happy travels everyone!

Hi Phuong, thank you for this update and thanks for the tip about combining everything into one PDF!

Hi Melissa. Thanks so much for your detailed page. I am heading to Japan on coming April 20th. Can I just register for the Immigration Clearance & Custom Clearance weeks ahead together with the Quarantine Fast Track? Or they can only be registered on my fly day ? Thank you.

You can register everything with the fast track!

Hi! I am going to Japan on March 14th. My vaccines certificate has a front and back. When I went to upload them there were two places where I could upload vaccine certificates, so I uploaded the front card and the back card. Now my screen has been ” thinking ” for over 10 minutes. You know the little circle that keeps spinning. I am beginning to wonder if that is because I uploaded two separate files. I almost put them in one file, but when there was a place for two of them I went ahead. Now I am wondering if I should close out the screen and upload a collage of the front and back in one file? What do you think? Another question, I read in a different post that children 13 and up should complete their own account. Well the parent should complete their account registration on visit Japan web. Here I see it is 18 and above. Has anyone registered their 13 year old child on visit Japan web as a family member traveling with you? Because hotels in other organizations in Japan consider 13 and above as an adult fee, I thought that might apply here as well per the other post. Hoping someone has personal experience. Thank you so much! Getting nervous about this!

Hey Vicki, your 13 year old does not need their own account. You can add them to your account.

Hello, Thank you for all the details and clarifications. A question for traveling in Japan. If you travel with only two vaccines, will my friend have a problem entering temples, restaurants and going on public busses and the bullet train? Regards, Hanne

Hey Hanne, once you’re inside Japan, vaccine is not checked. But to enter Japan you’ll need a negative COVID test if you only had two vaccine shots.

March 3, 2023

Thanks for the great info. When entering info regarding where we are staying. We are staying at multiple hotels do we just list the first one? When asked telephone contact number do we list our cell number or the hotel’s number

yes, I was staying in multiple places too and I just list the first one. I think for contact number it’s the accommodation’s number too.

March 2, 2023

Thank you for your post, it definitely helps me a lot! Just a quick question, I accidentally uploded my Vacinnation document under my husband’s name and is now being reviewed. There is no button to cancel or edit. How can I amend this? Thank you.

Hey Shiqah, I think you just need to wait until the review is done. When it is rejected, you should be able to provide the correct certificate.

March 1, 2023

Hi. When you move on to pre registration for quarantine procedures and scroll down past NOT YET REGISTERED and then past name and passport and arrival date.

there is a message saying

REGISTERING QR CODE FOR QUARANTINE PROCEDURES UPON ENTRY TO JAPAN IS NO LONGER REQUIRED. QR CODE IS NO LONGER DISPLAYED HERE.

Doeas this mean that the whole thing is a waste of time??

Hi. Is it still worth doing this as it is no longer mandatory?

It’s really easy to do, so I think it’s still worth it. You never know the situation when you’re landing. If they have a lot of people to check, it might take awhile. PS: VJW was never mandatory after border reopened.

Hi Melissa, We are almost finished with the quarantine portion and only need to send our 72 hours certificate in. The only problem, it says we timed out. Any suggestions.

Hey David. Did you input the correct arrival date and time to Japan? It should not have timed out. In this case all you can do is start over a new trip in VJW

But it says it won’t show a QR code

It won’t show QR code, but they will still check whether you have the blue box on top of your page. You could just show a screenshot of this though.

February 27, 2023

Hi Melisa, thank you for the detailed guide. But just wondering, is this step compulsory prior to entering Japan?

February 28, 2023

Hey Joanne, no completing VJW is not compulsory. However when you check in for your flight to Japan, you still need to provide your COVID vaccine certificate or a negative COVID test result 72 hours before your flight. Upon landing, you’ll be checked for these too. Otherwise, you would need to quarantine.

February 24, 2023

I plan to bring my niece which is 15 & 16 years old to Japan. Both of them only 2 doses mean not fully vaccine. Can I add them to family travelling together in VJW if they are not my children? As of above , can my niece exempt from the 72hrs pcr test?

The VJW FAQ doesn’t specify they need to be your kids, so should be fine to add your nieces https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/faq/fasttrack-en.html

thank you for explaining it so perfectly clean. I have got also a question: I followed all of your steps and received my blue screen for the Fast Track. We are flying on the upcoming Sunday, 26th February 2023 at 1.30 pm Germany Time. In my Web its states that the Review is only valid until the same day (26th February 2023, 3.10 pm.) but because of the time difference we will land in Japan on the 27th February at 10.30 am Japan-time. Will the blue screen turn into another color or and will it loose its validity once it surpasses the validation time?

Thanks in Advance

Hey Angi, the countdown on VJW should be tacked on to your arrival in Japan. So your departure time should not matter. So if you had specified on the trip info that you’re going to land in Japan on 27 Feb at 10:30am, then the blue screen will stay throughout. Can you double check what you’ve specified on the trip?

yes, I wrote that we due to the time difference we would land in Japan on the 27th February 2023 at 10.30 AM. The VJW has had this information since we booked in December, nothing has changed then. So it should stay blue past the expiry date, which was mentionned in my Web? And what color would it turn from blue in case it wouldn’t be valid anymore?

Thanks in advance again

Thank you for this descriptive informations. I have done mine like 3weeks ago and I haven’t gotten BLUE on my quarantine part. I wonder how long does it usually take for it to turn to blue?

Hey Vincent, what does the status say on your vaccination certificate? If any of those has been approved, it will turn blue. Approval doesn’t take long, usually only 2-3 hours after you submit the certificate.

February 22, 2023

Hello Again Melissa,

(1) Many thanks for your extremely prompt and helpful response – the whole process is much clearer now.

(2) You mentioned taking a screenshot of the blue box – is there any good reason why I shouldn’t do the same for the ‘immigration’ and ‘customs’ QR stages as well? This way, I wouldn’t have to worry about internet access at all.

Many thanks,

February 21, 2023

Thank you so much for all your valuable information and inside knowledge. Your descriptions and explanations are admirably clear. I have a few rather elementary queries for you:

(1) How do I download a ‘Visit Japan Web’ app onto my iPhone? It isn’t listed on the official Apple App Store. (2) Perhaps I don’t need an app at all, in which case how do I transfer the QR codes (on my desktop computer) into my iPhone? (3) When I arrive in Japan, will I need access to the internet in order to show my QR codes? (4) I don’t understand the purpose of the ‘off-line’ facility. (5) In a nutshell, I don’t understand the overall ‘modus operandi’ of the whole system. I cannot find any such explanation anywhere else, so I’d be very grateful for a clear exposition.

Many thanks.

(1) It’s a web app, so just go to the URL I have above on Step 1 (2) You open the website on arrival and show to them the Blue box (3) Yes you will need internet access. That’s why most people just screenshot the blue box they received (4) I am not sure what you mean by off line? (5) The point of Visit Japan Web basically, for now, is a way to get everyone checked on their COVID vaccination status or COVID test so that they can enter Japan without quarantine. That is all!

February 20, 2023

Hello Melissa

Thank you for this incredibly clear and complete documentation of the VJW and Fast Track. I could not figure out how to get from the registering step to the Fast Track itself. Your post saved the day. I had no clue that the “name” of the trip was a button to click to move on to the next step.

Just to be clear, after receiving the blue screen in fast track, you are done except for the disembarkation card/immigration clearance and the customs declaration?? Thanks for your help!

Yes! once you’ve go the blue screen, take a screenshot of it (because you might not have internet as soon as you land) and just show that screen and you’re good to go! I do recommend doing the disembarkation card and customs declaration though. it is optional in terms of the fast track, but you’ll still have to do it when you land anyway.

I’m really glad the post helped 🙂 I did find the Japanese app UX are often a little weird to those who are not used to how they think and operate!

February 19, 2023

The immigration QR is in Yellow color, is it correct ? Or it has to be blue?

it needs to be blue

Hey Corin, sorry I just went back to this and realized you’re referring to the Disembarkation Immigration QR code. You are correct, that one is yellow. When I talk about blue screen, I’m only referring to the quarantine process.

Hello, i had been registered my daughter (15 years old) under my account as family member, did she need to register or fill-up the quarantine procedures, immigration clearance and customs declaration by individual to get the QR code?

I’m already registered and get the QR code for my self.

Hey Ivy, if you have added your daughter to your visit Japan Web account and declared that she will be going with you when you created the trip plan, then you can select her name from the dropdown. Upload her vaccine certificate if any. If not, just select that she will not submit certificate. Do the same for the covid test step. Her box will be yellow if you don’t submit certificate or covid test, but she will follow your quarantine status (which should be blue if you provide vaccination certificate or test negative for yourself)

February 17, 2023

Hi Melissa, Can I check for the vaccination cert to be uploaded, can I just provide the QR code or need to be the full digital certificate? My trip is in 4 weeks time, when the earliest I can register for fast track entry? Thanks

February 18, 2023

You have to upload the full certificate with your name, passport number and the vaccine name. You can already do fast track starting from now

February 23, 2023

Have done exactly what you have shared. All is good & gotten the blue quarantine page & 2 QR code as required. Thank you so much 😊

Hi Melissa How can i register if I only land and depart in Japan on same day, so without an actual address (I fly into Narita and make my way to Haneda same day to fly onwards to Thailand)? It is required in the app, do i put in the address and phone number from Haneda Airport? Thank you Ward

Hey Ward, Yes it seems some people do this and succeeded. Let me know how it goes for you!

February 16, 2023

Hi Melissa, thank you very much for this blog post! I already submitted my vaccination information and the screen turned blue as well but I‘m a bit worried as the countdown saying „time remaining to complete registration“ didn’t stop counting down. Is there anything I missed doing or isn’t it related to the validity of the blue screen?

Hey Marla, you don’t need to worry about the countdown. If the screen has turned blue, you’ll be fine. Double check that you have entered the correct date of arrival, because the countdown is tied to your arrival. If i remember correctly, it counts down to 6 hours before your plane lands.

February 12, 2023

Hi, I am heading to Japan this coming June 2023. First of all, Your content is very helpful and detailed indeed. Kudos and it helps me with my confusion about their procedure. I am truly grateful.

I have a question about the section under register planned for Entry/Return. I have input the entry portion but it did not state any return info in it. Please advise if is only input only 1 time as entry? If we are heading back to Singapore, do they still need to see the fast track?

VJW is only for entry to Japan. There is no need to worry about the exit.

February 11, 2023

If I want to enter Japan for a 12 hour layover and don’t have an accommodation could I still use Fast Track? The “Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles” ask for ” Address in Japan (Accommodation) “

Hey Andy, I’m actually not sure about this. It should be treated like any arrival card that you fill in in other countries. I have seen people’s account on reddit of putting the address as the airport’s address since they’re just transiting, so you could try that.

February 1, 2023

Can confirm that you can add another adult to your application as family member. Did it last week and today 1Feb23 both our quarantine boxes turned blue. Got the other 2 QR codes for each of us immediately last week and took about a week for the quarantine one to be approved. Oh by the way thanks for the useful information on this page.

thank you Richard for this very valuable update!

April 14, 2023

Hi Richard,

so you only needed 1 account for all your family including yourself? how did you/spouse/child show the QR to the officer since the checking done for each person? thank you

January 29, 2023

Hi Melissa! Thank you for your information in this article; it helped me, but I want to ask several questions because it is the first time I have been going abroad by plane.

If I want to go to Fukuoka from Jakarta but with one transit in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) before Japan : 1. Is The “flight number” the first number plane before transit (plane number Jakarta-Ho Chi Minh City) or the plane after transit (Ho Chi Minh City-Japan)? 2. In “Preparation for customs declaration,” the country point of embarkation, in my case, is Jakarta or Ho Chi Minh City?

Thank you very much

January 30, 2023

Hi Alya, I would do: 1. The flight number that enters japan, aka HCM – Japan 2. For this one, it depends whether you crossed immigration in HCM or not. If you just transited and changed plane, then I would put Jakarta. But if you went out of immigration in HCM and then back in to catch the next plane, then i would put HCM.

January 27, 2023

How do I check for my registration status to know whether it has turned blue?

Hey Ezati, you go back to your VJW account and click on the trip name you made before.

Hi Melissa. I have a pdf document issued by NHS for 4 vaccinations. Do I upload the pdf or scan and upload 3 of the certificates?

Hey Carole, you upload whichever document states the name of your vaccine and when it was taken.

Hi again. They both do. I didn’t know whether the document(s) had to be in pdf format or a scanned pic. I haven’t started to fill in any of the forms, I am trying to collate all the documentation in the required formats before I begin. Thanks for your help.

Hey Carole, then the PDF is fine, no need to scan.

February 6, 2023

Hi Melissa. Great post, bery helpful.

Just wonderinf if you have the answer to this query that I have. I have registered my parents under my account and get the blue box for all of us. While i understand from your post and previous comments that we can screenshot this blue box to get pass the quarantine check point, what about the QR code for immigration and customs clearance? Should I screenshot the QR code as well?

February 7, 2023

Hey Wan, if you can get wifi / data in Japan, you don’t need to screenshot. Otherwise, yes, please screenshot those QR codes as well.

January 23, 2023

I was wondering, how fast is the fast track produce actually? On average maybe if it’s hard to say.

I am used to the whole immigration process (from deboarding the aeroplane until arriving in the freely accessible arrivals terminal where all the shops are) taking at least 1.5 hours.

I’m just not sure how excited I should be for the Fast Track procedures 🙂

January 24, 2023

the fast track eliminates the need to queue to get your vaccine / PCR test documents checked before the actual immigration process starts. i can’t say how much time it saves, depends on how many flights arrives at the same time as you. In my case it was totally worth it bc the line to check docs was quite long.

January 18, 2023

HI Melissa, I have filled out the Visit Japan Web with the registration complete, however I did not received a QR code. I have gone over the website & faq questions but there is no clear answer. On one of the question & answer it says there is no longer a QR code displayed. I go into the registration again to complete the registration again and it states QR code may not be updated to register again! Do you have an answer?

When I fill out the quarantine questions I get a QR code right after I complete the questionnaire. Is this the same as the Visit Japan Web? Do you need 2 different QR codes or does this include the Visit Japan Web? Just wondering if you have some answers. Thank you.

Hi Kathy, it seems they have done away with QR code, so you don’t need to worry about it. In my experience from December 2022 as long as you show the blue screen they’ll let you through.

January 16, 2023

Hi, Can i add my parents as family travel with me?Or I can only add infant who are not able to fill out the form? Thank you

I was under the impression that the function is only for kids and each adult needs separate account but i have heard experiences where people register other adults and they are still let through. just make sure your husband each have the blue box screenshot on their phones when you land, so that you can show it easier as you go through the check points.

January 13, 2023

Hi. I registered and did everything already but I noticed you said to create one account per adult. I only signed up one account for me and I registered my husband under the details of family member traveling with you. You mentioned only kids are added here. Did I do it wrong and should I make another account for my husband still?

January 10, 2023

Hi! Do I need my physical vaccination card? I submitted a picture of it and it was approved however, I am not sure if I will be able to locate the misplaced card or get a replacement prior to my arrival in Japan

we were never asked to produce the vaccination proof. In Singapore, we only have digital vaccination proof (govt doesnt issue physical card) and they were ok with it.

January 7, 2023

Hello thank you so much for the information. I have filled in the forms and got the confirmation I don’t need to test to enter Japan due to having 3 jabs. My parents have also been registered with me under the same account. But I’m wondering do my parents need an account or can we share the same as it’s been approved already for each person.

Hey Dominic. I was under the impression that the function is only for kids and each adult needs separate account but i have heard experiences where people register other adults and they are still let through. just make sure your parents each have the blue box screenshot on their phones when you land, so that you can show it easier as you go through the check points.

December 29, 2022

My Pre-registration for quarantine procedures is blue has “Review Completed” for Current Status, but no QR code. Do I need a QR code?

Thanks Melissa

This message is from the Quarantine Documentation Center (QDC) in Japan.

If you register on/after Dec 28 (Japan time), no need to register passport and Questionnaire Web online. So their is no QR code required for Quarantine Procedure,please present the top page of Quarantine pre-registration procedure when arrival.

Thanks Luke. You are correct. We now only need to provide vaccine certificate and that’s it! I will update my blog post accordingly.

December 19, 2022

Hi Dear Melissa, if I have 2 covid vaccines + the 72h test before departure would it be possible to complete the registration?

December 24, 2022

Yes, as long as the test is negative

Hi Dear Melissa, all helpful and clear. Just one question: if I have 2 covid vaccines + the 72h test before departure would it be possible to complete the registration?

December 20, 2022

Yes, submit all the docs and see if your screen turns blue

Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for the helpful info but are you sure it’s at least “3”? For those who got Johnson Johnson (Janssen) it was only 1 shot and they didn’t need to get another after 6 months. Then those people were allowed to get a moderna booster a year later. Which would make the total 2 shots – not 3. Are you positive they only let you in if you had 3 total?

I see Janssen as needing 3 shots in the official requirements link: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_vaccine.html

Maybe you can try submitting your vaccine certificate anyways and see if your QR turns blue?

December 21, 2022

sorry! i just noticed the footnote that says

* For the JCOVDEN intramuscular injection/Janssen and CONVIDECIA/CanSino Biologics only in case of primary series, one dose is considered equivalent to two doses.

Thanks so much Melissa! You’re amazing.

December 15, 2022

thank you so much dear…all of the information is so helpful..finally managed to complete my son vaccination cert issues..thank u very much

glad I can help 🙂

December 11, 2022

How about the Insurance part? We should fill in also if we have travel insurance?

December 13, 2022

Yup, you can fill them in if you have an insurance but it is not required.

December 10, 2022

I have received four covid vaccines, three in 2021 and one in 2022. Are they still valid to be recognized on Visit Japan Web? I am planning to take the fifth one in January 2023. Thanks.

You’ll be fine as long as you’ve taken 3 shots, no matter how long ago. Also check the type of approved vaccines – i’m not sure which one you took.

How to use the Visit Japan Web for Entering/Returning to Japan

Easy Step-by-Step guide about Visit Japan Web

Are you planning a trip to Japan soon? Or are you a resident of Japan who is going to travel abroad and then re-enter? Then you may be interested to read this article to the end!

After more than two years closed due to the global pandemic situation, Japan has finally opened its doors to tourism recently. This was a long awaited opening by many, as the country of the rising sun is one of the most popular travel destinations in recent years and has been one of the places that has taken the longest to reopen to tourism. Surely many people are excited about this news, buying their plane tickets and preparing their suitcases. However, be careful! There is one very important detail to keep in mind or you could be left with the door slammed in your face and be turned back upon landing in Japan.

To enter Japan it is MANDATORY to present a vaccination passport with 3 vaccines of some of those approved by the Japanese Government or a negative PCR in COVID-19 72 hours before the departure time.

And what does the My SOS app have to do with the entrance to Japan? Well, let’s see now.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

What is Visit Japan Web?

Visit Japan Web is a web portal launched by the Japanese Government to Fast Track your entry into Japan. On the Visit Japan Web website you can upload your vaccination passport or your negative PCR certificate before boarding the plane and get a QR. Technically, you can also present it on paper at the arrival airport, but some airlines may deny you boarding if you do not show them the QR code. Also, if you do the process in advance through the website and receive the approved QR, you are 100% sure that there will be no problem with your entry (it is unlikely, but it could be the case that once at the arrival airport the certificate you present is not considered valid).

In addition, with the Visit Japan web portal you can also do the questionnaire for the customs procedure in advance, receiving a separate QR.

In my own experience, I used Visit Japan Web on my recent re-entry to Japan and the process was much faster and streamlined compared to people who did not have it. There is a separation for people who carry the QR code with the 3 vaccinations/PCR tests and you get to Immigration much faster as they don’t have to check it manually (they only check that you have the QR). And once you pick up your luggage, you use the second QR code for the customs process.

In both cases, the time spent waiting in line is reduced considerably and you leave the airport much earlier. Below, I’m going to explain how to do the processes from my own first hand experience!

How to use the Visit Japan Web before entering Japan

The first thing you have to do is to go to this website and create an account. The procedure is the usual for this kind of cases: after registering an email address and accepting the terms of use, they send you a confirmation code and after entering the code you can access your page.

Once you are in your account, go to the “Your details” section and fill in the information requested (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, etc).

After registering your details, you will be able to click on the “New registration” button in the “Register Planned Entry/Return” section. Here you have to put the arrival information (date, airline company and flight number). Then you will then arrive at a screen with two options. One for the Fast Track and the other for the customs declaration. I recommend you to start with the Fast Track.

It’s time to start with the pre-registration procedures for quarantine. According with your departure country this part may vary slightly, but as long as I know most part of the countries have the same process. The top part is in red, and if you scroll down you can see a red band that says “Not yet registered” with your passport information. Below you can see the four documents that you must complete: passport, Questionnaire WEB, Vaccination certificate and PCR result less than 72 hours before departure.

The documents are easy. The passport is just take a picture of the page with your information and updated it. Once they check and see that it’s ok and the information can be read well, you can go to the Questionnaire WEB. You just need to answer a few questions and then you are ready to go to the next step, the vaccination certificate. In my case I took a screenshot of my digital vaccine certificate and they accepted it.

As you can see, since I have the vaccination certificate I do not need the PCR test (in case you do not have a valid vaccination certificate, then you can go for the COVID-19 PCR test). All the necessary documents changed from “Not yet registered” to “Completed” and the color changed from red to blue. Once you get this, you are ready to travel knowing that all your documents have been accepted.

After finishing this part, you can go back and fill in the section of “Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles”. For those of you who are used to traveling, this is the typical small piece of paper that you are usually given during the flight to customs declaration in case you are carrying certain substances. With Visit Japan Web you can make this declaration in advance from the website and receive another QR code to pass through customs saving time.

How to use the Visit Japan Web after arriving Japan

Once in Japan it is very simple. When you get out of the plane there is a point where they separate people into those who have the QR code and those who do not. You just have to show the code to the staff and they will let you through.

After you have finished the process at Immigration and once you have your luggage, you will see that at Customs declaration there is a queue for those who have the physical paper and another queue for those who have the QR code. There are some machines where you have to swipe the QR code, and you are out, free to explore Japan!

And that is all. In case you can’t find it, here you have the official website of Visit Japan Web.

Visit Japan Web: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/

And that is all. I understand first hand that with the current situation entering/returning to Japan can be confusing or make you have many doubts/worries so I hope this article helped you.

Airport Taxi

Looking for a private shuttle from Japan’s major airports to your accommodation or vice versa? Airport Taxi is one of the best services in Japan, with large and comfortable cars and affordable prices! The customer service is available every day from 8:00 to 23:00 and the have English-speakers staff.

▶Check the official website: https://www.airport-taxi.tokyo/en

Clinic Nearme

If you are a resident of Tokyo who is going abroad for a while, and you have been vaccinated here, our affiliated clinic Clinic Nearme can provide you with the vaccination certificate necessary for returning to Japan. For 3,000 JPY you can have your vaccine certificate on the same day. Clinic Nearme a clinics authorized for the Japanese government and one of the few clinics in Tokyo with English support.

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I started to like Japan because of the anime, music and doramas, but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around, the culture and history. I have travelled a lot in Japan, but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you 🙋🏼‍♀️ Let’s discover Japan together!

Also, as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past.

About Japan

Visiting Japan

Information Related to COVID-19 - JapanGov
Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)　- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
TeCOT (COVID-19 Testing Center for Overseas Travelers) - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Vaccination Certificate for Overseas Travel - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Coronavirus (COVID-19) advisory information - Japan National Tourism Organization

We welcome you to visit Japan

Empowering the Disabled

This movie introduces the new essential steps ahead of an unforgettable travel in Japan.

General Information

Japan: the Official Guide

Japan National Tourism Organization

General tourism information of Japan in multi languages. Climate, Healthcare, Money, Visa, Emergency info, etc. WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/

Open for Professionals

Japan External Trade Organization

The Government of Japan strongly welcomes highly-skilled foreign professionals. WEB: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/hrportal/

Disaster Prevention Portal

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Portal Site for Disaster Prevention in a Tokyo Inland Earthquake Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. WEB: http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/

Safety Tips

Safety tips is an app to push notify the disaster information of Japan. Download the app from the website as follow; WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/

Japan Weather Forecast for Travelers

Weather forecast in English for travelers. WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/weather/eng/index.php

Japan Meteorological Agency

WEB: http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

Embassies, Visas, Customs and other Tourism Related Information

Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions Overseas [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Visas – Guide to Japanese Visas – [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Customs – Procedures of Passenger Clearance – [Japan Customs]
The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Animal Quarantine [Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries]
Plant Protection Station [Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries]

Studying and Teaching

Study in Japan Comprehensive Guide [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Gateway to study in Japan [Japan Student Services Organization]
Erin's Challenge! I can speak Japanese [The Japan Foundation]
Marugoto: Japanese Language and Culture [The Japan Foundation]
Portal Site on Policies for Foreign Residents [Cabinet Office]
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET)

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Embassy of Japan in Australia

Current procedure of entry into Japan (Requirements & Visit Japan Web)

Visit Japan Web Service For All Travelers Entering Japan

Once you have registered, you can use the QR codes from the service instead of paper forms as part of the procedures to enter Japan. This service is for both international travelers and Japanese citizens. For any issues using Visit Japan Web, see the instruction manual or make an inquiry directly . To enter Japan from the 29th of April, please enter with a valid visa and passport OR a visa exempt passport. We recommend the use of Visit Japan Web to assist with your customs and immigration declaration procedures.

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Call Center ( COVID-19 Border Measures) + 81 3 3595 2176 English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese (9:00-21:00 daily)

Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Travel Advisory January 8, 2024

Japan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Japan – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Reissued after periodic review without changes.

Exercise normal precautions in Japan.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Japan.

If you decide to travel to Japan:

Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
Follow Embassy Tokyo’s American Citizen Services section on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
Review the  Country Security Report  for Japan.
Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Duration of intended period of stay. Please note you cannot travel on a passport you have previously declared as lost or stolen even if you subsequently locate it

One page required for entry stamp

Amounts equivalent to ¥1,000,000 or above subject to declaration

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Tokyo 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Japan Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-3-3224-5856 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need.

U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe 2-11-5, Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543, Japan Telephone: 81-6-6315-5900 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-6-6315-5914 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need.

U.S. Consulate General Naha 2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan Telephone: 81-98-876-4211 Emergency Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-98-876-4243 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need.

U.S. Consulate General Sapporo Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821, Japan Telephone: 81-11-641-1115 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-11-641-1115 Fax: 81-11-643-1283 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need. All assistance at the Consulate General Sapporo is by appointment only.

U.S. Consulate Fukuoka 5-26 Ohori 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052, Japan Telephone: 81-92-751-9331 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-92-713-9222 [email protected] Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need. Routine services are provided by appointment only.

U.S. Consulate Nagoya Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6th floor, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001, Japan Telephone: 81-52-581-4501 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-52-581-3190 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need. Emergency services are provided by U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe.

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Japan for information on U.S-Japan relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the Embassy of Japan website for the most current visa information.

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

Entry & Exit:

You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.
You cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry.
"Visa free" entry status may not be changed to another visa status without departing and then re-entering Japan with the appropriate visa, such as a spouse, work, or study visa.
Visit the Embassy of Japan website for the most current information on all visa categories.
Japanese immigration officers may deny you entry if you appear to have no visible means of support.
All foreign nationals are required to provide fingerprint scans and to be photographed at the port of entry. Exceptions to this requirement include diplomatic and official visa holders, minors, and individuals covered under SOFA Article IX.2. For further information about landing procedures, please visit the Immigration Bureau of Japan’s website .
Make sure your passport is valid. Note you cannot travel on a passport you have previously declared as lost or stolen even if you subsequently locate it. Japanese authorities will likely deny you entry into Japan if you attempt to do so. If you have reported your passport lost or stolen, you must apply for a new passport before travel.

Transiting Japan:

Ensure that your passport and visa are valid and up-to-date before you leave the United States. Passport services are not available at the airport.
Airlines in Japan may deny you boarding for transit if you do not have the required travel documents for an onward destination in another country or if your passport does not have six months of validity remaining. For the entry requirements of the country you are traveling to, visit the State Department's Country Specific Information website.

Military/SOFA Travelers: While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with proper Department of Defense (DoD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees, and contractors must have valid passports to enter Japan. Please consult the DOD Foreign Clearance Guide before leaving the United States.

See the Immigration Bureau of Japan’s website for various immigration procedures.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Japan.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

For police services in Japan, dial 110. For fire or ambulance services, dial 119.

Crime: Crime against U.S. citizens in Japan is generally low and usually involves personal disputes, theft, or vandalism. In addition:

Robberies committed after a victim has been drugged from a spiked drink can occur, especially in nightlife districts.
Sexual assaults are not often reported, but they do occur, and victims may be randomly targeted. Victim's assistance resources or shelters are difficult for foreigners to access.
Hate-related violent crimes rarely occur, although some U.S. citizens have reported being the target of discrimination because of their nationality or their race.
Pick pocketing can occur in crowded shopping areas, on trains, and at airports.
Police reports must be filed before leaving Japan, as Japanese police will not accept reports filed from overseas.
In instances involving credit card theft or fraud, Japanese police often provide a report number rather than a police report. You can provide this report number to your credit card company to confirm the incident with the police.

Entertainment and Nightlife Districts in Tokyo:

Exercise caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan, especially Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro.
Incidents involving U.S. citizens in these areas include physical and sexual assaults, drug overdoses, theft of purses, wallets, cash and credit cards at bars or clubs, and drugs slipped into drinks.
Drink spiking at bars and entertainment venues, especially in areas such as Roppongi and Kabuki-cho, near Shinjuku, has led to robbery, physical and sexual assaults, and credit card fraud. Some victims regain consciousness in the bar or club; other victims may awaken on the street or other unfamiliar locations.
U.S. citizens have reported being threatened with gun or knife violence in such venues so that they will pay exorbitant bar tabs or withdraw money. U.S. citizens have also reported being beaten when they have refused to pay or hand over money.
There have been reports of U.S. citizens being forcibly taken to ATMs and robbed, or made to withdraw funds after being unable to pay exorbitant bar tabs.
Please be aware that Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, and other entertainment and nightlife districts have also been the scenes of violence between criminal syndicates.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Police reports must be filed at the nearest police station prior to departure from Japan. The Japanese police cannot accept reports filed from overseas. Report crimes to the local police at 110 and contact the U.S. Embassy at 03-3224-5000 (011-81-3-3224-5000 from overseas). Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

help you find appropriate medical care;
assist you in reporting a crime to the police;
contact relatives or friends with your written consent;
explain the local criminal justice process in general terms;
provide a list of local attorneys;
provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ;
provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
help you find accommodation and arrange flights home; and/or
replace a stolen or lost passport.

Contacting Police, Fire and Ambulance Services: You can reach the police throughout Japan by dialing 110. Fire and ambulance services can be contacted by dialing 119. Note that English-speaking dispatchers may not be available. Please review advice on “Calling for Help” on our website . If you need assistance, you should be able to describe your address/location in Japanese or find someone who can do so, since few police officers speak English.

Domestic Violence: Victim's assistance resources or battered women's shelters exist in major urban areas, but are difficult for foreigners to access. These types of resources are also generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes are often conducted without female police officers present, and police typically ask about the victim's sexual history and previous relationships.

Tourism: The Victim's assistance resources or battered women's shelters exist in major urban areas, but are difficult for foreigners to access. These types of resources are also generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes are often conducted without female police officers present, and police typically ask about the victim's sexual history and previous relationships.

See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to Japanese law while you are in Japan. If you violate Japanese laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, imprisoned, or deported. If you are arrested in Japan, even for a minor offense , you may be held in detention without bail for several months or more during the investigation and legal proceedings.

Some offences are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of Japanese law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

The vast majority of arrests of U.S. citizens in Japan are for drug-related offenses. Japanese authorities aggressively pursue drug smugglers and users, including recreational users with sophisticated detection equipment, "sniffing" dogs, blood tests, “stop and frisk” tactics, and other methods. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking a drug that is illegal in Japan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and fines. Please note that some drugs which may be legal in certain jurisdictions outside of Japan, including marijuana and synthetic drugs, remain illegal in Japan. This also applies to certain prescription drugs that doctors in the United States may prescribe. Japanese law makes no distinction between medical and recreational marijuana; therefore, having a prescription for medical marijuana will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Even possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal medical or recreational use can result in a long jail sentence and fine. Japanese customs officials carefully screen incoming packages, and individuals who are mailed drugs can be arrested and prosecuted as drug traffickers.

Confiscation of Prescription Drugs and Other Medication: It is important to note that some medications that are routinely prescribed in the United States, including Adderall and marijuana, are strictly prohibited in Japan. The Japanese government decides which medications may be imported legally into Japan. The Embassy and Consulates of Japan in the United States have limited information available and do not have a comprehensive list of specific medications or ingredients. Please see more information on importing medicines into Japan.

You must carry your U.S. passport or Japanese Residence Card (Zairyu Kado) with you at all times. In Japan, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport or Japanese residence card to show your identity and status in Japan (e.g., as a visitor, student, worker, or permanent resident).

It is illegal to work in Japan while in tourist or visa-waiver status. Overstaying your visa or working illegally may lead to fines of several thousands of dollars, and in some cases, re-entry bans as long as 10 years, or indefinitely for drug offenders. For additional information, please see Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and contact the Japanese Embassy or nearest Japanese Consulate in the United States for more information.

Driving under the influence of alcohol could also land you immediately in jail. The blood-alcohol limit in Japan is 0.03%. Punishments can be up to 10,000 USD in fines and up to five years in prison.

Possession of a gun or ammunition is a crime in Japan. Carrying a knife with a locking blade, or a folding blade that is longer than 5.5 cm (a little more than two inches), is illegal in Japan. U.S. citizens and U.S. military personnel have been arrested and detained for more than 10 days for carrying pocket knives that are legal in the United States but illegal in Japan. The possession of lock-picking tools is illegal in Japan.

Establishing a Business : Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

A list of English-speaking lawyers located throughout Japan is available on our website .

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See the Department of State’s webpage and the Embassy’s website for additional information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice’s website for more information .

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

Faith-Based Travel Information
International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
Human Rights Report – see country reports
Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI+ events in Japan.

Laws governing rape, sexual commerce, and other activity involving sexual relations do not apply to same-sex sexual activity. This leads to lower penalties for perpetrators of same-sex rape and sexual assault and greater legal ambiguity surrounding same-sex prostitution.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Japan prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. Japanese disability laws require the public sector to provide reasonable accommodations and the private sector to make best efforts in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other services; however, there are no penalties for noncompliance. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States.

Although Japan’s accessibility laws mandate that new construction projects for public use include provisions for persons with disabilities, older buildings are not likely to have been retrofitted for accessibility. At major train stations, airports, and hotels, travelers with disabilities should encounter few accessibility problems. Note that many smaller stations are inaccessible to those who cannot climb stairs. Information on travel in Japan for travelers with disabilities is available at Accessible Japan .

Travelers with disabilities can learn more about resources available in country from the Japan National Tourism Organization’s traveling with a disability page .

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Conditions at Prisons and Detention Facilities: Japanese prisons and detention facilities maintain internal order through a regime of very strict discipline. U.S. citizen prisoners often complain of stark, austere living conditions and psychological isolation. Heating in winter can be inadequate in some facilities, food portions can be significantly smaller than what many may be accustomed to, and access to specialized medical care, particularly mental health care, at detention facilities and prisons is sometimes limited. Additional information on arrests in Japan is available on our embassy website.

Customs Regulations: Please contact the Japanese Embassy or nearest Japanese consulate in the United States, or visit the Japanese Customs website for specific information regarding import restrictions and customs requirements.

Japanese customs authorities encourage the use of an Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission (ATA) Carnet in order to temporarily import professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and trade fairs into Japan. For additional information, please call (212) 354-4480, or email the U.S. CIB for details.

Pets: The Japanese Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) sets procedures for importing pets. At a minimum, the process will take seven to eight months, though the process can take up to a year before a pet may enter Japan. Advance planning is critical. You can find more information about importing a pet into Japan or information about exporting a pet from Japan on our Embassy website.

Employment Issues: U.S. citizens should not come to Japan to work without having the proper employment visa arranged ahead of time. Teaching English, even privately, and serving as hosts/hostesses are both considered "work" in Japan and are illegal without the proper visa.

Some U.S.-based employment agencies and Japanese employers do not fully or correctly represent the true nature of employment terms and conditions. A minimum requirement for effectively seeking the protection of Japanese labor law is a written and signed work contract. If there is no signed contract, Japanese authorities are not able to act on behalf of foreign workers. If you are coming to Japan to work, carefully review your contract and the history and reputation of your Japanese employer before traveling to Japan. Complaints against U.S.-based employment agencies or recruiters may be directed to the Better Business Bureau or the Office of the Attorney General in the relevant state(s).

Disaster Preparedness : Japan is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and landslides. See the Embassy’s webpage for recommendations and steps you can take to prepare for an emergency. The Japan Tourism Organization’s Safety Tips app and NHK World app provide Japanese government emergency “J-Alerts” to your cell phone in English through push notifications. “J-Alerts” can provide early warning emergency alerts on earthquakes predicted in a specific area, sometimes seconds before an earthquake hits.

Radiation: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant : The Government of Japan continues to closely monitor the conditions at and around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. You should comply with all travel restrictions and cautions put into place by the Government of Japan for areas surrounding the plant. For more information, contact the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority .

For police service in Japan, dial 110. For fire or ambulance, dial 119.

Ambulance services are widely available but receiving hospitals may decline to accept inbound patients unless they can provide proof of funds to pay for services.

COVID-19 Testing:

Travelers should contact Japanese local health providers to determine the location of testing facilities within Japan. A non-comprehensive list of some COVID-19 testing facilities can be found here on the Embassy website.

COVID-19 Vaccines:

The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Japan.
Review the Government of Japan’s English language website on COVID-19 vaccinations in Japan.
Visit the FDA's website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.

The Department of State does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Some care providers in Japan only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Japan’s Ministry of Health website to ensure the medication is legal in Japan; possession, use, or importation of a prescription drug that is illegal in Japan may result in arrest and criminal prosecution. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. U.S. prescriptions are not honored in Japan, so if you need ongoing prescription medicine, you should arrive with a sufficient supply for your stay in Japan or enough until you are able to see a local care provider.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

World Health Organization
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Japan has a national health insurance system which is available only to those foreigners with long-term visas for Japan. National health insurance does not pay for medical evacuation. Medical caregivers in Japan may require payment in full at the time of treatment or concrete proof of ability to pay before they will treat a foreigner who is not a member of the national health insurance plan.

U.S.-style and standard psychological and psychiatric care can be difficult to locate outside of major urban centers in Japan and generally is not available outside of Japan's major cities. Extended psychiatric care can be very difficult to obtain.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Driving in Japan can be complicated and expensive. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. Those who cannot read the language will have trouble understanding road signs. Highway tolls can be very high, and city traffic is often very congested. A 20-mile trip in the Tokyo area may take two hours. There is virtually no legal roadside or curbside parking; however, traffic is commonly blocked or partially blocked by those illegally parked curbside. In mountainous areas, roads are often closed during the winter, and cars should be equipped with tire chains. Roads in Japan are much narrower than those in the United States.

Traffic Laws : Japanese law provides that all drivers in Japan are held liable in the event of an accident, and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. Japanese compulsory insurance (JCI) is mandatory for all automobile owners and drivers in Japan. Most short-term visitors choose not to drive in Japan. Turning right or left on red lights is not permitted in Japan, and all passengers are required to fasten their seat belts.

Japan has a national 0.03 percent blood-alcohol-level standard for driving, and drivers stopped for driving under the influence of intoxicants will have their licenses confiscated. If you are found guilty of driving under the influence, speeding, or blatantly careless driving resulting in injury, you are subject to up to 15 years in prison.

See our Road Safety page for more information. The National Police Agency (NPA) oversees the administration and enforcement of traffic laws in Japan. You can find further information in English on the NPA English website . Information about roadside assistance, rules of the road, and obtaining a Japanese driver's license is available in English from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) web site . See the Japan National Tourism Organization’s website for car rental and driving in Japan.

Emergency Assistance : For roadside assistance, please contact the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) at 03-5730-0111 in Tokyo, 072-645-0111 in Osaka, 011-857-8139 in Sapporo, 092-841-5000 in Fukuoka, or 098-877-9163 in Okinawa.

International Driving Permits (IDPs): An international driving permit (IDP) issued in the United States by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is required of short-term visitors who drive in Japan. You must obtain an IDP issued in your country of residence prior to arriving in Japan. The U.S. Embassy andU.S. consulates do not issue IDPs. IDPs issued via the Internet and/or by other organizations are not valid in Japan.

Foreign residents in Japan who use an IDP may be fined or arrested. In practice, the term “resident” involves more than simply visa status or length of stay in Japan and is determined by the police. In short, a driver license from country outside Japan is not a substitute for a valid Japanese license for foreign residents. See the U.S. Embassy’s website for more information on driving in Japan.

Aviation Safety Oversight : The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Japan’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Japan’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel : Mariners planning travel to Japan should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts in the Alerts section of the Embassy’s messages. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) broadcast warnings website portal select “broadcast warnings.”

For additional travel information

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories .
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook .
See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Japan . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Japan travel requirements 2024: What travelers need to know

We aim to keep this post updated about Japan travel in 2024 with official Japan travel restrictions, requirements, and health and safety guidance. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions so you can travel confidently, safely, and responsibly in this new post-pandemic world of ours.

Since travel restrictions can vary by citizenship, we will be focusing our post on rules that affect U.S. citizens.

Last update: January 28, 2024. Originally published: July 2022.

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

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January 2024: “Japan is seeing an increase in tourism now that the country is open to visitors. Many visitors are traveling to Tokyo and Kyoto but some towns and cities like Nikko, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Naha are also seeing rises in tourism. Currently there are no travel restrictions within Japan unless it is due to environmental catastrophes like the earthquake that occurred in Ishikawa Prefecture recently. Access to healthcare in Japan is easily available and affordable. Although foreigners can sometimes pay up to 200% more for healthcare it is still cheap. Many attractions and famous sites around Japan especially in Kyoto and Tokyo are crowded with lines that are longer then expected. In general, restaurants in Japan are smaller and can only able to accommodate up to ten people or fewer and the space can feel cramped. Like anywhere else, keep an open mind and be flexible and there will be no problems while traveling around Japan.” – Brandon of Zimminaroundtheworld , expat living in Japan

At the end of the post, we share more on-the-ground perspectives from local residents and travelers to Japan so you can get a sense of what it’s really like.

Table of Contents

Is Japan open for travel? Can I travel to Japan right now?

As of October 2022 , Japan is open for tourism for independent travelers. Visa-free travel for selected countries, including the US, has been resumed.

Tourists with U.S. passports can stay in Japan visa-free for up to three months. Find details and rules for entering Japan from other countries here .

Japan travel restrictions have been eased but travelers are asked to follow guidelines with regard to masks, social distancing, dining etiquette, and more.

As of April 2023 , a proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test are no longer required for all travelers arriving in Japan.

To facilitate the arrival process, it’s highly recommended to submit your information online through Visit Japan Web before travel.

Steps for Traveling to Japan: What to Know (2024)

For a smoother arrival, travelers to Japan can pre-register for airport Immigration and Customs to receive the QR codes used for “Fast Track” at major airports across Japan.

We completed the Japan entry process in late March 2023. It was admittedly a bit confusing, so I thought I’d share our experience and tips, as the process is still the same (apart from step 2).

1. Register at Visit Japan Web

While the Fast Track/Quarantine procedures are no longer mandatory to complete in advance, I was glad I followed advice to pre-register through the Visit Japan Web site.

The latest they say the latest you can register is at least 6 hours ahead of your flight to Japan.

2. Submit your Covid documents in advance – NO LONGER REQUIRED

3. Register for immigration QR code

Returning to the main registration dashboard on the website, select the next module “Disembarkation Card for Foreginer,” which says it’s required for landing in Japan.

Some details pre-populated from from my profile. I selected Tourism for purpose of visit. Then there are three ways to report length of stay: year, month, day; as well as a few questions about any criminal background in Japan.

Once completed, a button “Display QR code” appears below the appropriate section.

Take a screenshot of the Immigration QR code and save it to your phone . It will have a yellow line above it.

If you don’t have the QR code, there are immigration cards available to fill out at standing desks located before entering the lines. Some people got all the way up to the immigration agent and were asked to step aside to fill out a card, which are also available next to each immigration stall.

The immigration line at Narita moved steadily but took about 25 minutes since several flights had arrived at once.

When I showed the QR code, the immigration officer simply took a headshot picture and fingerprint scans, then stuck a “landing permission” stamp in my passport for 90 days. No questions asked.

4. Register for Customs QR code

Returning again to the main dashboard, finally select “Preparation for customs declaration.” This registration allows travelers to go through an electronic declaration gate, which wasn’t super clear once we were at the airport.

I entered my flight origination (Hanoi) and number of family members with me (1). Then there’s the usual customs questions – type of goods, prohibited items, monetary funds, alcohol, cigarettes, souvenirs over 200,000y.

Again, take a screenshot of the Customs QR code and save it to your phone . It will have a blue line above it.

At Narita, the customs line for QR codes are labeled “electronic declaration” in blue. There are also kiosks that allow QR code, card, and duty free, as well as those that are for physical customs card only. The lines weren’t too long so it didn’t matter much which line we chose.

The customs officer had us scan our QR code and we could see our entered data displayed on an over-sized tablet-like device at the desk. No questions asked, we proceeded to exit the airport.

5. Sign up for travel insurance

It’s recommended to obtain insurance to cover medical costs related to COVID-19 in Japan. For travel insurance that covers Covid, we use Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing.

Quarantine rules in Japan: What happens if I get Covid?

Travelers are not required to quarantine upon arrival in Japan, provided that they are not suspected of having Covid-19. See details here .

Residents report that quarantine rules for testing positive may no longer be enforced anymore.

Prviously, foreign tourists who tested positive for Covid while in Japan had to contact a local consultation center . A 7-10 days quarantine at a government-designated accommodation facility was required with all costs covered by the visitor.

The quarantine period could end within 7-10 days depending on the symptoms and/or negative COVID-19 test result. See details here .

Can I travel to Japan in April? Can I travel to Japan this Spring?

Travel to Japan in April is open . See details above and check back for updates.

Is it safe to fly to NRT Narita or HND Haneda International Airport ? Health screenings and body temperature checks are no longer in place at the airport. Wearing of masks is no longer required on flights or in the airports, though masking is still widely practiced.

Stringent cleaning and seating limits are implemented.

What is it like to fly to Japan right now? All Nippon Airways reports that masks are now optional. Additional procedures are in place at Immigration – please see details above.

Do Americans have to quarantine when traveling to Japan? No . See quarantine details above.

Does Japan check COVID-19 symptoms of incoming travelers? Health screening procedures such as temperature checks and simple symptom questionnaires are typically not in place at ports of entry anymore.

Does Japan require a negative Covid 19 test for travelers? A negative test is no longer required to enter Japan as of April 2023.

Does Japan require a proof of Coronavirus vaccine for travelers? A proof of Coronavirus vaccine is no longer required to enter Japan as of April 2023.

Do I still need to provide a negative Covid test or quarantine if I have been vaccinated? No. A negative Covid test, quarantine, or proof of vaccination are no longer required to enter Japan.

Is a booster shot required for travel to Japan? No. A booster shot is no longer required to enter Japan.

What Covid testing options are available for travelers? PCR and/or antigen tests are available for travelers in Japan. Travelers should contact the local consultation center to determine the location of testing facilities within Japan. A non-comprehensive list of some COVID-19 testing facilities can be found here .

Test results are available within 24 to 72 hours but many labs can return results in a matter of hours. PCR test costs vary from ¥2,500 to ¥16,500.

What healthcare options are available to travelers in Japan who get the virus? Japan hospitals and clinics are open. Foreign visitors are required to secure a medical insurance which that will cover medical costs in case they contract COVID-19 in Japan.

For travel insurance that covers Covid, check out Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing >

What service businesses and restaurants are open in Japan ? Businesses and restaurants in Japan are open. Some businesses may require their own mask rules or capacity limits.

What public gatherings are allowed in Japan? Public gatherings are allowed in Japan subject to safety guidelines.

Are face masks required in Japan? As of March 2023, wearing of face masks in Japan is recommended but no longer required.

Face masks are almost universally worn in public, especially in urban areas, indoors and on public transportation. The Consulate website states that failure to adhere to mask-wearing norms reflects poorly on foreign visitors.

Are buses running in Japan? Trains, buses and taxis are running as usual in Japan.

How has the Coronavirus impacted Japan?

Japan managed impressively well compared to most countries in the early days of the pandemic. Although Japan has been previously in a State of Emergency, the lockdowns were less disruptive on Japanese daily life.

However, Japan’s inbound tourism business lay dormant for years. Japan finally began easing restrictions in 2022 and reopened to travelers in June with strict entry requirements.

Japan finally eased entry requirements for travelers in October 2022 making it easier for travelers to visit the country. Visa-free travel has also been resumed for select countries.

Vaccination in Japan started later than some other countries. Around 80% of the population has been vaccinated and 64% had received a booster shot.

Tourism is now back with record numbers of visitors, however, staffing shortages have not fully recovered.

For the current situation in Japan, including: total COVID-19 positive cases; total cases in Japan; and COVID-19 testing in Japan, please see the Japan Ministry of Health site .

What should you pack for safely traveling in Japan?

😷 Face Masks -Face coverings are recommended and widely used in public places. Find N95 masks at Bona Fide > or designer options at Vida >

🧴 Hand sanitizer – Bring enough for your entire trip, as alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be in short supply. Shop hand sanitizer >

💊 Medicine – Bring enough prescription and over-the-counter medication for your entire trip to avoid trips to the clinic.

💳 Vaccine Card Holder – Protect that paper CDC card when traveling abroad (if your country doesn’t offer a digital version). Get a simple plastic protector > or Vegan leather clippable > or Leather passport + card combo holder >

👃 Covid self-test – The most studied rapid antigen self-test with FDA emergency authorization. NOT valid to enter countries. Use for your own peace of mind. Order from CVS > or Walmart >

💧 Sealed water bottle – Make sure your reusable water bottle has a lid that’s not exposed to the air. We use one of each of the following: Shop insulated water bottles with protective lid > Shop water bottles with purification filter and protective lid >

✈️ Travel insurance that covers Covid – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.

What do Japan locals and recent travelers say about visiting Japan now?

What is it like to visit Japan right now? It’s our goal to provide regular updates here from real people on the ground, to help potential visitors know what to expect. The following are subjective opinions only. Official travel guidance can be found above.

September 2023 – Jackie Szeto of Life of Doing , American traveler: “My husband and I traveled to Tokyo and Nikko, Japan for vacation in September 2023. Expect large crowds at major attractions, restaurants, and trains in major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Visiting other destinations such as Nikko is a nice change of pace with fewer crowds, especially on the weekdays.

It’s recommended to complete the Immigration and Customs declaration on the Visit Japan Web to expedite arrival, but it’s not required. When landing at international airports, the QR codes for Immigration and Customs are still accepted. Otherwise, all COVID protocols have been dropped in the cities. Antibacterial hand sanitizer is still provided at entrances of hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. Some people still wear masks in crowded areas and on trains, but most go mask-free.”

May 2023 – Sophie Pham of Delightful Travel Notes , traveler: “My husband and I were traveling in Japan for 11 days from May 11-21, 2023 for our vacation. I found that Japan had already welcomed visitors with open arms, free of earlier restrictions. The return of both domestic travelers and international tourists created a lively atmosphere, and crowds could be seen in a lot of places.

In May, it took us 45 minutes to clear immigration at Kansai International Airport after landing at around 7:45am.

All attractions and food venues were fully open, with no social distancing measures or mandatory mask rules, although some restaurant servers, locals, and taxi drivers still chose to wear masks. Some famous restaurants had long lines again, and popular attractions like Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Senso-ji-ji could get crowded during the day. If there’s a particular popular restaurant you want to try, it may be best to make your dinner reservation in advance, especially for weekend. Overall, everything is lively again and we had a great time.”

March 2023 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers, American visitor: “We enjoyed a two day layover in Japan. The online procedures and QR codes were a bit confusing but I highly recommended doing them in advance of travel to make your arrival smoother.”

February 2023 – Joel, US traveler: “For the most part the Japanese are wearing masks. I’d say mask wearing is at about 99%. Despite the crowds in the city and packed trains and subways, it honestly feels way safer than generally any place in America where mask wearing is far from the majority. ANA enforces a mask wearing requirement whereas United is pretty much a free for all.

One key thing that is good to know is at the ticketing counter they need to know your return flight info when initially checking in. We had all the other Japan travel docs as far as the gov mandated requirements but this one kinda caught us off guard. The immigration line may seem staggering but it moves. ”

January 2023 – Lizzie of Wanderlust & Life , UK traveler: “I flew to Tokyo in January 2023 for 3 days as part of a stopover between Australia and the UK. For us it felt like the country is so happy to welcome tourists again. We were slightly worried about visiting or entry restrictions changing last minute but the airline kept us up to date and apart from filling out a lot of forms on arrival it felt quite normal being there.

As Japan only opened recently there weren’t as many tourists as we were expecting which was a plus really. We were made to feel so welcome in the country.

Masks are mandatory indoors and everyone seemed to be following this. The vast majority of people were also wearing masks outdoors too. Sanitiser is readily available in restaurants and tourist attractions. We didn’t encounter any contact tracing or even requests to show covid passes. The only frustration we had was that we flew JAL and we had to wear masks our whole flight which was about 14 hours in one go and this was enforced by cabin crew.”

November 2022 – Darryl H., New Zealand traveler: “My visit to Japan involved a return to the sort of measures that, in my home country of New Zealand, had been abandoned some time ago. The first action on arriving at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, with my mask firmly in place, was to allow officials to check and confirm I had complied with mandatory online registration of evidence of my vaccination status. Once this had been done, the arrivals process was pretty much standard.

During my 10-day stay, I experienced no restrictions on my movements or activities. The differences were in the roles of masks, sanitiser and – in some instances – distancing. The wearing of masks indoors and on public transport is close to one hundred percent, whether or not they are demanded. Outdoors, in most situations, they appear to be worn by at least 98 percent of people, although in some areas later in the evening there is an obvious relaxation in standards – especially among younger people. While most tourists appear happy to comply with the standards followed by locals, the proportion of non-mask use by non-Japanese is clearly larger than by Japanese. At no stage did I see any visitor reproached for this.

There is sanitiser on hand (pun intended) everywhere. It is probably accessed by about a third of people. There are many locals who are fastidious about sanitising.

While I observed no enforced distancing on public transport or in the street, it is definitely in place in cafes and other eateries. Most places I visited had plastic partitioning between patrons, and crosses to discourage the use of every second seat. Groups or couples are, of course, welcome to sit together.

The buffet breakfast in my hotel illustrates all three of the above differences. When I arrived at breakfast each morning, masked of course, the attendant ensured that I first sanitised my hands and then put on plastic gloves. Only then could I approach the serving implements and food. I would then sit on one of two seats (the second having a cross on it), both of which were partitioned off from the next pair of seats. Seats with another seat opposite were separated by another plastic partition. If I wanted to return to the buffet for more food, I first had to remask and re-glove. Once I forgot the gloves, and was politely turned back before I could touch the serving implements.

It is not uncommon for Japanese hospitality venues to give high priority to cleanliness, but there seems to be super-high priority now. Where in New Zealand I might expect a quick wipe over of a table between customers, in Tokyo it now appears to be a thorough and sometimes deep clean.

The precautions in no way reduced my pleasure in revisiting Tokyo. And they increased at least my perception of being protected.”

September 2022 – Jackson, American visitor: “Traveling to Japan reminded me of the COVID situation in Hawaii a year ago. People go about their day with a medical mask. Every store front has hand sanitizers and thermo cameras. COIVD testing and vaccination clinics are common place. Despite these COVID precautions, Japanese residents and businesses continue to welcome visitors with refreshing grace and hospitality. Japan’s omotenashi , beautiful scenery, and extraordinary delicacies are worth exploring and appreciating, but can tempt visitors into overlooking the uncertainty that underlines Japan. I hope visitors will take the time to learn about the challenges of the Japanese people and reciprocate Japan’s hospitality with a gracious thank you.”

Aug 21 2022 – Y., American Japanese dual citizen: “ I returned from visiting family in Japan two days ago. Travel is still tough. The plane was empty – only 20 passengers on a big airplane. My pre-travel Covid test was 10 minutes earlier than the required 72 hours so I was turned away at the airport. I scrambled to find a last minute PCR test with rapid results and rush back to the airport.”

August 2022 – Christine, American visitor: “Japan isn’t currently open to tourists. I was there for a school conference, and had to get a conference visa. One has to get a visa for Japan in advance and you can only get one with an EFRS form filled out from someone in Japan.

I had to have a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of departure time. There’s eased quarantine procedures, which depend on the countries you’ve been to in the previous 2 weeks. And you have to have the MySOS app on your phone because they might check up on you. It also expedites your entry because you can upload all the necessary forms/COVID test/questionnaire ahead of time.

Everyone wears a mask everywhere, and they’re available for cheap at convenience stores. Because I was on a university’s campus most of the time, I had to report my temperature and if I was having any symptoms to the University every day.”

July 2022 – Brandon of https://zimminaroundtheworld.com , Expat in Japan: “Currently Japan is only doing guided tours for international tourism. Travel entry for normal tourism is not an option at the moment. I recently took a trip around central Japan and visited a variety of cities and saw hardly any tourists. It’s nice to get great photos of popular attractions without crowds of people in the photos. But at the same time, it is taking a toll on the economy. I’ve seen shops and restaurants struggle to survive here and locals begging for tourism to come back.

Masks have been worn in Japan even before Covid. To this day, the majority of the population wears masks and obeys the rules, this includes both foreigners and locals. I wear a mask when leaving my apartment and only take it off when social distancing can be achieved or while eating at a restaurant. The positive aspect about Covid is that there are no long lines to enter attractions or eating establishments. I feel public transportation is safe here as the Japanese are very good and sanitizing everything.”

Planning a trip to Japan?

Check out our other Japan travel resources: – Great Things To Do Around Iwakuni, Japan

If you have questions or updates about travel to Japan during the Coronavirus crisis or post-pandemic, please let us know in the comments below.

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Japan Travel: Is it safe? Are tourists welcome? What to pack during Covid. Entry restrictions and rules in Japan.

Disclaimer: Please note, travel restrictions change frequently. Readers must take responsibility for verifying information through official sources like the State Department and CDC, in respect to their specific situations. No responsibility can be accepted by Intentional Travelers for action or inaction as a result of information provided through IntentionalTravelers.com. Any information provided here is issued as general information only.

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Hi Great article ! I noticed you have been vaccinated once with JJ (same here) . You mentioned the requirements for boosters but it sounds like you haven’t had a booster? I tried to sort through the link page but couldn’t find any further info. So my question is I’m planning to travel after May 8th with 1 JJ vaccination, I’m Canadian, but will be coming from Indonesia. Thanks for any insight you might have

Hi and thanks for visiting our blog. While we had the single JJ vaccination, we also had boosters. I mentioned it because the Japan entry form allows you to essentially count JJ as two shots out of the three that are required. In other words, at least one booster is currently required for entry to Japan. That said, vaccine documentation will no longer be required after May 8 so you shouldn’t have to worry about it.

I am travelling to the US from Australia via Japan in September. I fly with JAL, from Melbourne (MEL) arriving at Haneda International Airport (HND), but need to fly out of Narita International Airport (NRT) to New York (JFK).

I would like to know if I will be allowed to travel, via Japan, in September.

Australia is in Blue Category and I have had 3rd dose of Covid vaccination.

I look forward to your reply soon.

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say what will be possible in September, as we do expect the rules to change over time. Currently, foreign travelers are limited to package tours and may not use public transit. To find out if any exceptions can be made for transit between airports, you can try the Japan visitor hotline .

1. Visa Application Procedures

2. about visa.

3. Visa Application Documents

4. Frequently Asked Questions

5. announcements.

6. Inquiries Concerning Visas
Be aware of fraudulent website, social media, emails in an attempt to extract payments from visa applicants (July 5, 2017)

Short-Term Stay

(A stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities)

Click on the nationality of the visa applicant traveling to Japan.

Visa exemption arrangements have been resumed from 0:00 am (JST) on October 11, 2022.

It is highly recommended to purchase international travel medical insurance for your trip to Japan. Overseas travel medical insurance helps you in case of emergency.

Work or Long-Term Stay

(A stay during which the applicant performs remunerative work in Japan or a stay of over 90 days in Japan, etc.)

Procedures chart for long-term stays
The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan
Japan’s Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening

Visa for Medical Stay

Visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Points to Note and Application Procedures
Visa Processing Time
Validity of a Visa
Criteria of Visa Issuance
Visas and Landing Permission

3. Visa Application Documents (download)

(Note1) Refer to [1. Visa Application Procedures] for details of documents required.
(Note3) Visa application forms that are not in the QR code (PDF) format cannot be saved. Please print a paper copy of the Visa application.
Visa application form
Tell me why you rejected my visa application.
I want to go to Japan. Do I need a visa?
I want to invite a foreign national to Japan. What procedures are necessary?
What should I do to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
The Certificate of Eligibility will not arrive by the time I apply for a visa. Can I still apply for a visa with its copy?
As a “guarantor”, to what extent do I need to be responsible?

Newly introduced visas

Special highly skilled professional (J-Skip)
Designated activities (Future creation individual, Spouse or Child of future creation individual) (J-Find)

Review on restrictions on new entry of foreign nationals into Japan

Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Statistics for the Number of Visas

Number of Visas Issued in 2021(May 31,2022)

Relaxation of Visa Requirements

Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Possession of Ordinary Passports(September 30, 2023)
Signing of the Japan-Israel Working Holiday Agreement (April 28, 2023)
Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the State of Qatar based on Ordinary Passport Registration System (April 2, 2023)
Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the United Arab Emirates in Possession of Ordinary Passports (November 1, 2022)
Japan’s Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (April 3, 2020)
Japan's Visa Policy in Accordance with Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons (February 2009)

6. Inquiries about Visas Application

Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information

Yotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0004 Navi-Dial: 0570-011000 (For some IP phones and calls from overseas, please call +81-3-5369-6577) Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00

Taking the train in Japan - all you need to know

Mar 28, 2024 • 11 min read

You will fall passionately in love with trains in Japan .

Japanese people didn’t invent rail travel, but they arguably perfected it. Whether you’re on the newest shinkansen (bullet train) zooming across the country at 320km/h (199mph) or an elderly regional railcar, you can count on your train being scrupulously clean, safely operated, highly reliable, famously punctual and generally a joy to ride.

You can see almost the entire country by train, and with a wide variety of rail passes — including the iconic Japan Rail Pass — you can travel across Japan for less than US$50 per day, including the shinkansen.

Signs are in English even at the smallest stations, translation apps and devices are widely used for complicated questions, and staff are genuinely happy to help travelers.

Japan has an enormous number of train lines and kinds of train, but don’t be put off by the sheer volume: it’s surprisingly easy to navigate , even on your first trip, with your phone’s maps app and a sense of adventure.

A woman stands at a bank of electronic ticket machines. Above her head is a color-coded map showing train lines

There are different services on the Japanese train network

Trains run almost everywhere in Japan. The main backbone of the network, and the fastest, is the shinkansen. These bullet trains run from Hokkaidō in the far north all the way to Tokyo Station , where you have to change for the shinkansen going to Nagoya , Kyoto , Osaka , Hiroshima and on to Kyushu. For travelers visiting Japan’s main sights , this will be the kind of train you take the most.

The next fastest are Limited Expess trains — “limited” as in “limited stops” — that run between cities and to rural areas on pre-shinkansen conventional lines (the non-high-speed ones). Many run through beautiful parts of Japan, so don’t count them out.

Local trains are the slowest and may even be as small as one single car. “Rapid” trains are fairly rare, and are essentially local trains that skip a few of the smaller stops.

Urban rail, commuter trains and subway lines are widespread in cities. These usually work very similarly to what you might be used to in your home country, although do watch out for limited-stop semi-expresses. The big picture transit maps can look a little intimidating, but most major cities now have a system of colors and station codes in place to help you navigate, and your phone's maps app is great for a quick idea of how to get from A to B.

Confident visitors outside major cities will love Joyful Trains, which are special tourist trains operated largely on weekends and holidays in rural areas. These might be renovated steam trains, or specially themed — JR East’s Koshino Shu’Kura is all about sake, including tastings, while the JR Kyushu A Train is jazz-themed.

Japan’s train stations are destinations by themselves, with larger and newer stations offering a huge range of restaurants for every appetite and budget, and shops ranging from high-quality handmade artisanal local goods to Japanese malls to 100-yen stores. Convenience stores and pharmacies are also often on hand.

Do look out for special local snacks in the omiyage souvenir shops (these are intended for Japanese travelers to take back to friends and colleagues as presents) and for ekiben, local specialty boxed bentō lunches.

A single-track train line heading towards the iconic shape of Mount Fuji

Travel short distances with a prepaid travel card

Coming from overseas, traveling short distances on Japanese railways often feels very inexpensive, while traveling longer distances without a rail pass can feel more costly. Let’s start with shorter distances.

Taking subways and urban rail is simple if you get an IC card – one of the many prepaid stored-value contactless cards – that works in a similar way to Oyster in London or Clipper in San Francisco: just tap on and tap off. Most rail operators across Japan will sell you their version, which are almost all interchangeable when it comes to loading and spending them — you can use an ICOCA card from the Osaka region in Tokyo , or a Pasmo from Tokyo in Sapporo . You can also use iPhones to get a virtual Suica card (JR East's version of a prepaid card) via the Wallet app and load it with money using Apple Pay. If you're using an international Visa card, be aware that JR East has had issues processing those payments in the past, so you may need to use a different credit card.

A hand holds up a Japan Rail Pass in front of the rounded nose of a bullet train at a station

Travel long distances with the JR Pass

Over longer distances, the Japan Rail Pass (¥50,000 or about US$335 for seven days – less than US$50 a day!) is generally a good deal if you are planning anything more than simply Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima–Tokyo, and the flexibility it gives you to take an earlier or later train is an added bonus.

You can either buy the ticket online or from an overseas travel agent. Note that you don’t actually buy the pass itself from overseas — you buy a voucher called an Exchange Order, which you then exchange at a major station (including all international airports) for the pass itself.

If you don’t have a pass, tickets cost the same no matter what time of day you travel, where you book, or how busy it will be — it’s not like airline tickets where that can change wildly. Most overseas travelers still use paper tickets for everything outside urban travel.

Long-distance travel fares are based on two elements:

Ticket price, essentially the distance you travel
Whether you want to reserve a seat or not, and in which class, if that’s available: Limited Express and Shinkansen trains will offer non-reserved seat tickets, a reserved seat in standard class, a reserved seat in the Green Car business class, or in some regions a reserved seat in Gran Class (first class).

Tickets can be bought at stations or at JR Travel Service Centers

Use Google Maps or the Japan Transit Planner from Jorudan to find fares, or for JR trains visit your local JR station (look for the “green window” ticket booking office or a JR Travel Service Center), where you can also reserve a seat. At major airports and in Tokyo, you can expect some basic train-related English to be spoken by "green window" ticket agents. JR Travel Service Center staff tend to be more multilingual. Elsewhere, if you speak no Japanese you may well get lucky with someone who speaks English, and you can always lean on your phone's translation apps. Write down (on a printout or even just on your phone's notes app) the dates, times, destinations and details of the train you want, for example: "12 April, Tokyo–Osaka, 12:00, window seat, Mt Fuji side please."

Unless you’re visiting during a major Japanese holiday or want to take a specific Joyful Train, there’s little need to book before arriving in Japan. You can in some cases book online, but it’s pretty complicated and I wouldn’t recommend it to first-time visitors. If you’re confused and want English-speaking advice, head to one of the stations that specializes in Japan Rail Passes . Only a few trains outside the JR network allow prebooking.

Three different trains cross bridges near each other in a city

There are many rail passes to choose from

Japan has a wide variety of rail passes available to overseas visitors, from the JR Pass valid across the JR network (with a few exceptions like the very fastest trains west of Tokyo) to regional and commuter passes.

The most useful is the Japan Rail Pass in its six variants: 7/14/21 days and standard car or Green Car business-class versions. This is probably what you should get your first time in Japan if traveling outside Tokyo.

Adventurous travelers and long-term visitors, or anyone wanting to go deep in a particular region, could also consider:

The various regional passes from JR East , including the very useful Hokuriku Arch Pass for traveling the slower way between Tokyo and Osaka via Kyoto and Kanazawa
The many JR West Passes , including the All Area Pass for most of western Honshu
The four JR Kyushu passes
The three JR Hokkaido passes
The JR Shikoku ALL SHIKOKU pass

You’ll usually need to be visiting with the “temporary visitor” stamp in your passport, and there may be a small discount (a couple of thousand yen or US$5–10) for buying it online or outside Japan. Otherwise, check out the details online or visit a large station, including those at airports: the bigger, the better, and the more likely to have English-speaking assistance.

Train etiquette means not disturbing fellow travelers

Japanese urban trains can be famously crowded during rush-hour, but by and large even Tokyo is no worse than any major global city.

Even if crowded, the etiquette on a Japanese train is to be as quiet as possible and disturb others as little as possible: headphones on quiet, very little chatting, backpack on your front, give up your seat to anyone who needs it more than you.

There is something of a stereotype of loutish tourists yapping away to their traveling companions on long-distance trains. Try not to contribute to it. Separate your trash according to the recycling bins, and always leave the seat as clean and tidy as you found it.

Eating and drinking is fine (even encouraged!) on longer distance trains. General rule: if the seats are subway-style along the sides of the car facing inwards then don’t, but feel free if the seats are airline-style facing forwards. If in doubt, follow the lead of the nearest senior Japanese person.

A beautifully presented box of food with each element separated into its own square

On-board facilities vary depending on the service

With the exception of the Joyful Train tourist excursion services, Japanese trains don’t have buffet cars any more, although you can see what they used to look like at several of Japan’s excellent railway museums. A shrinking number of trains still have a trolley service offering snacks, sometimes bentō and a variety of drinks.

Good news, though: any station smaller than the tiniest rural halt will have a convenience store inside or nearby, which will offer bentō , hot meals, snacks, drinks and essentials. Many larger stations have restaurant complexes, while some smaller ones will have delightful smaller options like a soba or ramen shop.

Long-distance trains will usually have toilet facilities, with newer ones (including all shinkansen and some Limited Expresses) having excellent facilities for disabled passengers, people with reduced mobility and often ostomy facilities too.

Shinkansen and newer Limited Expresses offer two-pin US-style 110V charging ports, while wi-fi is also increasingly available and easy to use.

Most Japanese trains are not set up for luggage bigger than a small carry-on — and “small” here does not include a US-sized rollaboard or anything like a bicycle. On some trains you have to pre-reserve anything bigger. Take advantage of the nationwide luggage shipping services like Yamato – known as Kuroneko Yamato for its black (kuro) cat (neko) logo – that ships larger bags for US$10–20.

These are the best seats for great views

Always take a window seat, whether you’re gazing out on Japan’s sprawling megalopolises from an urban train, watching the country fly by at 320km/h (199mph) from a shinkansen, or enjoying picturesque views from a slow rural train.

On the shinkansen, if you want the best mountain views — including the iconic Mt Fuji between Tokyo and Shizuoka — select a window E seat in standard class and a D seat in the Green Car.

Limited Expresses are wonderful for countryside views, with the Hida from Nagoya to Toyama through the Japanese Alps and the Inaho from Niigata to Akita just two great examples.

Ask for help when navigating busy city networks

Urban trains, commuter rail and subways may have a set of complicated and confusing names with different stopping patterns, especially during rush hour, but this is no worse than figuring out what a “Watford Semi-Fast” is on London’s Tube or how skip-stop works on the subway in New York. As a visitor, just ask station staff or, in a pinch, a fellow passenger — and be prepared to get on the wrong train with a confident smile and a sense of affable adventure.

The majority of trains are wheelchair accessible

A significant majority of intercity, urban rail and subway stations in most major cities (80–90% in Tokyo according to official numbers ) are accessible for wheelchair users, with elevators, stair-climber lifts, and ramps widespread.

Older stations, such as the main Tokyo Station, may be complex and accessible only from certain entrances. Tactile strips to assist blind people or those with reduced visual acuity are almost everywhere.

Accessible Japan is an excellent resource for information, while the very detailed For Safe and Convenient Accessibility website offers route and station search as well as contact details for further assistance. Station staff are keen to help wherever they can.

Many trains offer wheelchair positions, level boarding, with ramps available if you need them. Urban rail and subways have priority seating, and Japan developed the Help Mark badge system for people with invisible disabilities to easily signal their needs. The badge is free from a number of locations in Tokyo , under US$10 from Amazon Japan (consider having it delivered to your first night hotel), or you can DIY your own before leaving home.

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Visit Japan Web
Visit Japan Web Login is a web service that allows you to register the information needed for entry procedures (immigration, customs declaration) when you visit or return to Japan. You can use it on your smartphone or computer and save time and hassle at the airport. Visit Japan Web Login is provided by the Digital Agency of Japan.
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About Visit Japan Web. This is a web service that can be used for immigration procedures (immigration clearance, customs declaration). It can be used not only by those entering the country from overseas but also by those returning to Japan. By registering the information necessary for immigration procedures in advance and presenting the 2D code ...
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Added "Chapter 8 Use after Entering Japan" Revised "Chapter 9 Common Functions" 2.15. December. 12, 2022. Revised "Chapter 2 Using Visit Japan Web" Revised "Chapter 2 Account for Using Visit Japan Web" Revised "Chapter 3 Japan Entry/Return Procedure" Revised "Chapter 4 Registration Procedures of Planned Entry/Return" 2. ...
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Learn how to register online on the Visit Japan Web site before arriving in Japan from November 14, 2022, to avoid the Covid-19 quarantine and PCR test requirements. Find out the documents, steps and tips for the new procedure that replaces the MySOS app.
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Learn how to travel to Japan from April 29th 2023 without a valid vaccination certificate or a COVID-19 negative test certificate. Find out the steps to prepare, enter, and exit Japan, and the measures to follow after arrival and before departure.
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🇯🇵 Summary: Travel to Japan: Complete Visit Japan Web registration. Register at least six hours before entry; No pre-departure test required unless unvaccinated. Unvaccinated travellers must take PCR test within 72 hours of departure; Unvaccinated children aged below 18 travelling with fully vaccinated parents will be treated as fully vaccinated
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Thankfully, Japan has dropped many of its entry restrictions, but still encourages travellers to prepare for their trip by pre-registering all Covid-19 documents before entering the country ...
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The effect of Pre-Clearances (i.e. visa exemptions) granted by the Japanese Government to APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) issued by the following countries was also resumed on October 11, 2022. For more information on the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), please refer to the link below: APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)(Japanese)
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Step 2. Arrival Schedule Registration on Visit Japan Web. Credit: Visit Japan Web. Click on "Registering Planned Entry/Return" then "New Registration". Planned entry/return. Give your holiday a nickname then enter your planned arrival date in Japan, Airline company name, and light number (without letters). Intended Address in Japan.
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April 1, 2024. Japanese. Tweet. Foreign nationals/people who wish to travel to Japan for tourism for a short-term period can apply for a visa online and receive an electronic visa (eVISA) through the JAPAN eVISA system. As of April 1, 2024, the JAPAN eVISA system is available for nationals/people residing in the following countries/regions.
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Once you are in your account, go to the "Your details" section and fill in the information requested (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, etc). After registering your details, you will be able to click on the "New registration" button in the "Register Planned Entry/Return" section.
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We recommend you to use Visit Japan Web to pre-register your details. Visit Japan Web is a web service to help smooth arrival procedure at the airport in Japan.You can register your information for Immigration and Customs procedures ahead of your trip, including the disembarkation card for visa exemption (for eligible travellers such as Australians).
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Tourists from all countries or regions can visit Japan on a package tour (including non-guided package tour). Learn about the current situation, checklist for tourists, entry restrictions and safety measures before you travel.
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9. Visit Japan Web. Visit Japan Web is a convenient way to register information for quarantine, immigration and customs procedures before you enter Japan. You can upload an electronic certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result for a test conducted within 72 hours of travel, and generate a QR code. The service is available in English and ...
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Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.
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Don't Forget These Travel Requirements Before Your Trip to Japan
To register, simply visit this link — rest assured, a guide for filling out the registration can be found on Visit Japan Web's homepage. Once you arrive in Japan, you can simply show this assigned QR code at each procedure (quarantine, immigration, and customs) either through the screen of your phone or through a printed version.
The essential guide to train travel in Japan
Trains run almost everywhere in Japan. The main backbone of the network, and the fastest, is the shinkansen. These bullet trains run from Hokkaido in the far north all the way to Tokyo Station, where you have to change for the shinkansen going to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and on to Kyushu. For travelers visiting Japan's main sights ...
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