Handbook · at home · 準備

Before you fly

The visa, the medicines in your bag and the laws that surprise visitors: pointers to the official pages, with what each one says in a line. Check them yourself; rules change.

01 · Entry

Do you need a visa?

  1. The passport

    Every visitor needs a valid passport.

    JNTO, Entry Into Japan and Visa Information ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. 90 days
    Visa-free, up to 90 days

    Passport holders of some countries and regions need no visa for a stay of 90 days or less for tourism. The list is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs'.

    The list (MOFA)

    JNTO, Entry Into Japan and Visa Information ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. If you need one

    The documents depend on your case; JNTO says processing generally takes around five business days. Your Japanese embassy or consulate has the answer for your country.

    Required documents (MOFA)

    JNTO, Entry Into Japan and Visa Information ↗checked 1 October 2026

  4. Not on a tourist stay

    No paid work, no long-term study, no applying for residency.

    JNTO, Entry Into Japan and Visa Information ↗checked 1 October 2026

02 · Visit Japan Web

Not required, but useful

  1. Register in advance

    Registration is not required, but it makes procedures such as tax-free shopping more convenient, JNTO says.

    Visit Japan Web (Digital Agency)

    JNTO, Entry Into Japan and Visa Information ↗checked 1 October 2026

03 · Medicines in your bag

How much you can bring without paperwork

For personal use, up to these amounts you do not need an Import Confirmation; for more, apply and receive it before you leave home, and show it at customs.

  1. 1 month
    Prescription medicines

    Up to one month's supply (also poisons and deadly poisons as the law classes them).

    Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: bringing medicines for personal use ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. 24 each
    Medicines for external use

    Up to 24 of each item (creams, patches and the like), unless they are prescription drugs.

    Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: bringing medicines for personal use ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. 2 months
    Other medicines and quasi-drugs

    Up to two months' supply. Injectables: up to one month, and only pre-filled syringes or self-injection kits.

    Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: bringing medicines for personal use ↗checked 1 October 2026

  4. More than that

    Apply for Import Confirmation, which can now be done online for some cases. Prohibited and controlled drugs cannot be brought in at all, whatever the amount.

    Apply online (MHLW)

    Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: bringing medicines for personal use ↗checked 1 October 2026

04 · Local laws

The rules that surprise visitors

  1. Carry your passport

    Keep it with you at all times as identification; you may be asked for it.

    JNTO, Local Laws ↗checked 1 October 2026

  2. Smoking

    Not allowed in most restaurants and bars except in designated areas; strictly enforced in the cities and can mean a fine. Don't smoke while walking: find a smoking area.

    JNTO, Local Laws ↗checked 1 October 2026

  3. Tattoos

    Many public pools, public baths, hot-spring resorts and gyms refuse entry to anyone with tattoos, even small ones; some ask you to cover them. Check ahead.

    JNTO, Local Laws ↗checked 1 October 2026

  4. Drugs, including cannabis

    Zero tolerance. Cannabis is treated like any other drug, and even a small amount can mean prison: do not bring it in, even if it is prescribed at home.

    National Police Agency warning (PDF)

    JNTO, Local Laws ↗checked 1 October 2026

05 · Two more things

Insurance and a copy of the passport

  1. Travel insurance, passport copies

    Both are on our safety page, with the numbers to call once you are there.

    Safety and emergencies

These are pointers to the governments' own pages, not legal advice; the official page always wins. Every line names where it comes from; the newest was checked 1 October 2026.