tourist japan restrictions

Travel to Japan

A record 24.04 million people visited Japan in 2016, welcomed by Japan's spirit of omotenashi . A nation where tradition and modernity share the same space, Japan offers an exciting, unique experience for everyone. From Tokyo’s urban sprawl to the peacefulness of Kyoto, from boisterous Osaka nightlife to Hiroshima's contemplative spirit, Japan’s attractions never fail to dazzle visitors. The amazing food, unique culture, and warm hospitality will keep you coming back!

To get you started, here are some useful tools for your trip: Convert US Dollars to Japanese Yen ・ Japan Weather Forecast ・ Japan train route finder (trip planner) ・ Another train route finder Download DC-based Japan Travel Agencies & JR Pass Distributors

Do I need to bring anything special?

Not usually - just a valid passport. If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days with a roundtrip ticket. The purpose of your visit must be tourism, visiting relatives/acquaintances, attending a conference, etc.

Japan has made agreements to waive visa requirements for tourism with 61 countries and regions. You can find more information about this on the Embassy's visa section page . If you need to obtain a visa for your travels, please contact your nearest Consulate General of Japan or call the Visa Section of the Embassy at 202-238-6800.

Where should I visit in Japan?

What can i bring through customs, can i use a credit card, is japan a safe country, do japanese people speak english, what do i do if i need help or get lost, how can people call me while i'm in japan.

To call Japan from the U.S., dial 011 81 , followed by the area code and phone number. For Japanese cell phones, the area code is 80 or 90. Other common codes are 3 for Tokyo, 78 for Kobe, 75 for Kyoto, 6 for Osaka, and 82 for Hiroshima. If you're given a number that starts with 0, remove it and dial the rest. So, if the number is 080, just dial 80. You can also look up numbers via the Japan Phone Book.

Other options for calling abroad include VoIP services such as Skype .

How is Japan's public transportation system/How can I get a "JR Rail Pass"?

Excellent! Japan has an extremely modern subway and rail system, as well as the famous shinkansen bullet trains, and a large network of buses. Japan-Guide has an excellent guide to transportation in Japan, including information on the numerous tickets and passes available. You can also use the Japan train route finders at the top of this page.

The Japan Rail Pass is one of the most popular option if you'll be traveling long distances by train, or if you're looking for an economical solution for sightseeing. Japan-Guide has more information about the rail pass, but we also have a list of distributors in the DMV area available on our DMV Resources page . You must purchase an Exchange Order before you travel to Japan. You cannot buy a Japan Rail Pass in Japan.

For information about traveling on public transport system with a wheelchair or other disabilities, please check our special circumstances section below.

Can I use a drone/UAV in Japan for tourism?

UAVs are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Their website has a guide in English for those who would like to use UAVs in Japan.

For laws in specific cities and prefectures, you can try and contact local film offices, who might be able to provide you with information on filming with UAV.

What about prescription medications?

Medications are restricted by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Certain medications require a Yakkan Shoumei import/export certificate which can take over two weeks to process. For information and/or restrictions on specific medications, please check with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare .

For more information, please check the main Embassy's guide to bringing Medications into Japan . The Embassy of the United States in Japan also has good information on bringing medication for personal use, although we are not affiliated with them.

What if I'm in a wheelchair or have another disability?

What if i have a medical device (cpap machines, etc.), what if i have dietary restrictions.

Although Japanese food is considered some of the healthiest in the world, it can be difficult to find appropriate foods if you have dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and more. Many major restaurants now include pictorgrams on their menus to help, but smaller restaurants may not have them.

If you are gluten-free , Legal Nomads has provide a gluten-free card in Japanese on her website , and Celiac Travel has a different version on their website .

For vegans and vegetarians , HappyCow , Japan Vegan and Vege-Navi all have resources to help you find good restaurants. Additionally, Is it Vegan? Japan offers help with reading packaging.

For those with halal food restrictions, the JNTO provides a guide to Muslim friendly food stores as well as a travel guide. Additionally, Veg-Travel Tokyo is a vegetarian, halal, and kosher restaurant search. The Jewish Community of Japan also has helpful kosher guides.

If you have food allergies , be aware that any products containing eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp and crab will be labeled by law. The JNTO's English Tourist's Language Handbook includes information on how to indicate what you are allergic to.

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Japan Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Japan

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Recommended in public spaces.

Japan entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to Japan from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Japan.

Can I travel to Japan if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Japan without restrictions.

Can I travel to Japan without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Japan without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Japan?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Japan.

Can I travel to Japan without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Japan?

Mask usage in Japan is recommended in public spaces.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Japan?

Restaurants in Japan are open. Bars in Japan are .

• Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Any restrictions on entering Japan?

On April 29th, 2023, all border measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were lifted.

Those who are entering Japan on or after April 29th, 2023, will not be required to present a Valid Vaccination Certificate or a Covid-19 Negative Test Certificate.

For more information, please check the following page.

https://www.japan.travel/en/practical-coronavirus-information/

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

• https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

• https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

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Articles in this section

• Should we cancel or postpone our trip to Japan?
• Coronavirus advisory information
• What should I do if I am infected with COVID-19 in Japan?
• Do Japanese medical institutions accept payment by credit card?
• Where can I check if tourist facilities are temporarily closed?
• Where can I check the status of events and whether shrines, temples, restaurants, etc. are open?
• World Health Organization Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19)
• General Information
• Climbing Mt. Fuji
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Update April 12, 2024

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Japan Travel Advisory

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 .

Travel Advisory Levels

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How to Travel in Japan as a Tourist Since June 2022

Updated with september 7’s measures.

Tourists have been allowed again in Japan since June 10, but under very specific conditions.

Given Japan’s poor communication and the last months’ ever-changing requirements, it seems that the gradual tourism resumption framework is somehow unclear or blurred by older measures. We thus summarized what travelers need to know to take a trip in Japan this summer 2022 and after, under the current requirements.

Students, businesspeople and residents’ relatives whose situations fall under other requirements since March are out of the scope of this article that will only focus on tourists.

📝 General requirements

During his visit in London in early May , Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised the reopening of the borders in line with the other G7 countries for June.

Technically, tourists are indeed allowed entry to Japan, but there are specific requirements as explained below:

🛃 Daily entry cap

Since September 7, the daily entry cap in Japan has been raised to 50,000 (it gradually raised since early 2022 in a trend that is expected to continue).

However, it is not really something to worry about .

The limit is indeed on the number of slots allotted to the airlines landing every day in the archipelago. If you bought a flight  ✈️ to Japan, you may land anyway .

That is to say, provided you can find an affordable flight this summer, given the lengthening of flight duration consequence of the war in Ukraine, the flaring up of the kerosene prices due to the worldwide inflation, the staff shortage…and strikes that may occasionally disturb the beginning of the vacations’ period.

📄 Getting a tourist visa

Since March 2020, touristic trips reciprocity in the visa waiver program agreements with several countries in the world has been suspended by Japan, something that the European Union has been recently holding against the country. Even so, Japan resumed visa issuance for tourism purpose from 2022, June 10.

However, a travel agency based in Japan must act as a sponsor for any touristic trip . The agency must declare each of their travelers beforehand through the Japanese immigration’s ERFS system, in order to get a PDF authorization called " UketsukeZumisho ".

Then, prospective travelers must go - generally in person – to their nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate with the following documents to apply for a visa:

• This filled-in form ;
• An ID photo ;
• Their passport;
• The " UketsukeZumisho " authorization received from the travel agency;
• Cash to pay the visa fee; and,
• A lot of patience (the wait can last several hours even with an appointment).

They must make sure to book their appointment at the embassy leaving enough leeway to complete the whole process.

Naturally, the documents list is non-exhaustive and details for application are to be checked with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your area. Make sure to book your appointment as soon as possible as the earliest date available may be scheduled several weeks later.

Afterwards, the passport stamped with a tourist visa is usually returned in about 5 working days (timelines may vary depending on the area).

🏥 Health insurance

Travelers must subscribe to their own health insurance that must cover medical costs in case of hospitalization due to a severe form of Coronavirus  🦠 .

Many clients who pay at least a part of their reservation with a bank card  💳 (especially the "Gold" or "Premier" holders) may already have such a coverage, but each traveler is advised to check the conditions of their insurance contract.

If not covered, subscribing to a third-party insurance is mandatory and fortunately not that expensive. Kanpai suggests several reliable companies here:

👃 PCR test before departure

In the same way as to travel in many other countries in the world, it is still mandatory for travelers aged 6 years and older to get a negative Covid test before departure , regardless of their vaccination status. The test must be made at the earliest 72 hours before the departure of the flight for Japan .

Important notice : you must fill in this specific certificate and submit it to the Japanese immigration (a physician’s signature or a laboratory stamp are not necessary anymore to validate it).

The PCR test is not required anymore since September 7th to flight to Japan, but only for travelers who received their three vaccine doses (being infected with Covid is not considered being vaccinated). The authorized vaccines are:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer)
• Spikevax (Moderna)
• Vaxzeveria (AstraZeneca)
• Jcovden (Janssen)
• Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
• Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)

💉 No mandatory vaccine or quarantine

Japan includes the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom (98 countries in total) in its blue countries list. Therefore, travelers who stayed in these countries during the 14 days-period prior to their arrival on the archipelago do not need to be vaccinated to enter the country (see the PCR test information above). Moreover, they don’t need to be quarantined .

If your country happened to be downgraded to the yellow countries list (which is not impossible considering the recent BA4/BA5 variants wave, even if Portugal went through it without being demoted from the blue countries), only triple-vaccinated travelers would be exempted of quarantine . For the others, 3 to 7 5 days of isolation in a hotel  🏨 could be required depending on the results of a PCR test after 3 days.

📲 App to download

Each traveler arriving in Japan must have their own smartphone  📱 and download the Japanese government’s app " MySOS " .

The " Fast Track " system has the additional advantage to fill personal information beforehand in MySOS such as:

• Passport number;
• Vaccination certificate, and more importantly;
• A negative test certificate.

It helps save time with the arrival procedures at the airport: Tokyo -Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya - Chubu , Osaka - Kansai , Fukuoka , and recently Naha ( Okinawa ), Sapporo New Chitose ( Hokkaido ), Sendai, Hiroshima and Takamatsu.

The renting of a Pocket Wi-Fi to be permanently connected to the internet  📶 in Japan is all the more necessary.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group Individual travel

That is the most confusing point. From May 24 to June 4, the Japanese government conducted test package-group tours from various countries, but this test period is now over.

There is no limit (minimum or maximum) anymore regarding the number of travelers : you can travel alone, in couple, with family or friends, regardless of the number of travelers.

Entering a package group tour is not mandatory ! Some travel agencies may offer this kind of service to compensate for the shortage of guides or to make the cost of the guide more affordable (see below) but it is not a condition required by the Japanese government.

🚶 Planned itinerary

Your trip must, to a certain extent, be planned and organized by a travel agency . While travelers could book their flights and hotels themselves between June 10 and September 7, it is now required to go through a travel agency (staying at relatives’ homes is therefore not possible).

Moreover, the whole country is accessible to sightseeing and there is no longer any prefecture restriction, and you can naturally benefit from the famous JR Pass to travel in Japan at an affordable price.

The itinerary is not planned with compulsory visits or schedules to follow! If a travel agency tries to impose such travel and if it does not suit you, feel free to check other travel agents.

😷 Face mask and sanitary guidelines

While wearing a face mask  😷 outdoor is not recommended anymore in Japan since May 14, most of the Japanese population is still wearing it.

As for tourists, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization and Health Minister's guidelines , the mask must always be worn indoor (unless you can keep your distances and do not need to speak!) and outdoor only if you need to speak to someone standing within a 2 meters radius.

Of course, travelers must respect all the other sanitary recommendations (such as washing hands frequently and keeping social distance). It is also recommended to avoid places that are too crowded and the rush hours in transports and restaurants.

🙇🏻 Mandatory guide (only from June 10 to September 7)

In addition to providing the authorization for requesting a tourist visa (see above), the Japanese travel agency is the guarantor of your abiding to these guidelines.

Consequently, at the resuming of international travel, each "group" (from 1 traveler) had to be permanently escorted by a tour-guide , including during meals. Its means there was no leeway for an autonomous trip , except in the hotel room, toilets  🚽 (naturally), and at the onsen   ♨️ .

The guide had to keep records of the visits, transports and restaurants used every day may the Japanese immigration request a reporting in the event of a Covid case.

Naturally, this responsibility and the large working hours of the guide (without any day-off) generated very expensive rates , usually amounting to several hundred dollars per day.

Considering their very limited number, few guides are still available, especially for the traditional touristic peak season.

🗾 When will these restrictions end?

That is THE question in everybody’s mind… to which nobody can answer yet . It is very difficult to find any logic in the decision-making process when taking into account the choices made over the past 2 years.

July 10th’s parliamentary elections are likely key to the evolution of the situation, but it is unrealistic to expect any easing for the next weeks to come.

Want to know when Japan will reopen its borders to free individual travelers? Subscribe to Kanpai’s Newsletter and get information on real time:

It is highly probable that the system implemented on June 10th, and modified on September 7th, will stay in place for quite some time . Travel restrictions are gradually eased but no one knows when they will be totally lifted, or which ones will remain, especially the visa and planning with a travel agency requirements.

Depending on the evolution of the sanitary, economic and diplomatic conditions as well as domestic and international pressures, an easing can reasonably be envisioned by the end of 2022.

In the week following the implementation of these measures, only 1,300 authorization requests were made to the Japanese immigration. Many agencies have been taken aback and have been gradually organizing the trips for summer and autumn   🍁 .

Later, the number of 252 entries in Japan for sightseeing purpose between June 10 and 30 was disclosed, 7,903 in July, and 10.826 in August . About 20,000 tourism visa applications have been made for September, and nearly 36,000 for October and later. The top 5 of tourist visa applicants includes South Korea, the United States, Thailand, France, and Australia.

Anyone is free to enjoy this possibility to go (again) to Japan after 30 months of complete closure to tourism, or to wait without knowing until when these restrictions will last.

What is certain however, is that those who have the motivation and the budget to travel in the next months will both benefit from a historically low Yen  💴 (and consequently a high purchase power in Japan, that partially compensates the additional cost for the guide) and a travel exclusivity that will not happen again anytime soon!

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Kanas are the much-needed basic characters of written Japanese language. Memorize them at a fast pace with our method.

Ask any kind of question and share your knowledge about Japan in Kanpai’s community space, our Q&A section Kotaete.

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Japan opens borders to tourists as last pandemic travel restrictions eased

Japan removes strict Covid-19 travel curbs, fuelling hopes a tourist boom will reinvigorate the economy

Japan has fully opened its doors to visitors after more than two years of pandemic isolation.

On Tuesday, the country reinstated visa-free travel to dozens of countries, ending some of world’s strictest Covid-19 border controls. Japan has also lifted the 50,000-person entry cap and ended the requirement for tourists to travel as part of tour groups, Kyodo news agency reported.

Prime minister Fumio Kishida is counting on tourism to help invigorate the economy and reap some benefits from the yen’s slide to a 24-year low – but hopes for a tourism boom face tough headwinds: a shortage of hospitality workers, lingering pandemic concerns, and predictions from economists that tourist returns would be gradual.

Kishida said last week the government is aiming to attract 5tn yen ($34.5bn) in annual tourist spending. That goal may be too ambitious for a sector that has withered during the pandemic.

Spending from overseas visitors will reach only 2.1tn yen by 2023 and won’t exceed pre-Covid levels until 2025, economist Takahide Kiuchi wrote in a Nomura Research Institute report.

Since June, Japan has allowed tourists to visit in groups accompanied by guides, a requirement that was further relaxed to include self-guided package tours.

Just over half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019.

Arata Sawa is among those eager for the return of foreign visitors, who previously comprised up to 90% of the guests at his traditional inn.

“I’m hoping and anticipating that a lot of foreigners will come to Japan, just like before Covid,” said Sawa, the third-generation owner of the Sawanoya ryokan in Tokyo.

Flag carrier Japan Airlines Co has seen inbound bookings triple since the border easing announcement, president Yuji Akasaka told Nikkei newspaper last week – but international travel demand won’t fully recover until around 2025.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a sudden return to the pre-pandemic situation,” said Sawato Shindo, president of Amina Collection Co, a 120-shop gift and souvenir chain.

Hopes for tourism’s roaring return are also tempered by a shortage of workers. Almost 73% of hotels nationwide said they were short of regular workers in August, up from about 27% a year earlier, according to market research firm Teikoku Databank.

Akihisa Inaba, general manager at the hot-spring resort Yokikan in Shizuoka, central Japan, who said short staffing during the summer meant workers had to forego time off.

“Naturally, the labour shortage will become more pronounced when inbound travel returns,” said Inaba. “So, I’m not so sure we can be overjoyed.”

Whether overseas visitors will wear face masks and abide by other common infection controls in Japan is another concern. The strict border controls were broadly popular during most of the pandemic, and fears remain about the appearance of new viral variants.

On Friday the government approved changing hotel regulations so that operators can refuse guests who do not obey infection controls during an outbreak.

“From the start of the pandemic until now, we’ve had just a few foreign guests,” said Tokyo innkeeper Sawa. “Pretty much all of them wore masks, but I’m really not sure whether the people who visit from here on will do the same.”

One force that may buoy the return of visitors is the drop of the yen: the yen has weakened sharply against the dollar, giving some visitors much heftier buying power and making Japan attractive to bargain hunters targeting Japan’s electronics, luxury goods and retail districts.

In Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district, Hideyuki Abe’s shelves filled with watches and souvenirs like samurai swords and toy cats with bobbing heads. Abe employs about 50 people and had resorted to layoffs after the pandemic struck in 2020. Some Akihabara shops have closed down since then, but he bided his time.

“Hanging on is where power lies,” Abe said. “Now, I am a bit worried about a shortage of workers.”

With pandemic restrictions waning and the dollar at a three-decade high of about 145 yen, he believes the tourists will be back.

“This time,” he says, “it’s a perfect opportunity.”

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report

• Coronavirus
• Asia Pacific

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Unveiling the Latest Japan Travel Restrictions: What You Need to Know

Are you planning a trip to Japan? Before you pack your bags and book your tickets, it’s important to be aware of the latest Japan travel restrictions. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to several changes in travel regulations, and it’s crucial to stay updated with the guidelines to ensure a smooth and safe journey.

Understanding the Current Japan Travel Restrictions

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Japan has implemented a series of travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions vary based on the country of departure, vaccination status, and the prevailing COVID-19 situation. To understand the current travel restrictions, let’s take a closer look at the guidelines:

• Entry Bans: Japan has imposed entry bans on travelers from certain countries with high infection rates. It’s important to check the list of restricted countries before planning your trip.
• Visa Requirements: In addition to the regular visa requirements, travelers may also need to apply for a special visa or permission to enter Japan during the pandemic. Make sure to check the specific visa requirements based on your situation.
• COVID-19 Testing: All travelers entering Japan are required to undergo COVID-19 testing before departure and upon arrival. The specific testing requirements may vary based on vaccination status and the country of departure.
• Quarantine Measures: Travelers may be required to undergo a quarantine period upon arrival in Japan. The duration of quarantine may vary based on several factors, including vaccination status and the country of departure.

Traveling to Japan during the pandemic requires careful planning and adherence to important guidelines. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

• Check Travel Advisories: Stay updated with the latest travel advisories and restrictions issued by the Japanese government and your home country.
• Get Vaccinated: Vaccination is a crucial step in ensuring your safety while traveling. Make sure to get fully vaccinated before your trip to Japan.
• Follow Hygiene Practices: Practice good hygiene by frequently washing your hands, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing.
• Stay Informed: Regularly check for updates on travel restrictions, entry requirements, and quarantine measures. Stay in touch with your airline and accommodation providers for any changes or cancellations.

Japan travel restrictions have been put in place to safeguard public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions have significantly impacted the tourism industry and travelers alike. Let’s explore the comprehensive overview of Japan travel restrictions:

The travel restrictions imposed by Japan have had a significant impact on the tourism industry. The country, known for its vibrant culture, historical landmarks, and natural beauty, has seen a decline in international tourists. This has led to several challenges for the tourism sector, including:

• Loss of Revenue: The decline in international tourists has resulted in a significant loss of revenue for the tourism industry in Japan.
• Job Losses: The decrease in tourism activities has led to job losses in various sectors, including hospitality, travel agencies, and tour operators.
• Economic Impact: The overall economy of Japan has been affected due to the reduced spending by tourists.
• Recovery Efforts: The government and tourism organizations are implementing initiatives to promote domestic tourism and attract international visitors once the travel restrictions are lifted.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest travel restrictions. The situation is constantly evolving, and it’s essential to be aware of any changes that may affect your travel plans. Here are some reliable sources to stay informed:

• Japanese Embassy/Consulate: Check the official website of the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country for the most accurate and up-to-date information on travel restrictions.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan provides regular updates on travel advisories and restrictions.
• Local Travel Agencies: Consult with local travel agencies that specialize in Japan travel for the latest information and guidance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a new normal in the travel industry, and Japan is no exception. Travel restrictions have changed the way we plan and experience our trips. Here are some ways in which Japan travel restrictions have changed:

• Increased Documentation: Travelers now need to provide additional documentation, such as vaccination certificates and negative COVID-19 test results.
• Health Protocols: Japan has implemented strict health protocols, including mandatory mask-wearing and temperature checks at airports and public places.
• Reduced Tourist Activities: Some tourist activities and attractions may have limited access or operating hours due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Focus on Domestic Tourism: With international travel restrictions in place, there has been a shift towards promoting domestic tourism and exploring local destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Japan Travel Restrictions

A: Japan has implemented entry bans for travelers from certain countries with high infection rates. It’s important to check the official list of restricted countries before planning your trip.

A: Depending on the situation, travelers may need to apply for a special visa or permission to enter Japan during the pandemic. It’s recommended to check the specific visa requirements based on your circumstances.

A: Yes, all travelers entering Japan are required to undergo COVID-19 testing before departure and upon arrival. The specific testing requirements may vary based on vaccination status and the country of departure.

A: Yes, travelers may be required to undergo a quarantine period upon arrival in Japan. The duration of quarantine may vary based on several factors, including vaccination status and the country of departure.

Expert Advice on Japan Travel Restrictions

When it comes to navigating Japan travel restrictions, it’s always wise to seek expert advice. Here are some recommendations from travel experts:

Regularly check official sources and reliable travel websites for the latest updates on Japan travel restrictions. Keep yourself informed about entry bans, testing requirements, and quarantine measures.

Given the uncertainties surrounding travel during the pandemic, it’s important to plan your trip well in advance. Make flexible bookings and consider travel insurance to protect your investment.

Adhere to the safety guidelines provided by the Japanese government and health authorities. Practice good hygiene, wear masks, and maintain social distancing to protect yourself and others.

If you have any specific concerns or questions about Japan travel restrictions, consult with travel experts or local travel agencies. They can provide personalized advice based on your circumstances.

By staying informed, following guidelines, and seeking expert advice, you can navigate the latest Japan travel restrictions confidently and enjoy your trip to this fascinating country.

Izumi Kenta

Hi, I’m Izumi Kenta from Japan. By profession, I worked as a tourist guide and interpreter in Japan. Besides this profession, I’m a hobbyist blogger. I love to talk about different things about Japan and share them with a wider audience who wants to know about my country. To share my thoughts, I’ve created this site Visitjapan and brought some Japanese travel enthusiasts and tourists worldwide to share their experiences.

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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: April 6, 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.

*  Get our free Post-Pandemic Travel Checklist  *

April 2024: “Tourism is really popular in Japan these days, and crowds can be difficult to avoid. T here are no more travel restrictions for Japan, so it’s a much simpler arrival process than last year. However, we still highly recommend filling out the Immigration and Customs form online for quicker arrival (see instructions below).  We showed our passports and QR code at immigration and customs, did fingerprints, and had no questions asked. Wifi in both Tokyo airports can be frustratingly slow, so it’s important to screenshot/download the QR code before departure so you can access it offline. Just as it was pre-Covid, there is a percentage of Japanese people who wear masks out and about in public.” – Michelle & Jedd, Intentional Travelers

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 and again in early April 2024. 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 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.

Previously, 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 >

💊 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.

January 2024 – Brandon of Zimminaroundtheworld , expat living in Japan: “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.”

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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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 .

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With regards to visa inquiries, you can contact “Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information” or “the Japan Visa Information Hotline” listed on the website of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan. Due to the complex nature of visa requirements, we are UNABLE to respond to visa-related inquiries made through this website at the moment. We advise you to contact the Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan nearest you for more information and advice.

If you are a foreign national, please click the links below for specific information related to respective subjects.

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)
• Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)

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

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Inbound tourism numbers hit record high, with Japan set to achieve 2025 goal

Japan is on course to achieve a government goal of topping the pre-pandemic figure of 32 million annual foreign visitors by 2025, with the January-March quarter seeing a record 8.56 million, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization showed Wednesday.

Foreign travelers also spent ¥1.8 trillion during the January-March period, which translates to about ¥210,000 per person per stay. The total marks the highest figure on record as more people stay longer in Japan thanks to the weaker yen.

Japan also welcomed a record 3.08 million foreign visitors in March, surpassing the previous high of 2.99 million from July 2019, JNTO said.

The spike in numbers can be attributed to the Easter holiday in March, when there were more travelers from Western countries such as Australia and the United States, as well as the attraction of the cherry blossom season.

In 2023, about 25 million visitors came to Japan, spending a record ¥5.3 trillion, with a single tourist on average spending around ¥210,000 per stay.

The figures have already surpassed a target — set at ¥5 trillion total and ¥200,000 on average — that had been fixed for 2025 in the government’s tourism strategy and goals, which were drafted in 2023.

However, other goals in the plan have yet to be reached, and the government held the ministerial meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss their efforts and further plans.

For instance, one of the goals set in the basic plan is to establish sustainable tourist spots, or destinations that can continue to flourish and be self-sustainable in terms of financial, social, cultural and natural resources, with minimum impacts on the environment.

As of November, the latest figure available, there were only 31 areas that have set up such projects, well short of the government goal of 100 by 2025. The tourism agency is offering support to various local governments and destination marketing organizations to encourage more to join.

Another issue that remains is the fact that tourists still tend to congregate in urban areas. In 2023, around 70% of all visitors stayed in the three metropolitan cities of Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, or areas surrounding the capital such as Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures. The figure was just over 60% prior to the pandemic.

"I think the potential of rural areas is truly limitless — and we are yet to see this potential fully flourish," said Ichiro Takahashi, the head of Japan Tourism Agency. "While there is a trend of uneven distribution in the three major metropolitan areas, we would like to especially strengthen our efforts to attract visitors to these rural regions."

Meanwhile, outbound tourism remains low compared to inbound arrivals, mostly due to the weak yen and high prices abroad. In March, about 1.22 million people visited foreign countries from Japan, around 60% of the figure during the same period in 2019.

In 2023, the figure was 9.62 million, less than half of the amount recorded in 2019.

However, domestic travel through 2023 almost rebounded to 2019 levels, and individuals spent 17.8% more on average per person. The total consumption amount was ¥21.9 trillion, approaching the goal of ¥22 trillion set by the government for 2025.

Staff writer Gabriele Ninivaggi contributed to this report.

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COVID-19 Health & Safety Information

Please note this page is no longer being updated..

For the latest information on entry to Japan, please visit the following page:  COVID-19: Practical Information for Traveling to Japan

Information on the easing of travel restrictions to Japan (as of 11 November 2022)

*For passport holders from other countries, please see the links below for the Embassies and Consulates-General of Japan for more information.

PCR tests or quarantine on arrival are not required, regardless of vaccination status. For more information on the process and entry requirements, refer to the below image or visit  this page  to view the information in checklist form. 

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Useful Resources

Au / nz government travel advisories , visit japan / jnto sites .

The  Coronavirus travel restrictions page  is a travel advisory updated regularly in line with the official information provided by the Government of Japan.

COVID-19: Practical Information for Traveling to Japan is an information page built to help travellers plan a safe trip around Japan.

See specific measures taken by Japanese organisations below.

Airlines & Airports

The ANA Care Promise set of health and safety initiatives has been awarded a 5-Star COVID-19 Safety Rating from SKYTRAX, the highest possible rating, and one that only a few airlines worldwide has achieved.

The JAL FlySafe set of health and safety initiatives has been recognised by Skytrax with a 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating, along with a Diamond Certification by APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying.

Haneda Airport’s webpage includes information on how to use airport facilities safely and measures to prevent the spread of infection, especially in regards to the 3 Cs: closed spaces, crowded spaces, close-contact settings.

Narita Airport has implemented nine key initiatives to prevent the spread of infection including the installation of transparent barriers, ensuring optimum air ventilation and stringent cleaning practices.

Kansai International Airport has a number initiatives in place to prevent the spread of infection including the use of thermographic cameras, increased cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and social distancing measures.

Railway Companies

Japan has an expansive railway network that is owned and operated by many companies.  Japan Railways (JR) is the most well-known thanks to the popular  JR Pass  and high-speed shinkansen (bullet trains). Its vast and elaborate network can be a bit daunting to navigate at first - it's actually operated by six separate companies: JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu.

In particular, please note the popular Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo to Hakata) is run by both JR Central and JR West – JR Central operates the section from Tokyo to Osaka, and JR West operates the section from Osaka and Hakata. 

JR Hokkaido services the northern island of Hokkaido and also operates the section of the shinkansen route between Shin-Aomori Station on Honshu and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in southern Hokkaido. Download the ‘Major actions on preventing the spread of novel coronavirus’ PDF from their website for more information.

JR East services eastern Japan including the capital of Tokyo and the north-eastern region of Tohoku. It also operates the Hokuriku Shinkansen which stops at cities such as Nagano, Kanazawa and Niigata.

JR Central services central Japan and operates the Tokaido Shinkansen, a popular route that runs between Tokyo and Osaka travels through major cities such as Yokohama, Nagoya and Kyoto. The ‘COVID-19 Protective Measures’ PDF is available to download from their website.

JR West services western Japan, including well-known cities such as Nara, Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama, Kobe and Hiroshima. It operates the Sanyo Shinkansen which runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu.

Tobu services the area of Tokyo and surrounds, providing connections to popular destinations such as Nikko, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree and Kawagoe. Information on the latest measures to prevent the spread of infection is available to download from their website.

Kintetsu Railway services the areas of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Ise-shima (Mie Prefecture) and Nagoya. As part of a number of measures implemented to prevent the spread of infection, Kintestsu has sprayed the interior of its train carriages with an antiviral and antibacterial treatment.

Nankai Electric Railway services southern Osaka Prefecture and Wakayama Prefecture. It connects the southern hub of Namba to Kansai International Airport, Wakayama and Koyasan. Information on health and safety measures that have been implemented is available to download from their website.

JR-West Hotels have implemented new 'Clean & Safety' hygiene standards, and have received the coveted Trusted Cleanliness Badge, a certificate issued by Trust You, one of the top class platforms in the hotel industry. (JR-West Hotels brands include Hotel Granvia, Hotel Vischio by Granvia, Nara Hotel and Potel.)

Prince Hotels has developed the Prince Safety Commitment, a set of new protocols for hygiene and disinfection to be applied to all the hotels under their brands. These will enable Prince Hotels to provide guests with a safe and clean environment during their stay.

Palace Hotel Tokyo has achieved the GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation and has become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™ with Forbes Travel Guide. These accreditations show Palace Hotel Tokyo is committed to implementing best practices and operating as safely as possible.

Imperial Hotel Osaka has received GBAC STAR™ accreditation and is Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™ with Forbes Travel Guide. These demonstrate the hotel meets international hygiene standards for infectious disease prevention measures and is committed to following best practices to ensure the safety and comfort of its guests.

Destinations

Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association has produced a video to introduce the safety measures taken by the Miyazaki Tourism Industry for the post-COVID-19 era.

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Read about the health and safety measures that are in place at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea as well as update on the status of rides, attractions, restaurants and other facilities at each theme park.

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