Do I need a visa for Japan?

Visa policy overview * Visa free entry: 15, 30 or 90 days for citizens of [https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html certain countries] Transit Visa: 15 days Temporary Visitor Visa: max. 90 days (for short-term stay like tourism and business) Working Visa: max. 3 years General Visa: max. 3 years (for accepting training) Special Visa: max. 3 years (for long-term residence) You can contact your nearest [http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html Japanese embassies and consulates] for more details. [https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html#list Citizens of many countries], including the US, Canada, UK and EU, can obtain entry permission on arrival without a visa. This is usually valid for a stay of up to 90 days, although Mexicans and some Europeans are permitted to stay for 180 days if they ask for a longer stay upon entry. All others must obtain a "temporary visitor" visa prior to arrival, which is generally valid for a stay of 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an [https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/ on-line Guide to Japanese Visas].

What is the best time to visit Japan?

The best months to visit are usually May.

What are the cultural customs in Japan?

Martial arts Go Shogi Kimono Having been in the Chinese cultural sphere for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences can be seen in Japanese culture. They have been seamlessly blended with native Japanese customs to give rise to a culture that is distinctly Japanese. During the Edo Period, Japanese culture was strongly influenced by Confucianism. The Tokugawa Shogunate instituted a rigid class system, with the Shogun at the apex, a small group of feudal lords called daimyō below him, and the other samurai below that, followed by a vast population of commoners below them. At the bottom below even the commoners was a group …

Field guide

Japan

Asia • Eastern AsiaTokyoJapanese yen (JPY) · ¥

JP, Nippon, Nihon

Updated February 5, 2026 at 10:59 PM · Sources

Names & aliases

JapanJPNipponNihon

Quick facts

CapitalTokyoCurrencyJapanese yen (JPY) · ¥LanguagesJapanesePopulation123,210,000Area377,930 km²Calling code+81Driving sideLeft-hand

Climate (capital proxy)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

4°62

4°59

8°104

13°121

18°118

21°147

25°159

26°134

23°204

18°138

12°127

7°70

BestMay

Source: Open-Meteo Climate

Daylight

6:36 AM5:13 PM

10h 36m

Source: Sunrise-Sunset.org

Timezones

UTC+09:00

IANA zones (1)

Asia/Tokyo24 cams

Source: REST Countries

Pre-trip intel

Safety & entry

Source: U.S. Department of State

No data source connected

Safety highlights

No summary available.

Needs review

No bullet notes stored.

Source: U.S. Department of State

Entry & docs

Visa policy overview * Visa free entry: 15, 30 or 90 days for citizens of [https://www.mofa.

Transit Visa: 15 days
Temporary Visitor Visa: max. 90 days (for short-term stay like tourism and business)
Working Visa: max. 3 years
General Visa: max. 3 years (for accepting training)

Source: Wikivoyage

On the ground

Getting around & connectivity

Source: Wikivoyage

Getting around

No summary available.

No bullet notes stored.

Source: Wikivoyage

Wi-Fi, SIMs & staying online

In bigger cities, especially around the major stations you can find Internet or Manga cafés. Membership costs around ¥300 one time.

In bigger cities, especially around the major stations you can find Internet or Manga cafés. Membership costs around ¥300 one time. Here you can also watch TV, play video games, read comics and enjoy the free drink bar. Prices vary but usually are around ¥400/hour. They often have a special night rate for the period when no trains are running (from around midnight until 05:00 for ¥1,500). Customers are typically given the choice between a computer-equipped or TV-equipped but separated cubicle, while others offer amenities such as a massage chair, a mat to sleep on or even a shower. Some even have private rooms. The cubicles are open towards the top and light can shine in or you might hear the other guests. Expect to pay around ¥2,500–3,000 for 9 h in a cubicle or private room, in case you are looking for a proper sleep.
It is not an especially comfortable option, but it is perfect for checking the next day's train schedule, downloading pictures from your digital camera, writing home, and resting a bit. Often, you may be surrounded by snoring locals who have missed the last train home.

Source: Wikivoyage

Local wisdom

Etiquette, tipping & staying well

Etiquette & respect

Martial arts Go Shogi Kimono Having been in the Chinese cultural sphere for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences can be seen in Japanese culture.

Having been in the Chinese cultural sphere for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences can be seen in Japanese culture. They have been seamlessly blended with native Japanese customs to give rise to a culture that is distinctly Japanese.
During the Edo Period, Japanese culture was strongly influenced by Confucianism. The Tokugawa Shogunate instituted a rigid class system, with the Shogun at the apex, a small group of feudal lords called daimyō below him, and the other samurai below that, followed by a vast population of commoners below them. At the bottom below even the commoners was a group of outcastes called the burakumin, who took on jobs considered "unclean" such as undertakers, butchers and executioners. Commoners were expected to pay respect to samurai (at the risk of being killed if they didn't), and women were expected to be subservient to men. Samurai were expected to adopt a "Death before dishonor" attitude, and would typically commit suicide by self-disembowelment (harakiri/seppuku) rather than live in shame. Although the Edo Period ended with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, its legacy lives on in Japanese society. Honor remains an important concept in Japanese society, employees are still expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women continue to struggle for equal treatment.
Japanese people are fiercely proud of their heritage and culture, and hold on to many ancient traditions that go back hundreds of years. At the same time, they also seem to be obsessed with the latest technology, and consumer technology in Japan is often several years ahead of the rest of the world. This paradox of being traditional yet ultramodern often serves to intrigue visitors.
It is customary to remove your shoes before entering a private home, and often in certain traditional accommodations or temples.

Source: Wikivoyage

Tipping guidance

Tipping is not a part of Japanese culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped.

Tipping is not a part of Japanese culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped. The Japanese pride themselves on the service given to customers, and a further financial incentive is unnecessary. If you leave a tip in a restaurant, the staff will probably come running after you to return the money you 'forgot'. Many Westernised hotels and restaurants may add a 10% service charge, and family restaurants may add a 10% late-night charge after midnight.
Occasionally the hotel or inn will leave a small gratuity envelope for you to tip the maids, though it is completely optional. Never leave a cash tip on a table or hotel bed, because the Japanese consider it impolite if it is not concealed in an envelope. Exceptions to the no-tipping culture are high-end ryokan (see § Sleep) and interpreters or tour guides.

Source: Wikivoyage

Health & wellness

Japan is a country obsessed with cleanliness and health hazards are few and far between. Food hygiene standards are very high and there are no communicable diseases of significance.

Japan is a country obsessed with cleanliness and health hazards are few and far between. Food hygiene standards are very high and there are no communicable diseases of significance.
Tap water is safe and of good quality throughout the country. Domestic and foreign brands of bottled water are available for ¥100-200 everywhere (at least in tourist destinations). Most restaurants serve filtered tap water for free. Unless specifically labeled "mineral water" (ミネラルウォーター mineraru wōtā), water in Japan has a low mineral concentration in general. Radioactivity levels in the water supply have been closely monitored in some areas since the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster, but found negligible as far as water used by civilians is concerned; also see the Tokyo government's [http://monitoring.tokyo-eiken.go.jp/en/mon_water_data.html daily reports].
If you do become ill with a cold or other sickness, purchase a mouth-covering, cloth surgical mask. You will find that people frequently wear these out on trains and on the job. This filters your sneezing and coughing so you do not transmit to others.
Second-hand smoke used to be a massive issue in Japan, but public transport, public buildings and most offices are now smoke-free, with increasing numbers of cities banning smoking entirely outside designated smoking areas. Since 2020, even restaurants in Tokyo only allow smoking in dedicated, separately ventilated smoking sections.
Despite the name, Japanese encephalitis has been virtually eradicated from Japan. The main reservoir of the virus is pigs, so vaccination is unnecessary unless you plan on spending time at rural hog farms.

Source: Wikivoyage

Scams & street smarts

Police and the law Police in Japan may and do detain people up to 23 days before a prosecutor formally files charges, and you may be subjected to nonstop interrogation during this period.

By far the most common pattern of how foreign tourists end up staring at the cold, yellow walls of a Japanese detention cell is getting drunk and then involved in a fight. Standard police procedure is to detain everybody first and to sort out things later. If anybody accuses you of anything even on the flimsiest grounds, you may be looking at an unpleasant extension to your vacation. Over 99% of criminal trials in Japan end in a conviction, so if your case goes to trial, your conviction is largely a formality, and the main job of the judge is to decide your sentence. If you are convicted of a crime, you will be looking at a first-hand experience of Japan's notoriously harsh prison system.
Street crime is extremely rare, even for female travellers roaming the streets alone late at night, but it is still no excuse to ditch your common sense. Women travelling alone should take care as they would in their home countries and never hitchhike alone, though taxis are usually safe.
Pickpocketing does sometimes happen: be sure to take the usual precautions in crowded places such as trains and at Narita Airport.
Women on crowded rush-hour trains may be targeted by molesters (痴漢 chikan). Some trains have female-only carriages during rush hour in an effort to combat sexual harassment and upskirting.
A lot of heavy drinking goes on in the evenings and occasionally drunks may be a nuisance, although alcohol-related violence is extremely rare.

Source: Wikivoyage

Practicalities

Money & essentials

Japanese yen (JPY) · ¥GDP/cap $32,487.078Inflation 2.7%Plugs & voltage

Source: World Bank GDP per capita

Source: WorldStandards (plugs)

Highlights

Top places

Source: Wikivoyage

No places stored yet.

Cams

Cams in this country

Source: Webcam DB aggregates(prisma://webcams)

25CITY: 9 · AIRPORT: 6 · HARBOR: 3 · BEACH: 2

Top cities (4)

Ota · 5Shinjuku · 3Minato · 2Chitose · 2

Browse cams

Plan

Plan your trip

Trip planning

Source: Affiliate hub config(local://affiliate)

Flights via Skyscannerflight, transport Hotels via Booking.comhotel, lodging Travel Insurance via SafetyWinginsurance Guided Tours via Viatortours, experiences International eSIM via Airaloconnectivity Japan Rail Passrail, transport

Links are templates; confirm final tracking codes before launch.

Reference

Country reference data

Reference

ISOJPTLD.jpTranslations26Google Maps OpenStreetMap

Show full reference data

Identifiers

ISO Alpha-2JPCCA3JPNCCN3392CIOCJPNFIFAJPNTLD.jpTLD.みんな

Demonyms

Japanese / Japanese; Japonais / Japonaise

Translations (26)

ara اليابانbre Japances Japonskocym Japandeu Japanest Jaapanfin Japanifra Japonhrv Japanhun Japánind Jepangita Giapponejpn 日本kor 일본nld Japanper ژاپنpol Japoniapor Japãorus Японияslk Japonskospa Japónsrp Јапанswe Japantur Japonyaurd جاپانzho 日本

Sources