Visas
Japan offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 70 countries for tourism. Americans, Canadians, Australians, UK citizens, and most Europeans receive 90 days automatically on arrival. No pre-arrangement needed—immigration stamps your passport at entry.
Citizens requiring visas apply through Japanese embassies or consulates. Single-entry tourist visas typically grant 15-30 days, multiple-entry visas allow 90 days. Processing takes 5-7 business days. Working holiday visas available for citizens of specific countries aged 18-30.
You need six months passport validity from entry. Japan Track and Trace system (Visit Japan Web) now handles customs, immigration, and quarantine declarations digitally—register before arrival to speed processing.
Airport
Narita Airport sits 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo. Modern, efficient, but distant. Narita Express (N’EX) trains reach Tokyo Station in 60 minutes for 3,070 yen, Shinjuku in 80 minutes for 3,250 yen. Trains run every 30 minutes from 6am to 9:30pm. Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in 41 minutes for 2,570 yen.
Haneda Airport sits within Tokyo, 30 minutes from central areas. More convenient for most travelers. Tokyo Monorail connects to Hamamatsucho Station in 20 minutes for 500 yen. Keikyu Line reaches Shinagawa in 15 minutes for 300 yen. Both airports have excellent English signage and immigration rarely takes more than 30 minutes.
Kansai International Airport serves Osaka, Kyoto, and western Japan. Haruka Express reaches Kyoto in 75 minutes for 3,600 yen, Osaka in 50 minutes for 1,740 yen. Airport limousine buses serve major hotels. SIM cards and pocket WiFi available at all major airports—data SIM packages cost 1,500-4,000 yen for 7-30 days.
Weather
March to May brings cherry blossom season. Tokyo and Kyoto peak late March to early April, northern regions like Hokkaido bloom through May. Temperatures range 10-20°C with occasional rain. Crowds surge during bloom weeks—book accommodations months ahead.
June through mid-July is rainy season except in Hokkaido. Heavy rain, high humidity, fewer tourists, lower prices. Late July through August delivers hot, humid weather—30-35°C in cities. Festivals and fireworks happen across the country. Mountain areas and Hokkaido offer cooler escapes.
September to November is peak season. Comfortable temperatures, low humidity, fall foliage from October onward. Kyoto’s autumn colors draw massive crowds in late November. December through February turns cold—Tokyo sees 5-10°C, Hokkaido drops below freezing with heavy snow. Ski season runs December through March in Niseko, Hakuba, and other resorts.
timing
Golden Week spans late April to early May combining multiple national holidays. Japanese travel domestically in huge numbers—trains, hotels, and major sites completely booked. Avoid unless you’ve planned far ahead. Obon in mid-August sees similar domestic travel surges as families return to hometowns.
New Year (December 28-January 3) shuts most businesses, restaurants, and attractions. Temples and shrines open for first prayers but shops and services close. Transportation runs but crowds are heavy. Cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons see international tourist peaks—book early and expect premium pricing.
Ski season peaks December through February, especially around New Year and Chinese New Year. Niseko fills with Australian and Asian tourists. Summer festivals like Gion Matsuri in Kyoto (July) and Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori (August) require advance hotel bookings.
Kyoto alone holds over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Fushimi Inari’s thousands of vermillion torii gates wind up the mountain. Kinkaku-ji’s gold-leaf pavilion reflects in still ponds. Zen gardens at Ryoan-ji arrange rocks in raked gravel. Tokyo’s Senso-ji draws crowds to Asakusa while Meiji Shrine offers forest quiet in Shibuya. Each region maintains distinct architectural styles and seasonal displays.
Sushi omakase in Tokyo’s Ginza starts at 20,000 yen and climbs higher. Ramen shops serve regional styles—tonkotsu in Fukuoka, miso in Sapporo, shoyu in Tokyo. Kaiseki dinners at ryokans present seasonal ingredients across multiple courses. Osaka’s street food includes takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Tsukiji Outer Market and Nishiki Market offer ingredients and quick meals. Convenience stores sell quality onigiri and bento boxes.
Natural hot springs exist across volcanic Japan. Hakone offers mountain views from outdoor baths. Kusatsu and Beppu specialize in therapeutic waters. Traditional ryokans serve kaiseki dinners in tatami rooms, provide yukata robes, and include private or communal onsen access. Tattoos still banned at many public baths. Some ryokans and hotels now offer private baths for tattooed guests.
Japan Rail Pass covers JR trains nationwide including most shinkansen lines. 7-day pass costs 50,000 yen for ordinary cars, 70,000 for green cars. Only worthwhile if making long-distance trips—Tokyo to Kyoto return already justifies the cost. Must be purchased before arriving in Japan. Activate at major stations upon arrival.
IC cards (Suica in Tokyo, ICOCA in Osaka) work on trains, subways, buses, and convenience stores. Load cash at station machines. Single metro rides in Tokyo cost 170-320 yen. Shinkansen reaches Kyoto from Tokyo in 2 hours 15 minutes, Osaka in 2 hours 30 minutes. Reserve seats during peak seasons. Taxis are expensive—flag fall 500-730 yen, but useful for short trips with luggage.
Japan remains heavily cash-based despite recent changes. Many restaurants, small shops, and rural businesses don’t accept cards. Carry 10,000-20,000 yen daily. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept international cards—withdraw fees around 200-300 yen per transaction.
Major hotels, department stores, and chain restaurants take credit cards. IC cards cover daily transport and convenience store purchases. Mobile payment apps like PayPay growing but not universal. Tipping doesn’t exist and can cause confusion or offense.
Rent pocket WiFi at airports for 500-1,000 yen per day with unlimited data. Works better than phone SIM for multiple devices. Tourist SIM cards available but require unlocked phones. Free WiFi at convenience stores, major stations, and tourist areas but coverage isn’t comprehensive. Many accommodations provide free WiFi though speeds vary.
Pack light—luggage delivery services (takkyubin) ship bags between hotels for 1,500-2,500 yen, making it easy to travel with only a day bag. Bring cash, comfortable walking shoes, and layers for variable indoor temperatures. Outlets use Type A plugs (same as US). Most hotels provide slippers, yukata robes, and toiletries. Coin lockers at major stations cost 300-700 yen per day.
Japan is exceptionally safe. Crime rates are among the world’s lowest. Lost items usually returned to police or station attendants. Tap water safe to drink nationwide. Food hygiene standards are rigorous—safe to eat raw fish, street food, and convenience store items. Earthquakes occur regularly—small tremors are normal, major quakes rare but possible. Follow local instructions if warnings sound.
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