Visa and Immigration Information

How to enjoy sightseeing in Japan?

When visiting Japan for tourism purposes, citizens of many countries need a "Short-term Stay Visa (Tourist Visa)." However, depending on the country or region, visa exemption (visa-free travel) may be possible. First, check whether your country is eligible for visa exemption.

Visa-exempt countries and regions (short-term stay)

The Japanese government has "visa exemption agreements" with certain countries and regions, and passport holders from these countries/regions can stay for a short period (usually within 90 days) without a visa for tourism purposes.
Currently, passport holders from over 70 countries and regions can enter Japan without a visa for short-term stays such as tourism (within 90 days).

Major visa-exempt countries (examples)

United States
Canada
Australia
EU countries (France, Germany, UK, etc.)
South Korea
Taiwan
Hong Kong

Please check the latest visa-exempt country list on the official website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Visa-exempt countries and regions list

Main features of tourist visas

Length of stay:
Usually within 90 days
Purpose:
Tourism, visiting relatives, visiting friends, short business trips, etc.
No work allowed:
Part-time jobs or paid work are not permitted with a tourist visa
Single visa and multiple visa:
Multiple-entry visas may be available under certain conditions
Immigration inspection:
Passport and return flight ticket must be presented upon entry

For those who need to apply for a visa

Passport holders from countries/regions not eligible for visa exemption need to obtain a visa in advance, even for tourism purposes.

Visa application procedure (for tourism purposes)

Step 1Prepare required documents

The following are the basic documents required for short-term stay visa application for tourism purposes:

Document	Content
Passport	Valid passport (pay attention to remaining validity period)
Visa application form	Form designated by Japanese embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo	4.5cm × 4.5cm (white background, within 6 months)
Flight reservation confirmation	Round-trip flight information
Accommodation information	Hotel reservation or address of place to visit
Stay schedule (itinerary)	Daily schedule in Japan
Financial documents	Bank balance certificate, income certificate, etc.
If necessary: Invitation letter, guarantor certificate	Required only for visiting relatives/friends

Additional documents may be required depending on the country/region. Please check with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.

Step 2Confirm application location and submit

Submission location:
Japanese embassy/consulate in your country of residence, or authorized proxy application agency
Personal application or proxy application:
Proxy application through travel agencies may be possible in some countries
Recommended application timing:
It's safe to start applying 1-2 months before your planned departure date.

Step 3Wait for review

Review is usually completed within 5-7 business days.
During busy periods or when additional document verification is required, it may take 2 weeks or more.

Step 4Receive results and passport return

When a visa is issued, a visa sticker is affixed to your passport and returned.
Please note that this visa becomes invalid if you don't enter Japan within 3 months from the date of issue.

False information can cause entry denial.
Even if a visa is issued, entry is not guaranteed at Japanese immigration inspection.
Upon entry, you may be asked to present your passport, visa, and return flight ticket.

5 tips for smooth tourist visa application

Prepare required documents early (especially financial certificates and itinerary)
Documents that take time to obtain, such as bank balance certificates and stay schedules, should be prepared early.
Write your itinerary specifically and realistically
Properly writing your sightseeing route, accommodation, and transportation methods increases the credibility of your application.
Prepare "reservation confirmations" for flights and hotels, and make sure dates match
Consistency between documents is a key point in the review.
Prove you have sufficient funds for stay expenses
Having a balance of about 10,000-15,000 yen per day is reassuring. Regular savings account certificates are more effective than time deposits.
Organize past visa application history and entry records if available
Travel records to other countries (especially G7 countries) tend to increase credibility.

For the latest visa information, please check the official website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Short-term Stay Visa Guide (Japanese)Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visa Guide (English)

What documents are required for entry?

When you arrive in Japan, what documents will be needed at airport immigration inspection?
We'll introduce the documents and information you should prepare in advance for smooth entry in an easy-to-understand way.

1. Valid passport Must not be expired at the time of entry. Must have blank pages in passport (for entry stamp).

2. Visa (for nationals who need one) Must have obtained a short-term stay visa (tourist visa) for Japan in advance.
Visa-exempt nationals generally don't need one (with stay duration limits).

3. Information and documents that may be requested during immigration inspection The following are not mandatory but may be requested, so it's reassuring to prepare them in advance.

Item	Content	Notes
Flight ticket (round-trip)	Return or third-country flight reservation	To show intention to return
Accommodation information	Hotel reservation confirmation, address, contact information	May be asked to confirm place of stay
Stay schedule	Travel schedule and list of places to visit	Supports tourism purpose
Financial proof	Credit cards, cash, or bank balance certificates, etc.	To confirm ability to pay living expenses during stay (rarely requested)
Contact information	Emergency contact in Japan (friends, family, travel agency, etc.)	Not mandatory but helps increase credibility

4. Customs declaration form and entry card (on-site) Many are now digitized.
The entry card is a document that foreigners entering Japan submit during immigration inspection, containing stay purpose, place of stay, passport information, etc.
The customs declaration form is a document for declaring items and cash brought into Japan from overseas to customs.

Using Visit Japan Web (online procedures) allows advance registration of entry cards and customs declaration forms.
No need to fill out paper "Customs Declaration Forms" or "Entry Cards (for foreigners)" at the airport - just show the pre-registered QR code to complete procedures.
Visit Japan Web

Source: Ministry of Finance website
https://www.customs.go.jp/kaigairyoko/shinkokusho.htm

Summary: Checklist of items to prepare for entry

Passport (with sufficient validity period) Visa (for nationals who need one) Round-trip flight reservation confirmation Accommodation reservation information Stay schedule (simple itinerary) Financial proof (credit cards, etc.) Visit Japan Web registration (recommended)

To enjoy a safe and smooth trip to Japan, it's very important to understand correct information about visas and immigration procedures in advance.
Preparing necessary documents and checking the latest entry rules in advance can reduce anxiety on-site and make your travel time more fulfilling.

If you have any questions, we recommend checking with Japanese embassies or official websites before departure.
May your trip to Japan be a wonderful experience that remains in your memories.