This discussion thread has been set up by the moderators of /r/JapanTravel. Please stay civil, abide by the rules, and be helpful. Keep in mind that standalone posts in the subreddit must still adhere to the rules, and quick questions are only welcome here and in /r/JapanTravelTips.
Japan Entry Requirements
- Japan allows visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders of 71 countries (countries listed here).
- If you are a passport holder of a country not on the visa exemption list, you will still need to apply for a visa. All requirements are listed on the official website.
- As of April 29, 2023, Japan no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test (official source).
- Tourists entering Japan should have their immigration and customs process fast tracked by filling out Visit Japan Web (VJW). This will generate a QR code for immigration and customs, which can smooth your entry procedures. VJW is not mandatory. If you do not fill it out, you will need to fill out the paper immigration and customs forms on the plane/on arrival to Japan.
- For more information about Visit Japan Web and answers to common questions, please see our FAQ on the topic.
Japan Tourism and Travel Updates
- Important Digital IC Card News! As of iOS 17.2, you can charge digital Suica cards with some (but not all) foreign Visa cards. See this blog post from At a Distance for more information and ongoing updates, as well as our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips.
- Important JR Pass News! As of October 1, 2023, the nationwide JR Pass and many regional JR Passes increased significantly in price. Information you find on the internet or on this subreddit may now be out of date, as the price increase makes it so that the nationwide JR Pass is no longer a viable option for most itineraries. For more information on the JR Pass, including calculators for viability, see our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips.
- Important IC Card News! Although there is an ongoing shortage of regular Suica and PASMO cards, there are some reports that Suica cards might be starting to be available again at some stations. You can also still get the tourist versions of Suica cards (Welcome Suica). Please see our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips for IC card info, details, and alternatives.
- As of March 13, 2023, mask usage is left up to personal choice and preferences in most circumstances.
- Some shops, restaurants, and attractions have reduced hours. We encourage you to double check the opening hours of the places you’d like to visit before arriving.
- There have been some permanent or extended closures of popular sights and attractions, including teamLab Borderless, Shinjuku Robot Restaurant, and Kawaii Monster Cafe. Check out this thread for more detail.
- If you become ill while traveling, please see the instructions in this guide. If you are looking for information on finding pain or cold/cough medication in Japan, see this FAQ section.
Quick Links for Japan Tourism and Travel Info
by AutoModerator
13 comments
How do I get to make a post in this forum? I keep trying to make a basic post asking for help identifying seasonal festivals for the time/place I’ll be staying but it keeps getting auto-deleted.
Planning on a week long vacation to Japan, was planning on 3 days in Tokyo and 4 days in Kyoto sometimes in March/April maybe in 2026. Think that will be a good spread of time to both places to get a good grasp of the area or I should focus more on Kyoto?
Or should I just plan on doing two weeks there maybe
I’m stuck at Haneda Airport and I have to get to Kyoto for my hotel all travel is suspended because of the typhoon Please help all my posts keep getting removed I’m exhausted from the flight and just want to get to my hotel
To anyone currently stuck in Tyoko and need ing to go to another city, if you are going to take the train to Tsuruga and then the Express somewhere else I highly recommend you go to Tyoko Station and head to the JR East Pass office. Instead of trying to navigate whatever website to buy the ticket, you can get it here. They speak English, are super helpful, and the line is not full at all. Also you can buy the green Suica Card here!
Any suggestions on best way Nagoya to Tokyo? We have shinkansen tickets for tomorrow, which looks like will be cancelled – bus routes (which we took to get to Nagoya) are all full too.
Is there any way to know if I’ll be able to take a train from kyoto to osaka on the 2nd? Hoping the typhoon won’t affect it that far out.
Any cool places to visit in kyoto and osaka that provide wheelchairs? The kyoto national museum did and it was great!
I’m looking to fly to Fukuoka next Sunday, will the typhoon be finished by then? Just heard about it
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So, I’m basically going to Tokyo tomorrow from Nagoya with shinkansen. Does anybody have any idea whether the train operation will be suspended and if so is there any other method that can help me reach Tokyo by tomorrow
Trip from 25th Dec to 1st Jan?
Iirc most stores are close around this period? If I’m going japan solo for these period where will you recommend besides tokyo/kyoto/Osaka? I don’t really ski but don’t mind trying if these a beginner course..
Is early or late October better weather-wise? Leaning towards late October into November as it seems like it’ll be a little cooler
Looking at either 06/10 – 27/10 or 25/10 – 17/11
How likely is there to be another typhoon after this one? Also, how will the overall weather by in Honshu/Kansai from September 14-October 1?