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 Information you find on the internet or on this subreddit may now be out of date, as the price increase makes it so that the nationwide JR Pass is no longer a viable option for most itineraries.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
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13 comments
>_”Although there is an ongoing shortage of regular Suica and PASMO cards…”_
/u/Himekat or other mods, this should be updated! To clarify to others, the shortage is over and **sales of Suica and PASMO have fully resumed at all stations**.
Hi all, I am seeking some advice regarding my second trip to Japan.
Last year, I landed at KIX, based ourselves at Kyoto and enjoyed 5 days there with day trips to Osaka and Nara. We then went to Tokyo for 4 more days.
Next time, We are planning to again land at KIX, and base ourselves in Osaka this time, spend around 3 days there, making a day trip to Kobe. The plan is then to go to Hiroshima for 2 days, One for seeing the city and another at Miyajima. We then plan to head to Tokyo and fly back from there.
Looking briefly at the sequence of cities, is there any advice that you can give me? Thank you!
best place/things to do during new year eve and new year?
We found a very well-reviewed airbnb in the Rikugien gardens area. It’s across from a 7-11 and very close (2 mins walk per reviews) to the komagome station. Is this a good area for a family of 2 adults and 2 small kids? It’s affordable enough that we were planning on using this as home base for 10 days while doing side trips so we can leave our luggages and everything else.
Can I bring large suitcase (77 x 54 x 29 cm || 30 x 21 x 12 inches) to Thunderbird/Special rapid Tsuruga? I will use one of those to go from Kyoto to Kanazawa. Also, can I book a ticket for either of those a few days prior just like for a shinkansen, or do they differ in some major way?
Is Hokkaido still worth going in October, or is it better to make a beeline to Wakkanai for the “northernmost point of Japan” bragging rights and then going back to explore Tohoku instead, and save Hokkaido for a future trip earlier in the Season? Most touristy stuff and bus routes seem to close after September, and the weather conditions seem kinda mid… would probably be not as much of problem if I wasn’t terrified of left side traffic and could take a rental car instead of being bound to the train.
I hope someone could advise, is it possible to do Hiraizumi > Yamadera in one day? I’ll be making Sendai my hub but it’s looking incredibly unlikely based on some of my research.
Anyone know a good article about yen/usd forecast ?
spending the new years at nagano or tokyo? solo travelling not sure whether to stay in nagano for one more day (1st jan) go tokyo, are there anything to do?
Anyone want to hike up Kamikochi together on 7Oct – 9Oct ? Here’s my itinerary
7Oct : Arrive in AM from Tokyo (taking night bus). Stay at Yooko Sanso
8Oct : Yooko Sanso – Karasawa Cirque – Yooko Sanso
9Oct : Yooko Sanso – Kamikochi Bus terminal (I will go to Takayama)
I am 35M just in case
Hi all, we are landing in Naruto (NRT) airport Wednesday the 18th at around 21:00.
Our first priorities are a public transport card (Suica?), a SIM card and lodging.
Is it possible to buy the Suica and SIM cards at the airport?
What would be a suitable area to look for a modest hotel or AirBnB for about 4 days in Tokyo?
Planning a week in Tokyo in November and wanted to catch some autumn colours in the local area. Would flying on the 15th, 22nd or 29th give me better chances at catching these? May do a day trip somewhere close like Mt takao but otherwise will be staying in Tokyo proper – thanks!
A bit overwhelmed by information and so many threads, I decided to ask for a recommendation for private sentou/onsen. In simplest, we are
* Three people, male + female
* Looking for one private sentou/onsen to use together in Tokyo, open air would be nice but not required
* Basically 貸切温泉 and 日帰り
* Tattoos, can be hidden when at the reception
* End of September
Does anyone have any recommendation for a place or two?
Thank you in advance!