Entry rules are set by the Japanese government and can change with little notice, so treat this page as a starting point — always confirm current requirements on your country's Japanese embassy website or Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before booking.
Do you need a visa?
Japan has a visa waiver arrangement with around 70 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, most of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Travelers from these countries can enter Japan as tourists without applying for a visa in advance, and are typically granted a 90-day short-term stay on arrival (some agreements allow up to 180 days, split into two 90-day periods, for a handful of European countries).
If your country isn't on the waiver list, you'll need to apply for a temporary visitor visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate before you travel. Processing usually takes about a week, and you'll typically need a completed application, passport photo, itinerary, and proof of funds.
Tip: The visa waiver is for tourism and business visits without pay — it does not permit working in Japan. If you plan to work, study, or stay long-term, you need a different visa category.
Passport requirements
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay in Japan (unlike some countries, Japan doesn't require six months of extra validity beyond your trip, but check with your airline too, since carriers sometimes enforce stricter rules). Make sure you have at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
Visit Japan Web
Before you fly, register on Visit Japan Web, the government's official pre-arrival portal. You can submit your immigration (disembarkation) card and customs declaration online in advance, which generates a QR code that speeds up the airport process considerably — especially useful at busy arrival times at Kansai (KIX) or Narita/Haneda.
What to prepare: Passport details, flight information, address of your first night's accommodation in Japan (a hotel booking confirmation works fine), and a rough idea of items you're bringing for customs purposes.
Customs basics
Duty-free allowances cover a reasonable quantity of alcohol, tobacco, and perfume for personal use. Fresh food, meat products, and some plant material are restricted or banned — this catches out travelers bringing snacks or ingredients as gifts. Cash amounts over ¥1,000,000 (or equivalent) must be declared.
Arriving via Kansai International Airport
Most Kyoto-bound travelers land at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Immigration queues can be long for flights arriving in clusters — having your Visit Japan Web QR code ready, plus your passport, keeps things moving. After immigration and baggage claim, the JR Haruka Express to Kyoto Station takes about 75 minutes. See our Getting There guide for the full journey breakdown.
Re-entry and onward travel
If your trip includes a side visit outside Japan (for example, a stopover in South Korea), a standard tourist entry does not include a re-entry permit — you'll simply go through arrivals procedures again on your way back in, as long as you're still within your permitted stay and using the same visa-waiver eligibility.