🤝
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Quick answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Phase 1
Before You Travel
Plan, book, pack, and get everything sorted before you fly.
🗺
01 · Before you travel
The Planning Phase
A calm place to begin — book the big things first.
🧭
Start here — the calm way. Book the big things first (flights, a place to stay, any must-do activities) and the rest slots into place. These are the tools most travelers to Japan rely on.
✈️ Booking apps travelers use for Japan
| Flights | Accommodation | Official (JNTO) | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyscanner | Booking.com | JNTO reservation sites | Klook |
| Google Flights | Agoda | Viator |
Tourist & short business travel — most travelers need far less than they expect.
🛂
Visa-free entry, up to 90 days. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, most EU countries and dozens of others can enter Japan for tourism without a visa for stays up to 90 days.
📄 Short-term tourist eVisa
Best for: ordinary passport holders traveling to Japan by air.
Where to apply: the official Japan eVisa platform.
How it works: apply online and upload the required documents. Once approved you'll receive a digital "Visa Issuance Notice" — show this at the airport.
⚠️
Avoid scams. Some third-party sites mimic the official government site. Always check you're on a .go.jp domain (Japan's official government domain) before entering any information.
🌏 If your passport isn't on the visa-free list
You'll need a Temporary Visitor Visa, applied for either in person at a Japanese Embassy/Consulate or through Japan's eVisa system, depending on your country of residence. Official visa information (MOFA) · Find a Japanese embassy worldwide.
✅ Required for every traveler — visa or not
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date
- Proof of onward or return travel (e.g. a return flight booking)
See the full guide to Visa and Entry Requirements for Japan →
Strongly recommended by Japan's own tourism authority, not just a generic suggestion.
🛡
Strongly recommended — by Japan's own tourism authority. Japan's official guidance specifically advises visitors to arrange travel medical insurance before arriving. JNTO — travel insurance guide.
Why it matters
- Medical treatment in Japan can be expensive, especially for foreigners without local insurance.
- A good policy means you can be treated without worrying about the bill first.
What to check your policy includes
- Hospital referral service
- Medical interpretation / translation support
- Cashless treatment (you don't pay upfront — the insurer settles directly)
Compare popular options
| Provider | Best for | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing | Short, simple trips — budget & standard | Straightforward coverage, easy signup, good value. Subscription-based — cancel after a fixed-length trip so it doesn't auto-renew. | Get a quote → |
| World Nomads | Adventure & gear | Built for activities — skiing (Hokkaido), hiking (Fuji); stronger gear/equipment cover. | Get a quote → |
| Squaremouth | Comparing providers yourself | Side-by-side comparison across insurers — good if you'd rather weigh the options and decide for yourself. | Compare plans → |
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
TILU Tip
One gap many policies miss: perinatal / pregnancy-related care is often excluded from standard travel insurance and can be very costly if needed — check this specifically if it's relevant to you.
🚗
Planning to drive? You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) — see the Driving & car rental section.
🧳
04 · Before you travel
Getting Ready & Packing
What to pack — and the one rule to check before you fly.
💊
Check medication rules before you pack. Some everyday medicines are restricted or banned in Japan — even with a valid prescription. Read the Bringing Medicine guidance before you fly, so nothing gets left out or held at customs.
🧳 What to pack for Japan
- Clothing for your season and itinerary
- Comfortable walking shoes or slip-ons (you'll take shoes off often)
- Plug adaptor — Japan uses Type A / Type B plugs; a universal travel adaptor that also handles voltage is ideal
- Your medicines — see the customs & medicine section first
- Important documents kept together safely, plus your usual travel accessories
TILU Tip
High-power appliances like hair dryers need a proper voltage converter, not just a plug adaptor — otherwise they won't work (and may be damaged) on Japan's 100V supply.
📱
05 · Before you travel
Essential Apps for Japan
Get connectivity sorted first — nothing else works without it.
📶
Sort connectivity first. An eSIM gets you online the moment you land — nothing else works without it. Install it before you fly; it activates on arrival.
📶 5.1 · eSIM
Before buying, check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Install before your trip and choose your plan — it activates in Japan.
| Feature | Airalo | Ubigi | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Budget & casual browsing | Frequent travelers & families | Heavy users who want unlimited |
| Data type | Tiered (1/5/20 GB) | Tiered, monthly & some unlimited | Unlimited plans |
| Hotspot / tethering | Yes | Yes | Limited or not allowed on most plans |
| Duration | Fixed (7/15/30 days) | Flexible — top up anytime, no Wi-Fi needed | Fixed (1–90 days) |
TILU Tip
Which one? Light user (maps & messaging) → Airalo. Frequent traveler/family who wants flexibility → Ubigi. Streaming / heavy use / want unlimited → Holafly (check hotspot limits first). Need a Japanese phone number for reservations or calls? Mobal offers physical SIMs and eSIMs, free worldwide delivery, and reliable SoftBank coverage.
🗺 5.2 · Navigation & Trains
| App | Best for | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Everyday walking, local transit & finding places | Download offline maps before you go |
| Japan Travel by Navitime | Longer-distance, multi-train trip planning | Shows JR Pass-eligible routes, exact platforms & costs |
🚉 5.3 · IC Transit Cards (Suica / Pasmo) — your most-used tool
Prepaid tap-and-go cards for trains, buses, vending machines and convenience stores nationwide — no buying a ticket each ride.
| Your phone | What to do |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Add Suica or Pasmo directly to Apple Wallet — free, no physical card needed. Top up with your linked card or Apple Pay. Easiest option. |
| Android | Mobile support varies by model and often doesn't work on non-Japanese devices. Safer to buy a physical card on arrival. |
Buying a physical card: available at station counters and vending machines · ¥500 deposit (refunded when you return it) · cash only at vending machines · children's cards need ID (counter only).
TILU Tip
If a foreign card gets declined topping up: Android phones bought outside Japan generally can't use Mobile Suica (a hardware restriction), and foreign-card top-ups sometimes fail. A multi-currency travel card (Wise, Revolut) is a useful backup — and worth setting up anyway for everyday spending. How to buy & use Suica · How to use Pasmo.
💳 5.4 · Other ways to pay
| Method | Best for | Acceptance | Setup | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suica / Pasmo | Trains, vending, convenience stores | Very high (urban) | Easy (iOS) / Hard (Android) | Yes |
| PayPay | Small shops, local restaurants, markets | Highest overall | Medium (phone setup) | No |
| Apple / Google Wallet (credit) | Hotels, department stores, major chains | High (global standard) | Easy | Yes |
TILU Tip
Set up one payment method before you arrive — but always keep a card or cash as backup, and bring your home credit card (some apps need it for setup). At ATMs/terminals, if asked to pay in your home currency or yen, always choose yen — the home-currency option ("Dynamic Currency Conversion") bakes in a poor rate.
🚕 5.5 · Ride-hailing & taxi
⚠️
Every app here dispatches licensed professional taxis only — private ride-share isn't legal in Japan, so prices feel like normal taxi fares.
| App | Best for | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| GO | Your primary choice by far | Works with foreign phone numbers & cards, no Japanese SIM needed |
| DiDi | Solid backup, strong in Osaka & Kyoto | Often runs promotional discounts |
| Uber | Works, but limited | A taxi-dispatch app here, not private-driver |
| S.RIDE | Fast dispatch in Tokyo | Needs a Japanese App Store/Play account — more a resident's app |
💱 5.6 · Money transfer & currency
| App | Best for | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Everyday transfers & spending | Real exchange rate, low fees |
| Revolut | ATM withdrawals abroad | 0% foreign fee on many plans, but a 1% weekend markup — convert on weekdays; note ATM fees |
🗣 5.7 · Translation & language
| Feature | Papago | Google Translate | DeepL | Kuli Kuli |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Politeness & nuance | Signs & offline use | Long text & emails | Restaurant menus |
| Camera translation | Good (scan & crop) | Best (instant AR) | Limited | Best (dense menus) |
| Offline mode | Yes | Yes (robust) | No | No |
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free / Paid Pro | Free / Paid Pro |
🍜 5.8 · Food & dining
| App | Best for | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Tabelog | Finding restaurants like a local | Highly-rated local gems (3.8+ is genuinely excellent) |
| HappyCow | Vegetarian / vegan travelers | Reliably solves plant-based dining |
| Uber Eats | Meal delivery | Fast food & convenience |
| TableCheck | Premium reservations | High-end sushi & fine dining |
🧰 Other useful apps
Safety & emergency: Safety Tips (JNTO official) — real-time earthquake, tsunami and typhoon alerts in English; download before arrival. NERV — fast, trusted disaster-prevention alerts.
Everyday convenience:
- MyMizu — free water-refill points
- Payke — scan a barcode for English product info
- Ecbo Cloak — book luggage storage in cafés/shops
- Flush — find nearby public toilets
Phase 2
Arriving in Japan
Customs, medication rules, and getting in from the airport.
🛬
06 · Arriving
Arriving in Japan
What actually happens when you land.
🛬
Landing is smooth and well-signposted. After you touch down you'll clear immigration, collect your bags, then pass through customs. Keep your passport and any entry/QR documents handy and you'll be through calmly.
The two things worth knowing before you reach the desk are Japan's customs allowances and its medication rules — both are covered right below.
The Green/Red channel system, and what's allowed in.
🟢 Green channel
Nothing to declare, nothing restricted.
🔴 Red channel
Carrying anything dutiable, restricted, or you're unsure.
📋
Submit your declaration in advance via Visit Japan Web →
Duty-free allowances
3 bottles
Alcohol (~760ml ea)
200
Cigarettes / 50 cigars
2 oz
Perfume
¥200,000
Other goods value
✅ Generally allowed
Personal effects, toiletries, portable equipment for your own use. Up to ¥1,000,000 cash, no declaration needed. Moving for 1+ year — household effects incl. vehicles, with proof of prior use.
❌ Prohibited — no exceptions
All narcotics — heroin, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, stimulants. Firearms, ammunition, gun parts, explosives. Counterfeit currency, forged cards, pirated/IP-infringing goods.
⚠️
Restricted — permit/inspection required: Plants & animals (quarantine inspection), medicine & cosmetics (2-month supply max for general medicine, 24 units for cosmetics), hunting guns/air guns/swords (advance possession permit).
💴 Carrying cash or valuables
Declare if over ¥1,000,000 in cash, checks, or securities — declaration form from any customs officer. Gold bullion 90%+ purity over 1kg needs an additional form.
🧳 Bags arriving separately 6-month window
Declare unaccompanied baggage on arrival, get a stamped copy back. You have 6 months to claim it using that form. Mark the parcel "unaccompanied baggage."
🛍
Tax-free shopping reminder: Tax-free purchases must leave Japan with you — don't use or sell them while still in the country. Customs may check at departure. Using them before leaving means paying the tax retroactively, plus a possible penalty. Bringing medication? See the Medication section above — some common drugs require advance permission.
One of the most consequential things to get wrong without realizing it.
🚨
Applies to every nationality, not just US travelers. Common medications — including Adderall and other amphetamine-based ADHD medications, and any form of cannabis/CBD oil — are fully illegal in Japan, even with a valid prescription from your own doctor. Bringing them in can result in arrest, regardless of your passport.
📋 Do you need a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (import certificate)?
Depending on type and quantity, some medications need this certificate applied for before you leave — not on arrival. Apply at least 2 weeks ahead, to the Regional Health Bureau nearest your arrival airport in Japan. Present it to customs on entry. If your medication is classified as a narcotic in Japan (even if legal at home), separate advance approval is required from the Narcotics Control Department — a stricter process than the standard certificate. Ministry of Health — Apply for Yunyu Kakunin-sho →
Contact by arrival airport — Regional Health Bureaus
| Arriving at | Department | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Narita / Haneda (Tokyo) | Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau | +81-48-740-0800 |
| Chubu Centrair / Kansai | Kinki Regional Bureau | +81-6-6942-4096 |
| Naha (Okinawa) | Okinawa Narcotics Control Office | +81-98-853-7100 |
📌
Important — please read. This information is a general guide compiled from official sources to help you prepare. It is not medical or legal advice, and TILU is not an official authority and does not approve, authorize, or clear any medication for entry into Japan.
Medication rules can change and your situation may differ. Before you travel, always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications, and with the official Japanese authorities (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) for current import rules and any permits. TILU accepts no responsibility for decisions made based on this information — official sources are always the final authority.
Medication rules can change and your situation may differ. Before you travel, always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications, and with the official Japanese authorities (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) for current import rules and any permits. TILU accepts no responsibility for decisions made based on this information — official sources are always the final authority.
🚐
09 · Arriving
Airport Transfers
Optional — the train is usually cheaper.
🚕
Getting in from the airport. Trains and airport limousine buses are excellent and cheap. If you're jet-lagged, arriving late, or traveling with family or lots of luggage, a pre-booked private transfer is the stress-free option.
| Service | Booking | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klook | Instant app confirmation; driver via WhatsApp/LINE before pickup | Most travelers — best balance of cost & reliability; up to 10-seat vans | Strict luggage limits set by local operators |
| Blacklane | Executive app, upfront pricing; English-fluent chauffeurs | Business & VIPs wanting a flawless meet-and-greet | Highest pricing on the market |
| Japan Car Service / Tokyo MK japan-car-service.com | Direct with local operator fleet; uniformed pro staff | Families & luxury travelers booking direct (Alphard fleets) | Clunky site; sells out in peak season |
| GetYourGuide | Aggregator platform; mostly automated messages | Flexible planners who value 24-hr cancellation | Smaller Japan network than Klook |
Phase 3
Staying in Japan
Driving, key phrases, and the cultural touches that make it easy.
🚗
10 · During your stay
Driving in Japan
Only relevant if you're renting a car — most visitors won't need this.
🚗
Most visitors won't need to drive — trains reach almost everywhere. But for rural areas, Hokkaido, or places trains don't reach, a rental car is worth it.
You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your own country's authorized issuer, carried with your home license and passport — arrange it before you travel, as IDPs can't be issued inside Japan.
⚠️
Important: Japan only accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. Most countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia) qualify, but a few that issue only the newer 1968 Vienna Convention permit are not valid in Japan — check your country's type first. Also: Japan drives on the left. Official rules — Tokyo Metropolitan Police (English).
🚙 Car rental sites
| Site | Link |
|---|---|
| Tabirai | en.tabirai.net/car |
| Times Car Rental | timescar-rental.com/en |
| Rakuten Travel | travel.rakuten.com/cars |
🗣️
11 · During your stay
Essential Japanese Phrases
A little goes a long way — basics for daily interactions.
👋 Greetings & Courtesy
Excuse me / Sorry
すみません
Sumimasen — your most useful all-purpose phrase
Thank you
ありがとうございます
Arigato gozaimasu
🍜 Eating & Drinking
English menu?
英語のメニューはありますか
Eigo no menyu wa arimasuka
Check, please
お会計お願いします
Okaikei o onegaishimasu — or cross index fingers in an X
🛍 Shopping
How much?
いくらですか
Ikura desuka
Credit cards OK?
クレジットカードは使えますか
Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasuka
🚆 Getting Around
Where is...?
…はどこですか
...wa doko desuka — your most versatile phrase
I'm getting off here
おります
Orimasu
🚨 In an Emergency
Please help
たすけてください
Tasukete kudasai
Call an ambulance
救急車を呼んでください
Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai — See Emergency, 119
🎌
12 · During your stay
Etiquette & Cultural Tips
Unwritten rules rooted in consideration — a little awareness goes a long way.
🔇 Keep quiet on trains The big one
Public transport is a shared quiet space — phone on silent, no calls, low conversation. Same applies in restaurants and most public spaces.
🚮 Carry your trash
Bins are rare but streets are spotless — people hold onto rubbish until home. Find bins at convenience stores, vending machines, and stations.
🚶 Don't eat while walking
Eating on the move is impolite — eat near where you bought it. Exception: Shinkansen bullet trains, where bento boxes are normal.
💴 No tipping — really
Not customary anywhere; staff may chase you down thinking you forgot it. A polite "gochisousama deshita" when leaving is the right gesture.
🥢 Two chopstick rules
Never stick chopsticks upright in rice, and never pass food chopstick-to-chopstick — both echo funeral rites and unsettle people. Otherwise, use the rest and clean ends for sharing.
🍜 Slurping is good
Slurping noodles (ramen, udon, soba) is normal and even a compliment. Don't slurp non-noodle foods, though.
👟 Shoes off indoors
Homes, ryokan, temples — look for a row of shoes or a step-up at the entrance. Wear easy-off shoes and clean socks; switch to toilet slippers in the bathroom and back again.
🚦 Don't jaywalk
Can carry a fine. Locals wait at empty crossings for the green light — follow suit.
🛗 Escalator side varies
Stand left in Tokyo, right in Osaka. When unsure, follow the person ahead. (Some places now ask you not to walk at all.)
🚆 Priority & women-only cars
Give up priority seats for those who need them (watch for the Help Mark). Men should avoid women-only cars (pink signs) during rush hour.
📸 Don't harass geisha
Kyoto especially — geisha and maiko are working women, not attractions. Chasing photos is genuinely disrespectful. Admire from a distance, or rent a kimono yourself.
♨️ Onsen basics
Hot springs — wash thoroughly before entering, go fully nude (towel stays out of water), tie up long hair. Tattoos may be restricted — check ahead. 男 = men, 女 = women.
See the full guide to Etiquette and Cultural Tips for Japan →
Phase 4
If Something Goes Wrong
Emergency numbers, common scams, a lost passport, and disasters.
🚨
13 · If something goes wrong
Emergency Numbers
Save these before you land.
🚨
Emergency lines are free and work 24/7. Stay on the line — English interpretation is available.
Emergency lines (free, 24/7)
| Number | Service | When to call | English support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | Fire & Ambulance | Severe injuries, sudden illness, or fires | Yes — stay on the line for an interpreter |
| 110 | Police | Crimes, theft, accidents, or if you're lost | Yes — three-way call with English translators |
| 118 | Coast Guard | Maritime accidents or emergencies at sea | Limited |
Non-emergency support
| Number | Service | What it's for | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7119 | Medical advice line | Non-emergency medical questions ("should I go to hospital?") | English support |
| 050-3816-2787 | Japan Travel Hotline (JNTO) | 24/7 tourist support — accidents, emergencies, or general travel help | English, Korean, Chinese |
⚠️
14 · If something goes wrong
Common Tourist Scams
Japan is genuinely very safe — but these few target tourists specifically.
🍺 Bar & drink scams Shinjuku, Roppongi
A stranger offers a "special" all-you-can-drink deal, then the bar charges far more once you're inside. Drink spiking has been reported in Roppongi. The fix: never follow a street invitation into a bar; choose places you researched, and don't leave drinks unattended.
🙏 Fake monk / charm
Someone in robes offers a charm or slips a bracelet on your wrist, then demands payment. The fix: real monks don't approach tourists to sell things. Hand it back and walk away.
💴 Coin & change mix-ups
Occasionally you'll get a Korean 500-won coin (similar to ¥500), fake notes, or short change. The fix: count your change before walking away, especially at street food stalls.
🚆 "I need money to get home"
A man claiming to be a stranded foreigner shows a phone message asking for cash on busy train lines. The fix: politely decline and move away.
💔 Dating app gift cards Never do this
A match asks you to buy a prepaid gift card and send the code before meeting, then vanishes. The fix: never send gift-card codes to someone you haven't met.
🎒 Pickpocketing
Rare overall, but happens at Nishiki Market (Kyoto) and Dotonbori (Osaka). The fix: keep your passport and valuables in an inner, zipped compartment.
📋
If you're scammed, file a police report even for minor incidents — many scams are treated as civil rather than criminal matters, but a report creates a record, especially if the same scam recurs at one location.
🛂
15 · If something goes wrong
Lost Your Passport in Japan?
Rare, but here's the short version if it happens.
1 · Check first
Hotel, luggage, and the train station's Lost & Found — Japan's recovery rate is unusually high.
2 · File a report
At the nearest koban (police box) — your embassy requires it.
3 · Contact your embassy
For a replacement or Emergency Travel Document (1–3 days; a full passport takes 1–3 weeks — ask for the emergency document if flying soon). Bring any photo/copy of your passport ID page.
4 · Update your airline & hotel
With the new document.
🗣
"Sumimasen, passport o nakushimashita" — "Excuse me, I lost my passport." Directory of embassies in Japan →
Earthquakes, typhoons, and occasional tsunamis are a real part of life here.
📱
Before you land — download Safety Tips. JNTO's official English-language alert app pushes real-time warnings for earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons directly to your phone. Single most useful step.
1 · During an earthquake
An early warning alarm may sound seconds to ~1 minute before shaking — act immediately. Drop, cover, hold on under sturdy furniture. Don't run outside — most injuries come from falling objects indoors. Follow staff instructions once shaking stops.
2 · If you're near the coast
A strong quake can trigger a tsunami warning. Move to higher ground immediately if you feel major shaking near the coast — don't wait for an official alert if you're already somewhere low-lying.
3 · Typhoon season
More predictable than earthquakes — tracked and forecast in advance. Expect train and flight disruptions; build flexibility into your itinerary during typhoon season.
🛂
Lost or damaged your passport during a disaster? See Lost Passport, below. Tokyo Disaster Prevention Information (English) →
✅
17 · If something goes wrong
Your Pre-Trip Checklist
Tap each item to mark it complete.
Confirm passport valid 6+ months beyond arrivalMust do
Register on Visit Japan Web for faster immigration/customsRecommended
Check medications — Adderall, cannabis/CBD, some cold meds are bannedMust check
Apply for Yunyu Kakunin-sho if needed — 2 weeks aheadIf applicable
Order Airalo eSIM before departureRecommended
Apply for IDP if planning to drive — AAA/AATA (US) or national auto bodyIf driving
Download Safety Tips and NERV disaster appsRecommended
Arrange travel insurance with medical coverageStrongly rec.
Add Suica/Pasmo to Apple Wallet (iPhone) or note to buy physical card (Android)Recommended
Save emergency numbers and embassy contact in your phoneMust do