Traveling to Japan can be an exciting and enriching experience, with its unique culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning natural scenery. However, knowing the entry requirements and regulations is important to ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip before embarking on your journey.
This post will discuss the essential things you need to know before traveling to Japan, including the entry requirements, visa requirements, and other important travel tips. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned adventurer, this guide will provide the necessary information to prepare for your trip to Japan. So, let’s dive in and explore the key requirements for traveling to Japan!
Check if you need a visa to travel to Japan
Before purchasing any travel itinerary or tickets, check if you need a visa to travel to Japan by checking the explanation page on the Consular Affairs Bureau website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Also, ensure that your passport is valid and has at least six months before it expires. It is worth noting that many countries have implemented visa exemption policies, and Japan has made visa-free entry available for 69 countries.
Remember that the length of stay for different nationalities in Japan varies. If you hold a passport from Europe or America, you can stay for up to 90 days. Still, people from Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, and the United Arab Emirates can only stay for 15, 14, and 30 days respectively.
Starting from March 27, 2023, people holding passports from countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, and Canada can apply for an eVISA online. However, if you are not from one of these countries or your country doesn’t have a visa exemption, you will still need to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy in your country.
Vaccinations and health considerations before traveling
Before traveling to Japan, there are a few important health considerations and vaccinations that you should be aware of:
Vaccinations
You could wonder if you need a vaccine to travel to Japan. The Japanese authorities only require a vaccine certificate with 3 doses, but they also allow come in with a COVID-19 Negative Test Result Certificate before departure.
However, you should make sure that your routine vaccinations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and the yearly flu vaccine.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that travelers to Japan get vaccinated for hepatitis A, B, and possibly Japanese encephalitis, depending on their planned activities.
Food and water safety
In Japan, food and water are generally safe to consume. However, it is still important to take precautions to avoid getting sick. Stick to bottled or boiled water, and avoid raw or undercooked foods, especially seafood.
When traveling to Japan, you might find that cheap hotels do not provide bottled water. However, most hotels have water kettles for heating or boiling tap water. It’s worth noting that in the main cities of Japan, such as Tokyo and Osaka, you can easily find convenience stores like 7-Eleven, LAWSON, and Family Mart throughout the cities.
Air pollution
Some areas of Japan, especially the major cities, have high levels of air pollution. If you have respiratory issues or are sensitive to air pollution, consider wearing a mask or avoiding outdoor activities when the air quality is poor.
Altitude sickness
If you plan to visit Japan’s mountainous regions, such as the Japanese Alps, you may be at risk for altitude sickness. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. To prevent altitude sickness, ascend slowly and drink plenty of fluids.
Mosquito-borne illnesses
If you plan to visit rural areas of Japan, you may be at risk for mosquito-borne illnesses such as Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself, use mosquito repellent, and stay in accommodations with screens or air conditioning.
You should consult with a healthcare provider or travel medicine clinic at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to Japan to receive any necessary vaccinations and discuss any health concerns you may have.
Budgeting for the trip
One of the most common questions about going to Japan is the average cost to travel to Japan.
The average cost to travel to Japan for two weeks is estimated to be between USD 2,241 to USD 3,000, but this can vary depending on individual preferences and travel style. You can use our Japan Trip Cost Calculator to better approach your preferences.
Regarding attractions, the cost varies widely depending on the city and specific attraction. While some attractions, like the Gundam Factory Yokohama, can cost over 1,600 yen per adult, others, like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Sapporo Clock Tower, cost only 200 yen per adult. Travelers can expect to spend anywhere from 200 to 9,400 yen per attraction.
In addition to attractions, food, transportation, and accommodation are important factors to consider when budgeting for a trip to Japan. Based on our research, a McDonald’s Big Mac combo is around 1,150 yen, and a hotel room for two adults with breakfast included for 10,500 yen per night.
Is travel insurance required to enter Japan?
If you plan to travel to Japan, you might wonder if travel insurance is necessary to enter the country. Although travel insurance is not a requirement for tourists, it’s worth considering. Japan is generally a safe country, but accidents can still happen, and having insurance can offer you peace of mind and financial protection.
For example, if you plan to ski in Japan, a study has examined the injuries that occurred while skiing and snowboarding at Japanese ski resorts. They used an international measure called “injury rate per 1000 skier days”. Over six seasons, they found that the injury rate for skiing was 1.59 (with a range of 1.55 to 1.62), and the injury rate for snowboarding was 2.58 (with a range of 2.53 to 2.63) per 1000 skier days.
In this case, if you were to break your leg while skiing in Japan, the cost of diagnosis and immobilization could be around 36,000 yen.
Another factor to consider is the risk of traffic accidents. Unlike most Western countries, driving in Japan is on the left side of the road, similar to the UK. However, the number of traffic-related deaths in Japan has decreased for the sixth consecutive year, with a new record low of 2,610 in 2022.
Before aboard the airplane
Finally, it’s important to know that you’ll need to fill out a form on the Visit Japan Web before boarding your airplane. This registration is mandatory and requires you to have an air ticket, a passport, and either a Vaccine Certificate for Quarantine (3 doses) or a COVID-19 Negative Test Result Certificate before departure. Additionally, you’ll need to provide a valid email address.
The website allows you to complete all the necessary information about your passport and tax-free procedures and indicates if you have a Vaccine Certificate or Negative Test Result. By doing so, you’ll help to speed up the immigration process when you arrive in Japan.
Taking the time to complete this form ahead of time will save you a lot of stress and hassle upon arrival.