Airport Procedures When Entering Japan

So you’re entering Japan, how exciting! Whether you’re coming in for work, school, or travel, you’re about to enter an unforgettable experience. But before we get ahead of ourselves here, you’ve got to enter the country. Let’s see what it’s like, from stepping off the plane to leaving the airport, so you can have a smooth start to your adventure.

Know Before You Go – Entry Visa

Whether you need to apply ahead of time for an entry visa or not depends on your passport and the reason you’re coming to Japan. If you’re coming to Japan for work or school, you need a visa, and you have to apply with the Japanese embassy in your country ahead of time. Assuming you’ve been approved, you’ll have a visa glued to a page in your passport and it will be validated when you enter. I remember having to take a photo at this time, which didn’t feel great just after getting off the flight; I was worried this would be the photo used on my ID in Japan, but luckily it wasn’t so assuming that hasn’t changed don’t worry about that.

If you’re coming to Japan as a tourist, those from 73 countries do not need a visa to enter, while those from other countries must apply ahead of time. If you’re lucky enough to be from one of the 73 visa-less countries, you will get an entry stamp upon arriving to Japan (you can find the list of countries on the Japanese government’s website). You can stay in Japan for a maximum of 90 days. If you’re from another country, please check the official website of the Japanese government to see the application requirements. The website says the application usually takes a week, but I’d suggest checking the website sooner so you can make sure you meet all requirements and have all documents.

At the Airport

1. Getting a Wheelchair

If you have a wheelchair or baby stroller checked, chances are the crew already knows since you had to talk them to board the flight. But did you know that if you didn’t check a wheelchair, you can still request one for the airport? If you have trouble walking distances or standing in line, I’d recommend it. A personal experience of mine a few years ago, I had a herniated disc in my back from an injury and walking was very painful. But I felt pretty good on the flight, so I stupidly thought “Oh maybe I’m fine today!” But turns out it is quite a slog from the plane to the exit and the lines can get long. So don’t be me and definitely request a wheelchair without hesitation, whether you’re suffering from a chronic or temporary illness or injury, elderly, or pregnant, you can get a wheelchair at the airport.

In order to make things smoother, be sure the flight attendant knows you are requesting a wheelchair before landing; it might even be good to tell one as you’re boarding. If they know, there will be an airport staff member with a wheelchair waiting for you when you get off the plane. They’ll then zip you around the airport to where you need to go!

2. Going Through Immigration

The first thing you’ll notice when coming up to immigration is that there are 3 lines: Japanese nationals, foreign residents, and non-Japanese passports. If you have Japanese citizenship, go to the Japanese nationals line. If you already live in Japan and have a residency card, head to the foreign residents line. If you’re coming in on a tourist or other temporary visa, go through the non-Japanese passports line. Usually there is some staff standing at the entrance to these lines and they will ask to see your documents and tell you which line to enter, so if you’re unsure you can ask them. One time at Narita they had the resident line closed for whatever reason and some of the lines were combined, so just be sure to listen to whatever the staff says.

You’ll have to fill out a disembarkation card; you may receive this on the plane, but I was sleeping so I didn’t get any papers last time (at least that’s why I think I was skipped). If you didn’t fill it out on the plane, there should be a desk with copies and pens you can fill out before getting in line. Alternatively, there is an online pre-entry application Visit Japan Web, which I’ll write about below. Please note, if you’re a resident returning to Japan, you don’t have to fill out a new disembarkation slip, you should fill in the one that was stapled inside your passport when you left (see my blog about leaving Japan as a resident).

In addition to your personal information (be sure to write your name as it appears on your passport), this disembarkation form requires you to write the address and phone number of where you’re staying in Japan. Whether you’re staying at a hotel, an AirBNB, or with family or a friend, you’ll have to fill this part out. If you can write down the address and phone number on paper or a note in your phone before you depart your country, it’ll make filling out this form much easier when you get to Japan. If you’re traveling around Japan and staying in multiple places, I’d just write the information of the first place you’re staying.

When it’s your turn to come up to the inspection officer, present your passport and disembarkation form; they may or may not request your boarding pass for the flight you arrived on so I always just give it to them. Another note for Japan foreign residents, you’ll have to present your residence card (在留カード zairyu card).

3. Going Through Customs and Contraband

After you’re through immigration, you’ll have to collect your checked bags. Check the screen to find which carousel your flight’s bags are being loaded onto. While waiting, you may be subject to sniff search by Animal Quarantine Services or Customs. They’re mostly sniffing to check for food to make sure it’s allowed in Japan, but they’re also on the lookout for animal smuggling, drugs, and other contraband. The last time I came through, they smelled my souvenir cashew nuts, and the staff asked if it was alright for them to look through my bags to check if everything was allowed.

Some of the items you’re not allowed to bring into Japan may be surprising, so be sure to check the various links I’ve listed below. Banned items include meat (even beef jerky), fruits and vegetables, pornography, knockoff brand and counterfeit items, marijuana products of any kind (even edibles), and narcotics and stimulants (which includes some prescription and over-the-counter drugs like certain cold medicines, ADHD, pain, and depression medications). For some medications, there is a pre-application to bring it into Japan you can fill out ahead of time, so check out the link below well in advance so the process can be completed properly. There are also limits on items such as alcohol, tobacco, cash, and gold that you can bring in to Japan. Finally, if you’re bringing pets to Japan, you absolutely have to check the requirements ahead of time as the vaccination schedule etc. are rigorous.

Anyway, now that you’ve picked up your suitcase and passed any sniff test, it’s time to head through customs. You’ll need a customs declaration form (also available to fill out ahead of time online), which you may receive on the plane or you can fill out at a desk with forms and pens waiting. You’ll have to write your arrival flight number and personal information again, and also the information for your accommodation again, and you’ll have to check some boxes if you’ve got any of the items on the list.

Once that’s filled out, get in line (I think there were separate Japanese and non-Japanese lines here too, if memory serves me correctly) and present this form (or QR code if you applied online) along with your passport to the staff. Once you’ve passed the customs check, you’re allowed to officially enter the country!

Visit Japan Web

If you want to save the hassle of filling out those forms, you can register your information ahead of time on Visit Japan Web. You have to make an account ahead of time, which includes scanning your passport and verifying the information picked up by the scan, and then register your arrival details. If it saves you time at the airport, that’s great, and Reddit users seem to be thankful they’ve used it, so it must be worth a try, especially considering that airports might have separate lines for the paper-peasants and online applicants. (Actually, now that I’ve read about it, I’ll go for it next time.)

Leaving the Airport at Night

Unless you’ve got a hotel near the airport, you’ll have to get to the city one way or another. If you’re coming to Tokyo, you’ve arrived in either Haneda or Narita Airport. Haneda has 2 train lines that go into Tokyo, and one train and a bus to Yokohama, as well as highway buses to further destinations. Narita has a several train lines and a few buses to Tokyo, and highway buses to further destinations. Narita is quite a ways away from Tokyo, so I wouldn’t recommend a taxi unless money isn’t a concern for you or you’re desperate.

One note of caution is if you arrive very late at night (past 10 or 11 PM), public transportation to your hotel may not be running. Google Maps is pretty reliable, so once you’re through customs and officially in Japan, do a route search to find the best way to your destination. For example, one time my flight to Narita was delayed so we arrived late. I was able to take the bus to Tokyo Station, but by the time it arrived the trains weren’t running, so I walked to my apartment (a taxi would’ve worked just as well, but the weather was nice and Tokyo is safe). So do keep this in mind if your flight is arriving late or in the middle of the night.

Japan Is Your Oyster!

Now that you’ve gotten through immigration and customs, you’re ready to go! Have a wonderful time, no matter what your purpose for entry is. Japan has so much to offer, both on the Golden Route (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) and in towns you’ve never heard of, so definitely enjoy Japan!

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