Arriving in Japan: What to Know Before You Land

Visit Japan Web is the Japanese government's free web service for arrival procedures. The Digital Agency describes it as a service “that allows you to perform arrival procedures (immigration, customs) and ‘Tax-free shopping service’ online.”

You register your passport and trip details in advance, then show a 2D code (a QR code) at the airport. It works for visitors and for people returning to Japan.

Official source: Visit Japan Web — Digital AgencyChecked: 2026-10-20

For customs, no. Japan Customs says it “recommends submitting declarations electronically via the ‘Visit Japan Web’,” and also publishes the paper declaration form (C5360), which can still be used.

For immigration, the Immigration Services Agency asks foreign nationals to submit a foreign national entry record at inspection; Visit Japan Web lets you register that record in advance. Whether a paper card is handed out on your flight depends on the airline, so many travelers simply register online to be safe.

Official source: Declaration of accompanied and unaccompanied articles — Japan CustomsChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Entry and departure procedures — Immigration Services Agency (Japanese)Checked: 2026-10-20

According to the Visit Japan Web guide, you create an account with an email address, register your passport (scan or type), then register your entry schedule, which asks for travel information such as your flight and your contact details in Japan.

Having your accommodation name and address ready makes this quick. The guide also notes that a warning appears if your passport has less than six months left, so checking your expiry date before booking is worthwhile.

Official source: How to use Visit Japan Web (steps 0–4) — Digital AgencyChecked: 2026-10-20

It depends on your passport. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with dozens of countries and regions for short-term stays. For most of them the period of stay is up to 90 days, but some are shorter, so check the MOFA page for your own country.

Several exemptions apply only to ICAO-compliant ePassports, and the list changes, so checking the MOFA page for your own country before booking is the safe move.

Official source: Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (page dated September 1, 2025)Checked: 2026-10-20

You go to the immigration counter with your passport and your entry record, either the Visit Japan Web QR code or the paper card. The Visit Japan Web guide says the QR code “can be used at the immigration counter for immigration clearance.”

At Narita (Terminal 3), Haneda, Kansai, and Fukuoka, Japan Customs describes integrated kiosks where passport information, a facial photograph, and the customs declaration are submitted in one step before you proceed to immigration. Details of the inspection itself are set by the Immigration Services Agency, linked below.

Official source: How to use Visit Japan Web — Digital AgencyChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Integrated kiosks for immigration and customs — Japan CustomsChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Entry and departure procedures — Immigration Services Agency (Japanese)Checked: 2026-10-20

Japan Customs requires “all passengers entering Japan to submit a Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles.” You can do this electronically through Visit Japan Web or on the paper form C5360.

With the electronic route, you hold your IC passport and the 2D code over the scanner at a declaration terminal, have a face photo taken, and may then walk through an e-Gate. Customs notes that baggage may still be inspected either way. E-Gates are available at seven international airports, including Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu.

Official source: Customs procedures for visitors — Japan CustomsChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Electronic Customs Declaration Gates (e-Gates) — Japan CustomsChecked: 2026-10-20

For immigration and customs, yes. Since January 25, 2024, Visit Japan Web issues one unified 2D code for both immigration clearance and the customs declaration, and Japan Customs confirms that codes from the older Customs Declaration App no longer work.

Tax-free shopping uses a separate 2D code within the same service, created after you land. Quarantine, animal, and plant procedures have their own pages, so if you are bringing in food or pets, check those links on the Visit Japan Web site.

Official source: Unified 2D codes for immigration clearance and customs declarations — Digital AgencyChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Declaration of accompanied and unaccompanied articles — Japan CustomsChecked: 2026-10-20

Four official sources cover almost everything: the Digital Agency for Visit Japan Web, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visas, Japan Customs for what you can bring and how to declare it, and the Immigration Services Agency for entry inspection.

The Digital Agency also warns about look-alike sites: it “never request Visit Japan Web users to pay some fees.” The real service is free and lives on a go.jp address.

Official source: Visit Japan Web — Digital AgencyChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Visa information — Ministry of Foreign AffairsChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Passenger information — Japan CustomsChecked: 2026-10-20

Official source: Immigration Services AgencyChecked: 2026-10-20