The complete Japan pre-departure checklist, visa, Suica, Visit Japan Web, medications, packing, bookings, and what to have ready on your phone before you land.
Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel in once you are there. The preparation phase has a few specific requirements that catch first-time visitors off guard if they miss them. This checklist covers everything in the right order.
Months Before Travel
- Check visa requirements: Most Western nationals are visa-exempt for up to 90 days. See the Japan visa guide for your specific country.
- Book accommodation in Kyoto during cherry blossom season (late March to early April) or autumn foliage (mid-November) 3 to 4 months in advance. Tokyo and other cities are manageable with 4 to 6 weeks for non-peak periods.
- Book Shinkansen if needed: Shinkansen tickets do not offer price advantages for early booking (they are fixed-price), but popular routes on busy weekends may have limited unreserved seats. JR Pass holders should calculate now whether the pass saves money. See the JR Pass guide.
- Book ryokan: Top ryokan book out months in advance, especially for hot spring destinations during cherry blossom and foliage seasons. See the Japan ryokan guide.
- Check medication rules: Some common Western medications are controlled or prohibited in Japan. Adderall is absolutely prohibited. See the Japan medicine rules guide before packing any prescription drugs.
Weeks Before Travel
- Register on Visit Japan Web: Pre-register your arrival card and customs declaration digitally at vjw-lp.digital.go.jp. Takes 15 minutes. Generates QR codes that speed through immigration. See the Visit Japan Web guide.
- Get a Japan eSIM or arrange data: An eSIM from Airalo or a similar provider is the easiest way to get data. Activate a day before flying. Alternatively, buy a physical SIM at the airport. See the Japan SIM card guide.
- Book airport transfer if needed: N’EX Shinkansen seats from Narita should be reserved (free for JR Pass holders, 3,070 yen for others). See the Narita Airport to Tokyo guide and the Haneda Airport to Tokyo guide.
- Book any popular experiences: TeamLab digital art exhibitions, the Ghibli Museum (Mitaka), and popular tea ceremony or cooking classes, as they require booking and sell out.
- Check customs rules: Review the Japan what not to bring guide and the Japan customs declaration guide for prohibited and restricted items.
Days Before Travel
- Download navigation apps such as Apple Maps or Navitime Japan for walking directions. Google Maps for transit routes. Download Japan map tiles offline where possible.
- Download Papago or Google Translate: Camera translation for menus and signs. Save the Korean language pack offline (useful if combining Japan with Korea).
- Print or save hotel confirmations and return flight confirmations: Keep them accessible without internet for immigration.
- Charge devices and pack a power bank: A full day of navigation, photography, and translating drains phone batteries fast.
- Get some yen in cash: Japan is more cash-dependent than most developed countries. Have 20,000 to 30,000 yen for arrival. 7-Eleven ATMs at the airport accept foreign cards.
At the Airport (Narita or Haneda)
- Get a Suica IC card: First task on arrival, from the JR East machines or the arrivals counter. Load 3,000 to 5,000 yen. Covers every train, subway, and bus in Japan. See the Suica guide.
- Show Visit Japan Web QR codes at immigration: Digital lanes are faster.
- Get more yen from a 7-Eleven ATM: If you need more cash than you brought.
On Your Phone Before Landing
- Visit Japan Web QR codes (screenshotted, not dependent on the internet)
- Hotel confirmations and return flight
- Suica card (if using digital Suica on Apple Pay or Google Pay)
- Apple Maps or Navitime Japan (offline map tiles downloaded)
- Papago translation app (Korean language pack downloaded)
- Google Maps (transit routing)
