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An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
Welcome to Japan
The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan are pleased to welcome U.S. citizen visitors back to Japan!
We encourage you to follow us on Twitter (@ACSTokyo) and Facebook (@ACSTokyo). Travelers should also consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
U.S. military members and family with SOFA status should contact their chain of command directly for guidance and adhere to the processes described in the Foreign Clearance Guide.
Visa Free Travel for U.S. Citizen Tourists
Currently, tourists with U.S. passports do not need visas for short-term visits (up to three months).
Passengers who have been fully vaccinated and boosted with vaccines approved by the Japanese government and who are arriving in Japan after October 11, 2022, will not require a pre-travel COVID-19 test. Please refer to the chart below for information on pre-travel test requirements. Those traveling to Japan from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Macau SAR (but excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)) or who were in mainland China within seven days of their arrival in Japan will be required certificate of pre-departure test and test upon arrival. Please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare’s website for more details.
Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage for the latest guidance on COVID19 travel requirements for entering Japan.
Starting November 1, 2022, travelers to Japan may pre-register for airport Immigration, Customs, and Vaccination review, and use “Fast Track” at major airports across Japan using Visit Japan Web.
Passport validity required for traveling to Japan: Duration of intended period of stay. Note that although you are not required to have 6 months’ validity on your passport to enter Japan, you may need 6 months’ validity if you transit Japan to travel to other countries. Check passport requirements of your destination before traveling: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html.
Please Note: If you have reported your U.S. passport lost or stolen, but later found it, do NOT use it for travel. After reporting a passport lost or stolen, you must apply for a new one.
COVID-19 in Japan
The Embassy maintains a COVID-19 information page with comprehensive information and updates on COVID-19-related travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. We also strongly recommend all U.S. citizens carefully review the information on Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website, which provides official guidance. Please note this guidance is subject to change with little notice.
Please be mindful of COVID-19 entry and quarantine restrictions, as well as COVID mitigation measures. Masks are still worn almost universally in Japan. Travelers who are disregard COVID-19 mitigation measures reflect poorly on the international community.
Know Before You Go: Prohibited Substances
Many common medications and over-the-counter drugs in the United States are illegal in Japan, regardless of whether you have a valid U.S. prescription. If you bring it with you, you risk arrest and detention by Japanese authorities. It is your responsibility to ensure you understand what substances are prohibited. The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan do not maintain a comprehensive list of prohibited medications or substances. Comprehensive information is available only from the Japanese government and is subject to change without notice. Please check Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) website, including the FAQ, or email yakkan@mhlw.go.jp before traveling to Japan.
Travelers who need to bring more than the MLHW’s approved quantity of medication or medical devices should obtain a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” (importation certificate) prior to traveling and present it with the prescription to a customs officer upon arrival in Japan. Certificate approval by the Japanese government may take several weeks to process and should be received before bringing the medication or medical devices to Japan.
All travelers entering Japan with a prescription medication, including medication that is not restricted in Japan, should consider bringing a copy of their doctor’s prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug.
For more information about bringing medicines into Japan and how to obtain a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” certificate, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and email yakkan@mhlw.go.jp.
When you make your email inquiry to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp, please include the following information:
Passport/Carrying Identification
Make sure you carry your passport at all times during your trip to Japan. It is a legal requirement and local police may ask to check your identification. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. If you plan to travel to other countries during your trip, be sure to check the passport validity and visa requirements of each country.
Lost or Stolen Passports
The Embassy is ready to help U.S. citizens replace passports that are lost or stolen. We will work with you to replace your passport as expeditiously as possible. Our ability to issue passports outside of our business hours is extremely limited. More information can be found here.
Emergencies in Japan
Ensuring the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is the Department of State’s top priority. U.S. citizens needing urgent assistance should contact us by using our inquiry form or phone (03-3224-5000). If you need after-hours assistance in an emergency, please call 03-3224-5000 and ask to speak with the Embassy’s duty officer.
Additional Useful Information:
The Embassy has compiled lists of resources that may have the answer you’re looking for.
Natural Disasters
Japan is a seismically active country with frequent earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. In some cases, earthquakes can lead to tsunamis. In the event of a disaster during your travel, authorities will provide guidance on what to do in the immediate aftermath. In some cases, an alarm may sound just before an earthquake or other disaster strikes the area. The Japanese government pushes safety alerts to users via several apps, including at least one that provides English language information: the Japan National Tourism Organization’s Safety Tips app.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has a Disaster Prevention Information website with information on how to respond to a natural disaster in the area.
More information can be found on our website.
Visas to Japan and Immigration Information
Visas for U.S. citizens hoping to travel, study or work in Japan are controlled by the Japanese government. While the Japanese Government is the ultimate authority on visa matters, we include some general information on visas for U.S. citizens to aid in your planning. U.S. citizens without a work visa cannot work in Japan. Please check here for detailed information.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has established Information Centers and One-Stop Consultation Centers to handle telephone, in-person and e-mail inquiries in Japanese and foreign languages. Contact information for Centers in different prefectures is listed here.
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Disclaimer
The information above is general information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and is subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The U.S. Embassy assumes no liability for inaccuracies in the information above. U.S. citizens wishing to obtain any further or more tailored information must contact the relevant local authority.