Know before you go: Japan

As of September 2026, Japan still runs a straightforward visa-waiver system rather than a mandatory pre-clearance program. Japan exempts citizens of 74 countries and regions from needing a visa for short stays, so they can enter Japan for tourism, business meetings, or short-term study without obtaining a visa in advance. The standard exemption is up to 90 days, with some countries granted less: 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand, and 30 days for Brunei and Qatar. A handful of nationalities, such as UK, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, or Mexico citizens, can apply locally for a second 90-day period, but other nationals must leave Japan when their stamp expires. Visa-free entry is not automatic: it is not an automatic right, and an immigration officer can still refuse entry if you cannot show onward travel, sufficient funds, or a credible reason for visiting, so always carry proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket.

Two changes are worth watching. First, Japan charges a ¥3,000 departure tax for departures on or after July 1, 2026, up from ¥1,000, and this is normally bundled into your air ticket. Second, Japan’s parliament has passed the legal basis for a new “JESTA” (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization), modeled on the US ESTA. The reform was promulgated on June 5, 2026, as Act No. 32 of 2026, and Japan’s Immigration Services Agency states that the provisions establishing JESTA will take effect on a date to be set by government ordinance, no later than March 31, 2029, with an operational target of launch during fiscal year 2028. Importantly, for now, entry rules for visa-exempt travelers remain unchanged, and until JESTA is implemented, travelers from visa-exempt countries can continue entering Japan under existing regulations. Because this legislation is new and details on fees and processing are still being finalized, always confirm the latest requirements on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration Services Agency, and Visit Japan Web sites before booking or departing (links below).

Japan’s rail network is excellent, and most visitors combine two tools. For intercity travel, the Japan Rail Pass covers unlimited rides on JR trains, including most shinkansen (bullet trains). In 2026, a seven-day Ordinary pass costs about US$330 (¥50,000), and a seven-day Green Car pass costs about US$465 (¥70,000). Note that the pass does not cover private railway companies or city subways, so you still need an IC card such as Suica or Pasmo for many urban lines. Whether the pass is worth it depends on your itinerary; as a rule of thumb, it tends to pay off if you’re visiting three or more cities in a week, while a Suica IC card alone is enough for a single-city trip.

For local transport, get an IC card immediately on arrival. Suica and Pasmo are rechargeable tap-to-pay cards that cover local trains, subways, and buses, and also work for small purchases at convenience stores and some vending machines; most travelers use one every day because it speeds up station entry and makes transfers easier. Tourist-friendly versions exist: a special version called Welcome Suica is valid for four weeks, comes without a deposit fee, but does not allow refunds, and a similar Tourist PASMO launched in May 2026 as a replacement for the discontinued PASMO PASSPORT. You can also add Suica to Apple Wallet, which lets you top up from your phone instead of hunting for a ticket machine. For long-distance seat reservations without queueing, foreign visitors can use apps like SmartEX; for budget travel between cities, overnight buses and low-cost carriers such as Peach or Jetstar Japan are worth comparing against rail fares.

The currency is the Japanese yen (¥), and Japan is increasingly cashless but not fully so. According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the cashless payment ratio hit 58% in 2025, with credit cards making up the overwhelming majority, followed by QR-code payments, electronic money and debit cards. Even so, shrines, small rural eateries, traditional market stalls, some taxis and many ramen-shop ticket machines are still cash-only. A sensible approach for a short trip is to carry about ¥20,000-30,000 as a buffer, lead with cards, and top up cash from a 7-Eleven ATM when you run low.

For withdrawals, stick to reliable networks: Seven Bank ATMs in 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs both accept foreign cards and have English menus. Seven Bank ATMs run almost 24 hours and allow up to ¥100,000 per withdrawal, while Japan Post Bank ATMs cap foreign-card withdrawals at ¥50,000 each and are not 24-hour: post-office ATMs roughly run 7:00 to 23:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and 7:00 to 21:00 on Sundays and holidays. Many ordinary bank-branded ATMs still reject foreign cards, so avoid those if the 7-Eleven or post office option isn’t nearby. Visa and Mastercard have the widest acceptance in shops and restaurants, and JCB is good in Japan, while Amex acceptance is patchier. Tipping is not customary in Japan; it is generally not expected and can feel awkward, since service charges are usually included in the bill.

Japan rewards planning around its seasons. Spring (late March to early April) brings cherry blossoms and mild, comfortable weather, making it one of the most popular and crowded windows to visit; hotel and shinkansen prices rise accordingly. Autumn (mid-November) offers vivid foliage in Kyoto, Nikko, and the Japanese Alps with similarly pleasant, dry conditions. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with a rainy season in June and typhoon risk peaking from August through October, so build flexibility into itineraries during those months. Winter (December to February) is cold but generally dry and sunny on the Pacific coast, ideal for hot springs, illuminations, and skiing in Hokkaido or Nagano, though the Sea of Japan side sees heavy snow. For fewer crowds and reasonable weather, late spring (May) and early autumn (October) are good compromise windows.

Japan uses separate numbers for police and medical/fire emergencies rather than a single hotline. Ambulance: dial 119. Fire: dial 119. Police: dial 110. Maritime emergencies (such as boating accidents) use 118 for the Japan Coast Guard. These calls are free from any phone. They are toll-free and work anywhere in Japan, including rural areas, and you can dial them from a landline or any mobile phone with an active SIM (calling from a phone with no SIM is not reliable in Japan, so don’t count on it). If you’re unsure whether a situation needs an ambulance, you can call #7119 for guidance.

Language can be a barrier: few police officers and fire department staff speak English, though interpreters can often be connected. For general visitor assistance in English (lost items, illness, disasters, general guidance), the Japan Visitor Hotline, run by the Japan National Tourism Organization, is a 24-hour line at 050-3816-2787 that handles accidents, sudden illness, natural disasters, and general guidance in English, Chinese, and Korean. For non-urgent help such as directions or a lost item, visit a neighborhood police box (koban); Japan is statistically very safe, but standard precautions around natural disasters (earthquakes, typhoons) and pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas still apply.