Can I extend my 90-day visa-free stay from within Japan?

No. The 90-day visa exemption cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must leave Japan and re-enter, which resets the 90 days. However, immigration officials may question you if you do this frequently—it's meant for tourism, not long-term quasi-residence.

Do I need travel insurance to enter Japan?

No, travel insurance is not a legal requirement for entering Japan. However, medical care in Japan is expensive for foreigners. A single emergency room visit can cost 500-1,000 USD. Insurance is strongly recommended but not checked at immigration.

What if my passport expires while I'm in Japan?

Your passport must be valid for your entire stay. If it expires during your trip, you technically do not meet entry requirements. Renew your passport before traveling. If it expires while you're already in Japan, contact your embassy immediately—you'll need emergency travel documents to leave.

Can I bring my prescription ADHD medication to Japan?

It depends on the specific medication. Many ADHD medications contain controlled substances prohibited in Japan. Adderall is banned entirely. Concerta and Ritalin require a yakkan shoumei import certificate. Start the application process at least one month before travel through the Japanese embassy. Without this certificate, your medication will be confiscated and you could be arrested.

What happens if I don't register with Visit Japan Web?

Nothing—it's optional. You'll fill out paper arrival and customs forms on the plane instead. The paper process works fine but takes longer at the airport. VJW is a convenience, not a requirement. Some airlines heavily promote it, but you can skip it entirely if you prefer paper forms.

How to Handle Entry Requirements for Your First Trip to Japan

Most Western passport holders can enter Japan visa-free for tourism stays up to 90 days. You'll need a passport valid for your entire stay, a completed Visit Japan Web registration (recommended but not mandatory), and proof of onward travel. Japan has strict customs rules on medications and food items.

Check if you need a visa. Citizens of 68 countries including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and most EU nations can enter Japan visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay (not six months beyond like some countries). If you're from a country not on the visa exemption list, apply for a temporary visitor visa at your nearest Japanese embassy at least one month before travel. The visa exemption does not allow you to work or study.
Register with Visit Japan Web. Visit Japan Web (VJW) is Japan's digital pre-arrival system. Create an account at vjw.digital.go.jp at least 6 hours before arrival. Enter your flight details, passport information, and complete the customs declaration. You'll also answer basic health questions. Generate QR codes for immigration and customs. This is not mandatory—you can still fill out paper forms on the plane—but VJW speeds up your airport experience significantly. Save the QR codes to your phone screenshots in case of connectivity issues.
Prepare your document stack. You need: valid passport, printed or digital proof of onward travel (return flight or ticket to next country), accommodation details for your first night (hotel name and address), and your VJW QR codes if registered. Some travelers are asked for proof of sufficient funds—bank statement or credit card. Have the address of your first accommodation written in Japanese if possible. Immigration officers rarely ask for everything, but have it ready.
Understand medication rules. Japan has strict medication import rules. Many common over-the-counter drugs elsewhere are prohibited or restricted. Bring medications in original packaging with prescriptions. You need a yakkan shoumei (import certificate) for: more than one month's supply of prescription medicine, any amount of narcotics or psychotropics (including ADHD medications), and syringes. Apply through your nearest Japanese embassy 2-4 weeks before travel. Over-the-counter cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine are prohibited.
Know what you cannot bring. Prohibited items include: fresh fruits and vegetables, meat products (including beef jerky and dried meats), plants and seeds, fake designer goods, and pornography. Japan takes customs violations seriously. Declare everything questionable. You can bring up to 3 bottles of alcohol (760ml each), 400 cigarettes, and up to 2 ounces of perfume duty-free. Cash over 1 million yen (roughly 7,000 USD) must be declared.

Can I extend my 90-day visa-free stay from within Japan?: No. The 90-day visa exemption cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must leave Japan and re-enter, which resets the 90 days. However, immigration officials may question you if you do this frequently—it's meant for tourism, not long-term quasi-residence.
Do I need travel insurance to enter Japan?: No, travel insurance is not a legal requirement for entering Japan. However, medical care in Japan is expensive for foreigners. A single emergency room visit can cost 500-1,000 USD. Insurance is strongly recommended but not checked at immigration.
What if my passport expires while I'm in Japan?: Your passport must be valid for your entire stay. If it expires during your trip, you technically do not meet entry requirements. Renew your passport before traveling. If it expires while you're already in Japan, contact your embassy immediately—you'll need emergency travel documents to leave.
Can I bring my prescription ADHD medication to Japan?: It depends on the specific medication. Many ADHD medications contain controlled substances prohibited in Japan. Adderall is banned entirely. Concerta and Ritalin require a yakkan shoumei import certificate. Start the application process at least one month before travel through the Japanese embassy. Without this certificate, your medication will be confiscated and you could be arrested.
What happens if I don't register with Visit Japan Web?: Nothing—it's optional. You'll fill out paper arrival and customs forms on the plane instead. The paper process works fine but takes longer at the airport. VJW is a convenience, not a requirement. Some airlines heavily promote it, but you can skip it entirely if you prefer paper forms.