Japan for first-timers: entry, money and getting around

Japan rewards a little preparation. Trains run to the minute, cities are easy to navigate, and the country is used to visitors, but a few rules changed in 2026, and some habits differ from home. This guide covers what to check before you go and what helps on the ground.

Entry: visa-free, visa or eVISA

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Citizens of many countries can visit Japan for a short stay without one; others must apply before travelling.

For some nationalities, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs an online system, JAPAN eVISA, for short-term tourism. It is open by country of residence. For example:

• residents of Saudi Arabia can apply directly on the JAPAN eVISA website;
• residents of India and the United Arab Emirates can also get an eVISA, but through an accredited agency.

Check the Ministry's list for your nationality and residence before booking. An eVISA is valid for arrival by air, or by the scheduled ferries from Busan or Shanghai.

Visit Japan Web: optional, but faster

Visit Japan Web is a free government service from Japan's Digital Agency. Before you fly, you enter your passport and trip details and fill in the immigration and customs forms online. The service then gives you QR codes to show on arrival.

It is optional, but at the large airports it shortens the queues. Register a few days before departure and keep the QR codes on your phone, with a screenshot in case you have no signal.

Money: cash still matters

Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels, department stores and chain restaurants. Smaller restaurants, temples, shrines and rural shops may accept cash only, so carry some yen. Convenience store and post office ATMs usually accept foreign cards; check your card's foreign fees before you go.

Tipping is not part of Japanese culture. Good service is included, and leaving money on the table can cause confusion.

Getting around

Rechargeable IC cards, such as Suica and PASMO, work on trains, subways and buses in the big cities and in many convenience stores. You can use them as a physical card or on your phone. For long distances, the shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and punctual; book seats ahead at busy times, such as late April and early May, mid-August and the New Year.

Taxes that changed in 2026

Departure tax: ¥3,000 from 1 July 2026

Every passenger leaving Japan by air or sea pays the International Tourist Tax. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, it rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per departure from 1 July 2026. It is added to your ticket price, so you won't pay it at the airport. Children under 2 and transit passengers who leave within 24 hours of arriving are exempt.

Tax-free shopping: a refund system from 1 November 2026

Japan's consumption tax is 10%. Visitors can recover it on eligible purchases, but the method changes on 1 November 2026. According to JNTO:

• you pay the full price, including tax, in the shop;
• your purchases must total at least ¥5,000 before tax, per shop, per day;
• when you leave Japan, before checking in your bags, you show your passport at a tax-free terminal in the departure lobby, and customs may inspect the goods;
• you have 90 days from purchase to complete this step, and the refund then follows through the shop's or refund provider's chosen method.

Etiquette that helps

• Keep your voice down on trains, and don't take phone calls on board.
• Queue in the marked lines on station platforms.
• Take your shoes off where you see a step up or a rack of slippers, such as in traditional inns, some restaurants and temples.
• Bins are rare in public; carry a small bag for your rubbish.
• At shrines and temples, follow the signs about photography.

Health and emergencies

JNTO runs the Japan Visitor Hotline, 050-3816-2787, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, Chinese and Korean. It helps with accidents, illness and general questions.

For emergencies, call 110 for the police and 119 for fire and ambulance. Medical care in Japan is excellent but can be expensive for visitors, so travel insurance with medical cover is essential.

When to go

Spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most comfortable seasons, and the busiest. Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy season from about mid-June to mid-July in much of the country. Winter is cold but clear in Tokyo, and brings snow to the mountains and the north.