Entering Japan What you should keep in mind when entering Japan

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Updated: 29. January 2021 08:53

Entry

Do you need special documents to enter Japan? Do I need a passport?

The answer is yes, you will definitely need to get a passport. It’s true that your ID card is sufficient for travel within Europe. But for all trips outside the EU, you must be able to identify yourself with a valid passport. The passport must also be valid for the entire duration of your stay. In addition, flight attendants usually distribute two cards shortly before landing, which must be filled out with a pen.

White Entry Card

The white card is the entry card. It requires personal information such as your name, date of birth, address, flight number, the reason why you are entering Japan and how long you intend to stay. Have your Japanese address ready, where you will be staying at least for the first few nights, as this will also be asked for. You will also be asked about any prior convictions and whether you are carrying prohibited items such as drugs.

Don’t forget your signature at the end!

Yellow Customs Card

The yellow card is, like the white card, to be filled out with your own details. The officials want to know the following details from you: Name, date of birth, address of the first accommodation, passport number, flight number, departure airport and nationality. All customs questions must be marked with “Yes” or “No”. If you are importing alcohol or cigarettes worth over 10,000 Yen (about 85 Euros), you must also fill out the back. Remember to sign here as well.

Should I be aware of any vaccinations?

There are officially no mandatory vaccinations for Japan, but it is still advisable to refresh some vaccinations. If you really want to be sure, contact a tropical doctor and be sure to check the website of the German Foreign Office before your trip. There you will find all relevant information about entry regulations, vaccinations and more. It is generally recommended that you should be vaccinated against measles, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies and Japanese encephalitis before travelling. You can also view vaccination recommendations on the Tropeninstitut website.

It is also considered polite in Japan to wear a mask over your mouth and nose if you have a cold. This way you don’t spread your germs. You should also make sure that you don’t accidentally bring any medications containing prohibited ingredients into Japan.

Landed in Japan I Was Now What?

At the airport it’s usually recommended to just follow the crowd at the beginning. The passport control is of course also signposted. You can simply follow the signs until you stand in front of a border official. You give him your passport and the white entry card. You will also be photographed and your fingerprints will be taken. If you enter without a special visa, you will receive the Temporary Visitor stamp in your passport. You have now officially arrived in Japan!

Now you only have to go to the baggage claim and then to the customs area. If you haven’t indicated anything on your yellow card, you can go directly to the green counter. But if you have to declare something, please go to the red counter. At both barriers, you hand over your yellow card to the official, may have to answer one or two questions and then you can usually pass. Sometimes the official may want to take a quick look in your luggage, for which you only need to open your suitcase for a moment. Don’t worry, this usually goes very quickly, and if you don’t have anything prohibited in your luggage, you can go straight on.

Japanese Customs: What You Need to Know

How much money can I bring into Japan?

The duty-free amount here is 10,000 Euros in cash or checks. Anything over this amount must be declared.

Alcohol, cigarettes and other goods

Alcohol and cigarettes may be imported into Japan for personal use, but the duty-free limits must be observed. These are as follows:

Alcohol: 3 bottles at 750ml each.
Cigarettes: 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars OR 50 grams of tobacco. If you combine these three items, you can only have a total of 500g.
Perfume must not exceed 2 ounces, 1 ounce = 28 ml.

The basic rule is: valuables must have a combined value of under 200,000 Yen (approx. 1700 Euros). However, this only applies to items with a value of over 10,000 Yen (approx. 85 Euros).

What about meat and vegetables?

Foodstuffs such as meat may generally not be imported and fresh, plant-based products, such as vegetables, must be declared at the airport. These will then be examined. There are usually no problems with fish and dried tea.

Prohibited goods

Weapons and ammunition
Drugs and stimulants
counterfeit or altered means of payment
items that violate public safety or morality (pornography)
items that infringe intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.)
certain products of animal origin

Medication

Over-the-counter medications

The import of over-the-counter medications is permitted for personal use. The rule here is that quantities for a period of up to 2 months are considered to be for personal use. For larger quantities, an import certificate for medication (“Yakkan Shoumei”) is required. The following medications are over-the-counter:

Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Vitamin tablets
Removable contact lenses

Prescription medications

Tramadol
Birth control pills
Syringes
Inhalers

Psychotropic drugs

Since the permitted amount of psychotropic drugs depends heavily on the drug, we recommend that you obtain separate information on this matter.

Visa/Entry Permit

For German citizens

As a German citizen, you can initially stay in Japan for 90 days as a tourist. The same applies to business trips. For this period, you will receive a free residence permit (“Landing Permission”), which will be noted in your passport under the name “Temporary Visitor” at the airport. With this permit, you are not allowed to work or study in Japan.

If you want to stay longer, you can either apply for an extension of 90 days at the registration office of your place of residence, or at the immigration office (Immigration Office), thus staying a total of 180 days in Japan.

Stays exceeding 180 days

If you want to stay in Japan for longer than 180 days, study or work, you will need a visa. For this, it’s best to check the website of the Japanese foreign mission (embassy) in Germany. Visas can also be applied for at the embassy.

Work & Holiday in Japan

If you have German citizenship, you are allowed to enter Japan with a Work & Holiday visa from the age of 16 and travel and work there for one year. This visa must be applied for at the Japanese embassy before your trip.

Austrian and Swiss citizens

The same rules apply to Swiss and Austrian citizens when it comes to tourist visas. A free residence permit for 90 days is issued upon entry.

Back home - what to consider

On your return trip, you only need to make sure that you have your passport handy. You give this to the border official at the airport and get an exit stamp.

Customs in Germany

You must declare your goods to customs if the total amount exceeds 430 Euros (DE/Ö) or 300 CHF (CHE). You must show the customs officer the goods, the cash or refund receipts, and your passport. It’s best to take everything directly with you in your hand luggage.

Tax-Free Shopping

Japan introduced the “Tax-Free Shopping” system years ago, which has become established, especially in large shopping centers. This allows you to get the VAT refunded on your purchase. However, there are a few prerequisites. You must stay in Japan for less than 6 months and the purchases must have a minimum value of 5,000 Yen. Depending on the store, the VAT will either be deducted directly at the time of purchase, or you will get it back at a designated counter after your purchase.

Export regulations

A sum of money exceeding 1 million Yen must be declared on your departure.

What can’t I bring into Germany?

There are also some rules to be aware of when re-entering Germany. For example, you are not allowed to bring certain prescription drugs with you. If this is unavoidable, get a confirmation from your doctor beforehand. Generally prohibited are counterfeit branded products. If you want to bring foodstuffs such as meat, fruit or fish from Japan to Germany, it’s best to check the German customs regulations in detail beforehand.