Japan trip booked? Soon comes the exciting bit: packing your bags. Since Japan is (sadly) not exactly round the corner, good prep is key so getting through border control is a breeze and you’ve got everything you need over there.
This article only covers trips to Japan for tourist purposes lasting a few days or weeks.
What else goes into our luggage besides clothes:
- Travel docs
- Meds
- Insurance papers
I’ll write a bit more about these three points in a sec. Right at the bottom there’s also a quick word about entry requirements.
What else needs to come along:
- Your plane tickets, or you won’t get far. 😉
- Enough cash and credit cards.
- The Railpass voucher from the travel agency, you can’t get it in Japan!
- Our travel itinerary with the booked hotels and the list of stuff we want to see.
- Our camera gear, obviously.
- A handheld GPS with Japan maps and important spots (sightseeing spots, hotels, train stations).
- A mobile hotspot for internet access.
- Travel guide and phrasebook.
- Plug adapters, though you can get them over there if you’re stuck.
Travel Docs
The absolutely most important travel doc is your passport. It’s got to be valid for your whole stay.
You must carry ID! As a tourist, you gotta keep your passport on you at all times to prove who you are whenever needed.
Plus, you need your driving licence if you fancy driving over there. For Germans, an international driving permit isn’t enough, you have to get it translated instead. Other countries may have more luck.
Citizens of many countries don’t need a visa if you’re just staying as a tourist for up to 90 days. Please check with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Health and Meds
Medical care in Japan is brilliant, but incredibly pricey. You might get turned away at clinics if you can’t prove an insurance company is footing the bill. That’s why travel health insurance with worldwide cover absolutely needs to go in your bag. It only costs a few quid a year and is worth its weight in gold in an emergency. Before you go, you can ask your provider for an insurance certificate in Japanese or English to prove you’re covered over there.
Prescriptions of your home country can’t be used in Japanese pharmacies. So, alongside your usual travel meds, make sure you pack enough of any important medications.
You can bring in enough over-the-counter meds for up to two months of use, and prescription meds – including the pill – for a maximum of one month. Some meds can’t be brought in at all, even if they’re sold over the counter here. Similar rules apply to cosmetics. If you rely on special meds or cosmetics, make sure you check with the Japanese health authorities well in advance!
If you need an exception, you can apply for a yakkan shūmei (薬監証明). You can do this online now via a registration portal. You chuck in your flight details, arrival airport, and the meds you want to bring in. If you’ve done it right, you’ll get a document in a few days to show customs when you land.
This is just a heads-up. Everyone’s responsible for their own health. I’d definitely recommend checking early with your GP, your Foreign Office and the Japanese health authorities. Especially if your health needs it, or if you rely on meds or medical devices.
Jabs
For normal sightseeing trips, the standard jabs you get in Europe are totally fine. If you’re staying longer out in the sticks, you might want to think about getting vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis too.
Covid
Even though there aren’t any Covid travel restrictions right now, it’s a good idea to check with your Foreign Office and your local Japanese Embassy about any potential rules.
Wearing a mask might still be mandatory in some spots. But generally, folks appreciate it if you, even as a tourist, wear a mask voluntarily in public to protect yourself and others.
Getting In
Getting into the country is pretty straightforward, but I still find it a bit exciting every time.
Before you land, they hand out questionnaires on the plane to fill out for entry. Every visitor gets a personal one asking for your first hotel address, if you’ve got a criminal record or been deported before, and if you’re carrying dodgy stuff (weapons, drugs, parcels from randoms). You also gotta fill out another customs form per family, asking if you’re bringing in stuff to declare or heaps of cash.
Once you hit the airport, you’ll head straight to a border officer. They take your personal form and check your passport. They’ll also scan your index fingers and snap a photo. It’s all electronic and only takes a few seconds. If all goes well, they’ll stick a Temporary Visitor permit in your passport. (Important: You can only get the Rail Pass as a Temporary Visitor!)
After grabbing your bags, you’ve got to go through customs. They’ll take the other form and maybe your yakkan shūmei, and ask a few quick questions: what’s the reason for your stay, what’s your first hotel called, which cities are you planning to check out?
Even if it all seems super strict and formal, there’s zero need to panic. If you’re friendly, you’ll get a friendly welcome right back.
Once you’ve smashed that hurdle, your Japan adventure can finally kick off!
Heading Home
Shopping in Japan is proper fun. Tech nerds, gamers, and manga fans will absolutely love it, and before you know it, you’ve hoarded a massive stash of souvenirs in your bag. 😄
So your trip back from Japan doesn’t end in tears, make sure you keep an eye on import limits and duty-free allowances. You can find more info on the Customs website of your home country. Smuggling goods in from abroad isn’t a petty crime and can lead to some pretty nasty and expensive consequences. There are also specific export limits from Japan that you’ve obviously got to stick to.
