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Japan: wat je moet weten voor vertrek

Het belangrijkste

  • Amphetamine medicines such as Adderall are prohibited. Controlled narcotics and stimulant raw materials require advance permission; ingredient concentrations can affect classification. Check the NCD list before packing medicines.
  • For purchases from 1 Nov 2026, tax-free shopping switches to a refund method: pay tax-inclusive prices, then obtain customs export confirmation within 90 days of purchase.
  • Departure tax is generally JPY 3,000 from 1 July 2026, collected by the carrier. Some eligible tickets issued by 30 June retain the JPY 1,000 rate; exemptions apply.
  • Carry some cash: many small restaurants, temples and rural shops still take cash only. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards.
  • JESTA (online pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors) is planned for fiscal year 2028, not yet in force.

Inreis en visa

Citizens of 74 countries/regions (incl. US, UK, all EU) can visit visa-free for tourism, usually up to 90 days. Others (incl. Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Ukraine, mainland China, India) need a visa in advance; an eVISA is available to some nationalities living in certain countries. Visit Japan Web is optional but speeds up immigration and customs. No pre-travel authorisation is needed yet; JESTA is planned for FY2028.

Online aankomstformulieren en vergunningen

  • Visit Japan Web ↗ optioneel
    Before departure; show QR codes at immigration and customs · Kosten: Free · All arriving travellers (paper forms are still accepted)

Geldigheid paspoort: Valid for the whole stay; US government guidance also requires 1 blank page per entry stamp. Check your document requirements with the carrier.

Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar

  • Fingerprints and a face photo are taken at immigration for most foreigners.
  • You may be asked for a return/onward ticket and where you are staying.
  • Carry your passport at all times: police can ask foreigners to show it.

Douane

  • General personal-use limits without Import Confirmation: prescription medicines up to 1 month; other medicines up to 2 months. Controlled substances follow separate rules.
  • Controlled narcotics need advance permission. Preparations containing no more than 1% codeine or its salts are excluded from that narcotics category; check other import rules with NCD.
  • Declare cash/cheques over ¥1 million.
  • Meat products (incl. jerky, sausages) and fresh fruit need animal/plant quarantine certificates; tourists are often fined or have items seized.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: mofa.go.jp ↗, uk.emb-japan.go.jp ↗, vjw-lp.digital.go.jp ↗, mofa.go.jp ↗, moj.go.jp ↗, mhlw.go.jp ↗, ncd.mhlw.go.jp ↗, travel.state.gov ↗

Geld

Contant en pinnen zijn allebei gangbaar. Kaarten worden bijna overal geaccepteerd.

Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay, Diners

Apple Pay — werkt · Google Pay — werkt

Waar je geld wisselt

  • Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) or Japan Post ATMs with a foreign card
  • Exchange counters in city centres (e.g. Shinjuku, Ginza) usually beat airport and hotel rates

Waar je beter niet wisselt

  • Hotel front desks
  • Accepting 'pay in your home currency' (DCC) at card terminals or ATMs

Geldautomaten: 7-Eleven, Japan Post and Aeon ATMs take foreign Visa/Mastercard; most other bank ATMs do not. Expect a local fee (a few hundred yen) plus your bank's fee.

Fooi: No tipping. Leaving money can confuse staff; service charges appear on the bill in some hotels and restaurants.

  • Load Suica or PASMO in Apple Wallet (or buy a physical card) for trains, buses, convenience stores and lockers.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard do not work abroad and Mir is not accepted; bring a foreign-issued card or cash to exchange.
  • For purchases from 1 Nov 2026, pay tax-inclusive prices and obtain customs confirmation of export within 90 days; the shop then refunds the consumption tax.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: cdn.gltjp.com ↗, thesmartlocal.com ↗, customs.go.jp ↗, nta.go.jp ↗, sevenbank.co.jp ↗, support.apple.com ↗, usa.visa.com ↗, mastercard.com ↗

Regels en verboden

Verboden

  • Amphetamines such as Adderall are prohibited. Medicines with more than 10% pseudoephedrine are controlled stimulant raw materials and require advance permission.
  • Cannabis is prohibited. CBD products above statutory THC residue limits are regulated as narcotics; check current MHLW guidance before carrying any product.
  • Carrying knives with blades over 6 cm (incl. some pocket knives) without a valid reason is illegal.
  • Drones: flying over crowds, cities (DID areas), near airports or at night requires permission; many parks ban them.
  • Smoking on the street is banned in many city wards; use designated smoking areas.
  • Drink-driving: zero tolerance; passengers and those who supply alcohol to drivers can also be punished.

Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden

  • Foreigners must carry their passport (or residence card) at all times.
  • Overstaying even one day can lead to detention and deportation.
  • Taking photos in some shrines, geisha districts (e.g. Gion private lanes in Kyoto) and of people without consent can be fined or banned locally.
  • Littering fines apply in many cities; public bins are rare, so carry your rubbish.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: uk.emb-japan.go.jp ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, customs.go.jp ↗, mhlw.go.jp ↗, ncd.mhlw.go.jp ↗, mhlw.go.jp ↗

Cultuur en kleding

Religie: Shinto and Buddhism coexist; most people are not strongly religious but observe customs at shrines and temples.

Kleding: Casual clothing is fine. Cover shoulders when visiting some temples. Tattoos may bar you from onsen, public baths and gyms; look for tattoo-friendly places or private baths.

Etiquette

  • Take off shoes when entering homes, ryokan, some temples and restaurants with tatami.
  • Keep quiet on trains; no phone calls, and avoid eating on local trains.
  • Queue in line on platforms; stand on the left of escalators in Tokyo, right in Osaka.
  • Wash thoroughly before entering an onsen; swimsuits are not worn.
  • Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick to chopstick.
  • Hand over and receive cards or money with both hands; use the cash tray at tills.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: japan.travel ↗, japan.travel ↗

Klimaat

Temperate with four seasons (Tokyo shown). Hot, humid summers with a June–July rainy season and typhoons Aug–Oct; mild, dry winters. Hokkaido is much colder with heavy snow; Okinawa is subtropical.

Per maand
  • januari: Jan: 10°C / 2°C, dry and sunny; snow in the north
  • februari: Feb: 10°C / 2°C, cold and dry; plum blossom
  • maart: Mar: 14°C / 5°C, cherry blossom starts late March
  • april: Apr: 19°C / 10°C, cherry blossom early April; busy
  • mei: May: 23°C / 15°C, pleasant; Golden Week crowds early May
  • juni: Jun: 26°C / 19°C, rainy season (tsuyu)
  • juli: Jul: 30°C / 23°C, hot and humid; rain ends mid-July
  • augustus: Aug: 31°C / 24°C, hottest; Obon travel peak; typhoons
  • september: Sep: 27°C / 21°C, humid; peak typhoon risk
  • oktober: Oct: 22°C / 15°C, comfortable; autumn begins
  • november: Nov: 17°C / 9°C, autumn leaves; clear days
  • december: Dec: 12°C / 4°C, cool and dry; ski season starts

Beste seizoen: Late March–May and October–November for mild weather, blossoms and autumn colours.

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: data.jma.go.jp ↗, japan.travel ↗

Wat mee te nemen

  • Small coin purse (lots of coins)
  • Original packaging and prescription for any medicines
  • Type A plug adapter (two flat pins); check devices accept 100V
  • Slip-on shoes for frequent shoe removal
  • Small towel/handkerchief (few paper towels in toilets)
  • Bag for carrying your rubbish
  • Light rain jacket or umbrella in Jun–Sep

Niet meenemen / invoer verboden

  • Amphetamine medicines such as Adderall; controlled medicines without required advance approval
  • CBD or cannabis products without checking their legal status and THC limits with the authorities
  • Meat products and fresh fruit without quarantine certificates
  • Large or folding knives

Praktisch

Stopcontacten: Type A/B, 100V, 50Hz (east) / 60Hz (west)

Water: Tap water is safe to drink everywhere.

Verkeer: links rijden

Mobiel en eSIM: eSIMs and prepaid data SIMs are sold online and at airports; pocket Wi-Fi rentals are common. Free Wi-Fi in stations and convenience stores.

Apps: Visit Japan Web, Google Maps, Suica / PASMO (Apple Wallet), Japan Transit Planner, GO taxi, Google Translate

Internet: No restrictions on websites or VPNs.

Gezondheid: No vaccinations required. Healthcare is excellent but expensive for visitors without insurance; English-speaking clinics exist mainly in big cities. Heatstroke risk in July–August.

Verzekering: Not required for entry, but strongly recommended; hospitals may ask for proof of payment ability.

Noodnummers: Police 110; fire/ambulance 119; Japan Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787 (24h, English)

Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: japan.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗

Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.