No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Japan for most travellers, but several vaccines are strongly recommended for health safety. Ensure routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, polio, chickenpox, influenza) are up to date. Hepatitis A, B, and Japanese Encephalitis are recommended for many travelers, particularly those staying in rural areas or long-term.
Do I really need the Japanese encephalitis vaccine?
You likely need the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine if you're traveling to rural areas in Asia or the Western Pacific for over a month, especially during rainy seasons, participating in outdoor activities like cycling, staying near pig farms or rice fields, or have occupational exposure; however, a doctor's risk assessment based on your specific itinerary (destination, season, duration, activities) is crucial for a definitive answer, as typical short urban trips pose low risk.
1 Required Documents to Enter Japan. Your valid visa and passport OR visa exempt passport. Complete the customs and immigration procedures via Visit Japan Web OR complete the customs and immigration procedures by paper upon arrival in Japan. ...
Japan is planning a major overhaul of its tourism policies that will affect millions of international visitors. From 2025, it will abolish the popular duty-free shopping system, introduce dual pricing for domestic and international visitors, and introduce an electronic visa approval system.
Q&A First Time Japan Travelers / Visas, Covid Measures, Is Janssen Vaccine OK? Japanese Level?
Do you need shots to visit Japan?
For travel to Japan we recommend travelers be up-to-date on routine immunizations. These include polio, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Td or Tdap), measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), chickenpox (varicella) and Hepatitis B.
The following articles are prohibited from entry by law:
Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants, psychotropic substances, and other narcotic drugs (excluding those designated by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance);
Firearms (pistols, etc.), ammunition (bullets) thereof, and pistol parts;
(v) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other country relating to the control of narcotics, marijuana, opium, stimulants or psychotropic substances, and has been sentenced to a penalty.
What are the odds of getting Japanese encephalitis?
The chances of contracting Japanese encephalitis are small, at about 1 in a 1,000,000 chance. However, JE is a serious disease and once contracted, generally 1/3 of people will recover fully, 1/3 will have ongoing neurological issues and 1/3 will die from the disease.
The best times to visit Japan are Spring (March-May) for iconic cherry blossoms and Autumn (September-November) for vibrant fall foliage, offering mild weather, though both are peak, crowded, and pricier seasons. For fewer crowds, consider late May (after blossoms, before rain) or December (before peak winter/holidays), while Winter (Dec-Feb) is great for snow/skiing, and Summer (Jun-Aug) is ideal for mountain hiking (Hokkaido/Alps) but hot/humid with typhoons.
Credit, debit and prepaid cards of international brands are generally accepted throughout the country. There will be instances where stores may not display the symbols of the cards they accept, so ask the salesperson if you can use your card.
The cheapest months to fly to Japan are typically January, February, and early March, especially after the New Year's rush, due to winter being the low season, with potential deals in the shoulder seasons like late May/early June and late November/early December, avoiding peak cherry blossom (late March/early April) and summer (July/August) times.
The one-third rule refers to the business practice that is unique to the food industry, in which the best before date is divided into 3 parts and food manufacturers and wholesalers deliver products to retailers before the end of the first part period.
Travelers can wear shorts in hot weather, but don't wear cut-offs, board shorts, etc. Most Japanese women don't show their shoulders, belly or cleavage.
If Japan is your next destination, you're likely wondering -is tap water safe to drink in Japan? Well, good news! The answer is yes, you can drink tap water in Japan! Throughout Japan, tap water is safe to drink and that includes the water found in parks, gardens, and public bathrooms.
Make sure you carry your passport at all times during your trip to Japan. It is a legal requirement and local police may ask to check your identification.
In Japan tipping is not customary. If you insist on leaving a tip this may be seen as rude - and can cause acute embarrassment even if you think someone should be rewarded extra for their work. Instead, thank your hosts politely, and be respectful.
