Japan Travel Rules For Tourists: What You Can Bring, Declare, And Avoid

Japan is a straightforward country to visit when you prepare properly, but it does have strict entry, customs, medicine, food, and quarantine rules that tourists should understand before flying.

Some items that feel normal to pack for another trip, such as meat snacks, certain medicines, fresh food, or large amounts of cash, may need declaration, inspection, permission, or may not be allowed at all. Japan Customs also requires passengers entering Japan to submit a declaration for accompanied and unaccompanied articles.

This guide explains the main Japan travel rules tourists should check before departure, including documents, customs declaration, medicine, food, cash, prohibited items, and common airport mistakes.

If you are still checking whether you need a visa, read our Japan Visa Waiver guide before planning your trip.

Before travelling to Japan, tourists should check:

• Whether You Need A Visa

• Whether You Should Use Visit Japan Web

• What You Must Declare At Customs

• Whether Your Medicine Is Allowed

• Whether You Are Carrying Meat, Food, Plants, Or Animal Products

• Whether Your Cash Exceeds The Declaration Limit

• Whether Your Items Are Prohibited Or Restricted

• Whether Your Passport And Travel Details Are Correct

Japan is not hard to enter when your documents and luggage are clear. The main risk is assuming that “small amount” or “for personal use” always means allowed.

Do You Need A Visa To Visit Japan?

It depends on your passport nationality, purpose of travel, and length of stay.

Japan has visa exemption arrangements with many countries and regions for short-term stays, but not every passport is visa-free. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions as of its September 2025 update.

If your nationality is not visa-exempt, you may need to apply for a Japan visa before travelling.

If you are visa-required and preparing documents, check Outbound Visa’s Free Visa Tools before submission. If your visa photo needs resizing, use the Free Passport Photo Converter.

What Is Visit Japan Web?

Visit Japan Web is Japan’s online service for arrival procedures, including immigration and customs. Japan’s Digital Agency says Visit Japan Web lets travellers perform arrival procedures such as immigration and customs online.

You can use Visit Japan Web to register information before arrival and receive QR codes for airport procedures.

Visit Japan Web is not the same as a visa. If your nationality requires a visa, you still need to apply for the correct visa before travelling.

Do You Need To Submit A Customs Declaration?

Yes. Japan Customs requires passengers entering Japan to submit a Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles. This can be done through a paper form or electronically, and Japan Customs recommends electronic declaration through Visit Japan Web for smoother procedures.

You may need to declare items such as:

• Goods Over The Duty-Free Allowance

• Cash Or Payment Instruments Over The Limit

• Unaccompanied Baggage

• Restricted Or Controlled Items

• Food, Animal, Or Plant Products That Need Inspection

• Items For Commercial Use

If you are unsure whether an item should be declared, it is safer to ask Customs rather than hide it.

Items You Cannot Bring Into Japan

Japan Customs lists several prohibited items. These include narcotic drugs such as heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants and other narcotic drugs, as well as firearms, ammunition, explosives, chemical weapon precursor materials, and certain germs that could be used for bio-terrorism.

Tourists should be especially careful with:

• Illegal Drugs

• Cannabis Products

• Stimulants

• Unapproved Controlled Medicines

• Weapons Or Ammunition

• Explosives

• Counterfeit Goods

• Certain Restricted Food, Animal, Or Plant Products

Do not assume that an item is allowed in Japan just because it is legal in your home country.

Japan Medicine Rules For Tourists

Medicine is one of the most important things to check before travelling to Japan.

Some medicines that are common in one country may be restricted or controlled in Japan. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare says that when bringing prescribed narcotics or stimulant raw materials for personal use into Japan, travellers must apply for permission from the Japanese Government before leaving home. It also notes that some prohibited or controlled narcotics and stimulant raw materials cannot be brought into Japan.

Before packing medicine, check:

• Is The Medicine Legal In Japan?

• Does It Contain A Controlled Substance?

• Is It For Personal Use Only?

• Is The Quantity Within The Allowed Personal-Use Limit?

• Do You Need Import Confirmation Or Prior Permission?

• Do You Have A Prescription Or Doctor’s Letter?

Keep medicines in original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription if relevant.

If you take regular medication, check the official MHLW medicine guidance before travelling. Do not rely only on social media advice.

Can You Bring Meat Or Animal Products Into Japan?

Be very careful with meat and animal products.

Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service says any type of meat or organ, including raw, processed, refrigerated, frozen, or cooked items, is subject to animal quarantine. Examples include jerky, ham, sausages, bacon, and meat buns.

MAFF also explains that travellers are generally prohibited from bringing even small amounts of meat products into Japan because disease-causing pathogens can spread even from small quantities.

Avoid packing:

• Beef Jerky

• Pork Jerky

• Sausages

• Ham

• Bacon

• Meat Buns

• Meat Dumplings

• Sandwiches With Meat

• In-Flight Meal Leftovers Containing Meat

This applies even when the item is cooked, vacuum-packed, bought at duty-free, or labelled in Japanese, according to Japan’s plant and animal quarantine guidance.

Can You Bring Fruits, Plants, Or Seeds Into Japan?

Plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plant-related products may be subject to plant quarantine.

Japan Customs explains that all plants and related products are subject to plant quarantine to protect Japan’s agriculture and greenery from pests.

Before bringing plant products, check whether they are allowed and whether they need inspection.

Be careful with:

• Fresh Fruits

• Vegetables

• Seeds

• Plants

• Cut Flowers

• Soil

• Plant-Based Souvenirs

• Traditional Herbal Items

If you are not sure, do not pack it or declare it for inspection.

Cash Rules: How Much Money Can You Bring Into Japan?

There is no simple “cash ban” for tourists, but large amounts must be declared.

Japan Customs says travellers entering or leaving Japan with cash or other means of payment exceeding 1 million yen must declare it to Customs.

This can include:

• Japanese Yen

• Foreign Currency

• Checks

• Traveller’s Checks

• Promissory Notes

• Securities

If you are carrying a large amount of money, declare it properly at Customs.

Duty-Free Allowances In Japan

Japan has duty-free allowances for certain personal items.

Japan Customs lists duty-free allowances such as up to three bottles of alcoholic beverages, tobacco limits, perfume up to 2 ounces, and other goods with a total overseas market value under ¥200,000.

Common duty-free allowances include:

Rules can depend on age, quantity, and item type, so check the official customs allowance before travelling.

What Happens If You Bring A Restricted Item?

If you bring a restricted or prohibited item, it may be confiscated. Depending on the item and circumstances, you may also face inspection, fines, refusal, or legal consequences.

The safest approach is simple:

• Check Before Packing

• Declare Items If Unsure

• Do Not Hide Food, Medicine, Or Cash

• Do Not Bring Items That Are Clearly Prohibited

• Use Official Sources For Medicine And Quarantine Rules

A small mistake can take time to fix at the airport, especially if the item involves medicine, animal products, plant products, or controlled goods.

Common Japan Airport Mistakes Tourists Should Avoid

1. Bringing Meat Snacks

Meat products are one of the easiest things to forget. Jerky, sausages, ham, meat buns, and meat-filled snacks may be restricted or prohibited.

2. Packing Medicine Without Checking The Ingredients

Some medicines need prior permission, and some controlled substances cannot be brought into Japan even if they are prescribed abroad.

3. Assuming Visit Japan Web Replaces A Visa

Visit Japan Web helps with arrival procedures. It does not replace a visa if your nationality requires one.

4. Forgetting To Declare Large Cash Amounts

If you carry more than 1 million yen or equivalent in payment instruments, you need to declare it.

5. Bringing Fresh Fruits Or Plants

Plant products may need quarantine inspection and may not be allowed depending on origin and item type.

6. Ignoring Duty-Free Limits

Alcohol, tobacco, perfume, and other goods have limits. If you exceed them, you may need to declare and pay duties.

7. Using Unofficial Advice For Restricted Items

For medicine, food, animal products, and customs, always check official Japanese government sources.

Things Tourists Should Avoid Doing In Japan

Not every travel rule is about customs. Some things are legal rules, while others are local manners or city-specific rules.

To avoid problems, visitors should be careful about:

• Smoking Outside Designated Areas

• Littering

• Eating Or Drinking In Places Where It Is Not Appropriate

• Being Loud On Trains

• Taking Photos Where Signs Say Not To

• Entering Private Property For Photos

• Ignoring Queue Lines

• Using Drones Without Checking Local Rules

Some rules vary by city, facility, temple, shrine, or transport company. When in doubt, follow posted signs and local staff instructions.

Japan Travel Rules Checklist Before You Fly

Before travelling to Japan, check:

• Do You Need A Japan Visa?

• Is Your Passport Valid For Your Trip?

• Have You Registered On Visit Japan Web, If You Plan To Use It?

• Have You Completed Customs Declaration Correctly?

• Are You Carrying Any Medicine That Needs Permission?

• Are You Bringing Any Meat, Animal, Plant, Or Fresh Food Products?

• Are You Carrying More Than 1 Million Yen Or Equivalent?

• Are Your Alcohol, Tobacco, Perfume, And Goods Within Allowance?

• Are You Carrying Any Prohibited Or Restricted Items?

• Do You Have Accommodation And Return Travel Details Ready?

If your case is more complex, such as travelling with controlled medicine, past visa issues, or uncertain entry documents, Smart VisaAssist can help with a basic readiness check. For more detailed review before applying for a visa or preparing documents, Visa Concierge can help you review your case.

You can also compare similar Japan travel and visa questions in the Outbound Visa Forum.

FAQ

What Are The Main Japan Travel Rules Tourists Should Know?

Tourists should check visa requirements, Visit Japan Web, customs declaration, medicine rules, food restrictions, cash declaration, duty-free allowances, and prohibited items before travelling.

Can I Bring Medicine To Japan?

Some medicines are allowed for personal use, but controlled medicines may need prior permission. Some substances cannot be brought into Japan even if they are prescribed in another country.

Can I Bring Meat Snacks To Japan?

Usually no, or only under strict quarantine conditions. Meat products such as jerky, ham, sausages, bacon, and meat buns are commonly restricted or prohibited.

Can I Bring Fruit Into Japan?

Fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, plants, and related products may be subject to plant quarantine. Check before packing them.

How Much Cash Can I Bring To Japan?

If you carry more than 1 million yen or equivalent in cash or other payment instruments, you must declare it to Customs.

Is Visit Japan Web Required?

Visit Japan Web is an online service for arrival procedures such as immigration and customs. It is useful for smoother arrival, but it is not a visa.

Does Visit Japan Web Replace A Japan Visa?

No. If your nationality requires a visa, you still need to apply for the correct Japan visa before travelling.

What Items Are Prohibited In Japan?

Japan prohibits items such as narcotic drugs, cannabis, stimulants, firearms, ammunition, explosives, and certain other controlled or dangerous goods.

What Should I Do If I Am Unsure Whether An Item Is Allowed?

Check the official Japan Customs, MHLW, Animal Quarantine, or Plant Quarantine source before travelling. If you are already at the airport, declare the item and ask Customs or quarantine officers.

Final Takeaway

Japan is easy to enjoy when you prepare clearly, but tourists should not ignore its entry, customs, medicine, food, and quarantine rules.

The most common mistakes are bringing restricted food, packing medicine without checking the ingredients, forgetting customs declarations, or assuming Visit Japan Web replaces a visa.

Before you fly, check your visa status, register arrival information if needed, review your medicine and food items, and declare anything that falls outside normal personal travel items.

Sources

Japan Customs — Procedures Of Passenger Clearance
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/passenger.htm

Japan Customs — Declaration Of Accompanied Articles And Unaccompanied Articles
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/passenger/declaration/declaration_app.html

Japan Customs — Goods With Prohibitions, Controls And Restrictions
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/prohibit.htm

Japan Customs — Duty-Free Allowance For Accompanied Personal Effects
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/keitaibetsuso/7105_e.htm

Japan Customs — Export / Import Of Means Of Payment, Etc.
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/keitaibetsuso/7305_e.htm

Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of Japan — Exemption Of Visa For Short-Term Stay
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html

Digital Agency Japan — Visit Japan Web
https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/

Ministry Of Health, Labour And Welfare Japan — Information For Those Who Are Bringing Medicines For Personal Use Into Japan
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/iyakuhin/kojinyunyu/topics/tp010401-1_00001.html

Narcotics Control Department Japan — Application Guidance
https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/application2.html

Animal Quarantine Service Japan — Bringing Animal Products Into Japan From Overseas
https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html

Animal Quarantine Service Japan — FAQ Pertaining To Animal Quarantine
https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/ap_health/animal/240904.html

Plant Protection Station Japan — Request To People Coming To Japan
https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/pqaqinfo_en.html