Japan
Phone Code
+81
Capital
Tokyo
Population
125 Million
Native Name
日本
Region
Asia
Eastern Asia
Timezone
Japan Standard Time
UTC+09:00
On This Page
Japan is an East Asian island nation blending ancient traditions with cutting-edge technology. Known for bullet trains (shinkansen), cherry blossoms (sakura), Mount Fuji, temples, anime/manga culture, sushi, and unique cultural experiences. Tokyo, the capital and largest city, is a megacity of 38 million people combining ultramodern districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku with traditional neighborhoods. Visitors are drawn to Tokyo's neon-lit districts and temples, Kyoto's ancient temples and geisha districts, Mount Fuji climbing and views, Osaka's street food scene (takoyaki, okonomiyaki), Hiroshima's Peace Memorial, Nara's friendly deer and temples, Japanese Alps skiing and hiking, cherry blossom viewing (hanami), hot spring resorts (onsen ryokan), and unique cultural experiences. Japan offers world-class cuisine, efficient transport, safety, and fascinating cultural contrasts.
Visa Requirements for Japan
Japan offers visa-free entry for citizens of over 60 countries and territories under various visa exemption arrangements. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, and many others can enter Japan for tourism or business without a visa for stays of 15 to 90 days depending on their nationality (most major countries receive 90 days). Working Holiday visas are available for citizens of certain countries aged 18-30 (or 18-25 for some). Visitors must have a passport valid for the duration of stay, proof of onward travel, and sufficient funds. Those requiring visas should apply through Japanese embassies or consulates. Japan's visa policies are relatively open for major tourism markets, making it accessible for international visitors. Extensions beyond the initial visa-free period are difficult and require compelling reasons.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (Temporary Visitor)
For tourism, business meetings, conferences, visiting friends/family for 60+ eligible nationalities.
Working Holiday Visa
For citizens of 26+ countries (including UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany) aged 18-30 (or 18-25 for some) to work and travel.
Tourist Visa (Embassy Application)
For nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry who need visa for tourism.
Visa Extension (Temporary Visitor)
For visitors needing to extend stay beyond initial visa-free period for compelling reasons.
Important Travel Information
Travel Guide
Japan is the collision of ancient and ultramodern that everyone promises and few countries actually deliver. Tokyo is a megacity that defies comprehension: Shibuya's scramble crossing, Shinjuku's neon canyons, Akihabara's electronics and anime towers, the serenity of Meiji Shrine in its forest just minutes from Harajuku's cosplay street — all connected by a train system so precise that a 30-second delay makes national news. Kyoto is the other pole: over 2,000 temples and shrines including the golden Kinkaku-ji, the vermilion Fushimi Inari gates climbing into the forest, the Zen rock garden at Ryōan-ji, the geisha district of Gion, and the bamboo grove at Arashiyama. Between them: Osaka's raucous street food scene (Dōtonbori's takoyaki and okonomiyaki, Shinsekai's kushikatsu), Hiroshima's Peace Memorial and the shrine island of Miyajima, Nara's tame deer wandering among 8th-century temples, the Japanese Alps (Kamikōchi, Takayama's Edo-period old town), and Mount Fuji — climbable in summer, photographed from everywhere else year-round. The shinkansen (bullet train) connects it all at 300 km/h with a punctuality record that averages less than one minute delay per year. Japanese cuisine — UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — goes far beyond sushi: ramen shops where each region has its own broth tradition, kaiseki multi-course dinners that elevate cooking to ceremony, izakaya (pub-restaurants) for yakitori and beer, Kobe beef, Hokkaido seafood, matcha everything in Kyoto, and convenience store (konbini) food that puts many European restaurants to shame. Onsen (hot spring) culture is uniquely Japanese: volcanic-fed baths in ryokan (traditional inns) from Hakone to Beppu to the snow-monkey springs of Nagano. Japan is one of the safest countries on earth, extraordinarily clean, and runs with a precision that recalibrates your expectations of how a society can function.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Kyoto's 2,000+ temples and shrines (Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari, Ryōan-ji, Kiyomizu-dera), Nara's Tōdai-ji (the world's largest wooden building, housing a 15-metre Buddha), Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Miyajima Island, Kamakura's Great Buddha, Nikko's ornate Toshogu Shrine, and the castle towns of Himeji (Japan's finest surviving castle), Matsumoto and Kanazawa.
Shibuya crossing and Shinjuku's skyscrapers, Akihabara (electronics and anime), Harajuku (street fashion and Meiji Shrine), Asakusa and Senso-ji temple, Tsukiji Outer Market (seafood breakfast), Ginza (luxury shopping), the Imperial Palace gardens, Roppongi's art triangle, and a nightlife scene that ranges from izakaya alleys in Shimokitazawa to cocktail bars in Ginza to karaoke boxes everywhere.
Sushi at Tsukiji and Toyosu, ramen in regional styles (Hakata tonkotsu, Sapporo miso, Tokyo shoyu), kaiseki multi-course dinners in Kyoto, Osaka's street food (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu), Kobe beef, izakaya culture (yakitori, edamame, draft beer), matcha in Kyoto's teahouses, and konbini food that rivals proper restaurants. Japan has over 200 Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo alone.
Hot spring culture is central to Japanese life: volcanic-fed baths in traditional ryokan inns. Hakone (views of Fuji from the bath), Beppu (eight hells — steaming volcanic pools), Kinosaki Onsen (seven public bathhouses in a lantern-lit town), Kusatsu (one of Japan's most famous onsen towns), and Jigokudani Monkey Park near Nagano (snow monkeys bathing in hot springs). Tattoo-friendly onsen are increasingly available.
Mount Fuji (climbable July–September, iconic from everywhere year-round), the Japanese Alps (Kamikōchi valley, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route), Hokkaido's wilderness (Daisetsuzan National Park, Shiretoko Peninsula — UNESCO), the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, Yakushima's ancient cedar forests (inspiration for Princess Mononoke), and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.
Akihabara's anime and manga shops, Harajuku's street fashion, the Ghibli Museum (advance tickets essential), teamLab Borderless digital art, Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, the gaming arcades, capsule hotels, cat cafés, themed restaurants, and the otaku culture that has become Japan's most influential cultural export since ukiyo-e.
Money & Currency
Japanese Yen (¥ JPY)
Currency code: JPY
Practical Money Tips
Currency Exchange in Japan
Japan uses the Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). Exchange rates fluctuate — check current rates before travel. Currency exchange is available at airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai), banks, post offices and some hotels, but ATMs typically offer better rates. Airport exchange counters at Narita and Kansai are reasonably competitive and convenient for getting initial yen on arrival. In cities, Travelex and SBJ Exchange offer exchange services but with varying commissions. Banks exchange currency but with limited hours (typically 9:00–15:00 weekdays only) and paperwork. The best strategy: withdraw yen from a 7-Eleven or post office ATM using your international card.
ATM Availability
Japan's regular bank ATMs often do not accept foreign cards — this catches many visitors off guard. The reliable options: 7-Eleven (セブン銀行 / Seven Bank) ATMs work with virtually all international Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus and Plus cards, 24/7, in English. There are over 25,000 7-Eleven stores across Japan, making this the most dependable ATM network for foreign visitors. Japan Post (ゆうちょ銀行 / Yucho Bank) ATMs at post offices also accept foreign cards, with English menus, though hours may be limited (typically 7:00–23:00). Some convenience stores (Lawson, FamilyMart) have also added international-card-compatible ATMs. Withdrawal limits: typically ¥50,000–¥100,000 per transaction. Your home bank may charge a fee per withdrawal; check before travel.
Card Acceptance
Despite Japan's high-tech image, it remains significantly more cash-dependent than most Western countries. Card acceptance has improved dramatically since 2019 (pre-Olympics push), but cash is still essential for daily life. Cards are accepted at: hotels, department stores, larger restaurants, train stations (JR ticket offices), convenience stores, major chains, and tourist-oriented businesses. Cards are often NOT accepted at: smaller restaurants and izakaya, ramen shops, local shops, temple entrance fees, vending machines, many taxis (though this is changing), market stalls, and rural businesses. The practical reality: carry ¥10,000–¥20,000 (roughly €60–130) in cash at all times. IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) are essential — they work for trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines and some restaurants.
Tipping Customs
Tipping is NOT practiced in Japan and can cause confusion or even offence. Exceptional service is the baseline expectation, not something that requires a financial reward. Do not tip at restaurants, bars, taxis, hotels, hair salons, or anywhere else. If you leave money on the table, staff may chase you down the street to return it. The only exceptions: high-end ryokan (traditional inns) where you may leave a small gift of ¥1,000–¥3,000 in an envelope (not handed directly) for the nakai-san (room attendant), and private tour guides where a small gift is appreciated but not money. In group tours, tips for bus drivers and guides are sometimes collected — follow the group leader's guidance.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Cities with missions
Where this country maintains embassies or consulates
Explore different regions and their cities.
Japan Embassies Worldwide
Popular Destinations
Top destinations with verified missions
Embassies in Japan
These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.
Key origin countries
All countries by continent
Planning a trip to Japan — whether for tourism, work or study? Start your visa application with iVisa and get step-by-step guidance.
Apply for Japan visa