Have you heard about Japan's new entry rules? Thinking of a trip to Japan soon? If so, you need to know about the latest transit and entry regulations! Do not worry — every detail on Japan's entry procedures is right here. Let your best travel companion DJB walk you through the latest rules you need to know before flying to Japan! Read this and you will feel ready to board with total confidence 😎

📍 Japan's 2025 entry rules — everything you need to know!

As huge Japan fans, we at DJB always keep an eye on the latest entry rules before every trip 👀! Here is the latest update: starting in 2025, the Japanese government is rolling out several new measures aimed at smoothing entry procedures and easing airport congestion. There are several details worth paying close attention to, so let's dive in!

✨ Preclearance — getting into Japan even faster!

From 16 January to 12 February 2025, Taiwanese travellers can complete part of the entry process at their departure airport, skipping the lengthy immigration screening once they land in Japan.

  • Eligible airports: Taoyuan Airport and Kaohsiung Airport in Taiwan, for select flights.
  • Eligible airlines: China Airlines, EVA Air, STARLUX Airlines, and Tigerair Taiwan, covering 16 routes and 134 flights in total.
  • What gets completed in Taiwan ahead of time includes:
    1. Identity verification
    2. A check against the watchlist
    3. Confirming purpose and length of stay
    4. Fingerprint collection and matching, plus a facial photo
  • Once you land in Japan, you simply get your entry stamp and clear immigration in no time! 🛂✨

📍 Visa information for entering Japan — Taiwanese travellers are visa-exempt! 🎌

Taiwanese passport holders generally do not need a visa for Japan, but a few things are still worth noting:

✅ Visa-free for short stays (up to 90 days), covering tourism, business, and visiting family.
✅ You must complete Visit Japan Web before arrival, to get a QR code for customs to scan.
✅ Staying over 60 days, or entering very frequently, may draw extra scrutiny and could affect future entries.
✅ Working or studying in Japan requires applying for the relevant visa in advance — visa-free entry does not apply.

✨ Visit Japan Web — get it sorted in advance for an easier time at immigration!

  • Since 25 January 2024, the immigration and customs declaration QR codes have been merged into a single QR code — just the one code covers everything now~
  • Shopping at a duty-free store is just as simple — scan your Visit Japan Web QR code directly, no need to show your passport! 📱🛍️
  • Remember! You must complete your Visit Japan Web application at least 6 hours before arriving at the airport, to avoid any delays at immigration!

🛢 Things to know entering Japan: duty-free and cash declaration rules

🌟 Big changes to duty-free rules in 2025!

  • Ever felt like you could not shop enough in Japan before? The previous ¥500,000 daily cap on tax-free consumables has now been removed — shop tax-free without limits! 🎉💸
  • Duty-free purchases no longer need to be sealed in a bag either — you can use them straight away at your accommodation.
  • From 2026, Japan will switch to a "pay now, refund later" airport tax refund system — pay the consumption tax at the time of purchase, then apply for a refund at the airport when you leave.

💰 Declaring cash and valuables

  • Carrying over ¥1 million in cash, or 1kg or more of gold (90%+ purity), requires filing a "Declaration of Carrying-in/out of Means of Payment" form — otherwise you risk a fine or confiscation by Japanese customs! 😳

📍 Regional travel rules you need to know for 2025

👉 Osaka bans street smoking entirely 🚭

  • From 27 January 2025, ahead of the World Expo, Osaka City has banned smoking on the street entirely!
  • Violators face a ¥1,000 fine, so smokers should be sure to use designated smoking areas.

👉 Kansai Airport raises its passenger service fee ✈️

  • Kansai Airport is raising its Passenger Service Facility Charge (PSFC) for Terminal 1; Terminal 2 remains unaffected for now.
  • From April 2025, the fee for international flights rises from ¥2,780 to ¥3,310, and the child fee rises from ¥1,390 to ¥1,660 — budget accordingly.

👉 Mount Fuji climbing rules change 🏔️

  • From summer 2025, the Mount Fuji climbing toll rises to ¥4,000!
  • The gate closing time moves earlier, from 4pm to 2pm — pay close attention to timing or you may miss your climb.

👉 Kyoto buses ban large luggage 🚌

  • Since 5 December 2023, Kyoto City buses have fully banned large luggage — buses now display "no large luggage" signage in Chinese, English and Japanese. If you have large bags, consider the subway, a taxi, or a hotel luggage transfer service instead.

👉 Ginzan Onsen restricts nighttime entry ♨️

From 20 December 2024 through 31 March 2025, Ginzan Onsen has implemented traffic control and entry restrictions.

  • Traffic control: to visit and relax at Ginzan Onsen, you must first go to the "Taisho Roman-kan car park" and take a paid shuttle bus from there, since Prefectural Road 188 is under traffic control.
  • Entry restrictions: day visitors not staying overnight must purchase an entry ticket online in advance. From 5pm until early the next morning, non-staying visitors cannot enter the Ginzan Onsen street at all, and only 100 visitors are admitted per hour — worth keeping in mind if you plan to explore the onsen town.

👉 Shibuya, Tokyo bans nighttime drinking 🍻

  • Since October 2024, drinking alcohol in any public space in Shibuya — including stations, parks, and streets — is banned every day from 6pm to 5am. Do not assume no one is watching if you drink on the street — police can issue an on-the-spot fine!

👉 Kumamoto buses and trains stop accepting IC cards 🚋

  • From 16 November 2024, some bus and rail operators in Kumamoto Prefecture have stopped accepting IC cards like Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA, citing the cost of a system upgrade. If you are heading to Kumamoto, double-check whether your IC card will actually work there.
  • Bus operators affected by this change include:
    • Kyushu Sanko Bus
    • Sanko Bus
    • Kumamoto Bus
    • Kumamoto City Bus

👉 Private lanes in Gion, Kyoto are off-limits 🚷

  • Since April 2024, all private lanes marked "no entry" in Kyoto's Gion district are strictly closed off, with violators facing a ¥10,000 fine. This followed too many tourists wandering into residents' private gardens and causing disruption, prompting the new rule.
  • That said, Hanamikoji Street remains open for tourists to enjoy freely, so you can still visit for photos with peace of mind.

📍 Time to start planning your Japan trip! ✈️🎌

Now that you have read through Japan's new entry rules and regional changes, does it dampen your urge to fly to Japan right now? 😉 If you have a trip coming up, remember to complete Visit Japan Web ahead of time to avoid these new rules disrupting your travel experience. Planning a trip to Japan this year? Start by reading through this article to understand the latest rules! Once you are done, go book your flights and accommodation, and grab your Daijobu Unlimited SIM from DJB to keep your trip smooth and enjoyable! 🎊

Let's head to Japan! 🚀