Visit Japan Web and arriving in Japan

Visit Japan Web (VJW) is the official digital system of the Government of Japan for completing your disembarkation card and customs declaration online before arrival. With the QR codes it generates, you clear immigration and customs in minutes.

• Digital disembarkation card — replaces the paper form on the plane. You register your flight, address in Japan and length of stay.
• Digital customs declaration — you indicate whether you are carrying declarable items. When finished you get a QR code for the customs check.

1. Go to vjw.digital.go.jp and create an account with your email.
2. Enter your passport details and your flight information.
3. Fill in the Arrival Declaration with your personal details.
4. Fill in the Customs Declaration.
5. Save the generated QR codes on your phone or print them. You present them on arrival.

• Have the full address of your first accommodation to hand (with the Japanese postcode) — if you have not decided yet, see our guide to where to stay in Tokyo.
• Use the flight number of the leg that arrives in Japan (the connecting one if you have a layover).
• Download the QR codes offline or take a screenshot — wifi may not be available until after immigration.
• If you travel in a group, each traveller needs their own account and their own QR codes.

The system is in Japanese and English. It is not mandatory, but we recommend it to all travellers.

When you land at Narita or Haneda the entry process always follows the same order:

1. Health check — quick, with no COVID restrictions currently.
2. Immigration — you present your passport and the VJW QR code (or the paper form). Fingerprints and a photo are taken. The officer stamps the passport and notes the period of stay (normally 90 days).
3. Baggage claim.
4. Customs — you present the VJW customs QR code (or the red paper form). If you are not carrying anything declarable, it is instant.

With VJW completed in advance, steps 2 and 4 are noticeably faster. Narita and Haneda have dedicated kiosks for travellers with QR codes.

• Cash: you must declare if you carry more than 1,000,000 ¥ (or its equivalent in other currencies, traveller's cheques, etc.).
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of other tobacco (if you combine types, the total must not exceed the equivalent of 250 g).
• Alcohol: 3 bottles of around 760 ml each.
• Perfume: 2 ounces (about 56 ml).
• Other goods: up to 200,000 ¥ in total value. These tobacco and alcohol limits only apply to those over 20 (the legal age in Japan).
• Medicines: some medicines that are common abroad (syrups with codeine, products with pseudoephedrine) may be restricted or prohibited. Always carry the leaflet and the prescription. Check with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs if in doubt.

You can consult the detailed official allowance on the Japan Customs website.