Japan

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 1/4 — Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 1/4
• ☐ Canada: level 1/4 — Exercise normal security precautions

Health notices

• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ Visitors to Japan must obtain a visa from one of the Japanese diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or transit within 72 hours.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type A/B, 100V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the left
• ☐ Emergency (police): 110
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 119
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 119
• ☐ SIM: Modern Japanese mobile phones (携帯電話 keitai denwa or just keitai) use the global standards for 4G and newer. In a nutshell:
• ☐ Money: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but some cafes, bars, and restaurants may still only accept cash and/or IC card. Visa, MasterCard and JCB are widely accepted. Discover and American Express are usable where JCB credit cards are accepted.
• ☐ Tipping: Tipping is not a part of Japanese culture. Japanese people are uncomfortable with being tipped and are likely to be confused, amused or possibly even offended if tipped. The Japanese pride themselves on the service given to customers, and a further financial incentive is unnecessary. If you leave a tip in a restaurant, the staff will probably come running after you to return the money you 'forgot'

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Bicycle traffic violations — Traffic police conduct raids on bicycle paths to check for adherence to rules. Cyclists must follow traffic regulations to avoid police intervention.
• ☐ Prostitution and drug involvement — Engaging in prostitution or dealing drugs increases the risk of involvement with yakuza gangs.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Japan — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM