Before arriving in Japan, you need a few reliable things in place: the right entry documents, mobile internet, a realistic airport-to-hotel route and a way to manage tickets and luggage. This guide helps international visitors make those decisions without installing unnecessary apps or booking services they will not use.
Updated: 11 November 2026
Japan travel checklist: what to arrange and when
| When | Task | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before booking | Passport and entry requirements | Visa rules depend on nationality and travel purpose. |
| Several days before departure | Visit Japan Web | Prepare eligible immigration and customs declarations. |
| Before travel | Data connection and insurance | Check phone compatibility, coverage and policy conditions. |
| Before arrival | Airport transport | Compare the actual hotel route, luggage and arrival time. |
| Before each activity | Attraction tickets | Confirm the date, cancellation policy and meeting point. |
| During the trip | Luggage storage | Choose a staffed location or locker that fits the itinerary. |
| Before leaving Japan | Tax refund, if eligible | Under the system effective from 1 November 2026, customs confirmation is required. |
1. Visit Japan Web: prepare for arrival
Visit Japan Web is the Japanese Digital Agency's official online service for selected immigration and customs procedures. It is not a visa, and your passport-specific entry requirements still apply.
Five practical steps
- Create an account or sign in to the official Visit Japan Web website.
- Register your own traveller information using the passport you will carry.
- Add your planned arrival in Japan and complete the applicable immigration and customs declaration fields.
- Check the information for each traveller, including any family members whose details you manage.
- Make the arrival QR code accessible for inspection and follow the signs and officers' directions at your arrival airport.
Arrival code versus shopping and departure procedures: The QR code used for arrival declarations is separate from the tax-free shopping and departure tax refund procedures. Do not assume that completing an arrival declaration also completes a future tax refund.
Japan Customs also provides a paper declaration option. For the latest steps, see the Digital Agency's English user guide and Japan Customs' arrival declaration guidance.
Visa note for Philippine passport holders: A Japanese visa is generally required for a short tourist visit; check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs procedures for Philippine nationals. Visitors with other passports should use the MOFA visa information portal.
2. Japan eSIM: choose the connection, not just the data allowance
For visitors with an unlocked eSIM-compatible phone, a travel eSIM can be a convenient way to use maps, messaging and booking confirmations. Before purchasing, match the plan to what you will actually do.
| Your situation | What to prioritize | Check before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Short city visit | A modest data allowance | When the validity period begins |
| Frequent video uploads or tethering | Enough high-speed data | Speed restrictions and hotspot rules |
| Rural travel or several regions | Network coverage | Coverage along your actual route |
| Need banking verification messages | Access to your home phone number | Data-only eSIMs generally do not provide your existing SMS number |
| Phone lacks eSIM support | Physical SIM, portable Wi-Fi or roaming | Compatibility, collection and return arrangements |
Compare published plans from Airalo Japan and Saily, including data volume, validity, activation conditions and support. Prices can change by plan and sale period.
Setting up an eSIM on an iPhone
- Confirm that the phone supports eSIM and is not restricted to another carrier.
- Follow the provider's installation instructions, usually through Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → Add eSIM or the provider's app.
- Scan the provider's QR code or use the supported installation method.
- Check when the plan starts. Some plans should not be activated until you are ready to use them in Japan.
- Keep the required home SIM available if you may need SMS authentication.
Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel use different menu labels. Follow your specific device's instructions rather than an iPhone screenshot.
3. Travel insurance: check what the policy actually covers
Choosing insurance is less about finding the lowest advertised price than understanding what happens if you need treatment, assistance or changes to a booked trip.
| Compare | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical care | Are outpatient treatment, hospitalization and emergency transport covered? |
| Eligibility | Does the policy accept your residence, age and intended travel dates? |
| Existing conditions and activities | Are there exclusions relevant to your health or itinerary? |
| Trip interruption and cancellations | Is this protection included or an optional product? |
| Assistance and claims | How do you contact the insurer, submit documents and obtain reimbursement? |
SafetyWing's travel insurance overview is one option to examine alongside other policies. Compare the actual coverage terms and the plan available to your circumstances; product names alone do not establish identical benefits.
4. Getting from the airport to your hotel
For a smooth arrival, decide the transport mode using your actual terminal, hotel location, arrival time, luggage and group size. A private car may be convenient for a large party or complicated route, while rail or airport buses may be more practical for a hotel close to a station or direct bus stop.
Kansai International Airport (KIX): a useful starting comparison
| Destination or situation | Option to check first | Main detail to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Namba area | Nankai Airport Express or limited express Rapi:t | Your final station and the service you intend to board |
| Tennoji, Osaka or Shin-Osaka area | JR airport services; compare the specific route | Transfers and the stop closest to your hotel |
| Kyoto area | JR airport express connections | Timetable and total journey, including local connections |
| Hotel served by a direct airport bus | Airport limousine bus | Terminal, last departure and luggage restrictions |
| Group with multiple large suitcases | Pre-booked private transfer | Vehicle capacity, driver meeting point and waiting policy |
See KIX's official rail access guide for current routes and timetable links. The airport station connects to Terminal 1 and Aeroplaza; travellers using another terminal should check how to reach it.
You can also compare airport transfer options with Kiwitaxi. Check the exact origin, destination, vehicle capacity and booking conditions before committing. Not every airport or route has identical availability.
5. Luggage storage: lockers or a pre-booked staffed location?
| Option | Best suited to | Common constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Station coin locker | A short visit before returning to the same station | Size, availability and retrieval hours |
| Staffed luggage storage | Time between check-out and an attraction or flight | Store location, opening hours, item restrictions and booking terms |
| Hotel baggage service | Before check-in or after check-out | Each hotel's acceptance policy |
For staffed storage, search Bounce locations and check the actual store's address, availability, accepted luggage size and pickup time. Keep passports, medicine and valuables with you.
6. Tickets and activities: compare the booking conditions
Before choosing a tour, attraction ticket or transportation pass, confirm more than the headline price:
- Validity: Is the admission date fixed, or can you visit within a wider period?
- Meeting point: Does the booking begin at the attraction or at a separate location?
- Language: Is the guided experience offered in the language you need?
- Entry method: Can you present a mobile voucher, or must you exchange it for a ticket?
- Changes: What happens if your flight is delayed or the weather changes?
You can browse Japan experiences on Klook or compare Japan activities on KKday. Check the specific product's conditions and compare with the operator when relevant.
7. Japan tax refund: the system effective from 1 November 2026
Japan introduced a departure-confirmation refund method for eligible purchases made on or after 1 November 2026. At participating tax-free shops, eligible visitors pay the tax-inclusive price first. The equivalent of the consumption tax is refunded by the store through the registered method after customs confirmation at departure.
Key points to remember:
- Eligible purchases generally total at least ¥5,000 excluding tax per store per day.
- The goods must be taken out of Japan, and the customs confirmation must be completed within 90 days of purchase.
- Customs may require the purchased goods to be presented. Goods consumed in Japan do not qualify for the departure refund.
- On departure, complete the procedure at the appropriate airport or seaport before the security checkpoint, where required by the local process.
- Refund method and timing are set by the retailer or its designated service. Customs confirmation is not a promise of immediate cash at the airport.
Can Visit Japan Web handle the departure procedure?
Yes, at designated airports including Kansai, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha. After the relevant registration, use the Tax Refund procedure in Visit Japan Web and follow the airport's dedicated procedure before security. If the online method cannot be completed, use the available tax refund kiosk or ask customs staff for the correct procedure.
This is separate from the arrival immigration and customs QR code explained earlier. Follow the official Japan Customs refund guide and the Digital Agency's instructions.
For the detailed process, examples and retailer-specific fee information, read our Japan Tax Refund Guide.
8. Shopping online in Japan
If you plan to order items from Amazon Japan or Rakuten while staying in Japan, check seller conditions, the delivery date and your accommodation's policy before placing an order. Account setup, payment and delivery options are covered in our separate Amazon Japan & Rakuten Shopping Guide.
9. Your final checklist
A week before departure for Japan
- Check passport-specific visa and entry requirements.
- Review the Visit Japan Web registration and the correct traveller information.
- Compare mobile plans, insurance and airport-to-hotel routes.
- Reserve time-sensitive tickets or appropriate luggage storage.
The day before your flight
- Confirm the flight terminal, accommodation address and transport booking details.
- Save access to the required QR codes and booking confirmations.
- Charge your phone and keep essentials in your carry-on bag.
Before leaving Japan
- Keep any eligible tax-refund goods accessible for possible customs inspection.
- If claiming a tax refund, confirm where to complete departure customs verification before checking luggage or entering security.
- Check your store's refund instructions and registered refund method.
Frequently asked questions
Is Visit Japan Web a visa or compulsory for every traveller?
No. It is an official online procedure, not permission to enter Japan. The applicable entry requirements depend on your nationality and status, while alternative customs declaration arrangements may exist.
Is the Visit Japan Web arrival QR code the same as the tax refund procedure?
No. Arrival registration, the tax-free shopping code and departure tax refund confirmation serve different purposes. Use the appropriate function for each step.
Does a data-only Japan eSIM give me a Japanese phone number?
Not necessarily. Check the plan's specifications. Keep your original telephone line accessible if you need SMS codes from your bank or other services.
Is a private airport transfer better than the train?
It depends on where your hotel is, how much baggage you have, your arrival time and your group size. Compare the door-to-door journey and total booking conditions before deciding.
Can I store any bag at any Bounce location?
No. Each participating location has its own availability, hours and item restrictions; inspect the details for the exact store before booking.
Can I receive the Japanese consumption tax refund immediately after shopping?
Under the system for qualifying purchases from 1 November 2026, eligible shoppers pay the tax-inclusive price first. The refund follows the required customs confirmation on departure and the retailer's refund process.
Planning a Kansai group trip or business visit?
TUKISUMI is a registered travel company based near Kansai International Airport. We help visitors arrange custom Kansai travel, group trips and business visits in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and surrounding areas. If you are coordinating arrivals, visits or several travellers, contact TUKISUMI Japan with your dates, group size and requirements.
Official sources
- Digital Agency — Visit Japan Web user guide
- Digital Agency — Tax Refund procedure announcement (2 November 2026)
- Japan Customs — Tax Exemption (Refund) Program for Foreign Visitors
- Japan Customs — Online departure procedure
- Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa information
- Kansai International Airport — Rail connections
Affiliate disclosure: Some links contain affiliate tracking. TUKISUMI may earn a commission from eligible bookings at no extra cost to you.