First things first: how do you get there? Japan has several international airports, with most long-haul flights arriving in Tokyo (Narita or Haneda) or Osaka (Kansai Airport). Depending on where you’re travelling from, you may be able to fly direct, or reach Japan via a major international hub. If you’re travelling via East Asia, it’s also possible to arrive at Fukuoka, in the south of Japan. This is common when flying through cities such as Seoul, Taipei or Hong Kong, and can be a convenient option if you’re planning to visit Kyushu or other parts of southern Japan.

In addition to flying, Japan can also be reached by sea. If you’re already in South Korea, there are ferry connections from Busan to Fukuoka, which can be an interesting alternative way to enter the country.

Flight routes and durations vary depending on your departure point and airline. Currently, many airlines avoid Russian airspace, which means some routes to Japan take longer than they used to.

Narita Airport (NRT) is sometimes referred to as Tokyo International Airport, but that’s actually a bit misleading. The airport isn’t located in Tokyo itself, but in the neighbouring prefecture of Chiba. From Narita, it often takes well over an hour to reach your final destination in Tokyo.

There are two main express trains from Narita into the city: the Narita Express (operated by JR East) and the Keisei Skyliner. In addition, there are local trains, which are cheaper but take longer. The Narita Express stops at major stations such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku, with some services continuing on to Musashi-Kosugi, Yokohama or Ofuna. This makes it a convenient option if you’re staying in the western or southern parts of Tokyo. The Skyliner runs to Nippori and Ueno, which is often more practical if you’re staying in the northern or eastern parts of the city, such as around Ueno, Asakusa or Akihabara. Both express trains require a supplementary ticket, which you can purchase at the airport. The Narita Express can be used with the Japan Rail Pass and some other rail passes, but I’ll go into that in more detail in a later blog.

Of course, there are other ways to get into the city as well, such as by bus (a well-known option is the Airport Limousine Bus) or by taxi, which can make sense if you’re travelling with a group or have budget to spare.

Haneda Airport (HND) used to be Tokyo’s domestic airport, but now also has an international terminal. Because the airport is located much closer to the city, transfers from Haneda are often quicker. From Haneda, you can take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho in central Tokyo, or the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa and Kawasaki.

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is a hyper-modern airport built on a slightly sinking artificial island, serving the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. From here, express trains such as Haruka (sometimes decorated with Hello Kitty!) and Rap:it, as well as local services, connect the airport to Osaka and beyond.

If you’re travelling to Japan under a visa‑exempt arrangement, you’re usually allowed to stay for up to 90 days without arranging a visa in advance. This applies to citizens of many countries, but the exact conditions depend on your nationality. If you’re not eligible for visa‑free entry, you’ll need to arrange the appropriate visa before travelling.

Before landing in Japan, everyone needs to complete two forms: one for immigration and one for customs. These are sometimes handed out on the plane, but they can also be completed online via Visit Japan Web. Doing this in advance means you can take your time at home, instead of having to think straight after a long flight. You’ll enter your personal details, flight number and the address of your first place of stay in Japan. After submitting the forms, you’ll receive two QR codes, which you show at immigration and customs respectively. Pro tip: take screenshots of the QR codes, just in case you don’t have internet access on arrival.

After landing, you’ll first go through immigration for passport control. There are separate lines for Japanese passport holders or residents, and for visitors. The visitor line can sometimes be quite long, so keep that in mind. After immigration, you’ll proceed to baggage claim to collect your luggage, and then go through customs. Sometimes you’ll be asked a few questions, such as the purpose of your trip or what you’re carrying; other times you can pass straight through. Once you walk through the final sliding doors, you’re officially in Japan.

There are several items you are not allowed to bring into Japan:

Certain medications
Japan has strict regulations for medicines that fall under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law or the Stimulants Control Act. These rules were updated at the end of 2024, with especially important changes for ADHD medication.

Previously, Ritalin, Concerta and other methylphenidate-based medications were completely prohibited in Japan, even with a prescription. They were classified in the same category as amphetamines, and importing them was a criminal offence. At the end of 2024, this changed. Methylphenidate now falls under the category of psychotropics, which means it may be brought into Japan under certain conditions. Adderall (amphetamine) still falls under the Stimulants Control Act and remains completely prohibited, even with a prescription.

If the total amount of active substance stays below the limits listed in this table, you do not need to apply for any permission. The limits apply to the total amount of active substance (in mg or grams), not per pill. For most users, this amounts to a fairly generous supply. If you exceed this amount, you will need a doctor’s statement. The website explains exactly what information this statement must include.

If you want to bring more than one month’s supply, you must apply for permission at least 14 days in advance with the Narcotics Control Department. You can read how to do this here.

Opiates and certain other strong medications are permitted, but only with a pre-approved Yakkan Shōmei (an import certificate for medication). For many common medicines, you are allowed to bring up to one month’s supply, but always check whether your medication falls into a regulated category. Complete lists, conditions and limits can be found on the website of the Japanese Narcotics Control Department.

Meat and other animal products
Meat and certain other animal products are strictly prohibited from being brought into Japan. Baggage claim areas are often inspected with the help of sniffer dogs, so take this seriously. For more information, check the website of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Japan does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference depends on where you’re travelling from. Compared to Europe (GMT), Japan is about 9 hours ahead. From the United States, the difference is larger: roughly 14 to 17 hours, depending on whether you’re on the East or West Coast.

When travelling to Japan, you almost always arrive a day later than the date you depart. On the return journey, especially when flying back to the United States, it’s even possible to arrive on the previous calendar day. Keep this in mind when booking your accommodation.

Speaking of accommodation: in a future blog post, I’ll explain where it’s best to stay. But first, I’ll take you through how the seasons in Japan work, and when it’s a good – or perhaps less ideal – time to visit.