A Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures

Do you have to use the Visit Japan Web app to enter Japan? No, usage of the app is NOT mandatory: You always have the option of filling out a paper arrival card and customs declaration (either on the plane or at the airport). Here’s our full guide to the Visit Japan Web app and other Japan entry procedures.

Visit Japan Web app diagram

Visit Japan Web And Japan Entry Procedures Q&A

Q: What is Visit Japan Web?
A: It’s an app designed to streamline entry at Japan’s airports.

Q: Do you have to use Visit Japan Web?
A: No, it’s not mandatory; you can fill out paper arrival cards and customs declarations (get them on board the plane or at the airport).

Q: Does Visit Japan Web save you time at the airport?
A: In my experience, the app does NOT save you any time (I enter Japan multiple times a year).

Q: Is Visit Japan Web required to board a plane to Japan?
A: While the Japanese government does NOT require you to use the app, some airlines ask if you have completed the Visit Japan Web application when you do online check-in, but there is always a work around if you haven’t or don’t want to. At the actual check-in counter, if they ask for it, you can remind them that it is not mandatory and that you will fill out paper forms upon arrival.

Q: How can I find out more about Visit Japan Web and other entry procedures (including paper forms)?
A: Below, I first explain how to use the app, and then I explain how to fill out the paper forms. Read on for all details.

Japan Entry Pro Tips

1. If you use the Visit Japan Web app, print out your QR codes and tuck them into your passport in case your phone runs out of charge or you have connectivity issues at the airport.
2. If you are going to use a paper entry form, search the address and phone number of your first night’s lodgings and write them on a piece of paper (so you can enter them into the paper entry form either on the plane or after you arrive).

The Details

Visit Japan Web is an app that is supposed to streamline entry and customs procedures. The Japanese government suggests that you use it but you DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE VISIT JAPAN WEB APP. You always have the option of using paper arrival cards and customs declarations. Note, however, that many airlines have stopped handing these out in flight. However, they usually have some on board if you ask for them. And if they don’t, you can always find the paper forms in the arrivals and customs halls (but note that this might slow you down a bit).

What do I recommend? I enter Japan multiple times every year and – full disclosure here – I don’t use Visit Japan Web. I find it a little fiddly and I prefer to use the paper forms, which I fill out on the plane before I land. And, I pass through immigration and customs at least as fast as travelers who use the app (you’ll read reports on Reddit saying the app allows you to move faster than those who use paper, but this has not been my experience and I always look carefully to see who’s moving fastest in the arrivals and customs areas).

Visit Japan Web

Visit Japan Web app

Time Required To Fill Out And Instruction Manuals

When you first download the app and look at the instruction manual, you may get the impression that it’s going to take a long time to complete Visit Japan Web. In practice, it takes about 15 minutes and is pretty intuitive. If you need a detailed walkthrough, see the Japan Web official instructions.

Three Parts To Visit Japan Web

Note, Visit Japan Web actually consists of three parts: 1) immigration information (ie, disembarkation card information), 2) customs information (ie, customs declaration), and 3) tax-exemption section. When you successfully complete these sections, you will receive three QR codes. The first two you will show at the airport upon arrival. The third can be used at some shops that offer tax-free shopping to tourists. Note that Japan is phasing out the tax-exemption function in 2026 and few stores accept Visit Japan Web QR codes now (instead, just keep your receipts and claim a refund at the airport when you depart).

Important Tip: Screencap Or Print Your QR Codes!

You will need a charged smartphone with internet access for Visit Japan Web to work at the airport when you arrive. Japanese airports have free wifi, so connectivity is not an issue, but be sure to charge your phone before flying. Just in case something goes wrong with your phone or you cannot get online at the airport, it’s a good idea to screenshot your QR codes or print them out on paper.

How To Use Visit Japan Web At The Airport

When you arrive at the airport, use the correct line (most likely the “foreigners” line, unless you’re Japanese or a resident of Japan). You’ll have to have your picture taken and also have your fingerprints taken. You will then go through an immigration booth where you will show your immigration QR code. Once through there, you will proceed to the automatic customs gates and show your customs QR code. Here is a good short video by Japan’s Digital Agency showing the procedure.

Check Osaka Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date

Paper Entry Forms For Japan

As noted above, you do NOT have to use Visit Japan Web, you can always go old school and use paper forms, which consist of an arrival card and customs declaration. This is my preferred method. I ask the flight attendant for the forms shortly before landing. If they don’t have any on board, I just pick them up in the arrivals hall (they have them placed next to the lines for the immigration booths, along with pens and counters where you can fill out the forms).

Japan Arrival Card © Chris Rowthorn

You will have to have your picture taken and fingerprints taken either in the line for the immigration booths or at the immigration booths. At the immigration booth, hand your passport and arrivals card to the inspector. Then, collect your luggage. If you haven’t filled out your customs declaration, grab one and fill it out while you wait for your luggage to appear. Then, walk to the nearest customs inspection counter and hand them your passport and customs declaration. Hopefully, they won’t bother you with too many questions or ask you to open anything (these days, they rarely do).

Japan Customs Declaration © Chris Rowthorn

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will need to enter than name, address and phone of your first night’s lodgings in Japan on your arrival card. It really helps to have this written down somewhere on your phone or on paper (say, tucked into your passport so you don’t forget it). It’s much better to have this to hand rather than having to search it up on your phone while you stand in line. See our Where To Stay In Kyoto guide for ideas about the best districts and specific hotels to stay at in Kyoto if you need inspiration. For Tokyo, check out our Where to Stay in Tokyo page.

Important Visit Japan Web Links

• Here’s the Visit Japan Web download site.
• Here’s the official instructions for using Visit Japan Web.

Where Are These Places Located?

See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Osaka District Map

• Shin-Osaka Area
• Kita Area
• Central Osaka Area
• Minami Area
• Tennoji Area
• Osaka Castle Area
• Osaka Bay Area