If your passport is from a country eligible for visa-free entry, you can enter Japan without needing to apply for a visa.
Of course, this applies to short-term stays only, but it still provides ample time to enjoy Japan.
Below is a list of countries and regions exempt from visas, based on information from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of June 2024.
Asia
Within 14 days
- Brunei
Within 15 days
- Thailand
Within 90 days
- Korea
- Malaysia
- Singapore
Within 90 days
- Indonesia
IC passport holders are exempt from visa for stays of 15 days or less if they register their IC passport in advance at a Japanese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate).
Within 90 days
- Taiwan
Taiwan passport holders with ID number.
Within 90 days
- Hong Kong
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders with Hong Kong residency status.
Within 90 days
- Macau
Macau Special Administrative Region passport holders.
North America
Within 90 days
- Canada
- United States
Central and South America
Within 90 days
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
Within 6 months
- Mexico
However, due to a decision by the Mexican government, Mexican nationals who hold ICAO-standard IC passports are exempt from visas.
Holders of other types of passports may require a visa.
Oceania
Within 90 days
- Australia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
Middle East
Within 30 days
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
IC passport holders are exempt from visas for stays of up to 30 days if they register their IC passports in advance at a Japanese diplomatic mission.
Within 90 days
- Turkey
- Israel
Europe
Within 90 days
- Andorra
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Romania
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Within 6 months
- Austria
- Germany
- Ireland
- Liechtenstein
- Switzerland
- UK
Africa
Within 90 days
- Mauritius
- Lesotho
- Tunisia
Even if you are from a visa-exempt country, you may be required to provide a valid passport, a return ticket or a ticket to your next destination, proof that you can cover the costs of your stay, etc.
Final entry permission is at the discretion of Japanese immigration officials.
In addition, visa exemptions are limited to short-term stays such as tourism, business, attending conferences, visiting relatives and acquaintances, etc.
If you are entering for other purposes such as work, entertainment, or studying abroad, or if you plan to stay beyond the designated visa exemption period, you will need to obtain a visa in advance, even if you are from a visa-exempt country.
Visa regulations and eligible countries are subject to change without prior notice.
Before traveling, make sure to check the latest information on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or contact a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa-exempt countries and regions （short-term stays）
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
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