Japan Travel Checklist 2025 — 7 Essential Tips for a Perfect Trip

Japan Travel Checklist 2025 (Latest Official Guidance + Real Traveler Tips)

Japan Travel Checklist 2025 — a fully verified guide that covers passports, visas, connectivity, payments, voltage, and health essentials. Updated with official 2025 data and insights from real traveler experiences.Japan has excellent transport, connectivity, and accommodation infrastructure, but trips can still go sideways if you overlook details like passports, visas, connectivity, payments, voltage, and health. This checklist consolidates official guidance and real traveler feedback vetted as of November 2025.

1) Essential Documents & Entry Requirements

Passport: Many travelers are admitted as long as the passport is valid for the full stay; however, airlines and transit countries often recommend 6+ months’ validity. Give yourself a margin.

Visa waiver / eVISA: Short-stay visa waivers (typically 15–90 days) apply to many nationalities. Some travelers use an eVISA. Always confirm your latest waiver status and eVISA eligibility before departure.

Immigration & customs declaration: Using Visit Japan Web to pre-register immigration and customs speeds up airport processing (not mandatory, but recommended). Printing your hotel name and address in Japanese helps with taxis and pickups.

2) Health, Medication & Insurance

Travel insurance: Overseas medical and emergency evacuation costs can be high. Disclose pre-existing conditions and choose a comprehensive plan including evacuation.

Vaccination: Proof of vaccination is generally not required for entry, but the CDC recommends that all international travelers are fully vaccinated for MMR (measles–mumps–rubella), two doses.

Prescription & OTC meds: Pack enough for the trip plus a buffer in original packaging, and carry an English prescription/doctor’s note. Some public restrooms may lack soap or paper towels—bring a handkerchief or mini towel.

3) Electronics, Power & Batteries

Voltage & plugs: Japan uses 100 V, Type A/B plugs, and 50/60 Hz (East 50 Hz, West 60 Hz). Phones and laptops usually support 100–240 V, but hair dryers and heating appliances often do not—check beforehand.

Power banks (lithium): Most airlines allow carry-on up to 100 Wh; checked baggage is prohibited. Always verify with your airline before flying.

4) Connectivity, Payments, Cash & Security

Connectivity: Choose among eSIM / physical SIM / pocket Wi-Fi based on trip length, group size, and number of devices. eSIM can be pre-installed for instant activation on arrival (ensure device eSIM compatibility). Pocket Wi-Fi is great for multiple devices but most plans have daily/period data caps with FUP (speed throttling after cap).

Payments: Cards are widely accepted in major cities, but traditional markets and rural eateries may be cash only. Carry small yen, and set card payments to local currency to avoid DCC markups.

Cash & security: Seven Bank and JP Post Bank ATMs generally work with foreign cards, but transactions can be blocked without a prior travel/overseas use notice to your bank. Keep passport, insurance, and reservations in photo + cloud + printed formats for redundancy.

5) Clothing, Personal Items & Culture Tips

Seasonal Clothing Guide

• Spring (Mar–May): Big day–night swings; pack a light outer layer (windbreaker/cardigan) and layer. Cherry blossom crowds mean lots of walking—comfortable sneakers are essential.
• Summer (Jun–Sep): Hot and humid. Choose breathable tees/linen and sweat-wicking base layers. A hat, handheld fan, and light umbrella help. Air-conditioning can be strong—bring a light cardigan.
• Autumn (Oct–Nov): Warm days, cooler mornings and nights. Light knit or shirt + light jacket works well. Fall foliage season also involves long walks—pick supportive footwear.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Feels colder depending on region. Heat-tech base + knit + warm outer layering is the baseline; add scarf, gloves, beanie. Indoor heating is strong, so choose easy on/off outerwear.

Laundry tip: Coin laundries are common—packing lightweight/technical clothing keeps luggage down. Bring small detergent packets and a laundry bag.

Shoes & walking: Many ryokan and some restaurants are shoe-off indoors. Easy on/off shoes help; urban trips involve heavy walking, so supportive sneakers are a must.

Essentials: Hand sanitizer, mask, tissues, zip bags/waterproof pouches, and a coin purse fit Japan’s daily routines well. Leave some room in your luggage for shopping.

6) Final Day-Before Checklist

• Reconfirm passport, visa, flights, accommodation
• Prepare Visit Japan Web QR (immigration/customs pre-reg)
• Print and cloud-save insurance policy & emergency contacts
• Verify power specs, plugs, chargers, power banks
• Confirm connectivity (eSIM/SIM/pocket Wi-Fi)
• Prepare small yen cash and a backup card
• Ensure 2-factor authentication on key accounts
• Recheck coin purse, umbrella, handkerchief, etc.

FAQ

Q1. Is the 6-month passport rule mandatory?
Japan often admits travelers whose passports are valid for the stay, but airlines/transit countries may apply a 6-month policy. Always verify for your specific itinerary.

Q2. Do I need COVID-19 testing or vaccination proof?
As of November 2025 there is no general entry requirement. The CDC still recommends keeping routine immunizations (especially MMR) up to date.

Q3. What’s the easiest connectivity option?
For solo short trips, eSIM is the simplest. For 2+ travelers or multi-device use, pocket Wi-Fi can be more economical. A physical SIM works well as a backup.