Passport requirements for Japan: validity, condition and children

The passport requirements for Japan are simpler than for many destinations. For a short visit, the passport only needs to be valid for the whole stay, up to and including the day of departure. There is no six-month validity rule for visa-exempt tourists, but the document must be in good condition and contain space for the landing permission sticker.

Validity

Immigration grants a period of stay that cannot go beyond the passport's expiry date. A passport expiring a few days after the planned departure is accepted, but any delay, such as a cancelled flight or a typhoon, would leave no margin. Airlines may also apply their own rules at check-in, so renewing a passport that expires within three months of the trip is a sensible precaution.

Condition of the passport

• Pages must not be torn, detached or water-damaged.
• The photo page must be readable by machines; a damaged chip can slow down automated gates.
• At least one blank page is needed for the landing permission sticker.
• Emergency or temporary passports are generally accepted for short stays, but checking with the airline first is advised.

Children and babies

Every child, including infants, needs their own passport. Children under 16 are exempt from fingerprinting at immigration but still need their own arrival registration, which can be added under a parent's account. When a child travels with only one parent or with other adults, carrying a signed consent letter is recommended, even though Japan does not require one by law.

Dual nationals

Travelers holding two nationalities should use the same passport to enter and leave Japan and to complete the arrival registration, since the arrival QR code is linked to one passport. Visa exemption is assessed on the passport presented at the border.

Names and bookings

Flights should be booked with the name exactly as printed in the passport, including middle names where the airline asks for them. A renewed passport is usually accepted by airlines even if the booking was made with the old one, but the passport number should be updated in the booking and in the arrival registration.

Meeting the passport requirements for Japan during the trip

Foreign visitors must carry their passport at all times in Japan; hotels are required to record the passport details of foreign guests. Keep a photo of the photo page and of the landing sticker separately, for example in a secure cloud folder.

Lost passport in Japan

A lost or stolen passport must be reported to the nearest police box (koban) to obtain a report number, then to your country's embassy or consulate in Japan for an emergency travel document. The photo of the landing sticker helps when you leave the country. Contact details are in the embassies and consulates guide.

Visa holders

Travelers who need a visa should check that the passport remains valid well beyond the trip, since embassies may require extra validity when issuing a visa.

Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, visa information

Frequently asked questions