Visit Japan Web helps international travelers complete immigration and customs information before arriving in Japan. The official service is free and allows you to prepare your arrival QR code before departure.
Although the registration process is relatively straightforward, entering your passport, flight and accommodation information correctly matters. This guide explains how to complete Visit Japan Web step by step, register family members, prepare your arrival code and avoid common mistakes.
Quick Answer: What Is Visit Japan Web?
Visit Japan Web is an official Japanese government service that allows international travelers to prepare certain arrival procedures online before entering Japan.
You can use it to:
- Register your passport and personal information
- Add an upcoming journey to Japan
- Complete immigration arrival information
- Submit a customs declaration
- Generate a QR code for airport procedures
- Create a tax-free shopping QR code where supported
Visit Japan Web does not replace your passport, visa or any other required entry permission. It simply allows you to submit certain immigration and customs information digitally instead of completing all the paperwork after landing.
Registration is not compulsory for every traveler, and alternative procedures remain available. However, completing it before departure can reduce paperwork and make your arrival more straightforward.
Register only through the official Visit Japan Web service, operated by Japan’s Digital Agency. Registration and the electronic customs declaration are free.
Is Visit Japan Web Mandatory in 2026?
Visit Japan Web is generally not mandatory for ordinary tourists entering Japan. Travelers who do not use it can normally complete the necessary immigration and customs procedures using the alternatives provided at their arrival airport.
However, every passenger must still meet Japan’s entry requirements and complete the declarations that apply to their journey. The online service changes how you provide this information; it does not remove the underlying requirements.
Using the service is recommended because it allows you to prepare before departure, reduces the need to complete forms after a long flight and provides a digital code that can be scanned at supported airport facilities.
You should still carry:
- Your original passport
- Any visa required for your nationality and travel purpose
- Your first accommodation details
- Your return or onward flight information
- Supporting documents requested by immigration
- An offline copy of your arrival QR code
Visa rules depend on your nationality, length of stay and reason for traveling. Registering through Visit Japan Web does not mean that you have received a visa or advance approval to enter Japan.
What You Need for Visit Japan Web Registration
Gather the required information before opening the registration form. Having everything nearby will make the process faster and reduce the risk of entering inconsistent details.
You will usually need:
- A valid email address
- Your passport
- Your intended arrival date
- The airline and flight number that will bring you into Japan
- Your departure point
- The address of your first accommodation in Japan
- The accommodation’s Japanese postal code
- The accommodation’s telephone number
- Details of family members traveling with you
- Information about goods you are bringing into Japan
Enter the information exactly as it appears on your passport and booking confirmations. Differences in names, passport numbers, dates or flight details can create unnecessary problems later.
Which Flight Number Should You Enter?
Enter the flight that lands in Japan.
For example, if you travel from Istanbul to Tokyo through Doha, enter the Doha–Tokyo flight rather than the Istanbul–Doha segment.
Use the airline code and numerical part of the flight number in the format requested by the form. If your booking is a codeshare, compare the flight number on your confirmed reservation with the operating flight information and make sure the correct Japanese arrival airport appears.
Which Address Should You Use?
Enter the address of your first accommodation in Japan.
For most visitors, this will be the first hotel, apartment or ryokan on the itinerary. You do not need to register every place where you will stay during the trip.
Copy the postal code, prefecture, city, street address and telephone number from the accommodation’s official booking confirmation. Japanese address formats can be unfamiliar, so avoid translating or restructuring the address yourself unless the form specifically requires it.
How to Complete Visit Japan Web in 9 Steps
The design and wording of individual screens may change, but the main sequence remains broadly the same: create an account, register the traveler, add the trip, complete the declarations and prepare the arrival code.
Step 1: Create Your Visit Japan Web Account
Open the official government website and select the option to create a new account.
Enter an email address that you can access before departure and throughout your journey. You will receive a verification message containing the instructions needed to activate the account.
Create a strong password and store it securely. You may need to sign in again if your flight, hotel or passport information changes.
Do not use an unofficial website offering to complete the process for a fee. In June 2026, Japan Customs published an official warning about fake websites and paid third-party services. Visit Japan Web registration and the electronic customs declaration are free.
Step 2: Confirm Your Entry Category
After signing in, the service may ask you to select the category that describes your arrival.
Most international tourists should choose the option for a foreign national entering Japan. Japanese citizens and foreign residents returning to Japan may see different questions or procedures.
Choose the category that reflects your actual immigration status. Do not select an option simply because it appears to contain fewer questions.
Step 3: Register Your Passport Information
You can normally register your passport by scanning it with a compatible device or entering the details manually.
Check the following information carefully:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Passport expiration date
- Sex as shown on the passport
Your name should match the passport’s machine-readable information. Do not add a nickname, title or alternative spelling that does not appear in the document.
If the scanning function produces an incorrect character, correct it before continuing. The letters O and I can sometimes be confused with the numbers 0 and 1.
If you renew or replace your passport after registering, update the traveler record with the new document details before departure.
Step 4: Complete Your Personal Details
The next stage asks for basic information about the traveler.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
- Home address
- Country of residence
- Occupation
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Residence-related information
- Other personal details required for arrival procedures
Answer truthfully and keep the information consistent with your passport and other travel documents.
The system may also ask whether you hold a Japanese passport or certain Japanese residence documents. Select only the options that apply to you.
Step 5: Register Your Planned Entry into Japan
Create a new planned entry or return record and give the trip a recognizable name. This name is only used inside your account, so something simple such as “Japan October 2026” is sufficient.
You will then enter details such as:
- Planned arrival date
- Airline
- Flight number
- Departure point
- Arrival airport
- Intended length of stay
- First accommodation address
- Accommodation telephone number
If your arrival flight or first hotel changes, sign in and update the planned entry before departure.
A separate planned entry should be created for each journey to Japan. Do not rely on a QR code generated for an earlier trip.
Step 6: Complete the Immigration Information
Open the immigration or disembarkation section connected to the registered trip.
Visitors are generally asked to provide information about:
- Purpose of visit
- Intended length of stay
- Address in Japan
- Previous immigration or legal history
- Other arrival-related declarations shown in the system
For an ordinary holiday, select the option that accurately describes short-term tourism.
Read every declaration carefully. Do not select “No” automatically without checking what the question asks.
Once all required fields have been completed, review and confirm the information. The system should then mark the relevant section as registered or completed.
Step 7: Complete the Customs Declaration
Every passenger entering Japan must provide the customs information required for their belongings. Visit Japan Web allows this declaration to be completed electronically.
The customs section may ask about:
- Prohibited or restricted items
- Commercial goods or product samples
- Items exceeding duty-free allowances
- Large amounts of cash or equivalent payment instruments
- Goods belonging to another person
- Unaccompanied baggage
- Meat, plants, food, medicines and other controlled products
Answer every question accurately.
An electronic declaration does not prevent customs officers from inspecting your baggage. Travelers carrying controlled products, unaccompanied baggage, commercial goods or items above an allowance may still be directed to a staffed customs desk.
If you are uncertain whether an item needs to be declared, declare it and ask a customs officer. That is safer than withholding information.
Step 8: Display and Save Your Visit Japan Web QR Code
Once the required sections are complete, the service generates a 2D code, commonly called a QR code, for immigration and customs procedures.
Japan combined the immigration and customs codes in January 2024. Current travelers will therefore generally use one combined arrival code rather than the separate codes described in older guides.
Open the code before departure and save a clear screenshot on your phone. This provides a useful backup if:
- Airport Wi-Fi is slow
- Mobile data has not connected
- The website signs you out
- Your battery is running low
- The arrivals area is crowded
Keep the entire code visible. Do not crop it too tightly or cover it with text, notifications or editing marks.
Saving the QR code does not replace your travel documents. You will still need to present your original passport during the arrival process.
Step 9: Review Everything Before Departure
Review the registration one or two days before traveling.
Confirm that:
- Your passport number is correct
- The registered passport is still valid
- Your arrival flight is accurate
- Your arrival date matches the booking
- Your first accommodation address is current
- The immigration section is complete
- The customs section is complete
- Every traveler has an individual record
- The correct QR codes are available offline
If any information has changed, update the relevant trip record and save a fresh copy of the code.
How to Use Visit Japan Web at the Airport
The exact route depends on your arrival airport, terminal, passport type and the equipment operating at the time.
The process will generally follow this order:
- Follow the arrival route and complete any health-related procedure in effect.
- Proceed to immigration.
- Present or scan your passport and QR code when instructed.
- Complete any fingerprint, facial photograph or immigration officer checks that apply.
- Collect your checked baggage.
- Proceed to customs.
- Scan your passport and arrival code at the designated terminal or kiosk.
- Follow the displayed instructions and use the assigned customs route.
Some airports use integrated kiosks that collect information for immigration and customs during one interaction. As of August 2026, Japan Customs lists integrated kiosks at:
- Haneda Airport
- Kansai International Airport
- Fukuoka Airport
- Narita International Airport Terminal 3
Availability and operating arrangements can change. Always follow the signs and instructions provided at your arrival terminal.
At an integrated kiosk, foreign nationals may be asked to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph. You must still complete any required contact with an immigration or customs officer.
Electronic registration does not guarantee that you will avoid queues or inspections. Passenger numbers, staffing, flight arrival patterns and individual circumstances all affect processing times.
Clara’s Tip: Keep your passport open to the photo page and your QR code ready before reaching the scanner. Searching through several screenshots at the front of the queue slows the process for you and the travelers behind you.
Can Visit Japan Web Be Used Without Internet?
Visit Japan Web offers limited offline functionality, but the safest option is to save a clear screenshot of each completed arrival code before departure.
Keep the entire code visible and increase your screen brightness if the airport scanner has difficulty reading it. If the code still cannot be scanned, ask an airport official about the available staffed or paper procedure.
It is also useful to keep your first hotel address and return or onward flight information available offline.
How to Register Family Members on Visit Japan Web
The service allows a user to add family members traveling together when those travelers cannot reasonably complete the procedures independently.
This can be useful for:
- Infants
- Young children
- Dependants
- Family members who need assistance with digital forms
However, adding family members does not create one shared arrival identity for the entire group.
Each traveler must have:
- Their own passport information
- Their own immigration information
- Their own customs information where required
- Their own QR code
Family members should be registered individually. At the airport, they may also need to complete kiosk or inspection procedures separately.
Do not assume that scanning the lead traveler’s QR code covers everyone in the group.
Should Couples Use One Visit Japan Web Account?
Two adults who can manage their own information will usually find separate accounts clearer. Each traveler then controls their own passport record, trip information and QR code.
One account may be more practical when a parent registers young children or assists another dependant.
Regardless of the account arrangement, make sure you select the correct traveler before displaying the code at the airport.
To avoid opening the wrong code at the airport, label each saved screenshot clearly with the traveler’s name, such as “Clara – Arrival QR.”
Visit Japan Web for Children and Infants
Children and infants must be included in the arrival process even when they travel on the same flight and itinerary as their parents.
Register each child as an accompanying family member and enter the information from the child’s own passport.
According to the official Japan Customs integrated kiosk guidance, travelers under 135 centimetres tall cannot use the current integrated kiosks because of the equipment specifications. Families in this situation should follow airport staff instructions and use the alternative procedure provided.
Carry any additional documentation relevant to the child’s journey, particularly when:
- Only one parent is traveling
- The child has a different surname
- The child is traveling with another relative
- Parental consent documentation may be required during the journey
These documents are separate from Visit Japan Web and may also be required by airlines, transit countries or border authorities outside Japan.
Does Visit Japan Web Replace a Japanese Visa?
No. Visit Japan Web is not a visa application and does not determine whether you are eligible to enter Japan.
Depending on your nationality and travel purpose, you may need:
- Visa-free entry eligibility
- A temporary visitor visa
- A transit visa
- A work, study or residence visa
- Additional supporting documents
Visa approval does not guarantee entry. The final decision is made by Japanese immigration authorities when you arrive.
Before booking, check the rules applying to your passport through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan or the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.
Our separate Japan Entry Requirements guide will explain current passport, visa and arrival-document rules in greater detail.
Future Entry Change: JESTA
Japan is preparing a separate electronic travel authorization system known as JESTA, with implementation currently targeted for fiscal year 2028. It is expected to apply before travel to certain visitors who can currently enter Japan without obtaining a visa in advance.
JESTA is not operating in 2026 and is separate from Visit Japan Web. Travelers do not need to complete a JESTA application for journeys covered by this guide.
The final launch date, eligible nationalities, fees and application requirements may change as the system is developed. Follow future announcements from the Government of Japan rather than relying on unofficial launch dates.
Using Visit Japan Web for Tax-Free Shopping
Visit Japan Web can create a tax-free shopping 2D code for use at participating stores.
To set it up, travelers generally need to scan or read the landing permission information added to their passport after entering Japan. The resulting code can then be shown at stores that support the digital service.
Important limitations include:
- Not every tax-free store accepts the digital code.
- You may still need to show your original passport.
- A screenshot of the tax-free shopping code may not be accepted.
- The code does not automatically make every purchase eligible.
- Tax-free shopping rules and minimum purchase requirements still apply.
Carry your original passport when planning to make tax-free purchases. Do not depend solely on a photograph or photocopy of the passport.
Important Tax-Free Change from November 1, 2026
Japan’s tax-free shopping system will change on November 1, 2026.
For eligible purchases made from that date, travelers will generally pay the tax-inclusive price at the store. Customs must then confirm at departure that the goods are leaving Japan before the retailer or its service provider issues the consumption-tax refund.
Under the new system, eligible goods must generally be taken out of Japan within 90 days of purchase.
Travelers making purchases earlier in 2026 should follow the rules applying on the actual purchase date. Store procedures and refund methods may differ during the transition.
Check the latest National Tax Agency guidance on Japan’s tax-free shopping system before including expected tax-free savings in your travel budget.
Common Visit Japan Web Problems and Solutions
The Verification Email Does Not Arrive
Check your spam or junk folder and confirm that you entered the correct email address.
Wait a few minutes before requesting another message. Repeated requests can make it difficult to identify which verification link is current.
The Passport Will Not Scan
Place the passport on a flat surface and use bright, even lighting. Avoid glare on the photo page and make sure the machine-readable lines are fully visible.
If scanning continues to fail, enter the details manually and compare every character with the passport before saving.
The Hotel Address Is Rejected
Begin with the Japanese postal code if it is available. The system may use it to identify the prefecture and municipality automatically.
Enter the property’s official address rather than a shortened address taken from a map marker. If necessary, ask the accommodation to confirm its Japanese address format and telephone number.
The Flight Number Is Not Recognized
Make sure you are entering the flight that lands in Japan rather than the first flight in a connecting itinerary.
Remove unnecessary spaces and check whether the airline code must be entered separately. For a codeshare, compare the number on your booking with the operating flight details.
The Visit Japan Web QR Code Does Not Appear
Return to the trip record and check whether every required section is marked as completed.
An unanswered declaration, incomplete passport record or unconfirmed section can prevent the code from appearing.
Your Information Changes After Registration
Sign in, open the relevant trip and update the incorrect or outdated details.
After saving the changes, prepare a new copy of the arrival code. Do not rely on an older screenshot if the underlying trip information has changed materially.
The Airport Scanner Cannot Read the Code
Increase your screen brightness and make sure the complete code is visible. If it still cannot be scanned, ask an airport official for assistance.
Visit Japan Web Checklist Before You Fly
Complete this short check one or two days before departure:
- Sign in through the official government website
- Confirm your passport information
- Check the flight that lands in Japan
- Verify your first accommodation address
- Complete the immigration section
- Complete the customs declaration
- Prepare an individual code for every traveler
- Save each code offline
- Charge your phone
- Carry a power bank
- Keep all original passports accessible
- Bring any required visa and supporting documents
Frequently Asked Questions About Visit Japan Web
How Early Should I Complete Visit Japan Web?
Complete it after your arrival flight and first accommodation are confirmed. For most travelers, registering several days before departure provides enough time to identify and correct mistakes.
Review the information again shortly before traveling in case your flight or hotel has changed.
Does Visit Japan Web Cost Money?
No. The official service is free. Use only the official government website, as Japan Customs has warned travelers about websites and third-party services that charge for registration.
Do I Need a Visit Japan Web App?
No. Visit Japan Web is a browser-based service, so you do not need to download a dedicated app.
Be cautious of unofficial apps and websites using similar names.
Can I Complete It After Arriving in Japan?
You may be able to access the service after landing, but completing it before departure is more convenient.
Airport internet access, battery life and crowded arrival areas can make last-minute registration stressful.
Does Every Family Member Need a QR Code?
Yes. Every traveler, including children, needs an individual record and QR code. One account can be used to manage certain accompanying family members, but one traveler’s code does not cover the entire group.
Can I Use the Same QR Code for Another Trip?
No. Create a new planned entry for every journey to Japan and use the QR code generated for that trip.
Do I Still Need My Passport?
Yes. The QR code does not replace your passport.
Keep the original document readily accessible throughout immigration and customs procedures.
What Happens If My Phone Battery Dies?
Ask airport staff for the appropriate staffed or paper procedure. A phone problem does not remove the need to meet Japan’s entry requirements, but it does not automatically prevent the authorities from processing your arrival.
Carrying a charged power bank provides useful protection.
Does Visit Japan Web Guarantee Faster Entry?
No. It can reduce manual form-filling and make your arrival more organized, but it does not guarantee a shorter queue.
Processing time depends on passenger numbers, airport facilities, staffing, inspections and individual circumstances.
Can Immigration Officers Still Ask Questions?
Yes. Immigration officers may ask about your travel purpose, itinerary, accommodation, return flight, finances or other relevant circumstances.
Completing the online declarations does not remove their authority to request additional information or make the final entry decision.
Related Japan Travel Guides
Planning your trip beyond the arrival forms? Continue with these practical Japan travel guides:
Japan Entry Requirements 2026 — Check passport, visa and arrival-document rules for your nationality.
Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors — Build a practical route for your first journey across Japan.
How to Use the Shinkansen in Japan — Learn about tickets, reservations, luggage rules and boarding
Japan IC Card Guide — Understand Suica, PASMO and ICOCA for everyday transport and payments.
Japan Rail Pass Guide — Decide whether the nationwide pass is worthwhile for your route.
Best Time to Visit Japan — Compare seasons, weather, crowds and travel priorities.
Final Thoughts
Visit Japan Web is worth completing because it brings several arrival procedures into one organized digital process. Register through the official free service, check every passport and flight detail, and prepare an individual QR code for each traveler before departure.
Keep your passport, visa and supporting documents accessible as well. The digital code can simplify your arrival, but it does not replace Japan’s immigration, customs or entry requirements.