Japan Airport Guide

Japan’s main international airports are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) for Tokyo arrivals, and Kansai International (KIX) for Osaka and Kyoto. The arrival process is the same at all three, but the scale, facilities, and onward connections differ. One thing to sort before you board: Japan’s digital entry platform, Visit Japan Web, handles both your immigration pre-registration and customs declaration online. Completing it before landing shortens your time through both desks. For the full guide to planning your trip, see Travel to Japan.

Before You Land: Visit Japan Web

Visit Japan Web (VJW) is the Japanese government’s pre-registration system for immigration and customs. It is not an app; it runs as a mobile website. The only official portal is vjw-lp.digital.go.jp.

Complete registration within 14 days of arrival and no later than the night before you land. You will need:

• Passport number, nationality, and expiry date
• Incoming flight number and arrival date
• Address of your first accommodation in Japan, including the telephone number

VJW generates two separate QR codes: one for the immigration desk and one for the customs inspection point. Screenshot both before boarding in case you lose connectivity on arrival. They are used at different points in the process and are not interchangeable.

The customs QR covers your declaration entirely. If you have completed VJW, there is no paper card to fill out. Paper declaration forms remain available at the airport as a fallback if you did not pre-register, but completing VJW in advance saves time at both desks.

If you are travelling in a group, each person registers and submits their own VJW entry separately.

Immigration

After deplaning, follow signs for Immigration or Arrivals, displayed in English and Japanese. All non-Japanese nationals queue in the foreigners’ lane.

At the desk: present your passport and your VJW immigration QR code. Officers take fingerprints from both index fingers and a photograph. Entry stamp (or digital record) is issued and you proceed to baggage claim.

Narita has automated e-gates for eligible e-Passport holders on the side of the immigration hall. Scan your VJW QR code at the self-service kiosk first, then proceed through the gate. During busy periods this route moves considerably faster than the staffed counters.

Queue times at Narita vary significantly. On a typical day, 30–60 minutes is normal. During cherry blossom season (late March to early April), Golden Week (late April to early May), and summer peak, queues can exceed 90 minutes. The heaviest congestion builds between 10am–2pm and again from 5pm–8pm when multiple long-haul flights land within the same window. Late-night arrivals at Narita typically clear faster. Haneda and KIX generally move faster than Narita at comparable times of day due to lower volume.

Customs

After collecting your bags, proceed to customs. Scan your VJW customs QR code at the self-service kiosk at the inspection point; it records your declaration and in most cases you proceed through the green channel without further inspection.

Japan’s duty-free import allowances per person:

• Alcohol: 3 bottles (760ml each)
• Cigarettes: 400 cigarettes, or 500g of other tobacco
• Gifts and goods: combined market value up to around ¥200,000 (~USD 1,300); items for personal use within reasonable limits are generally separate from this
• Cash: amounts over the equivalent of ¥1,000,000 (~USD 6,500) must be declared

Japan applies strict quarantine controls on fresh fruit, meat, vegetables, and plants. If you are carrying any of these, use the red channel or stop at the plant and animal quarantine desk before reaching the customs inspection. Undeclared items are confiscated on the spot.

For current customs rules and allowances, check the Japan Customs official site before travel.

Narita (NRT)

Narita has three terminals. T1 and T2 handle the majority of international arrivals; T3 serves budget carriers including Peach and Jetstar. After clearing customs in T1 or T2:

• SIM cards: IIJmio, Docomo, SoftBank, and au counters are in both T1 and T2 arrivals halls before the ground transport exit. Bic Camera also operates a counter in both terminals. Passport is required by Japanese law. For a full comparison of carriers and eSIM options, see the Japan SIM Card Guide.
• IC cards: Tourist PASMO machines and the JR East counter for physical Suica are near the ground transport area. iPhone users can skip the queue entirely with Welcome Suica Mobile. See Cash or Card in Japan for which option suits your trip.
• ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs inside both T1 and T2 arrivals halls accept foreign Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Available 24 hours.
• Currency exchange: Counters in the arrivals halls. Rates are convenient for the first ¥10,000–20,000 you need for transport and your first day; switch to 7-Eleven ATMs after that.
• Luggage forwarding: Yamato Transport (TA-Q-BIN) counters in both T1 and T2. See the luggage forwarding section below.

For transport from Narita to Tokyo (Narita Express, Limousine Bus, fares, and journey times), see Flights to Japan.

Haneda (HND)

Haneda’s international terminal is smaller and faster to clear than Narita. The walk from gate to exit is shorter, and the facilities are concentrated in one area. After clearing customs:

• SIM cards: Docomo, SoftBank, and au staffed counters and a Bic Camera counter in the international terminal arrivals hall. Passport required. Selection is slightly smaller than Narita but all main options are available.
• IC cards: Tourist PASMO available at designated machines; physical Suica at JR ticket machines; Welcome Suica Mobile usable without any counter visit.
• ATMs: 7-Eleven ATM and Japan Post ATM in the international terminal.
• Luggage forwarding: Yamato counter in the arrivals hall.

Haneda’s main advantage is location. Most central Tokyo hotels are 30–40 minutes away by Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail rather than 60–75 minutes from Narita. If your itinerary allows a choice between the two airports, Haneda is more convenient for city-centre stays. For transport options and fares, see Flights to Japan.

Kansai International (KIX)

KIX sits on a man-made island roughly 50km from central Osaka. The arrival process mirrors Narita and Haneda: VJW QR code at immigration, fingerprints and photo, then customs. Volume is lower than Narita and queues are generally shorter.

IC cards at KIX: The local IC card for Kansai is ICOCA, issued by JR West. Buy at the JR West counters in the KIX arrivals hall. Same deposit and refund terms as Suica and PASMO. ICOCA works on all Kansai trains, subways, and buses, and on IC-compatible networks across Japan. If you already have a Suica or PASMO from a previous visit, it works in Kansai without issue.

SIM cards at KIX: Docomo and SoftBank counters and a Bic Camera counter are in the arrivals hall. All options require a passport.

Getting from KIX to the city:

• Haruka Express (JR West): Direct to Shin-Osaka in around 50 minutes (from around ¥2,380) and to Kyoto Station in around 80 minutes (from around ¥2,900). No transfer needed; IC cards accepted on the basic fare. The most practical option for Kyoto or anyone continuing on to Tokyo by Shinkansen.
• Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t: Direct to Namba in central Osaka in around 40 minutes, from around ¥1,550. Fast and reliable for stays in Namba, Shinsaibashi, or the southern part of the city. IC cards accepted.
• Airport Limousine Bus: Direct coach services to major Osaka hotels, Kyoto Station, Namba, and Shin-Osaka. Journey time is 50–70 minutes to Osaka city and 80–100 minutes to Kyoto depending on traffic. Buy at the limousine bus counter near the arrivals exit.
• Taxi: Expensive from KIX due to the distance from the island and the bridge toll. Practical only for groups of three or four splitting the cost.

Luggage Forwarding (Takuhaibin)

Japan offers a same-day or next-day luggage forwarding service called takuhaibin, operated by Yamato Transport (TA-Q-BIN) and Sagawa Express. Counters are in the arrivals halls at Narita T1 and T2, Haneda, and KIX.

Drop your bag at the counter, fill in a slip with your hotel name and address, and pay the fee. The bag is delivered to your hotel reception the following morning. Cost is around ¥2,000–3,000 per bag depending on size and destination, with the more distant destinations costing more.

The most practical use case: arriving at Narita and heading straight to Kyoto or Osaka. Forward your bags at the NRT counter, take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station, connect to the Shinkansen, and travel the entire route carrying only what you need for that day and your first night. Your bags arrive at your hotel the next morning. For everything about the Shinkansen, including luggage rules on board, see the Japan Shinkansen Guide.

Note: collection at the airport counter typically closes by late morning for same-day processing. Check the Yamato counter hours when you land; if you arrive in the afternoon, your bags will be delivered the day after next rather than the following morning.

Before You Leave the Terminal

A quick check before stepping outside:

• Visit Japan Web completed before landing; if not done, look for a help desk or tablet kiosk in the arrivals area before you reach customs
• SIM card or eSIM active: confirm with a browser at the counter before you leave
• IC card loaded: Tourist PASMO, physical Suica, or Welcome Suica Mobile with at least ¥2,000 on it
• Cash (yen) in your wallet: at least enough for transport and your first meal
• Luggage forwarded if applicable, or confirmed in your possession
• Transport plan confirmed: train, bus, or taxi route to your accommodation

Free Wi-Fi is available in the arrivals halls at all three airports. Connect while setting up your SIM to message your accommodation or confirm pickup details. For more Japan travel guides, see Japan Travel Tips.

Departing from Japan

At Narita, allow 3.5–4 hours from your accommodation to the terminal for an international departure. The train journey from central Tokyo takes 60–75 minutes, and international check-in typically closes 60 minutes before departure. Budget carriers enforce this strictly. At Haneda, 2.5–3 hours is sufficient for most central Tokyo hotels; allow more during morning rush hours.

Japan charges an International Tourist Tax on all international departures: the rate rose to ¥3,000 per person from July 1, 2026. It is collected through your airline ticket when you book; there is no separate counter or payment at the airport. For return transport timing to each airport and fare details, see Flights to Japan.