Visa Guide
Japan Tourist Visa (Visa Exemption)
The simplest way to visit Japan. Citizens of 70+ countries can enter without a visa for up to 90 days.
Last updated: May 2026
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with your Japanese embassy or consulate.
How It Works
Japan offers visa-free entry for citizens of over 70 countries. You simply show your passport at immigration, and you receive a "temporary visitor" status for up to 90 days. No application required.
At immigration, you may be asked about your plans and where you're staying. Having accommodation details and a return/onward flight is recommended.
Key Details
| Duration | Up to 90 days |
| Application needed? | No (visa exemption) |
| Eligible countries | 70+ countries including US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU |
| Extension possible? | Yes, once, for 90 more days (total 180) |
| Work permitted? | No formal employment in Japan |
| Remote work? | Gray area (see below) |
Can I Work Remotely on a Tourist Visa?
This is the most common question from digital nomads. The honest answer: it's a gray area.
Japanese immigration law prohibits "engaging in activities that produce income or remuneration" in Japan. However, this has traditionally been interpreted as working for Japanese employers or conducting business with Japanese clients.
Working remotely on your laptop for a foreign employer — where your income comes from outside Japan — falls into an undefined space. In practice, immigration officers do not check or enforce this, and thousands of nomads work remotely from Japan on tourist visas without issues.
That said, if you want complete legal clarity, the Digital Nomad Visa was created specifically for this purpose and explicitly authorizes remote work. Digital Nomad Visa
How to Extend Your Stay to 180 Days
Citizens of some countries (including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) can apply for a single 90-day extension at a regional immigration bureau in Japan.
- 1.Visit your nearest immigration bureau (e.g., Shinagawa in Tokyo) before your 90 days expire
- 2.Bring: passport, application form, explanation of why you need to extend, proof of funds, return ticket
- 3.Pay the ¥4,000 (~$27) fee if approved
- 4.Wait for approval (usually 2–4 weeks — you'll receive a postcard)
Approval is not guaranteed. Having a clear reason (tourism, cultural study) and proof of sufficient funds improves your chances.
Practical Tips
- Book a return/onward flight before arrival. Immigration may ask for proof of departure plans.
- Have accommodation booked for at least the first few nights. A hotel confirmation or Airbnb booking works.
- Carry proof of funds — a bank statement or credit card showing sufficient funds for your stay.
- Get travel insurance. Not required, but highly recommended. Japan's medical care is excellent but expensive without insurance.
- Don't overstay. Japan takes immigration violations seriously. Overstaying can result in detention, deportation, and multi-year entry bans.