Local Rules for Travellers
Japan is one of the easiest countries to travel in, but a few of its rules catch visitors out every year: some ordinary medicines from home are banned or need a permit, cannabis is treated like any other drug, and drones must be registered. These are the rules worth knowing before you go, each checked against an official Japanese source.
Japan has zero tolerance for drug crime and treats cannabis like any other drug. Possessing even a small amount can lead to a prison sentence, and a prescription from your home country does not make it legal.
Medicines containing amphetamine (the active ingredient of Adderall) cannot be brought into Japan, even for treatment. The same applies to methamphetamine, heroin, opium powder and methaqualone.
Source: Narcotics Control Department, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ↗
Medicines classed as narcotics (for example codeine, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl) or as stimulant raw materials (for example pseudoephedrine and lisdexamfetamine/Vyvanse) need permission from the Narcotics Control Department before you enter or leave Japan. Apply at least 14 days before you travel, with a medical certificate issued within the last 3 months.
Source: Narcotics Control Department, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ↗
Controlled medicines must be carried by you when you enter or leave Japan. You cannot post them to Japan or ask someone else to carry them for you.
Source: Narcotics Control Department, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ↗
Psychotropic medicines (for example some sleeping pills and anxiety medicines) can be brought in up to set amounts without paperwork. If you need more than a one-month supply, the ministry asks you to contact it in advance (yakkan@mhlw.go.jp).
Source: Narcotics Control Department, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ↗
Drinking outside does not break any law in Japan, and picnics with drinks under the cherry blossoms in spring are part of the culture. Loud, rowdy behaviour is frowned upon, so keep outdoor parties under control.
Smoking is not allowed in most restaurants and bars except in designated smoking areas. Don't smoke while walking: find a smoking area. The rules are strictly enforced and can result in a fine.
Many public swimming pools, public baths, hot spring resorts and gyms do not let in anyone with tattoos, even small ones. More onsen now accept tattoos than before, so check with the facility in advance or cover small tattoos.
Public bins are hard to find in Japan, and visitors are asked to take their litter home with them (or back to the hotel).
It is not common to tip in bars, cafés, restaurants, taxis or hotels in Japan. A small gift of money (kokorozuke) is sometimes given in special cases such as a private guide, but it is never expected.
Japan's national tourism organization tells visitors to carry their passport at all times as identification.
To drive in Japan you need an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, in the booklet format (card and smartphone versions are not accepted). Licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan are used with an official Japanese translation instead, carried together with the original licence.
Any drone weighing 100 g or more must be registered under Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act before it is flown. Breaking the drone rules can lead to a prison sentence or a fine, and flying under the influence of alcohol or drugs is banned.
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) ↗
Flying over densely inhabited districts (most of every city), around airports, at night, beyond visual line of sight or within 30 m of people or buildings needs MLIT permission or approval in advance. Flying 150 m or more above ground is prohibited in principle, and flights over events need individual permission.
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) ↗
Adult visitors can bring in duty-free 3 bottles of alcohol (about 760 ml each) and 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 10 packs of heated tobacco, or 250 g of other tobacco. Anything above that must be declared.
Source: Japan Customs ↗
Every rule on this page is labelled, so you can tell what is enforced by law from what is simply polite.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.