Japan Entry and Arrival Instructions: Immigration, Customs, and Airport Transportation
Fortunately, most of our tour guests, Americans, Canadians, and Australians, do not need a visa to visit Japan. All you need is a valid passport – just make sure it doesn’t expire before the end of your trip!
If you are ultimately heading to Okinawa, Osaka, or another city in Japan other than Tokyo, you will likely connect via one of the two main Tokyo airports – Narita or Haneda. You’ll go through customs and immigration and collect your bags in Tokyo, and then re-check in for your connection.
Step 1: Fill Out Your Customs and Immigration Forms
We suggest that you fill out your customs and immigration forms ahead of time via the Japan Travel Web. This process takes under 15 minutes and will expedite the airport arrival process. For guidance on the form, watch this video. Make sure you opt to do the customs declaration at this point, too. Upon completion, you’ll get a unique QR code to be presented to both immigration and customs officials; save it as a screenshot on your phone (or print it).
Or, you can fill out the paper forms on the plane to Japan or upon arrival. This will delay your arrival process, though.
On the digital or paper form, and sometimes by customs officers, you’ll be asked why you’re in Japan. Your purpose is “tourism.” If you need to elaborate, you can say “watching baseball.”
On the e-form or paper form, list our hotel as the place where you’ll stay in Japan:
(For our 2026 Okinawa Spring Training Tour)
Phoenix Park Hotel
3-29-12 Miyazato, Nago City
Okinawa 905-0011
Phone: +81 980 43 6607
(For our 2026 NPB Full Tour, 2026 NPB Tour Segment 1, and University of South Carolina tour, all of which begin in Yokohama)
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yokohama Koen
204-1 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
231-0023 Japan
Phone: +81 45 664 3745
(For our NPB Tour Segment 2, which begins in Fukuoka)
ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka
3-3-3 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata-Ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka
812 0011 Japan
Phone: +81 92 471 7111
(For our Tokyo NPB Tour)
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
10-30 Takanawa 4-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Japan 108-8611
Phone: +81 3 3440 1111
(For our Play Abroad tours that are based primarily out of Nara/Osaka)
Hotel Nikko Nara
8-1 Sanjo-hommachi
Nara-shi, Nara 630-8122 Japan
Phone: +81 742 35 6812
Step 2: Landing in Japan
You’ll first go to immigration after exiting the plane. If you filled out the forms online, have your QR code ready and scan it at the Electronic Declaration Gate.
After getting your passport stamped, retrieve your luggage. Go through a final checkpoint where you offer them your passport, the same QR code (or customs form), and luggage for inspection.
Go into the public area of the terminal. You’ll find restrooms, shops, and currency exchange windows. This is a good time to exchange currency for yen if you haven’t already. The exchanges may be closed if you have a late arrival, but ATMs will be open.
If you have a connecting flight, follow the signage or go to the arrivals hall help desk to find your gate. You will likely have to find your way to a different terminal. You will check in again for your final leg.
Step 3: Transportation to Your Hotel
If your final destination is in Okinawa for our annual Okinawa Spring Training Tour…
A driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. Please refer to your itinerary for specifics on whether you will be traveling with any other guests to our hotel.
If you arrived at Narita or Haneda Airport and your hotel is in Yokohama
If you arrived at Narita Airport and your hotel is in Tokyo…
Information forthcoming…
If You Arrive at Haneda Airport and your hotel is in Tokyo…
Information forthcoming…
If you landed at Osaka Airport (KIX) and your hotel is in Osaka…
Information forthcoming…