Visit Japan Web Guide 2026: Immigration, Customs and Tax-Free
Contents
Visit Japan Web is a free website from Japan’s Digital Agency. It lets travelers enter information for arrival procedures, customs declarations and, for some eligible shoppers, tax-free shopping. It is optional as a way to submit a customs declaration: all arriving passengers still have to declare their accompanied and unaccompanied goods, and Japan Customs continues to accept a paper form instead. The service does not replace a visa, an immigration check or a customs inspection.
The practical answer is to complete the online steps you can before travelling, keep your phone available and know the paper-form backup. There is no official registration deadline or standard setup time confirmed in the sources checked for this guide, so do not rely on claims that registration must be completed a set number of hours before landing. Tax-free shopping is a separate process: from 1 November 2026, eligible purchases are paid for at the tax-inclusive price and checked by Customs before departure, after which the tax is refunded.
1. What Visit Japan Web does and who needs it
Visit Japan Web is a government service for submitting information related to immigration, customs and tax-free shopping. Japan Customs directs travelers to it for electronic customs declarations and recommends the electronic route, but it also accepts a paper declaration. The official entrance is Visit Japan Web; Customs says the service is free, and an electronic customs declaration has no fee.
A customs declaration is still required of everyone arriving in Japan, whether it is made online or on paper. Electronic submission does not guarantee that your bags will not be inspected, and it does not determine whether you meet immigration requirements or qualify for tax-free purchases. For the customs rules and electronic procedure, consult Japan Customs’ passenger declaration guidance and its passenger customs procedures page.
| Check or service | What is required | Visit Japan Web’s role |
|---|---|---|
| Customs declaration | All arriving passengers must declare their accompanied and unaccompanied goods | Optional electronic route; paper form C-5360-B is also accepted |
| Immigration | Travelers go through immigration procedures | The service can collect information, but use at every airport for every nationality is not confirmed |
| Tax-free purchases | Only eligible purchases qualify for a refund | A separate tax-free code may be usable at some shops; departure checks have their own process |
The immigration and customs QR codes were combined into one code on 25 January 2024. Codes created in the former Customs app have not been usable since that date, so use Visit Japan Web for a current electronic customs declaration. The tax-free shopping code is different: it is intended to provide passport information to participating shops, not to replace the arrival customs code. Japan Customs explains the current customs QR process on its electronic declaration page.
People returning to live in Japan can also use Visit Japan Web; the service is not limited to short-stay visitors.
Useful terms
Immigration is the check of you and your passport; customs is the check of the goods and bags you bring into Japan. An IC passport has an electronic chip, which is needed to use a customs eGate. A customs terminal reads your QR code and passport, while an eGate is the gate you may be directed to after using the terminal.
A joint kiosk is a separate machine that collects information for immigration and customs together at airports where it is installed. It is not the same as a customs terminal or customs eGate. If you are unsure whether your passport has a chip, ask the office that issued it.
Customs: electronic or paper
The electronic route means entering your declaration information in Visit Japan Web and displaying the resulting QR code. The paper route uses the English customs declaration form C-5360-B, available on a plane, ship or at Customs, and printable from the Customs forms page. Both routes involve making the required declaration; using the electronic route does not rule out a baggage inspection.
| Route | What you do | Practical limit |
|---|---|---|
| Visit Japan Web | Enter your answers and display the QR code | Customs may still inspect your bags |
| Paper form | Complete C-5360-B and hand it to Customs | You must still answer the declaration questions |
| Separate shipment | Declare goods sent separately from you | A staffed desk may be required; paper declarations require two copies |
“Unaccompanied articles” means bags or boxes that do not travel with you. These must also be declared, whether you use the electronic or paper route. If you have unaccompanied goods or a situation requiring tax payment, follow the terminal instructions and be prepared to go to a staffed customs desk.
Visit Japan Web is not a visa
Visit Japan Web is an information-submission service, not a visa or permission to enter Japan. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip, so check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information or the Japanese embassy responsible for your country. The linked Ministry page could not be opened during the source check, so confirm the current requirements with an official source before travel.
Other border rules are separate as well. A December 2025 government advisory report set a goal of introducing the planned electronic travel authorisation system JESTA during Japan’s fiscal year 2028; this is a plan, not a confirmed requirement for your trip. Japan’s health ministry says that, from 29 April 2023, travelers no longer need to present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate or pre-departure test certificate, but check the latest official border-measures information before departure.
2. How to register on Visit Japan Web
Prepare your passport, a phone or other internet-connected device, your trip information and details of the goods you will declare. If family members are travelling with you, have their details available too. The current official customs instructions confirm the central flow—log in, enter customs answers and display the QR code—but the exact current account-creation and personal-information screens have not been confirmed.
The interface may change, so use the instructions shown on the official website rather than relying on old screenshots or button names. The 2022 Digital Agency manual describes an earlier sequence that includes entering your own details before adding accompanying family members. Treat that manual as background, not a verified walkthrough of today’s screens.
A practical preparation sequence
- Open www.vjw.digital.go.jp and check the address bar before entering personal information. Create or access your account using the site’s current instructions; an internet connection is required.
- Log in and complete the available user-information steps. Compare the information you enter with your passport, and follow the current site prompts rather than assuming the older manual’s screens are unchanged.
- Register your arrival or return plan using the current trip-registration screen. This step requires an internet connection.
- Enter your customs answers for the goods you are bringing and any goods sent separately. Answer for the actual items you are carrying; do not guess simply to move through the form.
- Display the Visit Japan Web QR code for your customs declaration. Do not use an old code from the former Customs app.
- Stay logged in before arrival if you want to use the offline capability for customs answers and QR-code creation described in the Customs FAQ.
The steps that need an internet connection are logging in, registering your user details and registering your arrival or return plan. According to the Japan Customs eGate FAQ, customs answers and code creation can work offline if you logged in beforehand and remain logged in. This is not a promise that every feature of the website will work offline, and current details about extra offline settings have not been confirmed.
There is no verified official deadline before landing or standard number of minutes needed to register. Complete the internet-dependent steps before your flight if you can, leaving enough time to read the questions carefully. If you cannot complete an electronic customs declaration, the paper form remains an accepted alternative.
Details to check before you travel
Review that your name and passport information match your passport, that your arrival or return plan is saved, and that your customs answers describe the goods for the person making the declaration. Check that any unaccompanied bags have been included. If a question is unclear, consult Japan Customs’ declaration guidance or ask Customs staff rather than making an assumption.
The Customs FAQ lists six Visit Japan Web languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. It lists five languages for customs terminals, which do not include Vietnamese. The current full list of supported browsers and devices has not been confirmed, so check the official service if you have a compatibility concern.
Families, children and babies
One device can be used to create QR codes for several family members, according to the Customs FAQ. That does not mean the family shares one customs eGate pass: generally, each person uses their own code and goes through the terminal and gate individually. The current family-registration screens and maximum number of people have not been confirmed.
There is a special provision for children under 100 cm tall. A parent can write the number of these children in the accompanying-family section of the parent’s declaration and submit it together; the child may then go through the eGate with the parent, for example holding hands. Confirm this procedure with Customs at the airport you use, and ask staff if you are unsure how to handle a baby or young child.
3. Using Visit Japan Web at the airport
Follow airport signs and staff instructions for immigration, baggage collection and customs. For electronic customs declaration, scan the Visit Japan Web QR code and your IC passport at a customs terminal in the customs area. The terminal reads your information and directs you to a customs eGate or a staffed desk; Customs staff can help if you cannot find a terminal.
The terminal and eGate take a face photograph. Remove a mask, sunglasses, hat or other face covering when instructed. If the face check does not work, you can still make the declaration: Customs staff can check your identity instead, as described in the eGate FAQ.
Arrival sequence
After leaving the aircraft, follow the signs for the arrival procedures and have your passport and QR code ready. Collect your bags from the baggage belt, then find the customs terminal and scan the code and passport as directed. Follow the screen to an eGate or staffed desk, and be ready for an officer to inspect your goods even if you submitted your declaration online.
A customs terminal and an eGate are two different steps. The terminal reads the information; the eGate is a passage you may use afterward if directed. An eGate requires an IC passport, while a joint kiosk may be available to travelers with a non-IC passport at airports where that kiosk is installed.
| Your situation | What to expect |
|---|---|
| IC passport and electronic declaration | Scan the QR code and passport, then follow the terminal |
| Tax payment or another matter requiring staff | Follow the screen to a staffed desk |
| Unaccompanied articles | Declare them and follow Customs instructions; a staffed desk may be needed |
| Non-IC passport | You cannot use the customs eGate; ask staff about the available procedure |
| Paper declaration | Hand the completed form to Customs |
| Face check does not work | Follow staff instructions for identity verification |
| No eGate at your airport | Ask Customs whether a reader at a staffed desk can accept your QR code |
Customs states that electronic declarations may still be followed by a baggage inspection. Keep goods accessible and open your bags when asked. If you are uncertain which line or machine to use, ask a Customs officer rather than choosing a route based only on the QR code.
Airports with customs eGates, joint kiosks and online tax-free checks
The Customs eGate list updated in April 2025 names seven airports. Joint kiosks are a separate facility; “Not listed” below means the Customs kiosk page did not name that airport, not a verified statement that no kiosk could be present. The online tax-free departure check is also separate from arrival customs.
| Airport | Customs eGate | Joint kiosk listed | Online tax-free check listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Chitose (Sapporo) | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Narita (Tokyo) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Haneda (Tokyo) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chubu Centrair (Nagoya) | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Kansai (Osaka) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fukuoka | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Naha (Okinawa) | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
Check the Customs eGate list, joint kiosk information and tax-free departure guidance for current arrangements. The eGate list’s airport coverage is not a guarantee that immigration procedures through Visit Japan Web are available to every nationality at every airport. For an airport not shown, ask Customs staff on arrival.
Joint kiosks and their operating hours
A joint kiosk collects passport information, a face photograph and information for immigration and customs together. It reads the QR code and passport, after which you follow the screen; it is not the customs eGate used later in the customs process. Customs says a non-IC passport can be used at a joint kiosk, even though it cannot be used at a customs eGate.
The Customs operating-hours list varies by terminal building. The hours below are the times shown in that list, checked on 3 November 2026; the operating period inside the immigration inspection area may need separate confirmation with the Immigration Services Agency.
| Airport and terminal | Hours shown by Customs |
|---|---|
| Kansai Terminal 1 | 8:00–22:00 |
| Kansai Terminal 2 | 9:00–21:00 |
| Haneda Terminal 2 | 4:30–23:30 |
| Haneda Terminal 3 | 24 hours |
| Narita, each terminal | 7:00–21:30 |
| Fukuoka | 7:00–21:00 |
Use the official joint-kiosk hours list when planning around a particular terminal. Kiosk locations and hours are not interchangeable between airport buildings. If the kiosk is closed or you cannot locate it, ask airport staff which procedure to follow.
Using the paper customs form
The English paper form is C-5360-B. Japan Customs says it can be obtained on a plane, on a ship or at Customs, and can also be printed from its website; the form may be printed in advance on A4 paper. If you cannot find one, ask Customs staff.
Complete the form and hand it to Customs. If you have unaccompanied articles, submit two copies. Paper is an alternative for the customs declaration; it does not establish that every immigration step can be completed on paper, so follow the airport signs and staff instructions for immigration.
4. Visit Japan Web and tax-free shopping in 2026
The tax-free shopping process changed for purchases made from 1 November 2026. Under the refund system, you pay the tax-inclusive price at the shop, Customs checks that eligible goods are being taken out of Japan, and the consumption-tax amount is then refunded. Until October 2026, eligible goods could be sold without tax at the shop.
For purchases from 1 November 2026, the usual minimum is a tax-exclusive total of ¥5,000 or more at the same shop on the same day. Ask the shop whether your goods and purchase qualify, and confirm the refund procedure and method at the time of purchase. The official details are on Japan Customs’ tax-free guidance and its English tax-free information.
What the tax-free shopping QR code does
The shopping QR code can provide passport information to a shop that supports reading it. Not every tax-free shop can read the code, so ask before relying on it. The Japan Tourism Agency describes the use of Visit Japan Web for identity information on its tax-free guidance page.
The shopping code is separate from the arrival customs code. A 2023 Digital Agency document describes its users as foreign nationals with the residence statuses Temporary Visitor, Diplomat or Official, within the broader group of people eligible for tax-free purchases. That 2023 description does not establish whether the current code-user range has changed, and the current full steps for creating the shopping code have not been confirmed. See the Digital Agency’s 2023 overview and check current official instructions before using it.
From purchase to refund
Ask the shop whether the items are eligible, whether the purchase meets the minimum and how the refund will be made. The general minimum is ¥5,000 before tax at the same shop on the same day. Pay the tax-inclusive price, then keep the goods available for Customs to check when you leave Japan.
Customs must confirm the goods within 90 days of purchase. The National Tax Agency Q&A explains how the 90-day deadline applies, so consult its refund-system questions and answers if your departure timing is close to that limit. If you have used some or all of the goods in Japan and no longer have them with you, tell a Customs officer before using a tax-free machine or completing the procedure.
Have the goods available before checking your bags with the airline. If you are connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight, Customs confirmation is carried out at the airport from which you depart Japan. The shop explains the refund steps; possible methods include bank transfer, a payment to a card or an app transfer, but the method depends on the arrangements you confirm with the shop.
Choosing the departure check
Visit Japan Web online tax-free checks are listed at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha. The online procedure is done in the international departure lobby before entering security, using the dedicated Wi-Fi connection. Make sure Visit Japan Web is usable on your phone before you start.
If the online check cannot be completed, use a tax-free procedure machine and follow the result shown. Present your passport; if the machine says an inspection is required, take the goods to the Customs inspection location. Complete the check before handing checked bags to the airline, so the goods can be shown if needed.
| Before leaving | What to check |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Customs confirmation within 90 days of purchase |
| Bags | Complete the procedure before handing bags to the airline |
| Goods | Keep purchases available to show Customs |
| Online location | Departure lobby, before international security |
| Refund method | Confirm the shop’s method when buying |
| Domestic-to-international connection | Customs check at the airport of departure from Japan |
The online process and the tax-free machine are departure checks, not arrival customs procedures. Having a Visit Japan Web account does not by itself complete a refund. For the current airport list and instructions, use the Customs tax-free page.
If the tax-free procedure machine indicates that no inspection is needed, the Customs confirmation procedure is complete. Any remaining refund steps are handled according to the shop’s instructions.
5. Problems, backups and fake sites
First identify which step has failed: account access, customs declaration, terminal reading, face matching or the tax-free departure check. The backup depends on the problem. Paper is an option for the arrival customs declaration, while a tax-free machine is the alternative when the online departure check cannot be completed.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| QR code does not appear | Check that you are on the official site and logged in, and that the trip and customs answers are saved; use the paper customs form if needed |
| No internet on arrival | If you logged in earlier and stayed logged in, customs answers and code creation may work offline; otherwise use paper for customs |
| Phone battery is dead | Ask Customs staff for the paper declaration form |
| Old Customs app code | Create a current code in Visit Japan Web or use the paper form |
| Passport cannot be read | Follow the terminal instructions and ask Customs staff; use a staffed desk or paper if directed |
| Face recognition fails | Remove face coverings as instructed and ask staff for identity verification |
| Passport has no chip | You cannot use a customs eGate; ask staff about the available procedure |
| No eGate at your airport | Ask whether a staffed desk has a QR-code reader, or use paper |
| Joint kiosk is closed | Ask staff which route is operating |
| Online tax-free check fails | Use a tax-free machine before checking in bags |
| A site asks for payment to register | Stop and verify the address before entering any personal details |
Passport reading and face recognition are different checks. Removing a mask or sunglasses applies to the face-photo stage; it is not a confirmed fix for a passport-reading failure. If either check does not work, follow the screen and ask nearby staff for help.
Japan Customs warned on 28 May 2026 about fake sites imitating Visit Japan Web and agent sites that offer to apply for travelers while asking for fees or personal information. Visit Japan Web is free, and you can use it yourself. Type www.vjw.digital.go.jp directly or follow a link from a Customs page, then check the address bar before entering passport details; read the Customs warning if you encounter a suspicious service.
Before-you-fly checklist
Open the official site and make sure you can log in before departure. Check that your customs QR code appears, that the details for each family member are in order and that you have not logged out if you are relying on the offline customs feature. Charge your phone and know where to get the paper form if you need it.
Check visa and other border requirements separately through official sources. If you bought tax-free goods, keep them available for the departure check and plan to complete that check before you hand your bags to the airline. If your airport, passport or circumstances are unusual, ask the relevant airport or Customs staff rather than assuming that every route is available.
6. Visit Japan Web FAQ
These answers distinguish the website from the procedures that travelers still have to complete. Customs rules, immigration eligibility and tax-free purchase conditions are separate questions, and the answer to one does not settle the others. Check the linked official pages again before travel because airport arrangements and procedures can change.
Is Visit Japan Web mandatory?
The website is optional for making a customs declaration, but the customs declaration itself is required for arriving passengers. Japan Customs accepts paper form C-5360-B as an alternative to the electronic route. Whether the immigration portion is available at every airport for every nationality has not been confirmed.
Is Visit Japan Web free?
Yes, the service is free, and there is no fee for an electronic customs declaration. Japan Customs has warned about fake sites and paid agent services that may request money or personal details. Use the official address, www.vjw.digital.go.jp, and check it before entering passport information.
How long does registration take, and when must I do it?
No official standard setup time or registration deadline was confirmed in the sources checked for this guide. It is practical to complete internet-dependent steps before travelling, but do not treat an unofficial “hours before landing” claim as a verified rule. If you cannot complete the electronic customs declaration, paper remains available.
Can I use Visit Japan Web without internet?
Logging in, registering user details and registering an arrival or return plan require internet. Customs answers and QR-code creation may work offline if you logged in beforehand and stay logged in. The FAQ does not establish that every Visit Japan Web feature works offline.
Can one phone hold codes for a family?
Yes, the Customs FAQ says one device can be used to make codes for several people. At an eGate, each person generally needs their own code and goes through the terminal and gate individually. A child under 100 cm may be listed on a parent’s declaration and go through with the parent, but confirm with Customs at your airport.
Can I use a customs eGate with a passport that has no chip?
No; an IC passport is needed for the customs eGate. A non-IC passport can still be used at a joint kiosk where one is available. Ask airport staff which procedure applies to you.
What if my QR code will not load or my phone has no battery?
Check your login and saved trip and customs details, and ask staff for help if the code still does not appear. If you cannot use your phone for the customs declaration, use paper form C-5360-B, available on a plane, ship or at Customs and printable from the Customs website. A QR code from the former Customs app is not valid for current use.
Does an online customs declaration mean my bags will not be inspected?
No. Customs may inspect baggage after an electronic declaration, so follow officers’ instructions and make goods available when asked. If the terminal directs you to a staffed desk, go there rather than assuming the QR code completes every check.
Does Visit Japan Web replace a visa?
No. Visa requirements depend on nationality and travel purpose, and Visit Japan Web is not a visa. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Japanese embassy responsible for your country.
Can I use the Visit Japan Web tax-free code in every shop?
No. Only shops able to read the code can use it to receive passport information, so ask the shop first. The shopping code is separate from the arrival customs QR code, and the current full creation steps have not been confirmed.
How does the tax-free refund work from November 2026?
For purchases made from 1 November 2026, eligible goods are paid for at the tax-inclusive price and Customs checks them before departure; the tax is then refunded. The usual minimum is ¥5,000 before tax at the same shop on the same day. Confirm eligibility and the refund method with the shop, and complete the Customs check within 90 days of purchase.
Where can I complete the online tax-free departure check?
The listed airports are Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose and Naha. Connect to the dedicated Wi-Fi in the international departure lobby before security. If the online procedure does not work, use a tax-free procedure machine and follow its instructions.
What is JESTA, and do I need it now?
A December 2025 advisory report set a goal of introducing JESTA during Japan’s fiscal year 2028. That is a plan, not confirmation of a requirement for your travel date. Check official information close to departure for any change in timing or rules.
Are COVID-19 vaccination or test certificates required for entry?
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare says that, from 29 April 2023, a valid vaccination certificate or pre-departure test certificate is not required for entry. Border measures can change, so check the ministry’s latest official information before flying. Visit Japan Web does not replace that check.
Do I need to book anything to use Visit Japan Web or a joint kiosk?
No booking requirement was confirmed in the official information checked for this guide. That does not establish that no airport-specific procedure or future rule exists. Check the current official service and airport guidance for your journey.
Information in this guide was checked against official sources on 3–4 November 2026. Where a current screen, deadline, eligibility detail or airport arrangement could not be confirmed, the article says so rather than treating an older manual or an individual traveler report as current official guidance.
