🇯🇵 · Travel Live

Is it safe to travel to Japan right now?

Japan travel advisory today: official US, UK and Canada levels

It depends on where you go. The US State Department rates Japan Level 1 of 4, "Normal precautions". Canada says "Take normal security precautions", with regional advisories. The UK FCDO has no warnings against travel to Japan.

Checked · US issued May 15, 2025 · UK updated Aug 28, 2026 · Canada updated Oct 20, 2026

Government advisories for Japan

US State Department

US L1 · Normal precautions

Exercise Normal Precautions

Exercise normal precaution in Japan. U.S. citizens should always exercise caution when traveling abroad. Use these general tips to stay safe.

Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated May 15, 2025

Read the official advisory

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

UK · no warnings

No FCDO travel warnings

Latest change: Addition of information about flooding and heavy rain ('Safety and security' page).

Official notice Source: gov.uk · updated Aug 28, 2026

Read the official advice · Entry requirements

Local scams and street crime

  • Crime: Take the same precautions you would at home and get local advice on areas where you might need to be more alert. Tokyo’s entertainment districts carry a higher risk of crime, particularly at night in and around clubs and bars. Foreign nationals have been targeted for extortion, robbery, assault and sexual assault.
  • Protecting your belongings: Be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings in sight when travelling. Place valuables in a secure place such as a hotel safe when you can.
  • Drink spiking and credit card fraud: There are increased reports of drink spiking and credit card fraud. Victims have described waking up with no memory of what happened and discovering large amounts of money billed to their credit card. The amount of money taken ranges from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds. Risks are higher in all entertainment…

Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Aug 28, 2026

LGBT+ and women travellers: what the UK FCDO says

  • LGBT+ travellers: Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal, but Japanese law does not protect against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Same-sex marriages are not recognised, but some local authorities issue certificates of recognition that can be used for civil issues, such as hospital visitation rights. Shinjuku Nichome in Tokyo and Doyamacho in Osaka are well-known LGBT+ areas.

Read the full FCDO section

Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Aug 28, 2026

Women, children and family: what governments say

  • Women's safety (Government of Canada): Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Inappropriate physical contact may occur on busy subways and trains. There are women-only train cars during rush hour on some subway and train lines.

Canada: full advisory

Official notice Source: Government of Canada and UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licences)

Pregnancy and children: CDC health notes for Japan

  • Measles (children): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

CDC health page for Japan · CDC: pregnant travelers · CDC: traveling with children

Official notice Source: CDC Travelers' Health (US government, public domain). General information, not medical advice: see a doctor or travel clinic before you go.

Government of Canada

CA 1 · Normal precautions

Take normal security precautions (some regions differ)

Latest change: Risk level section – Avoid non-essential travel to the Ryukyu Islands; Natural disasters and climate section – added information on Typhoon Champi

Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca · updated Oct 20, 2026

Read the official advisory

Government of Canada: regional advisories

Ryukyu Islands - Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa Prefecture, due to Typhoon Champi.

Read the full Canadian advisory

Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca (Government of Canada, Open Government Licence - Canada) · updated Oct 20, 2026

German Foreign Office

DE · partial travel warning

Partial travel warning

Official notice Source: Auswärtiges Amt · updated Oct 13, 2026

Read the official travel and safety advice

Dutch Foreign Ministry

NL · green

Green: no special safety risks (regions differ, up to red)

De kleurcode van het reisadvies voor het zuidoosten van Fukushima is rood. Wat uw situatie ook is: reis er niet heen. Het is er te gevaarlijk. Lees meer onder Regionale risico's. Voor de rest van Japan geldt kleurcode groen. U kunt hierheen reizen. Lees welke veiligheidsrisico’s er zijn.

Official notice Source: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nederland Wereldwijd (open data, CC0) · updated Aug 26, 2026

Read the advice (Dutch) · Translate to English

New Zealand SafeTravel

NZ · level 1

Exercise normal safety and security precautions

Official notice Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SafeTravel (CC BY 4.0) · updated 10 February 2026

Read the official advice

Each government uses its own scale. Read the full advisory before you book or travel; regional differences inside a country can matter more than the headline level.

Entry requirements for Japan

🇬🇧 British passport holders

  • Visa: You can get a visa on arrival in Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you travel.
  • Passport: If you’re visiting Japan, your passport must be valid for the length of your stay. No additional period of validity is required. You need a blank page for your visa stamp.
Read the full UK entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Japan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Japanese Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

If you’re visiting Japan, your passport must be valid for the length of your stay. No additional period of validity is required. You need a blank page for your visa stamp.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can get a visa on arrival in Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you travel.

If you need a multiple-entry visa, you must ask the immigration officials when you arrive.

If you want to stay longer, you can apply at your nearest immigration office for an extension for another 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the period of the extension.

For long-term stays or to work or study, you must meet the Japanese government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa you need. It is illegal to work in Japan without the correct visa no matter how informal or temporary the work.

If you overstay your permission to remain in Japan, you risk arrest, detention and a heavy fine.

For residency information, see the Japanese Immigration Services Agency website and read about living in Japan.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Japan guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Japan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into Japan

It is illegal to bring meat products including sausages, bacon and ham to Japan without permission from the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service. Penalties include a heavy fine and prison sentence.

Whale meat is available in Japan but importing it into the UK and EU is illegal. If you import whale meat to the UK, you can get a fine of up to £5,000 and a prison sentence. Customs officers will seize the meat.

Taking money into Japan

Japan is still a predominantly cash-based society. You may have difficulty using credit and debit cards issued outside Japan. Cirrus, Maestro, Link and Delta cash cards are not widely accepted. Japanese post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank have cash machines that will accept some foreign cards during business hours.

Official notice Source: UK Foreign Office · updated Aug 28, 2026

🇨🇦 Canadian passport holders

  • Tourist visa: not required for stays up to a maximum of 90 days
Read the full Canadian entry requirements

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Japan. If you plan to travel to other countries in the region, check passport validity requirements for the countries you plan to visit.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to a maximum of 90 days
Business visa: required
Work visa: required
Student visa: required

You can’t apply for a business, work or student visa if you have already entered Japan as a tourist.

Business travellers need a visa if they are to receive compensation in addition to their regular salary for work carried out while in Japan.

Overstaying the 90-day, tourist visa-free limit or any other visa time limit is a criminal offence. If you overstay, you may be subject to fines and deportation, and you may be barred from re-entry to Japan.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodations arrangements and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Biometrics

Japanese officials will photograph and fingerprint visitors upon arrival. Exceptions may apply.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Registration

Japanese regulations require that visiting foreigners give detailed information when checking in at hotels or other lodging facilities.

Foreigners must also allow their passports to be photocopied.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Official notice Source: Government of Canada · updated Oct 20, 2026

Other passports

Rules depend on your nationality, so we do not guess. Before you book:

  • Read your own government's travel advice first (US travellers: State Department page for Japan).
  • Official government portal: Visit Japan Web (official). Real portals sit on government domains; copycat sites often charge extra.
  • Not sure what your passport needs? Check the visa rules for your nationality (eVisas visa checker) or compare with VisaHQ. These are affiliate links: if you use their application service we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official government sites are usually cheaper and are linked above where we have them.
  • Check your passport: many countries want it valid for 6 months after arrival and with blank pages.
  • Check for an e-visa, travel authorisation or digital arrival card, and any vaccine rules (yellow fever is the common one).
  • Ask your airline: they can refuse boarding if your documents do not match the rules.

Entry rules are set by each government and change without notice. This summary is for planning only and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm on the official government website and with your airline before you book or travel. Voyaggora is not a government agency and does not process visas.

Weather forecast, next days

Tokyo

DaySkyLow / highRainPeak wind
Wed 21 OctMostly clear24° / 28°dry39 km/h
Thu 22 OctPartly cloudy16° / 24°dry17 km/h
Fri 23 OctCloudy13° / 23°dry14 km/h
Sat 24 OctHeavy rain16° / 17°dry10 km/h
Sun 25 OctCloudy17° / 24°dry10 km/h

Osaka

DaySkyLow / highRainPeak wind
Wed 21 OctShowers19° / 28°3.8 mm33 km/h
Thu 22 OctMostly clear14° / 21°dry22 km/h
Fri 23 OctCloudy12° / 22°0.2 mm22 km/h
Sat 24 OctHeavy rain19° / 22°4.4 mm17 km/h
Sun 25 OctLight rain20° / 24°dry6 km/h

Sapporo

DaySkyLow / highRainPeak wind
Wed 21 OctHeavy showers11° / 18°8.5 mm38 km/h
Thu 22 OctShowers6° / 10°5.6 mm36 km/h
Fri 23 OctClear3° / 14°dry21 km/h
Sat 24 OctCloudy4° / 14°dry13 km/h
Sun 25 OctPartly cloudy7° / 14°dry19 km/h

Kyoto

DaySkyLow / highRainPeak wind
Wed 21 OctShowers17° / 27°4.3 mm27 km/h
Thu 22 OctMostly clear12° / 20°dry19 km/h
Fri 23 OctCloudy10° / 21°dry18 km/h
Sat 24 OctHeavy rain17° / 21°2.3 mm17 km/h
Sun 25 OctRain19° / 22°dry3 km/h

Live feed Forecast data: MET Norway (Locationforecast, CC BY 4.0), city local time. Forecasts change; for severe weather follow the official warnings above · updated

Essentials for travelers

Police 110 Ambulance 119 Fire 119 118 coast guard

  • Plugs: type A, B
  • Power: 100 V, 50 / 60 Hz
  • Traffic drives on the left
  • Tap water: safe
  • Calling code: +81

Compiled by Voyaggora from IEC World Plugs, government and consular sources. Confidence: high. Check with your embassy or hotel before you rely on it in an emergency.

Local language

日本 Japanese

Essential phrases in Japanese
HelloこんにちはKonnichiwa
Thank youありがとうArigatō
Help!助けて!Tasukete!
Where is the hospital?病院はどこですか?Byōin wa doko desu ka?
I need the police警察が必要ですKeisatsu ga hitsuyō desu
I need a doctor医者が必要ですIsha ga hitsuyō desu
How much is it?いくらですか?Ikura desu ka?
Where is the toilet?トイレはどこですか?Toire wa doko desu ka?

Country names come from the Unicode CLDR. Phrases are short standard translations; show them on your phone to ask for help.

U.S. Embassy alerts

  • Embassy alert
    Demonstration Alert/Heightened Awareness – U.S. Embassy Tokyo (October 7, 2026) Read on the embassy site

Live feed Source: U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites (public alerts for U.S. citizens; US government works) · checked

More live hazards and notices

Getting around

  • Tokyo Toei subway lines:
    • Toei.Shinjuku: 新宿線は、13時17分頃、東大島駅にて発生した架線点検のため、ダイヤが乱れています。振替輸送を実施しています。

    Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation via ODPT (Japanese, as published). Checked .
  • Bike-share availability:
    • Tokyo (docomo Cycle): 6,445 bikes, 12,260 free docks across 1925 stations
    • Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other cities) (docomo bike share service): 19,631 bikes, 63,051 free docks across 6224 stations
    Source: docomo Cycle Tokyo (ODPT), docomo bike share (CC BY 4.0) (GBFS open data feeds). Checked .

Weather, sea and nature

  • Sea temperature today: Tokyo about 24°C (76°F), Osaka about 25°C (78°F), Sapporo about 18°C (64°F). Source: NOAA OISST satellite analysis (NOAA CoastWatch), reading of 2026-10-12; checked .
  • Japan cherry blossom (sakura) first-bloom dates:
    • Tokyo: first bloom Mar 19
    • Osaka: first bloom Mar 26
    • Kyoto: first bloom Mar 23
    • Nagoya: first bloom Mar 17
    • Fukuoka: first bloom Mar 24
    • Sapporo: first bloom Apr 18
    • Sendai: first bloom Mar 31
    • Hiroshima: first bloom Mar 19
    • Naha: first bloom Jan 18
    • Kagoshima: first bloom Mar 27
    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
  • UV index forecast, Tokyo: peak 5.4 (moderate) around 02:00 UTC (Thu) in the next 24 hours, if the sky is clear. Cloud lowers it; protect your skin from 3 upward. Source: MET Norway (NLOD 2.0 and CC BY 4.0), forecast of 2026-10-21 01:17 UTC. Checked .
  • Forecast at the summit, famous peaks (hour starting 05:00 UTC): Mount Fuji (3,776 m): 3 °C, wind 29 km/h from 210°, cloud cover 62%, precipitation 1.5 mm in the next 6 hours. Computer-model forecast for the summit height, not a measurement; mountain weather changes fast and can differ greatly from the valley. Check the local mountain guides and avalanche service before climbing. Source: MET Norway (NLOD 2.0 and CC BY 4.0). Checked .
  • Typhoon Champi (2630) TY winds 115 kt, gusts 165 kt, 900 hPa,
  • Japan volcanic alert levels, above normal:
    • Level 3 - do not approach the mountain (entry restricted) Sakurajima (lowered)
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted Satsuma-Iwojima
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted Suwanosejima
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted Meakandake (raised)
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted Kirishima (Shinmoedake) (lowered)
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted Mount Aso (lowered)
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted 北海道駒ヶ岳 (raised)
    • Level 2 - crater-vicinity restricted Tokachidake (lowered)
    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, JMA Public Data License v1.0.

Safety, strikes and public order

Events, holidays and sport

  • Tokyo Disneyland (Tokyo Disney Resort): average wait 25 min, longest 70 min at The Happy Ride with Baymax; 1 rides down. Powered by ThemeParks.wiki
  • Tokyo DisneySea (Tokyo Disney Resort): average wait 37 min, longest 120 min at Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey; 4 rides down. Powered by ThemeParks.wiki
  • Universal Studios Japan (Universal Studios Japan): average wait 54 min, longest 170 min at Mine Cart Madness™; 0 rides down. Powered by ThemeParks.wiki
  • Legoland Japan: longest wait 10 min at Rescue Academy; 36 rides open, 10 down. Powered by Queue-Times.com
  • ISS visible over Tokyo: Wed Oct 21, 4:15 AM, up to 12° high (appears 12° above N, disappears 10° above N). Tonight's moon: Waxing Gibbous (76% illuminated).Source: NASA (Spot the Station) · US Naval Observatory.
  • Dark-sky citizen reports near you:
    • Kyoto: naked-eye limiting magnitude 4 (2026-10-10, 106 km away)
    • Osaka: naked-eye limiting magnitude 5 (2026-10-10, 109 km away)
    • Sapporo: naked-eye limiting magnitude 3 (2026-10-06, 51 km away)
    • Tokyo: naked-eye limiting magnitude 3 (2026-10-10, 6 km away)
    Higher limiting magnitude = darker sky. Citizen-science, last 30 days. Source: Globe at Night (NOIRLab/NSF), CC BY 4.0. Checked .
  • Globe at Night campaign running 2026-11-01 to 2026-11-10: look for Cygnus, Grus, Pegasus. Join in: globeatnight.org.

Other live notices

  • Daylight today in Tokyo (capital): sunrise 05:51, sunset 16:59 (11 h 07 min of daylight, local time Asia/Tokyo); moon: waxing gibbous, about 75% lit. Calculated from astronomy (NOAA solar-position equations), accurate to a couple of minutes; not an official feed. Moon phase from the mean lunar cycle. Updated .
  • Bear sightings in Akita Prefecture (Tohoku): 100 Asian black bear sightings recorded in the 30 days up to 2026-09-30, and 3452 so far in 2026 (13672 in 2025). The prefecture's open file is updated every week or two, so this is the data of 2026-09-30, not today. In bear country carry a bell, avoid dawn and dusk walks and check local notices. Source: Akita Prefecture open data (Kumadas) (CC BY 4.0). Checked .

Live feed Sources: NOAA / NWS (ash advisories from the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, aurora from the Space Weather Prediction Center), USGS, GeoNet New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) · checked

Air and fires near popular destinations

Air quality

  • Tokyo Good PM2.5 1.0 µg/m³ (median of 3 community sensors) ·

Live feed Air quality from OpenAQ (open data from Contributors of Sensor.Community, credited under their open licences) and U.S. EPA AirNow for US cities, plus community sensors from Sensor.Community (ODbL) where official monitors are missing. Readings are from the nearest monitors and can be a few hours old.

Rail and metro alerts

Kumamoto Kumamoto Bus

3 active alerts

  • Detour ·
    迂回運行のお知らせ
  • Notice ·
    Contactless Payments Available
  • Notice ·
    小学生以下無料の日開催中!

Live feed Source: Kumamoto Bus (CC BY 4.0) · Official status page · checked

Kumamoto Kumamoto Electric Railway

2 active alerts

  • Notice ·
    Contactless Payments Available
  • Notice ·
    小学生以下無料の日開催中!

Live feed Source: Kumamoto Electric Railway (CC BY 4.0) · Official status page · checked

Kumamoto Kumamoto City Bus

2 active alerts

  • Notice ·
    Contactless Payments Available
  • Notice ·
    小学生以下無料の日開催中!

Live feed Source: Kumamoto City Bus (CC BY 4.0) · Official status page · checked

Health and vaccines

Vaccines, malaria and yellow-fever certificate rules: TravelHealthPro country pages (UK Health Security Agency), CDC destination pages, UK Foreign Office health advice. Ask a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.

Airport weather right now

AirportTemperatureWindVisibilityConditionsReported
Tokyo Haneda RJTT27°C / 81°F20 kt from 200°6+ miClear flying weather
Nagoya/Chubu RJGG29°C / 84°F7 kt from 160°6+ miClear flying weather
Osaka RJOO29°C / 84°F10 kt from 240° (gusts 21)6+ miShowers
Naha ROAH27°C / 81°F20 kt from 10°6+ miRain

Live feed Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center · checked

Money

1 US dollar ≈ 158.27 JPY · 1 euro ≈ 177.69 JPY

Central-bank reference rate for Oct 21, 2026. Your card or exchange desk will differ.

Live feed Source: Frankfurter · checked

Official sources for Japan

Links to the official government bodies, checked by us. Voyaggora does not run these sites. For anything urgent, use the official emergency number.

Voyaggora guides in Japan

Quick answers: is it safe to travel to Japan?

Is it safe to travel to Japan right now?
It depends on where you go. As of Oct 21, 05:56 UTC. The US State Department rates Japan Level 1 of 4, "Normal precautions". Canada says "Take normal security precautions", with regional advisories. The UK FCDO has no warnings against travel to Japan. Advisory levels change and can vary by region within a country: check the official page before you travel. Sources: US State Department Canada UK FCDO.
Which parts of Japan do governments warn about?
Governments warn about parts of Japan rather than the whole country. The UK FCDO has no warnings against travel to Japan. Canada lists regional advisories. The US State Department page lists area-specific levels. Open each official page for the exact areas and routes.
Are there any active weather or hazard alerts in Japan right now?
As of Oct 21, 05:56 UTC, Travel Live shows these live hazard and alert sections for Japan: U.S. Embassy alerts, more live hazards and notices, air quality and fires near popular destinations, rail and metro alerts. Each one on this page names its official source and the time it was checked. Worldwide storms, earthquakes and disasters are on the Travel Live hub.
What do the advisory levels mean?
US State Department: Level 1 exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, Level 4 do not travel. Canada: take normal security precautions, exercise a high degree of caution, avoid non-essential travel, avoid all travel. UK FCDO: it advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the whole country or to parts of it, or has no warnings. Each government uses its own scale, so the levels are not directly comparable.

Get alerts

Email me when something changes for Japan

Prefer a feed reader or the weekly email? Alerts feed (Atom/RSS) · Weekly Brief by email

Know before you go

Get the biggest travel alerts and where to go next in our free Weekly Brief.

Get the Weekly Brief

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Voyaggora summarises official sources and is not a government service; always confirm with the official advisory before you travel.