Traveling to Japan from the US: What to Know Before You Book
Japan is one of the easiest countries to visit without a visa and one of the most rewarding trips you can take from the US. It's also one of the most common ones to under-prepare for. The airport you fly into, whether you buy a JR Pass before October, and what's in your medicine bag will all shape how the trip goes.
Key takeaways:
No visa required. US citizens get 90 days visa-free. A valid passport and a return ticket are all you need.
Fly into Haneda if you can. It's 20 to 30 minutes to central Tokyo. Narita is 53 minutes away and in a different prefecture.
Buy your JR Pass before October 1, 2026. Prices go up 4 to 6% on that date. Buy direct at japanrailpass.net.
Check your medication list before you pack. Adderall is completely banned in Japan with no exceptions. Several common OTC cold medicines are too.
Carry cash. Cards work at major hotels and chains. Smaller restaurants and rural areas are still largely cash-only.
Nail down your route before you finalize your dates. Stardrift creates a day-by-day itinerary around your preferences with bookable flights and accommodations. Free, no credit card.
Do US citizens need a visa for Japan?
No. US citizens can enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days. No advance application, no embassy visit. You need a valid passport for the full length of your stay and proof of a return or onward ticket.
One thing worth doing before you board: register with Visit Japan Web, Japan's Digital Agency service that combines immigration and customs declarations into a single online process. It takes about 15 minutes. Complete it at least 6 hours before landing. Skip it and you're standing in the paper-form queue at the arrival hall with several hundred other passengers.
What are the best flights from the US to Japan?
Nonstop flights from the West Coast take about 11 hours. From the East Coast, plan on 13 to 14 hours. Los Angeles has the most competitive fares and the most departure options, followed by San Francisco and Seattle.
Tokyo is served by two international airports:
Haneda (HND): 20 to 30 minutes to central Tokyo by train or monorail. Closer to the city, easier to navigate, and increasingly the preferred arrival for US travelers. ANA, JAL, Delta, and United all fly direct.
Narita (NRT): Located in Chiba, about 53 minutes to Tokyo Station via the N'EX Narita Express. Handles more US routes than Haneda. Cheaper airport buses are available if you're not in a rush.
If your schedule gives you a choice, Haneda saves you an hour in transit on both ends of the trip. If only Narita routes work for your dates and budget, the N'EX is comfortable and straightforward.
Stardrift can help you compare Haneda and Narita options side by side and see how each arrival fits your itinerary before you book.
How much does a Japan trip actually cost?
Flights typically represent 40 to 60% of your total trip spend. What happens on the ground varies significantly depending on how you travel.
A first-time family trip, a honeymoon itinerary, and a ski week in Niseko each carry different cost profiles. Before you build a budget, it helps to know which version of Japan you're planning.
That said, A mid-range trip runs about ¥15,000 to ¥25,000 per person per day on the ground: a business hotel, a mix of sit-down dinners and convenience store lunches, and entrance fees. Budget travelers doing hostels and ramen counters can pull it to ¥8,000 to ¥12,000. Ryokan nights and omakase push it past ¥40,000.
Add flights at $800 to $1,500 per person economy from the West Coast, or $1,000 to $1,800 from the East Coast. Factor in a 14-day JR Pass at ¥80,000 per person if you're doing the Golden Route.
Rough all-in for two people over 14 days at mid-range: $7,000 to $10,000. Exchange rates move, so run the numbers closer to your travel date.
Should you get a JR Pass?
If your route covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, the pass almost certainly pays for itself.
Here's why: the JR Pass covers Japan's shinkansen network, the bullet trains that connect major cities at up to 320 km/h. The trip from Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Without the pass, you buy individual shinkansen tickets each time. Tokyo to Kyoto one way costs ¥13,320. Tokyo to Osaka is ¥13,870. Tokyo to Hiroshima is ¥18,380. A 7-day pass costs ¥50,000. Fly in and out of Tokyo, add Hiroshima, and you clear that on shinkansen alone.
The 14-day pass at ¥80,000 suits longer trips covering multiple regions. The 21-day at ¥100,000 is for people going top to bottom.
One timing note: prices increase on October 1, 2026. The 7-day goes from ¥50,000 to ¥53,000, the 14-day from ¥80,000 to ¥84,000. Buy before that date, and you lock in the current rate. Buy directly at www.japanrailpass-reservation.net/.
Is my US medication legal to bring into Japan?
Adderall is completely banned in Japan. No exceptions, even with a valid prescription. Other common US medications, including Vyvanse and Sudafed, can be brought in but require advance permission from Japan's Narcotics Control Department. The permit takes at least 14 days to process. Don't leave this until the week before you fly.
To apply for permission on Vyvanse, Sudafed, or narcotic medications, you need:
1. Completed import application form (available on the NCD website)
2. Medical certificate from your prescribing doctor — must include your name, current address, specific diagnosis, medication name and dose, doctor's signature, and an issue date within the last three months. "For personal use" or "for travel" is not accepted as a reason.
3. Photos of your medicine packaging, sent as JPEG, PDF, or Word files. Not HEIC.
Submit by email to the NCD regional office covering your arrival airport. Apply at least 14 days before travel. Tokyo NCD does not accept last-minute applications for any reason. Follow up with a confirmation email after submitting. The NCD website notes that emails sometimes fail to come through due to security settings, and they cannot take responsibility for undelivered applications.
At customs, you must carry the medicine yourself and show your Import Certificate to the officer. You cannot mail medication ahead or have someone else carry it for you.
Source: Japan Narcotics Control Department
What apps do you need before you land in Japan?
Three things to sort before you board: an eSIM, your Suica card, and your Visit Japan Web registration.
Set up a Japan eSIM through your carrier or a travel eSIM provider before you leave. Airport eSIMs cost more and take time you won't want to spend after a 12-hour flight. US iPhones can add a Suica card to Apple Wallet, which works on trains, buses, and convenience store purchases the moment you clear customs. Visit Japan Web handles your immigration and customs declaration online; complete it at least 6 hours before landing.
For the full list of apps worth having on the ground, see the Japan travel apps guide.
What should you know before you go to Japan?
A handful of things that Japan doesn't advertise, but that change how the trip feels.
Cash. Carry ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 at all times. Cards are widely accepted at major hotels, department stores, and chain restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Smaller restaurants, temples, rural areas, and local izakayas are often cash-only. Japan's cashless payment ratio reached 42.8% in 2024 according to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It's rising, but not fast enough to leave the cash at home.
Tipping. Don't. Tipping is not expected at restaurants, cafes, taxis, or hotels. It doesn't come across as rude, but it does confuse staff. A sincere "arigato gozaimashita" is the right response after a good meal.
Rush hour. Morning peak on Tokyo commuter lines runs roughly 7 to 9:30 AM. Evening peak is around 5:30 to 8 PM. Trains are genuinely packed during these windows. If you're traveling with luggage or small children, build your schedule around them.
Jet lag. The outbound flight, US to Japan, tends to be easier to recover from than the return. The flight home crosses the Pacific eastward and costs you hours. On arrival in Tokyo, push through to 10 PM local time instead of napping. Most people adjust within two days.
Tabelog. Japan's main restaurant rating platform runs on a compressed scale. A 3.5 is a solid meal. A 3.7 is excellent. Anything above 3.8 usually requires a reservation and won't seat walk-ins on weekends.
English. Reliable in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and most major tourist areas. Less so in smaller cities, rural towns, and traditional ryokans. Download the Google Translate Japanese language pack for offline use before you leave.
Takkyubin. Yamato Transport's door-to-door luggage delivery. Drop bags at the airport counter or any convenience store, and they arrive at your next hotel. Costs ¥1,000 to ¥2,000 per bag. Same-day delivery if sent before 11 AM. It's the reason Japanese travelers move between cities with nothing but a small backpack. You can do the same.
Planning a multi-city Japan itinerary?
The Golden Route (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka) is the most-traveled first-time itinerary for good reason. Each leg connects directly by Shinkansen, the cities offer strong contrast, and the pacing suits two weeks without feeling rushed.
A typical sequence: four to five nights in Tokyo, one to two nights in Hakone for Mt. Fuji views and a traditional ryokan, three to four nights in Kyoto, two nights in Osaka with a day trip to Nara. That's a framework, not a fixed prescription. Your best order depends on how many nights you want at a ryokan, whether you're adding Hiroshima or the Japan Alps, and how much you want to slow down versus cover ground.
Want an itinerary built around your preferences? Stardrift builds a day-by-day Japan plan from your actual flights, budget, and travel style. It sequences neighbourhoods to cut backtracking, suggests restaurants that match your dietary needs, and adjusts when bookings change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend in Japan for a first trip?
Ten to fourteen days covers the Golden Route (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka) without feeling rushed. Seven days is doable, but means choosing between depth and breadth. If you want to add Hiroshima, the Japan Alps, or a night at a traditional inn outside the main cities, build in at least 12 days. Stardrift can map your specific travel dates against a day-by-day itinerary so you can see what actually fits before you commit to a route.
Is Japan safe for solo travelers?
Yes. Japan consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world. The US State Department rates it Level 1: exercise normal precautions. Solo travel, including solo female travel, is common and well-supported. Pickpocketing can happen in crowded tourist areas, and entertainment districts carry the usual nightlife risks. Violent crime is rare. Walking back to your hotel after midnight in most Japanese cities is genuinely fine.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. English signage, menus, and transit displays are standard in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Outside major cities, English coverage drops off. Before you leave, download Google Translate with the Japanese offline language pack. It handles menus, signs, and directions without a data connection, which matters when you're in a small town without reliable Wi-Fi.
Will my phone work in Japan, and is Wi-Fi reliable?
Most US phones work in Japan on international roaming, but carrier rates add up quickly on a two-week trip. A Japan eSIM is the cleaner option: buy one before you fly and activate it when you land. Public Wi-Fi outside major transit hubs is patchy. An eSIM removes the dependency on finding a connection and keeps your data fast and consistent throughout the trip.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (mid-November) are the most popular windows. Both are genuinely beautiful and genuinely crowded, with accommodation prices to match. Book three to four months out if you're targeting either. May and October offer similar weather without the surge. Winter outside ski destinations is mild and uncrowded. July and August are hot, humid, and busy with domestic tourism.
Do I need travel insurance for Japan?
Strongly recommended. Japan's healthcare system is excellent, but it does not cover foreign visitors the way it covers residents. A short hospital visit without insurance can run into thousands of dollars. Look for a policy that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, and medical evacuation. Buy it when you book, not the week before departure.
What plug adapter do I need for Japan?
None, if you're coming from the US. Japan uses the same Type A plug as the US. Two flat pins, no adapter needed. The voltage is 100V rather than 110V, but every modern laptop charger, phone charger, and camera battery is dual-voltage and handles the difference automatically. Check your device's label; if it shows 100-240V, you're set.
Are tattoos allowed in Japan?
Not in most onsen (public hot spring baths) or public bathhouses. The majority of traditional onsen still prohibit tattoos, though policies vary by establishment and are slowly shifting. Booking a private onsen room, called kashikiri, is the standard workaround and worth it for the experience anyway. Tattoos are not an issue in any other setting.