First independent trip to Japan? The confusing part is often not the itinerary—it’s what to do between the jet bridge and the arrivals hall.
This piece follows Narita Airport’s published arrival order, Japan Customs passenger rules, and MHLW’s current border-measures page, and it carefully separates “quarantine on the map” from outdated COVID myths.
Disclaimer: Airport equipment and government rules change. This is a practical summary, just practical travel notes. Follow live airport instructions and official pages on the day you travel. Official sites are listed below.
Official sites we checked
- Narita Airport: international arrival procedure
- Immigration Services Agency: Foreign Entry Record / Visit Japan Web
- ISA: Integrated (joint) kiosks
- Digital Agency: Visit Japan Web
- Japan Customs: passenger clearance
- MHLW: COVID-19 border measures
- MOFA: short-term visa exemption list
If a blog post conflicts with these official pages, follow the government/airport source.
Bottom line: typical passenger flow
| Step | What you do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Follow Arrival signs | Confirm your terminal |
| 2 | Pass the quarantine area / instructions | See next section—≠ old COVID mandates |
| 3 | Immigration | Passport + optional Visit Japan Web QR |
| 4 | Baggage claim | Match flight number and bag tag |
| 5 | Plant/animal quarantine (if applicable) | Skip if you bring none of those items |
| 6 | Customs | Declare; green/red channels |
| 7 | Arrivals hall / ground transport | Often turn on eSIM data after exiting |
Narita’s English guide lists that sequence for international arrivals. Haneda, Kansai, and others are conceptually similar; kiosk locations differ—follow signs.
Before you fly
- Passport (required; QR is not a substitute)
- Visit Japan Web (recommended by ISA, not the only option) — the Immigration Services Agency recommends submitting the Foreign Entry Record electronically via Visit Japan Web; paper ED cards remain available. How-to: guide; official: ISA ED-card page / Visit Japan Web
- Paper backup if you skip the web service
- Japan address and flight details
- Phone battery / screen to display the QR (you may fill forms on a PC, but you must present the QR on a phone/tablet)
- Connectivity: ISA says the immigration QR may be shown from a screenshot, but if you edit registered data you must regenerate the QR. Enable a Japan travel eSIM after customs if you need maps/rides.
Integrated (joint) kiosks
ISA and Japan Customs operate integrated kiosks at selected terminals: scan your Visit Japan Web QR and IC passport to submit immigration and customs data in one go (passport, face photo; fingerprints for foreign nationals).
- Register on Visit Japan Web first; each family member needs their own QR and must process separately.
- After the kiosk, foreign nationals typically finish immigration at a dedicated booth—an immigration officer review is still required.
- If Customs finds no inspection needed, some passengers may use a facial-recognition walk-through for customs (follow on-site guidance).
Published locations include Kansai T1/T2, Haneda T2/T3, Narita T3 (and later Narita T1/T2 per the ISA timetable), Fukuoka, etc. Hours can change—see ISA joint-kiosk notice.
“Quarantine” vs old COVID border measures
| Concept | How to read it in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Quarantine zone on airport maps | Narita still lists Quarantine before Immigration. Follow instructions. If you have fever, diarrhea, or feel unwell, notify quarantine/health staff. |
| COVID vaccine / PCR / isolation mandates | Per current MHLW border measures: from 29 Apr 2023 00:00 Japan time, valid vaccination certificate or pre-departure test is not required; on-arrival test and isolation are none / not required. MHLW also notes Visit Japan Web is not currently required for quarantine. |
| Visit Japan Web “Quarantine (health status)” | Answer health questions and read guidance—not a return of the old mandatory COVID package. |
Sources: MHLW Border Measures. Recheck before travel if policy changes.
Immigration
Foreign nationals must, in principle, undergo examination by an immigration officer and provide biometric data (fingerprints and a facial photo), unless exempt by law.
Have your passport ready, plus the Visit Japan Web QR or a paper ED card. ISA warns that stay-period mistakes are common—enter 90 days or fewer for typical short-term tourism/business/visiting relatives.
Narita notes facial-recognition / automated gates may leave no stamp—ask staff if you need one. Where joint kiosks operate, scan VJW QR + IC passport first, then follow signs to the dedicated booth.
Taiwan: MOFA’s visa-exemption list includes Taiwan with a landing period in the “90 days” category for listed regions, with Note 4: limited to passport holders with a personal ID number, and only for non-income short-term activities. Recheck MOFA novisa page before travel—this article is not a visa guarantee.
Baggage claim
Check the carousel screens, verify your bag tag, and use carts if needed. Cabin-bag-only travelers still go through immigration before customs per the usual sterile-area flow.
Plant and animal quarantine
Required if you bring plants (fruit, seeds, vegetables) or animal products (e.g. some meats). Documentation such as a phytosanitary certificate may be needed. Most tourists without these items skip this counter. Japan’s food/meat rules are strict—when unsure, do not pack it.
Customs: everyone declares
Japan Customs: all arriving passengers must declare accompanied articles (and unaccompanied articles if any). Electronic declaration via Visit Japan Web / e-Gates is recommended; paper forms remain available.
- Green channel: no dutiable goods and no prohibited/restricted goods
- Red channel: everyone else (including if you are unsure)
Japan Customs recommends electronic declaration via Visit Japan Web; e-Gates are available at multiple international airports. Digital Agency notes electronic customs terminals at places such as Haneda, Fukuoka, and Naha while waiting for bags. Also see ISA joint-kiosk routes. Confirm on site.
Watch for: cash/payment instruments over ¥1,000,000 equivalent (declare); alcohol/tobacco/perfume and other duty-free allowances; prohibited items; medicine/cosmetics quantity limits. Details: Japan Customs — Passenger Clearance.
After customs
Enter the arrivals hall, then trains/buses/taxis. Many travelers enable Japan eSIM data only after clearing customs. Plans: Japan eSIM; timing: install vs activate.
Myths to ignore
“COVID testing/isolation is still mandatory.” Not under current MHLW text (since 29 Apr 2023)—recheck if policy changes.
“Visit Japan Web is required.” Optional; paper still works.
“QR replaces the passport.” No.
“Claim bags before immigration.” Usual order is immigration → bags → customs (Narita).
“Green channel means no declaration.” Everyone still declares; green is for nothing dutiable/prohibited/restricted.
Bottom line
Land → quarantine area/instructions → immigration → bags → (plant/animal if needed) → customs → arrivals.
Prep passport + Visit Japan Web (or paper), know your hotel address, tell staff if you feel unwell, and use the red channel when unsure. Follow live airport and official government pages.
More: Visit Japan Web guide.
