Travel requirements for Japan
Everything a UK traveller needs to know before visiting Japan — passport and visa rules, recommended vaccines with lead times, and whether you need an International Driving Permit.
Entry requirements for Japan
Passport validity
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.
Visas
A Visa on arrival may be required before travel — check the source link below for your specific circumstances.
Source: UK Foreign Travel Advice — Japan. Always confirm the latest requirements before you travel.
Vaccines for travel to Japan
Based on NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro guidance for UK travellers. Lead times assume protection is needed on the day you arrive.
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Tetanus / Diphtheria Recommended
Booster recommended if last dose was more than 10 years ago.
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Dengue Consider
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3 weeks before travelHepatitis B Consider
Intermediate/high prevalence. Recommended for those with sexual risk, healthcare workers, and long-stay travellers.
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4 weeks before travelJapanese Encephalitis Consider
Transmission season June–October. Recommended for 1+ month stays in endemic areas or visits to rice fields/pig farms. Not routinely recommended for short trips to Tokyo or major cities.
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4 weeks before travelRabies (Pre-exposure) Consider
Pre-exposure for bat handlers, veterinarians, and cavers. Most travellers are at low risk.
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2 weeks before travelTick-borne Encephalitis Consider
For those with outdoor activities in affected areas. Risk areas include Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu. Ticks most active early spring to late autumn.
Source: NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro — Japan.
Driving in Japan
To drive in Japan with a UK driving licence, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
IDPs are issued by PayPoint (no longer the Post Office) — find an issuing store.
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