Visit Japan Web: how to use it for immigration and customs
What Visit Japan Web does, how to register, how the QR code works on arrival in Japan, how tax refunds are changing, and how to avoid fake sites that charge fees.
On this page
Visit Japan Web is the Japanese government's online service for arrival procedures and tax-free shopping. You enter your immigration and customs details before you land, then show a code at the airport. It's run by Japan's Digital Agency, and this guide is based on its official pages as of November 2026. Rules can change, so check the official site before you travel.
What you should know first
It's free. The Digital Agency says that it never asks users to pay a fee, and it has warned about a site that did. Suspicious apps using similar names have also been reported, so go through the official site at services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/.
One code for two steps. Since January 2024, immigration and customs share a single code, so you don't need to switch between two.
You need a phone or tablet at the airport. You can register on a computer, but the code has to be shown on a smartphone or tablet.
If you don't register. Paper forms have generally been available at the airport as an alternative, although using the service is usually more convenient.
Whether you can enter at all is a separate question. Visit Japan Web doesn't replace a visa, if you need one. Entry requirements depend on your passport, so check them with a Japanese embassy or consulate.
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How to register
1. Create an account. Use your email address and a password on the official site, and confirm your email.
2. Enter your details. Add your name, date of birth, nationality and passport details. Have your passport with you, and check that everything matches it.
3. Add your trip. Enter your arrival date, airline, flight number and the address of where you're staying first. Book your first night before you start, so you have the address to hand.
4. Complete immigration and customs. Answer the questions on your stay and on what you're bringing in. Answer honestly, and read the questions on restricted items carefully.
5. Get your code. When you've finished, display your code and keep it ready for the airport. Airport connections can be busy, so make sure you can open it easily when you land.
Travelling with family? Registration for accompanying people has changed: the service ended its substitute entry function in June 2025. Check the official operating instructions to see how to register children and others in your group.
On arrival
Show your code and passport when asked, and follow the signs and staff at the airport, as the process and machines differ between airports. If there's a problem with your code, ask a member of staff.
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Tax-free shopping and refunds
Foreign visitors can also use Visit Japan Web for tax-free purchases. A notice from November 2026 says that travellers can complete the customs check for tax-exempt goods online at departure, instead of using a refund kiosk, at New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka and Naha airports. Allow time for this before your flight, and check Japan Customs' website for details.
Customs: what not to bring
Japan is strict about bringing in meat products, fresh fruit, vegetables and plants, including snacks that contain meat. If you're not sure about something, check with Japan's animal and plant quarantine services before you pack, and declare it on arrival.
Do I have to use Visit Japan Web?
It's designed to make arrival smoother. Paper forms have generally been available at the airport for those who don't use it, but check the current arrangements on the official site.
Does it cost anything?
No. Japan's Digital Agency says that it never asks users to pay fees. If a site asks you to pay, you're not on the official service.
How far ahead should I register?
Finish it before your flight, ideally a day or so ahead, so you have time to sort out any problems while you still have a good connection.
Can I use it if I'm returning to Japan?
Yes. The official site says that it's also for people returning to Japan, as well as those entering from overseas.