GoJapan Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa

（1） Visa application requirements

Chinese citizens visiting Japan, except for compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, must apply for a Japanese visa in advance.

In principle, visa applicants must meet the following conditions: the applicant holds a valid passport; The application materials are truthful and comply with regulations; The applicant's activities, identity, and duration of stay in Japan comply with the eligibility and duration of stay stipulated in the Immigration and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter referred to as the Immigration Act); The applicant does not belong to the items listed in Article 5, Item 1 of the Entry Administration Law.

Holders of "diplomatic", "official", and "ordinary official" passports must handle their visa procedures through the agency designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Other applicants must handle their visa procedures through the agency designated by the Japanese side (which can be found on the website of the Japanese Embassy in China). Chinese spouses of government-sponsored international students and Japanese nationals who reside in China for a long time can apply for visas directly by contacting the visa office of the Consulate General of the Japanese Embassy in China.

Please refer to the website information of the Japanese Embassy in China for the visa policy of Japan.

（2） Visa Types

Diplomacy, public affairs, teaching, art, religion, reporting; Investment and operation, legal and accounting services, healthcare, research, education, technology, international business of humanities knowledge, internal transfer within enterprises, revitalization, skills, skills internships, specific skills; Highly specialized positions; Cultural activities, short-term stagnation; Study abroad, training, and family stagnation; Specific activities; Permanent residents, spouses of permanent residents, spouses of Japanese people, residents, etc.

（3） Visa application process

The first step in applying for a visa to Japan is to clarify the purpose of the trip. The visa application process may vary depending on the purpose of traveling to Japan. But regardless of the purpose of going to Japan, applying for a Japanese visa first requires having an inviting unit (person) in Japan or a group unit in China. If there are group units in China, they must strictly follow the requirements of the group units. If the applicant needs to personally handle the visa procedures, they need to prepare the documents in two parts (Japan and China). It is best to consult with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in China in advance about the requirements for obtaining a certificate (contact information can be found in "Country Services").

For specific matters related to Japanese visa application, it is recommended to consult the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in China.

2、 Entry and exit

The entry and exit affairs in Japan are managed by the Ministry of Justice and various immigration bureaus, based on the Basic Law of the Immigration and Refugee Recognition Act. Chinese citizens entering Japan need to hold a valid passport and visa, and apply for entry at the port of entry. When entering the country, an "entry card" should be filled out, and the purpose of entry should be consistent with the type of visa. Entrants are obliged to provide personal biometric information (fingerprints, facial photos), otherwise they will be refused entry. Entrants should answer the questions raised by the immigration officer carefully. Even if holding a visa issued by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in China, the immigration officer has the right to refuse entry to Japan during the entry examination.

Foreigners who plan to live in Japan for more than 3 months in a row need to go through residence declaration formalities at the entry examination department when entering Japan. From July 9, 2012, Japan will issue "resident cards" to foreigners who stay in Japan for a long time. Applicants who enter from Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Airport, Kansai Airport, New Chitose Airport, Hiroshima Airport, and Fukuoka Airport can collect their "Residence Card" on the spot, while those who enter from other airports (ports) need to collect it at their local city government after entering the country.

After entering the country, the parties involved should keep their passports and visas safe, and strictly follow the qualifications granted by their visas to legally engage in work and study. Long term residents in Japan who leave Japan with a residence permit and return within one year from the date of departure (before the expiration of the residence period if the residence period is less than one year) do not need to apply for a "re-entry permit" in principle. Other individuals need to apply for a "re-entry permit" from the local immigration office in advance. Without a re-entry permit, they will not be able to return to Japan smoothly.

International students who plan to work locally in Japan to subsidize their living expenses must apply for a "non qualifying activity permit" from the immigration office in advance in order to legally engage in work study programs. If they engage in work without applying for a non qualifying activity permit, they may be forcibly deported back to their home country if discovered by the immigration office. Foreign couples who give birth in Japan must declare to the immigration office within 30 days, otherwise they must leave Japan within 60 days; If you plan to continue working or studying in Japan, you need to apply for an extension of your stay period; If you are married to a Japanese citizen, you need to apply to change your residency status; If there is a change in place of residence in Japan, it must be reported to the local municipal government within 14 days.

As for the legal issues related to foreigners' residence in Japan, they can directly consult the local immigration bureaus in Japan.

3、 Special Reminder

（1） If it is a short-term stay (within 90 days), it is advisable to purchase round-trip tickets or connecting tickets to a third country (place) as much as possible.

（2） You should keep in mind the Japanese reception unit, contact person, and phone number for emergency purposes.

（3） The luggage specifications shall not exceed the standard (length 56CM, width 36CM, height 23CM), and the weight shall not exceed 20 kilograms. All kinds of knives must be packed in the luggage and checked in together.

（4） Before entering Japan, ask the flight attendants for the "Entry Record of Foreigners" card. Be sure to carefully read and fill in the relevant information on both sides in traditional Chinese regular script or English, especially paying attention to correctly filling in the "transit purpose" (which should be consistent with the entry visa project) and "Japan stay in the scheduled period" (the stay in Japan cannot exceed the validity period of the visa).

（5） After arriving at the Japanese airport, go to the entry checkpoint through the quarantine station, show your passport and entry card, and go through the entry formalities at the foreigners' checkpoint. When undergoing entry inspection, it is important to answer carefully after accurately understanding the questions posed by the immigration officer, and avoid nodding casually. Japan stipulates that it is necessary to collect fingerprint and facial image information for foreigners over the age of 16. Please cooperate.

Foreign citizens who have been denied entry due to filling in incorrect information or answering questions incorrectly should take this as a lesson. Even if entry is obstructed, do not rush to fill out any forms or sign any written materials as required by the Japanese side. Instead, first request to contact relevant personnel such as the Japanese reception unit and relatives in Japan to avoid being obstructed due to incorrect filling or answering.

（6） Please submit the completed declaration form and passport to the customs officer when handling the entry procedures at the customs. The declaration form can be obtained from the flight attendant on the plane or collected and filled out in the luggage hall, and should be truthfully declared.

（7） When retrieving luggage, please confirm the airline and flight schedule and go to the designated luggage transfer station for pickup. After retrieving the luggage, present your passport and the completed customs declaration form to clear customs. Customs is divided into two parts: those within the tax-free scope go to the green light inspection platform to handle procedures, and those outside the tax-free scope go to the red light inspection platform to handle procedures.

（8） After the entry formalities are completed, the accompanying "Record of Foreigners Going Abroad" shall be properly kept, which will be used when handling the departure formalities from Japan in the future.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Items brought into Japan must be declared in writing to customs; Those who carry items beyond the tax-free scope must submit the 'Declaration Form for Separate Transport of Carried Items'. At the same time, when carrying gold (gold bars, gold nuggets, etc.) not exceeding 1kg, but within the tax-free range with a total value of more than 200000 yen compared to other items, regardless of weight and purity, a luggage declaration form for separated transportation of carried items must be filled out, and corresponding taxes and fees must be paid. If carrying securities such as cash exceeding 1 million yen or carrying gold (gold bars, gold nuggets, etc., with a purity of over 90%) exceeding 1kg, in addition to filling out the Declaration Form for Separate Transport of Carried Items, it is also necessary to fill out the "Declaration Form for Carrying Input and Output of Payment Methods".

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Nationality and Immigration Policy

（1） Nationality Policy

Japan, like China, adopts the principle of dual lineage and limited recognition of dual nationality in its nationality law, which theoretically involves the issue of choosing nationality for mixed Chinese Japanese children. According to the Japanese Nationality Law, Japanese citizens who acquire foreign nationality before the age of 20 should choose one of the nationalities before the age of 22; Japanese citizens who acquire foreign nationality after reaching the age of 20 should choose one of the nationalities within two years.

（2） Japanese Immigration Policy

The conditions for obtaining a Japanese permanent residency visa are one of the following:

(1) In principle, it is necessary to reside in Japan for more than 10 years and obtain the "employment qualification" or "residence qualification" during this period to reside in Japan for more than 5 years.

(2) The spouse of a Japanese person, permanent resident, or special permanent resident who has been married for at least 3 years and has resided in Japan for at least 1 year; Their children have resided in Japan for more than one year.

(3) Reside in Japan for at least 5 years with the residency status of a 'permanent resident'.

(Other special conditions can be found on the website of the Japanese Ministry of Justice)

The necessary conditions for obtaining Japanese citizenship are to reside in Japan for at least 5 years, have a stable residence and economic income, have no negative records, and be over 20 years old. (For those born in Japan, the above conditions may be relaxed for Japanese spouses, children, etc.).

The permanent residence visa in Japan is an indefinite visa and does not have restrictions on eligibility for activities outside of Japan. However, those who have obtained permanent residency in Japan cannot leave Japan for a maximum of 3 years, otherwise it will automatically become invalid. During this period, extension procedures can be processed at Japanese embassies and consulates abroad.

There are two differences between permanent residency and naturalization:

(1) Permanent residents maintain their original nationality;

(2) Permanent residents have the same rights and obligations as Japanese citizens, in addition to the right to vote and be elected.

2、 Residence policy and related procedures in Japan

（1） Policy on foreigners' residence in Japan

All foreigners living in Japan are divided into 28 "residence qualifications" for their respective purposes of residence, and "residence period" is set respectively. The Immigration Law strictly limits the activities that individuals with different "residency qualifications" can engage in. Engaging in paid activities without obtaining permission from the Immigration Bureau is considered as engaging in "non qualifying activities", and there will be restrictions on applying for updates to the type of residence permit or an extension of residence time. In severe cases, individuals may be forcibly deported back to their country of nationality.

In addition to some residency qualifications such as "permanent residence", the residency period is divided into 15 days, 30 days, 90 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, etc. based on the residency qualification. Foreigners may not stay in Japan for more than the duration of their stay.

The classification of residency qualifications and permitted activities is generally as follows:

Diplomacy: diplomatic activities; Public: the official activities of international organizations; Professor: Research and educational activities in Japanese universities or specialized higher education institutions; Art: Artistic activities that generate income; Religion: religious activities; Report: The reporting activities of foreign reporting agencies; Investment and management: the operation and investment activities of enterprises; Legal accounting affairs: activities related to law and accounting conducted by individuals with legal qualifications; Medical: Medical activities conducted by legally qualified individuals; Research: Research activities based on contracts with Japanese agencies; Education: Educational activities conducted in various schools or equivalent educational institutions such as primary, secondary, high schools, and specialized schools in Japan; Technology: necessary business activities in science, engineering, and other natural sciences, technologies, and knowledge; International business of humanistic knowledge: engaging in necessary business activities related to law, economics, society, and other humanities, or conducting business activities based on thinking about foreign cultures and experiencing them; Internal job transfer within a company: The activity of transferring employees from a foreign institution to Japan; Xingxing: Performing arts activities such as acting, entertainment, music, sports, etc; Skills: necessary business activities for special expertise and proficient skills; Cultural activities: academic and artistic research and learning activities related to Japanese culture and technology; Short term stagnation: Short term stagnation activities aimed at sightseeing, recuperation, visiting relatives, business contacts, etc; Study abroad: Educational activities received at universities (including junior and senior high schools), specialized courses offered by specialized schools, or at equivalent educational institutions with relevant equipment and organization; Learning: receiving educational activities in specialized schools (excluding specialized courses), or in equivalent educational institutions with relevant equipment and organization; Training: Conducting technical, skill, and knowledge learning activities in public institutions in Japan; Family stay: daily activities of spouses and children raised by foreigners residing in Japan; Specific activities: activities designated by the Minister of Justice.

There are also residency qualifications such as "permanent residents", "permanent residents", "spouses of Japanese people", "spouses of permanent residents", "special permanent residents", etc., which are not subject to activity restrictions.

（2） Regarding procedures

The residence procedures after entry are generally applied for directly by the individual to the immigration management bureau. If engaging in activities other than those specified in the residency qualification, or residing in Japan beyond the residency period, the following procedures must be completed:

1. Applying for a Non Qualification Activity Permit: If you intend to engage in business activities (with income or remuneration) outside of the residency activities specified in your current residency qualification, you need to apply for a Non Qualification Activity Permit from the competent authority of your country of entry and obtain the permit.

2. Application for Residence Qualification Change Permit: When canceling current activities or engaging in activities allowed by other residence qualifications, it is also necessary to apply for and obtain a new residence qualification change permit.

3. Application for Renewal of Residence Eligibility: When overstaying in Japan, it is necessary to apply for the renewal of residence period before the expiration date of the current residence period. For those with a residence period of more than 6 months, acceptance will begin approximately two months before the expiration of the residence period.

4. Application for obtaining residence qualification: Those who have renounced their Japanese nationality or who have stayed in Japan without going through entry formalities due to birth or other reasons, and who have spent more than 60 days in Japan, must apply for residence qualification permit within 30 days from the date of renunciation of Japanese nationality or birth or other reasons.

5. Application for re-entry permit:

There are two types of re-entry permits in Japan: one-time and multiple entry permits, with a maximum validity period of 5 years (7 years for special permanent residency permits), but not exceeding the duration of their residence permit. Those who re-enter within the permit period do not need to apply for a new visa. If for any reason it is not possible to re-enter the country during the validity period of the residence permit, one can also apply to the Japanese embassy abroad for an extension of the validity period.

3、 Special Reminder

1. Foreigners who stay in Japan for a long time (more than 3 months) must register with the municipal government within 14 days after confirming their address, and apply for resident tickets and cards. Short term residents do not need to register. If there is a change in the residence permit, or if the residence card is lost or damaged, an application for a replacement must be submitted to the municipal or district government of the place of residence within 14 days. Lost residence cards during overseas travel must be reissued within 14 days after returning to Japan.

2. Foreign babies born in Japan who wish to reside in Japan for a long time must register their birth information with the city government within 14 days of birth and apply for a residence permit with the immigration office within 30 days. Those who do not intend to reside in Japan for a long time do not need to register with relevant departments, but must leave Japan within 60 days.

3. According to the Entry Control Law, foreigners in residence must carry passports, cards in residence, temporary land permit or temporary asylum permit and other identity documents. Violators will be punished as follows:

Foreigners other than "special permanent residents" who violate the obligation to carry cards shall be fined less than 200000 yen; Violating the obligation to carry a passport will result in a fine of up to 100000 yen.

Special permanent residents who violate the obligation to carry a residence card shall be fined up to 100000 yen; Violating the obligation to carry a passport will result in a fine of up to 100000 yen.

There is currently one yellow (medium risk) area in Japan, while all other areas are blue (low-risk). Specifically, as follows:

Yellow region: Fukushima Prefecture. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan to closely monitor the local security situation, be vigilant, strengthen prevention, and pay attention to safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.  

public security

In recent years, the number of Chinese citizens traveling to Japan for short-term purposes, especially for tourism and sightseeing, has sharply increased, reaching 9.59 million in 2019 (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). The social security situation in Japan is good, but there are also cases involving theft, violence, drugs, murder, rape, robbery, online fraud, commercial fraud, and other types of crimes. Due to differences in culture, customs, ways of thinking, behavioral patterns, and legal systems between China and Japan, there have been many cases of Chinese citizens unintentionally violating Japanese laws. Chinese citizens should follow local customs when in Rome, have a clear understanding of the security situation in their place of residence and tourist destinations, and take precautions and self-protection measures to avoid getting involved in crime and unnecessary trouble.

1、 Enhance awareness of prevention and self-protection, avoid emotional paralysis, and promptly contact the police if there are any suspicious areas.

2、 Team travel, pay attention to following the guidance and arrangements of the tour guide, and strictly adhere to the activity time.

3、 Do not speak loudly or make noise when taking transportation or in public places.

4、 Try to bring as little cash as possible when going out, and keep valuable items that are not urgently needed properly at your accommodation. Credit cards should be carried with you. Pay attention to keeping personal belongings safe in crowded and noisy places and dining locations.

5、 Try to act together with the team as much as possible, do not ride in vehicles with strangers or date strangers alone, do not disclose personal information to strangers, and do not go to crime prone areas and places such as red light districts.

6、 Do not shoot in Japanese theaters, art museums, hot springs, prisons, military facilities, and other places where photography is prohibited.

7、 If you lose items in the subway or bus, please directly inquire with station service personnel, vehicle attendants, or transportation companies. If you lose your passport, please report it to the nearby police station or police booth as soon as possible, obtain the "Lost Declaration Certificate" or acceptance number, and then go to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Japan to reapply for your passport or travel permit.

8、 Preventing "black homestays": Fraudulent cases of "black homestays" targeting independent travelers have repeatedly occurred. The usual method is for tourists to book homestays through the internet. One day, when they returned to their accommodation, they found that their luggage had been transferred. The landlord claimed that they did not operate the homestay and accused the tourists of "illegal intrusion", demanding compensation of several hundred thousand yen. Reminder: When traveling to Japan, please stay in a regular hotel or government certified homestay, choose a community with good security, and take anti-theft measures. Women should try to avoid staying alone in homestays.

9、 Do not trust others easily, protect personal privacy and sensitive information, be cautious when making remittances, and prevent falling into fraud scams. If you unfortunately encounter fraud, pay attention to retaining evidence and report to the police in a timely manner.

natural disaster

On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale and the resulting tsunami occurred in the waters of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, causing a major nuclear leakage accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The Japanese government required residents within a radius of 30 kilometers to take corresponding safety measures. As of now, the Japanese government has designated a certain area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant as a designated evacuation zone. The handling of nuclear accidents takes a considerable amount of time, and nuclear radiation in the relevant areas may persist for a long time. It is recommended that overseas Chinese in Japan and Chinese citizens traveling to Japan arrange their travel plans properly.

On April 14th and 16th, 2016, Kumamoto Prefecture experienced consecutive earthquakes measuring 6.5 and 7.3 on the Richter scale. The earthquake caused a total of 204 deaths (including 50 direct deaths), 8424 buildings collapsed, and more than half of 33212 buildings were damaged. As of November 30, 2016, there have been over 4000 aftershocks. At present, the water, electricity, gas, and transportation disruptions caused by the earthquake have been largely restored, and some damaged buildings are still under reconstruction.

In early July 2018, rare heavy rainfall occurred in western Japan, with a total of 519 landslides, mudslides, and other incidents during the rainfall period, resulting in a total of 200 deaths. The heavy rainfall weather has also caused dozens of people to go missing, a large number of houses to be damaged, and residents to have no water supply. At present, Chinese funded enterprises in western Japan are actively donating to help rebuild their homes in the three hardest hit prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, and Ehime.

FDA

1、 Food hygiene situation

Food safety, as a global issue, has attracted much attention from countries around the world. Japan, with its strong comprehensive national strength, has formed a complete regulatory system in this field and is one of the countries in the world with the strictest inspection and testing of imported fresh agricultural and sideline products and food safety.

For a long time, Japan has attached great importance to the safety of imported food. The Japanese government has not only formulated a series of laws, regulations, and related systems, but also established a complete organizational structure and relied on an effective food safety testing system to form an efficient, scientific, and flexible food safety management system. The Japanese Cabinet Office has a Food Safety Committee, which is the highest decision-making body responsible for food safety in the government. It supervises and guides risk management agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In practical work, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are the ones who truly exercise the power of food safety supervision. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare mainly supervises the food hygiene of imports, exports and the domestic market; The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is mainly responsible for the safety quarantine of fresh agricultural and sideline products in the import and export and domestic markets. Japan roughly divides imported products into three categories: plants, animals, and food hygiene. The hygiene and safety testing of imported products is very comprehensive and strict both in terms of system and testing methods. Especially for the inspection and quarantine of imported agricultural products and food, the procedures are not only strict but also cumbersome. All imported animal, plant, and agricultural products, as well as their processed foods, must first undergo quarantine by animal or plant quarantine stations under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and then undergo inspection by food quarantine stations under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Japan has very strict registration requirements for hot processed food enterprises, and they must undergo on-site assessment by Japanese officials before deciding whether to recognize them. Even agricultural products and food that have passed the quarantine of the plant quarantine station and animal quarantine station and are qualified cannot be guaranteed to be equally qualified after entering the inspection procedures of the food quarantine station.

2、 Special Reminder

Starting from April 1, 2012, new food radioactive substance detection standards apply to food raw materials and finished products, except for rice, beef, soybeans, and corresponding products

Milk 50 Bq/kg (formerly 200 Bq/kg, the same below)

Drinking water 10 Bq/kg (200 Bq/kg)

Baby food 50 Bq/kg (100 Bq/kg)

Other foods 100 Bq/kg (500 Bq/kg)

Rice, beef, and related products produced, imported, and processed before September 30, 2012, as well as soybeans and related products produced, imported, and processed before January 1, 2013, are still subject to the standard of 500 Bq/kg.

According to data released by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on May 31, 2016, a total of 53865 samples from 47 prefectures and cities in Japan were tested from April 1 to May 31, 2016, and 200 samples were found to be unqualified.

Urgent Help

Chinese citizens in Japan can seek help from the police in case of emergency.

Phone number inquiry desk: 104.

Emergency and fire alarm hotline: 119.

Thief police phone number: 110.

Foreign language response for help: # 9110.

air traffic

The most convenient transportation between China and Japan is by plane, which takes about 4 hours to travel from Beijing to Tokyo. The main airports in Japan include Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Chubu International Airport, etc. Japan has a vast network of air routes connecting major cities in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and major airlines from around the world also operate flights to major cities in Japan. The facilities for shopping, dining, and other convenient amenities for passengers at airports throughout Japan are very comprehensive.

Narita Airport is located over 60 kilometers east of Tokyo and can be reached by taking the Narita SKY ACCESS Line, Keisei Line, JR train, or airport bus. Renting a taxi is more expensive. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines have regular flights to Narita Airport.

Kansai Airport is located in the southeast of Osaka Bay, about 50 kilometers away from the center of Osaka. It takes one hour by car and can be accessed from surrounding cities by road, railway, and high-speed boat. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Tianhang Airlines, Shouhang Airlines, Spring Airlines, Lucky Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express and other airlines have regular flights to Kansai Airport.

Chubu Airport is located 35 kilometers south of Nagoya City, and can be reached in 30 minutes by train or 40 minutes by car from Nagoya. There are airport buses connecting the surrounding 25 cities. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines have regular flights to Central China Airport.

Compared to Narita Airport, Haneda Airport is closer to the center of Tokyo and has gradually increased its flights to and from China in recent years, becoming a "new favorite" for travelers and business people. Haneda Airport is located in Ota ku, Tokyo and can be accessed by subway Keikyu Line, monorail, or airport bus. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and other airlines have regular flights to Haneda Airport.

It is also very convenient to travel by plane within Japan, as several airlines such as Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have various routes throughout Japan. If the schedule is tight in the future, you can consider using a plane to travel to and from areas that cannot be reached by the Shinkansen.

Fukuoka Airport is located in Hakata ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, with convenient transportation to the city center. You can take the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line to JR Hakata Station, which takes about 5 minutes (about 4 kilometers). It takes about 11 minutes (approximately 12 kilometers) to reach Tenjin in the center of Fukuoka city.

Due to the frequent occurrence of strong typhoons in Japan during summer and autumn, flight delays, cancellations, and other related situations are prone to occur. Please reschedule or cancel flights according to the airline's unified arrangements and personal circumstances, and plan your itinerary reasonably. In winter, there is often heavy snow in Hokkaido, northeastern Japan, which affects flight takeoff and landing.

Note: For flight information between China and Japan, please refer to the information published by each airline.

land transport

1、 Railway

Japanese railways are known for their high safety and punctuality. The largest railway company is JR (Japan Railway) Group, with routes covering the entire territory of Japan.

The fast and comfortable Shinkansen is the main means of long-distance passenger transportation and also the most popular mode of transportation for foreign travelers. Japan's Shinkansen is known as one of the safest high-speed railways in the world and also one of the smoothest trains in the world. Every ten minutes, there is a train from Tokyo to major cities on the Shinkansen, with three types of seats: "free seat," "designated seat," and "green (first class)," with varying prices.

The main routes of the Shinkansen include the "Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen" connecting Tokyo and Fukuoka Hakata, the "Tohoku Shinkansen" connecting Tokyo and Shin Aomori, the "Uetsu Shinkansen" connecting Tokyo and Niigata, the "Nagano Shinkansen" connecting Tokyo and Nagano, and the "Kyushu Shinkansen" operating in Kyushu.

In addition to the railway lines operated by JR Group, there are also many private railway lines running in various cities in Japan for residents to commute to work and students to school. These railway lines mostly connect residential areas on the outskirts of the city and the city center.

2、 Subway

The subway is an extremely convenient means of transportation in the city center, with multiple railway lines centered around the circular railway line operated by JR (Japan Railway) Group in both Tokyo and Osaka. Almost all routes are interconnected with JR or private railways.

Tickets can be purchased at the automatic ticket machines at each station. The regular ticket price is calculated based on the shortest distance of the travel interval. The ticket price for children is half that of adults. In addition, an affordable one-day pass can also be purchased at the vending machine.

3、 Highway

Japan has very developed highways, and the highway networks in major regions are well-developed. There are many long-distance bus services between cities, and the ticket prices are cheaper than airplanes and trains, making it a suitable choice for tourists with more leisure time. For long-distance travel by night bus, it is recommended to choose the service of a reputable company with two drivers alternately driving.

Renting a car for self driving in Japan requires holding a Japanese driver's license or an internationally recognized driver's license, and often requires prior appointment. The cost will be determined based on the vehicle type and rental period (days). Most cities have car rental companies providing services at their airports and stations. Major travel agencies, airlines, and others also offer packages for ticket sales, hotel bookings, and car rental services, which can be used throughout Japan from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south.

4、 Special Reminder

The overall road conditions in Japan are good, but the roads are generally narrow and have many bends, and motor vehicles drive faster when driving straight at green lights. Remember to use pedestrian crossings when crossing the road, do not run red lights, and only proceed after confirming safety. When driving, one should focus on driving on the left side, avoid answering calls or checking their phone, and avoid getting too involved in conversations with peers. Special attention should be paid on rainy and snowy days, driving slowly and carefully. Special reminder as follows:

（1） Japanese buses are roughly divided into two types: "get on at the front door and get off at the middle door" and "get on at the middle door and get off at the front door". Please pay attention to the markings on the bus body when taking the bus. There are also two types of charging methods: one is to pay first and then take the car; Another way is to receive a sorting voucher when getting on the bus, and then put the voucher into the cash box to calculate the fare and pay after getting off the bus. If using a one-day ticket, it must be purchased in advance at the customer service desk or ticket window at the bus terminal or main station.

（2） Chinese citizens who come to Japan for tourism, even if they hold a Chinese motor vehicle driving license, cannot drive motor vehicles without an international driver's license or have not completed the procedures for changing their Japanese driver's license in Japan. Violators will violate the criminal law.

（3） Japanese vehicles drive on the left, in contrast to China. When crossing the road in Japan, it is important to pay attention to the direction of the vehicle. When taking a bus or taxi, passengers need to get up and down from the left side of the vehicle.

（4） The rear door of Japanese taxi cars is automatically opened and closed by the driver, without the need for passengers to do anything. When riding, try to sit in the back seat as much as possible, and before getting off, be sure to ask for the ride receipt.

water communication

Several shipping companies in Japan operate regular flights from major domestic ports to various port cities in Russia, South Korea, and China. There are "Suzhou", "Xinjianzhen", "Yanjing" and other ships that are open to navigation between Chinese Mainland and Japan's Kansai region (the sailing time is about 2 days).

Note: Please refer to the information published by each shipping company for information on the navigation of ships between China and Japan.

Commodity prices

Japan has abundant resources, but prices are relatively high, with fruits and agricultural products being particularly expensive. The currency is Japanese yen (JPY), which includes banknotes with denominations of 1000 JPY, 2000 JPY, 5000 JPY, and 10000 JPY, as well as coins of 1 JPY, 5 JPY, 10 JPY, 50 JPY, 100 JPY, and 500 JPY. At banks and major tourist hotels, currencies such as US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, British pounds, and Korean won can be exchanged for Japanese yen, and Chinese yuan can also be exchanged for Japanese yen at international airports. The exchange rate mainly changes with market fluctuations. Currently, Japan's consumption tax is 10%. In general, foreigners who come to Japan for a short time to shop in large malls or malls marked "Tax Free" for more than 5000 yen (excluding tax price) can go through tax refund procedures (i.e., 10% consumption tax exemption) with passports with short-term visas. For details, please ask the shop owner or tour guide. Most small shops do not offer tax exemption.

Insurance Medical

There are numerous public and private hospitals and clinics in Japan, with medical standards ranking among the world's leading, and a sound medical insurance system. Japanese nationals and foreigners who have lived in Japan for more than three months and have joined various medical insurance schemes can enjoy medical services with excellent services and moderate prices.

The medical insurance system in Japan is a universal insurance system. Japan's medical insurance is generally divided into three categories: one is trade union health insurance, which covers employees of large enterprises, governments, and their immediate family members; The second is health insurance, directly managed by the government, with insured individuals being employees of small and medium-sized enterprises and their immediate family members; The third is the National Health Insurance, which covers individuals who are sole proprietors or rely on pension funds for their livelihood. Among them, health insurance is the most popular medical insurance in Japan. When insured persons go to the hospital for medical treatment due to injury or illness, they only need to bear 30% of the total medical expenses.

It should be noted that foreigners who go to Japan for a short time cannot join and enjoy Japan's medical insurance. Therefore, if a short-term visitor falls ill in Japan and does not have a high income, it will cause a heavy economic burden on the person involved. It is recommended that Chinese citizens who come to China for a short period of time undergo formal physical examinations before going abroad, and only travel when their physical conditions permit. They should also join overseas travel accident insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Overall, the sanitary conditions in Japan are relatively ideal. However, due to differences in lifestyle habits, Chinese citizens traveling to Japan should not be careless. In order to ensure a healthy and enjoyable short journey abroad, it is particularly necessary to pay attention to maintaining one's own health in various aspects such as drinking water, food, personal hygiene, and lifestyle. Although the quality of tap water in Japan is relatively guaranteed, first-time visitors also have a process of adapting to its water quality, so it is best to drink mineral water, purified water, or boiled raw water before drinking. Fresh food accounts for a large proportion of Japanese cuisine, such as sashimi, sushi, and raw egg mixed rice, which are revered as delicious in Japan. Many Chinese people are not used to eating raw fish, so they should pay special attention to their diet. Japan is humid all year round and food is prone to decay, so strict shelf life labeling is required by law for all food sold in stores. Avoid consuming expired food to prevent fungal infections. March to April is the season when cherry blossoms in Japan are in full bloom, and this is also the time when pollen concentration is extremely high. If someone is sensitive to pollen, they should bring necessary medicine before going to Japan.

Customs taboos

1、 Holidays and introductions

There are 16 national holidays in Japan, which are: January 1st, New Year's Day; Adult Day on the second Monday of January; February 11th National Day; February 23rd, the Emperor's birthday; Spring Equinox days around March 21st; April 29th, Showa Day; May 3rd Constitution Memorial Day; May 4th Greening Festival; May 5th Children's Day; The third Monday of July is Sea Day; August 11th Mountain Day; Respect for the Elderly Day on the third Monday of September; Around September 23rd on the day of the autumnal equinox; Sports Day on the second Monday of October; November 3rd, Culture Day; November 23rd is Diligence Thanks Day.

In addition to the national holidays mentioned above, there are also numerous folk festivals with rich local colors in various regions. These festivals are mostly related to the local "Dao Zu Shen" and autumn harvest celebrations.

2、 Common Etiquette

Japanese people usually use bowing as a greeting etiquette, and have special requirements for the degree, duration, and frequency of bowing. When bowing, one must not hold anything in their hands or wear a hat on their head. Japan sometimes shakes hands and bows in tribute. Generally, Japanese women, especially rural women, only bow.

When Japanese people meet someone for the first time, they usually exchange business cards, otherwise it will be understood as unwillingness to interact with them.

In social situations, the Japanese creed is "not to cause trouble for others". Therefore, it is taboo to talk and laugh loudly in public, but in front of outsiders, one should mostly have a smile on their face. Japanese people consider this to be polite.

3、 Other common sense of life

Climate: Japan has a pleasant climate, with winters not cold and summers not hot but rainy and humid.

Currency: Japan has a single currency in circulation, the Japanese yen. The Chinese yuan cannot be freely exchanged for the Japanese yen, while the US dollar and Hong Kong dollar can be freely exchanged.

Transportation: In Japan, it is important to always remember to follow traffic rules. The biggest difference between traffic rules in Japan and China is that vehicles and pedestrians pass on the left side in Japan. In China, motor vehicles need to slow down even at green lights when crossing intersections, while in Japan it is normal speed. Pedestrians crossing the road and running red lights at will are very dangerous and must use pedestrian crossings. When taking trams, subways, and buses, one should queue up, be polite and courteous, get on and off in order, and prevent pushing and crowding. Japanese taxis are expensive, and passengers only need to pay according to the meter without tipping. When calling a taxi, you should pay attention to the red light on the lower right side of the front window glass, which indicates an empty car, while other colors indicate a reserved car or a passenger car. Passengers board from the left rear door, and the driver will control the automatic opening and closing of the doors. If you are going to a company or residence, it is best to know a detailed street map in addition to the address.

Diet: Japanese cuisine is generally referred to as washi or Japanese cuisine, which can be summarized as "five flavors", "five colors", and "five methods". The five flavors are: spring bitterness, summer sourness, autumn sweetness, winter sweetness, and astringency. The "Five Colors" refer to the widespread use of green spring, red summer, white autumn, dark winter, and yellow. The so-called "Five Methods" refer to the five cooking methods: steaming, boiling, boiling, frying, and eating raw.

Telephone: Public telephones can be seen everywhere in Japan, and telephones marked with both international and domestic phone numbers (dark green) and IC telephones (orange red) can be used for direct international long-distance calls. This type of telephone can use Japanese yen coins or SIM cards.

Shopping: In Japanese stores, prices are usually clearly marked and there is usually no bargaining. The business hours of general stores and shopping malls in Japan are from 10am to 8pm, and they also operate normally on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays. Department stores will have one day off per week, and different department stores have different days off. Some specialty stores are closed on Sundays and national holidays. In addition, the department store closes one hour earlier than other stores (at 7pm). When purchasing electrical or electronic products, pay attention to whether the voltage can be adjusted for use in your home country. The recording and playback mechanisms vary in different countries. Please confirm if the format is correct.

Garbage: Japan implements classified collection of household waste, and designated garbage should be disposed of on designated dates. Please confirm the specific classification in advance and strictly follow it. The disposal methods for batteries, furniture, and appliances are different from ordinary garbage. Please also inquire with local government departments or neighbors.

4、 Regarding tips

（1） Japanese hotels usually have electric kettles in their rooms. Some hotel rooms have refrigerators with beverage locking devices, and once a beverage is moved, it will still be charged even if it is returned to its original location.

（2） Japanese hotel rooms are equipped with slippers, hand sanitizer, shower gel, etc. Some hotels require personal items such as toothbrushes to be provided.

（3） There is a "material TV" channel in Japanese hotels. If guests need it, they can purchase and activate it at the service desk or vending machines in the hotel corridor, and the cost is borne by themselves.

（4） The voltage in Japan is 100 volts, and power sockets generally use a two hole flat pin insertion type. If you need to use Chinese electrical products, please bring your own conversion socket or contact the hotel service desk.

（5） There are many hot spring hotels in Japan, and people such as the elderly, pregnant women, those who are physically exhausted, those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and those with high blood pressure should carefully judge whether they can soak in hot springs based on their own health conditions, and the duration should not be too long. They must be accompanied by family and friends and should not go alone. When soaking in hot springs, do not enter the hot spring pool rashly. You should first soak in warm water to let your body get used to the temperature before entering the pool. If you feel unwell, please contact the hospital or other emergency units as soon as possible. In addition, before entering the hot spring pool, it is necessary to rinse the body first, and do not rub, play, or use shower gel in the pool. When entering the hot spring pool, it is not allowed to wrap around towels or wear swimsuits or underwear, and towels cannot be placed in the hot spring pool. They can only be placed on the head or by the pool. Women's long hair should be tied up and not immersed in hot spring pools. Before returning to the changing room after taking a shower, try to dry yourself as much as possible; Do not play, swim or take photos in the bathtub; Drunken individuals, tattooed individuals, and skin disease patients are not allowed to take baths.

Communications Power

The Internet penetration rate in Japan is high, 89.8% in 2019. The cost varies greatly depending on the business operator.

Domestic mobile phones used in Japan need to confirm that the communication standard is applicable and enable international roaming.

The voltage in Japan is 100V. The standard for household plugs is American dual hole.

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