Japan travel essentials

This section brings together Japan-wide travel information rather than information specific to a region. Prices and rules on each page come from official announcements and include a last-verified date. Topics that change more frequently, such as transport IC cards and taxes, are reviewed more often. For information specific to Fukuoka, see the Fukuoka travel guide.

Information categories

Before departure: entry, visas and taxes

Visas and entry procedures: Visa-free conditions for visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan, Visit Japan Web and the joint kiosks at Fukuoka Airport.
Tax-free shopping and departure tax: Tax refunds change to a departure-time refund system from 1 November 2026; departure tax is 3,000 yen.
Tax-free shopping locations in Fukuoka: Refund procedures at Fukuoka Airport.

Transport

Overview of public transport in Japan: Starting point for JR, Shinkansen, subways, private railways and buses.
How to use the Shinkansen: Routes, seat reservations and oversized-baggage rules.
Comparing the JR Pass and regional rail passes: Official prices and coverage of the JR Pass and JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
How to ride trains, JR, private railways and subways: Buying tickets, using IC cards at ticket gates, fare adjustment and train etiquette.
How to ride buses: Numbered-ticket and flat-fare systems, with cash and IC card payments.
Taxis and ride-hailing services: Fares, payments and booking apps.
Route planning and timetable tools: Route-search applications introduced by JNTO.
Suica and transport IC cards: Types of IC card, nationwide interoperability, and Hayakaken and Welcome Suica options for visitors to Fukuoka.

Money, electricity and connectivity

Currency and payment methods: Credit cards, cash withdrawals and transport IC cards.
Plugs, voltage and electrical appliances: 100 volts, 50 hertz in eastern Japan and 60 hertz in western Japan.
Internet access in Japan (eSIM, SIM and Wi-Fi): Official guidance and selection criteria for SIM cards, pocket Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi.

Driving

Driving eligibility and required documents: International Driving Permits and Taiwan licences with Japanese translations.
Driving rules in Japan: Driving on the left, seat belts, speed limits and traffic lights.
How to rent a car in Japan: Insurance, indicative rates, collecting and returning a vehicle.
Parking and expressway toll gates: ETC cards, toll gates and regional passes.

Medical care and emergencies

Medical care and emergency assistance: Emergency phone numbers, Fukuoka City’s medical interpreting phone service and how to find hospitals.

Customs, laws and time

Manners and etiquette: Dining, shoes, public transport and onsen etiquette, plus information about drinking water.
Local laws in Japan: Passports, smoking, tattoos and drugs.

Japan time

Japan Standard Time (JST) is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Japan does not currently observe daylight saving time (summer time).

Definition: Japan Standard Time is the local time at 135 degrees east longitude, 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (according to Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, NICT).
Daylight saving time: NICT states that Japan does not currently observe daylight saving time.

Language

Useful Japanese phrases: Short common travel phrases with pronunciations that can be copied and shown to others.

Important reminders

Prices, rules and times can change. Before departure, check the official websites linked on each page.
Pages on medical care, laws and visas summarise official information only and are not personal advice.