Japan Airport Arrival: Immigration, Customs and Key Phrases
Most arrivals in Japan can be done with a Visit Japan Web QR code, but paper forms are still available. Japan Customs says all passengers entering Japan must declare their belongings, and it recommends submitting the declaration electronically through Visit Japan Web. Declaration forms are also available on the plane, on the ship, or at Customs. This post covers the steps after landing, as of October 2026, based on Japan Customs pages.
1. The three routes through arrival
1. Integrated kiosk (Narita Terminal 3, Haneda, Kansai, Fukuoka). Japan Customs lists these four airports as having integrated kiosks that take passport information, a facial photo, and declaration information for immigration and customs in one go. You scan the 2D code from Visit Japan Web and your IC passport, and the kiosk takes your photo to match it with the passport image. Foreign nationals' fingerprints are also taken for immigration. When you finish, the kiosk shows a letter (a, b, c, or d). Follow that letter to the immigration booth. Then, if no customs inspection is needed, you can use the electronic gate by facial recognition.
2. Electronic declaration terminal and e-Gate (seven airports). New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu Centrair, Kansai, Fukuoka, and Naha have e-Gates. You declare at an electronic terminal while waiting for checked baggage, by holding your IC passport and the 2D code over the scanner. After you collect your baggage you walk through the e-Gate. The terminal may instead send you to a customs inspection desk, and Customs says baggage may be inspected even after an electronic declaration.
3. Paper forms. If you do not use the QR code, fill in the customs declaration form from the plane or pick one up at Customs. Unaccompanied articles need the form in duplicate.
Customs also notes that since January 25, 2024, the 2D codes from Visit Japan Web cover both immigration and customs, and codes made by the older Customs Declaration App no longer work.
2. Who cannot use the automated routes
- Persons under 135 cm tall cannot use the integrated kiosk.
- At the e-Gate, a child under 100 cm can pass through with a family member.
- An IC passport is required for the e-Gate. Non-IC passport holders can use the kiosk, but cannot use the electronic declaration gate afterward.
- Every person, including each member of a family or group, must complete the terminal procedure one by one.
- Masks, sunglasses, or anything covering your face must come off for the photos.
- Wheelchair users can use both the kiosk and the gate.
Customs says the face photos are used only for identification at the terminal and recognition at the gate, and are deleted immediately after you pass through.
3. Phrases for the immigration counter
The phrases below are standard Japanese, not quotations from the agencies.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Hello. Here is my passport. | こんにちは。パスポートです。 | Konnichiwa. Pasupooto desu. |
| Sightseeing. | 観光です。 | Kankou desu. |
| For five days. | 5日間です。 | Itsuka-kan desu. |
| I am staying at this hotel. | このホテルに泊まります。 | Kono hoteru ni tomarimasu. |
| I have a QR code. | QRコードがあります。 | Kyuu-aaru koodo ga arimasu. |
| I am traveling with my family. | 家族と来ました。 | Kazoku to kimashita. |
Keep the hotel name and address ready on your phone, so you can show it if asked.
4. Phrases for the customs area
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| I have nothing to declare. | 申告するものはありません。 | Shinkoku suru mono wa arimasen. |
| I have something to declare. | 申告するものがあります。 | Shinkoku suru mono ga arimasu. |
| This is for personal use. | 個人用です。 | Kojin-you desu. |
| This is medicine. | これは薬です。 | Kore wa kusuri desu. |
| Where do I go? | どこに行けばいいですか。 | Doko ni ikeba ii desu ka. |
| I cannot use the e-Gate. | ゲートは使えません。 | Geeto wa tsukaemasen. |
If you are sent to an inspection desk, you have not done anything wrong. Customs says people can be directed there for personal effects beyond the duty-free allowance or for unaccompanied articles. Customs also invites passengers to ask an officer if they have any questions.
5. Key takeaways
- Visit Japan Web is recommended by Japan Customs, but paper forms still exist.
- Integrated kiosks: Narita T3, Haneda, Kansai, Fukuoka. e-Gates: seven airports.
- Under 135 cm cannot use the kiosk; non-IC passports cannot use the e-Gate.
- Remove face coverings, and everyone in the group must register individually.
- Being sent to an inspection desk is routine for goods over the allowance or unaccompanied articles.