Connectivity
Choose eSIM, physical SIM, roaming, or rental Wi-Fi based on phone compatibility, group size, and whether you need a Japanese phone number. Do not discover a locked phone at the airport.
Companion to Japan Before You Go
Your calm, final check before Japan
A practical last-pass checklist for entry rules, transport, money, medicines, connectivity, and disruptions. Save it before departure and recheck the official sources shortly before you fly.
Reviewed July 18, 2026
01
Save or print
Pre-trip checklist
- 01
Confirm passport, entry, visa, and airline requirements for every traveler.
- 02
Check every medicine by active ingredient—not only by brand name.
- 03
Review Japan Customs rules for food, plants, medicines, and restricted items.
- 04
Save your first-night address in English and Japanese.
- 05
Keep at least two payment methods and a small amount of yen.
- 06
Choose an IC-card plan, but keep route-specific tickets separate where required.
- 07
Plan how you will handle large luggage before reaching a busy station.
- 08
Save emergency numbers: 110 for police; 119 for fire or ambulance.
- 09
Install or bookmark an official disaster-information source.
- 10
Download essential documents and Pocket Japanese for offline use.
02
Decide, don’t just buy
Four decisions worth making early
Power
Japan commonly uses Type A plugs. Check the input range printed on each charger; a plug adapter changes the shape, not the voltage.
Money
Cards and contactless payments are common, but acceptance is not universal. Carry a backup card and some cash rather than relying on one wallet app.
Luggage
Large bags add stress in stations and on crowded trains. Compare delivery, lockers, hotel storage, and reserved luggage space before travel day.
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Primary sources
Check the current official information
JNTO: Staying Safe in JapanEmergency numbers, disaster information, medical help, and visitor support.↗Japan Safe Travel InformationCurrent official travel and emergency information.↗MHLW: Bringing medicines into JapanOfficial procedures and restrictions for personal medicines.↗Japan Customs: Passenger informationDeclarations, prohibited articles, and traveler guidance.↗JNTO: IC travel cardsOfficial overview of prepaid transport cards.↗JNTO: Luggage and storageDelivery, station lockers, and hands-free travel options.↗
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Optional planning aids
What to look for
Start with the selection principles below. The page remains useful without a purchase.
Optional · Paid links
Use these comparisons only if the item solves a real packing problem. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Price, stock, and suitability can change.
Compare compact power banks
Check capacity, weight, built-in cables, charging ports, and your airline’s current battery rules. A smaller unit you will actually carry may be more useful than the highest-capacity option.
Compare close-fitting day bags
Look for a bag that stays close in crowds, opens without blocking a train aisle, and remains comfortable through long station walks.
Compare packable rain protection
Prioritize low packed volume, ventilation, coverage, and a design you can put on quickly without unpacking your main luggage.
Compare compact luggage scales
Check readability, weight limit, battery type, and whether the handle is comfortable enough to lift your packed bag safely.