Visa · JR Pass · Suica · eSIM · transit · money · pre-flight checklist — everything Thai travellers need to know before flying to Japan.
Scroll through at your own pace, or tap a topic below to jump straight to what you need.
Key facts to know before you book — Japan is highly organised and visitor-friendly, but preparation makes the difference between a good trip and a great one.
Great news: Thai passport holders can enter Japan without a visa for up to 15 days — no pre-arrangement needed since 1 July 2025. Just show the right documents at immigration.
✅ No pre-arranged visa required — Thai passport holders simply present their documents at Japan immigration on arrival.
Required documents: passport valid for 6+ months beyond your travel dates · confirmed return ticket · proof of accommodation (hotel booking) · proof of sufficient funds for the trip.
📋 Visit Japan Web — register online at vjw-lp.digital.go.jp before you fly. Pre-registration speeds up immigration clearance significantly and is strongly recommended.
If you plan to stay longer than 15 days, or want to make multiple trips in a year, apply for a multi-entry tourist visa through the Embassy of Japan in Bangkok before your trip.
A multi-entry visa can be valid for up to 3 years, allowing repeated 15-day stays per visit — ideal for frequent Japan travellers. Processing takes around 5–7 business days; apply well in advance of your travel date.
You'll need Google Maps constantly in Japan — for trains, walking directions, and finding restaurants. Sort connectivity before you board.
| Option | Cost | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📶 eSIM | $7–15 / trip | Solo or couple, 7–15 days | Airalo, Holafly, Sakura Mobile · pre-purchase from home · instant activation |
| 📡 Pocket WiFi | $7–13 / day | Groups of 2+ people | Japan Wireless, Ninja WiFi · pick up at airport or ship to hotel · must return at end |
| 📱 Physical SIM | $10–20 | Older phones without eSIM | Available at convenience stores & airports · self-install · least recommended |
Japan has one of the world's best public transport networks — punctual, clean, and well-signposted. Understanding JR, Shinkansen, IC cards, and subways before you go saves time and money.
| Pass | Price | Best for | Key routes included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Day JR Pass | ¥50,000 (~11,000 THB) | Tokyo + Kyoto/Osaka + Hiroshima | Tokyo↔Kyoto 2.2 hr · Tokyo↔Osaka 2.5 hr · most Shinkansen |
| 14-Day JR Pass | ¥80,000 (~17,600 THB) | Multi-region: Hokkaido or Kyushu added | All above + Sapporo or Fukuoka |
| 21-Day JR Pass | ¥100,000 (~22,000 THB) | Grand tour of Japan | All regions · great value if travelling extensively |
| No Pass (IC card) | Pay per ride | Single-city trips (Tokyo only, Osaka only) | ⚠️ Calculate first — single-city trips don't justify a pass |
| City | Subway lines | IC Card accepted | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 13 lines (Tokyo Metro + Toei) | ✓ Suica / Pasmo | Most comprehensive metro in the world · use NAVITIME for connections |
| Osaka | 9 lines (Osaka Metro) | ✓ ICOCA / Suica | Compact city — many sights walkable from Namba or Umeda |
| Kyoto | 2 subway lines + bus network | ✓ ICOCA / Suica | Buses reach most temples · IC card works on city buses too |
| Smaller cities | Bus-primary | ✓ Usually IC card | Learn boarding direction — some buses board at rear, pay on exit |
Japan is more cash-dependent than almost any other developed country. Plan ahead — running out of yen in a rural onsen town is not a fun situation.
💴 Cash culture: Japan remains heavily cash-based. Small restaurants, local markets, shrines, vending machines, and many taxis are cash-only. Carry at least ¥10,000–20,000 per day as a minimum.
💳 Credit cards: Accepted at hotels, chain restaurants, department stores, and larger malls. Visa and Mastercard have the widest acceptance. Many smaller establishments still do not accept cards.
🏧 Best ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs — available at over 21,000 locations nationwide, accept most foreign Visa/Mastercard/Maestro cards, have an English interface, and charge relatively low fees. Avoid airport currency exchange booths — rates are poor.
🔄 Currency exchange: Exchange Thai Baht to Yen in Thailand before you go — rates at Thai banks and Superrich are significantly better than at Japan airports or money changers. Bring ¥30,000–50,000 for the first few days.
| Budget level | Daily spend (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 🎒 Backpacker | ~¥13,500 (~$90) | Hostel dorm · convenience store meals · public transport · free sights |
| 🏨 Mid-range | ~¥25,000 (~$160) | Business hotel · sit-down restaurants · day trips · occasional taxi |
| 🌟 Luxury | ¥45,000+ ($300+) | Ryokan or 5-star hotel · kaiseki dinner · private tours |
Run through this list before you leave — once everything is ticked, you're ready to fly.
Torn between Japan and Taiwan for your next trip? Read our deep comparison — visa, language, prices, food, transit, and which destination fits first-time Thai travellers best.
Side-by-side on every dimension — visa, cost, language, food, transit — to help you decide which country to visit first.
Read the comparison →Open the full Japan travel guide, pick the city that suits you, or browse hotel recommendations from the Wherebest team.