How to go through Immigration and the Airport in Japan?

Traveling to Japan is a culturally rich experience, but it requires attention to important details right at the airport. The immigration, customs, and check-in process in Japan reflects the organization and efficiency characteristic of the country. Understanding these steps ensures a smooth and hassle-free arrival.

From the moment you land until you pass through customs, each phase has its peculiarities. Below, we will see how to prepare for these processes and avoid setbacks during your entry into Japan.

Immigration Process in Japan

Immigration is the first mandatory step upon arriving in Japanese territory. This moment is crucial for the authorities to confirm your permission to enter the country.

Necessary Documentation

To enter Japan, it is essential to present:

• Valid passport: Check if it has at least six months of validity.
• Entry visa if necessary: For many countries, a visa is not required for tourism for up to 90 days, but you should check the rules for your country.
• Entry card: In the past, you received the Landing Card, where you had to fill in personal information, reason for the trip, and accommodation details. Nowadays, this process is done online through the Visit Japan Web.

Also read: Types of Japanese visas – Some you may not even know

What is Immigration Like?

As soon as you arrive in Japan, you will be directed to follow a line to a counter where you must present your passport, itinerary, take your fingerprints, and photos. Sometimes you will need to answer some questions in English or Japanese, where they will ask how long you will stay, how much money you are carrying, and other similar questions.

Sometimes you may need to locate yourself, answer complex questions, and fill out forms. With that in mind, we will share some useful phrases to be used at immigration and the airport.

Below are some phrases that may be useful:

どちらからいらっしゃいましたか？
Dochira kara irasshaimashita ka?

Where did you come from?

ブラジルから来ました。
Burajiru kara kimashita.

I came from Brazil.

滞在期間はどのくらいですか?
Taizai kikan wa dono kuraidesu ka?

What is the duration of your stay?

30日間です。
Sanjuu kankan desu.

30 days.

滞在先はどちらですか？
Taizaisaki wa dochira desuka?

Where will you stay?

申告するものはありますか？
Shinkoku suru mono wa arimasu ka?

Do you have anything to declare?

いいえ、何もありません。
Iie, nani mo arimasen.

No, I have nothing.

英語分からない。
Eigo wakaranai.

I do not know English.

パスポートを見せてください
Pasupooto o misetekudasai

Please show me your passport.

観光ですか
Kankou desuka?

Is it tourism?

どこに泊まりますか
Doko ni tomarimasuka?

Where will you stay?

Lost in the Airport?

Are you lost in the airport? Don’t know how to catch a flight in Japan? If you know English, it becomes easy to locate and talk to airport staff and ask for help. The phrases below may be useful if you are departing from Japan:

チェックインする
Chekkuin suru

Check-in

パスポートと航空券をお願いします。
Pasupooto to koukuuken o onegaishimasu.

Give me your passport and ticket please.

中に壊れものや液体類、ライターは入っていませんか？
Naka ni kowaremono ya ekitairui raitaa wa haitte imasenk ka?

Is there anything fragile, any liquids, or any lighters inside?

お座席は通路側と窓側とどちらがよろしいですか？
O zaseki wa tsūro-gawa to madogawa to dochira ga yoroshīdesu ka?

Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?

20番ゲートはどこですか？
Niijuuban geito wa doko desuka?

Where is Gate 20?

航空会社は,どちらですか?
Koukuukaisha wa, dochiradesu ka?

Which airline are you using?

何便ですか?
Nanban desuka?

What is your flight number?

Vocabulary

To conclude the article, let’s present some words in Japanese that you should know to avoid getting lost in the airport or during immigration.

• 空港 (kuukou) – Airport
• 飛行機 (hikouki) – Airplane
• 旅券 (ryoken) – Passport
• パスポート (pasupooto) – Passport
• 免税 (menzei) – Duty Free
• ビザ (viza) – Visa
• 査証 (sashou) – Visa
• 税関 (zeikan) – Customs
• ツアー (tuaa) – Tour / Tourism / Excursion
• 個人 (kojin) – Individual
• 観光 (kankou) – Tourism
• ビジネス (bijinesu) – Business
• 仕事 (shigoto) – Business
• 滞在先 (taizaisaki) – Accommodation / Lodging
• 入国審査 (nyuukoku shinsa) – Immigration Inspection
• 入国手続き (nyuukoku tetsuzuki) – Disembarkation Procedures
• 入国カード (nyuukoku kaado) – Disembarkation Card
• 到着 (touchaku) – Arrival
• ターミナル (taaminaru) – Terminal
• 搭乗ゲート (toujou geeto) – Boarding Gate
• 出発ゲート (shuppatsu geeto) – Departure Gate
• 出国 (shukkoku) – Exit the country
• 便名 (binmei) – Flight Number
• 窓側 (madogawa) – Window Seat
• 通路側 (tsuuro gawa) – Aisle Seat
• 座席 (zaseki) – Seat
• 荷物 (nimotsu) – Luggage
• 手荷物 (tenimotsu) – Carry-on Luggage
• 預ける (azukeru) – Check (luggage/bag)