Arriving in Japan for the First Time
Visit Japan Web, airport QR codes, immigration, customs and how to get from Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport to your hotel.
Image idea: airport arrivals, suitcases, train signs, Haneda/Narita/Kansai airport, or a calm first-day Japan travel photo.
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Landing in Japan for the first time can feel confusing before you’ve even left the airport.
Between Visit Japan Web, 2D codes, immigration, customs, IC cards, luggage, airport trains and hotel transfers, there are a lot of tiny decisions at exactly the moment you’re tired from a long flight.
This guide walks you through what to prepare before arrival, what happens at the airport, and how to get from Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport to your hotel.
Tiny but important note: airport procedures, transport timetables and entry requirements can change. Always check official sources before you travel and follow airport staff and signs on the day.
Before you fly: what to prepare
A smooth arrival day starts before you board the plane. You don’t need to obsess over every tiny detail, but having the basics ready will make your first hour in Japan feel much less stressful.
- Passport
- Flight details
- Hotel name and address
- Visit Japan Web registration
- Phone data plan, eSIM or roaming
- A payment card
- Some cash or yen if possible
- Hotel check-in time
- Arrival airport and terminal
- Route from airport to hotel saved offline or screenshotted
Koko Doko tip: screenshot your hotel name and address in both English and Japanese. It’s one of those tiny things that feels boring until your phone signal is wobbling and you’re trying to show a taxi driver where you need to go.
What is Visit Japan Web?
Visit Japan Web is the official online service used for Japan arrival procedures, including immigration clearance and customs declaration. Travellers can register the required information before arrival and show a 2D code at the airport to help the process go more smoothly.
You may hear people call it a “QR code,” but the official wording is usually “2D code.”
You will need your airline ticket, passport and email address to register, and you’ll need to show the code on a smartphone or tablet when you arrive.
Useful official links
Use the official Visit Japan Web site only
Japan Customs has warned travellers about fake websites related to customs procedures, including sites claiming to create Visit Japan Web QR or 2D codes for a fee.
Use the official Visit Japan Web service and be careful with any site asking you to pay for arrival QR code help.
Koko Doko tip: don’t pay a random website to make your airport QR code. Use the official service.
What happens when you land in Japan?
The exact flow can vary depending on the airport, terminal, queue system and your nationality or visa status, but a typical arrival looks something like this:
- Get off the plane
- Follow signs for arrivals and immigration
- Show your passport and Visit Japan Web 2D code if using it
- Collect your luggage
- Complete customs declaration
- Exit into arrivals
- Sort transport, cash, IC card or data if needed
- Go to your hotel
Exact airport flow can change depending on the airport, terminal, queue system and your nationality or visa status, so always follow airport staff and official signs on the day.
How to get from the airport to your hotel
The “best” airport route depends on your arrival airport, arrival time, hotel area, luggage, budget and how tired you’ll be. The cheapest route is not always the nicest arrival route.
Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Haneda is usually the easiest Tokyo airport for first-time visitors because it’s much closer to central Tokyo than Narita, but the best route still depends on your hotel area and arrival time.
Official Haneda access guidance includes train, monorail, bus and taxi information, plus late-night and early-morning access guidance including first and last train information for the Keikyu Line.
Haneda official links
Narita Airport to Tokyo
Narita has several transport options into Tokyo, so don’t just pick the first one Google shows you. Choose based on where your hotel is.
Narita Airport’s official access page lists transport options including rail, public bus, car, parking, taxi and terminal transfers. Its rail page lists major routes including Skyliner, Access Express, Keisei Main Line, Narita Express and JR Line connections.
Narita official links
Kansai Airport to Osaka or Kyoto
Kansai Airport is the main airport for Osaka and Kyoto trips, but Osaka and Kyoto are not the same direction or experience, so check your first hotel carefully before choosing a train.
Kansai Airport’s official access page lists transport options including train, limousine bus and hotel shuttle, car, ferry, taxi, rental car and inter-terminal shuttle bus. Its FAQ also explains routes toward Shin-Osaka using Nankai or JR plus Osaka Metro, or bus options.
Kansai official links
What if you arrive late and trains have stopped?
If your flight lands late at night, don’t assume you can just jump on a train. Always check your airport’s final train and bus times before booking your hotel, especially if you arrive after around 9–10pm.
Your options may include:
- Book a hotel near the airport for the first night
- Use an airport limousine bus if still running
- Use a taxi or private transfer
- Wait until the first train if safe, comfortable and airport facilities allow it
- Choose a hotel with simple late-night access
- Message your hotel in advance if check-in may be late
Koko Doko tip: for first-time travellers, the “simplest” arrival route is often better than the cheapest one. After a long flight, dragging luggage through three transfers at midnight is not the moment to prove you are a transport genius.
Common airport arrival mistakes
A lot of first-day Japan stress comes from small things that could have been checked in advance. These are the mistakes we see most often:
- Booking a hotel without checking airport access
- Landing late and assuming trains run all night
- Mixing up Haneda and Narita
- Forgetting to register Visit Japan Web
- Not screenshotting your hotel address in Japanese
- Relying on airport Wi-Fi only
- Planning sightseeing immediately after landing
- Choosing the cheapest route with too many transfers
- Not checking last train or bus times
Your first day in Japan does not need to be impressive. It needs to be smooth, realistic and kind to your jet-lagged brain.
Japan airport arrival questions
Do I need Visit Japan Web to enter Japan?
Visit Japan Web is the official online service for Japan arrival procedures, including immigration clearance and customs declaration. Requirements and airport processes can change, so check the official Visit Japan Web and government sources before you travel.
Is Visit Japan Web the same as a visa?
No. Visit Japan Web is not a visa. It is used for arrival procedures such as immigration and customs information. Always check the visa or entry requirements for your own passport and nationality using official sources before travelling.
Do I need a QR code for Japan customs?
Travellers often call it a QR code, but official wording usually says 2D code. Visit Japan Web can be used to register information before arrival and show the 2D code at the airport. Follow the official instructions and airport staff on the day.
Should I arrive at Haneda or Narita?
Haneda is usually easier for central Tokyo because it is closer, but Narita is also common and has several good transport options. The better choice depends on your flight price, arrival time, hotel area and luggage.
How do I get from Narita Airport to Tokyo?
Popular options include the Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner, other Keisei/JR rail routes, buses, taxis and private transfers. Choose based on your hotel area rather than simply choosing the first route you see.
How do I get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo?
Common options include the Keikyu Line, Tokyo Monorail, airport buses, taxis and private transfers. The best option depends on your hotel area, terminal, luggage and arrival time.
How do I get from Kansai Airport to Osaka or Kyoto?
For Osaka, Nankai trains are useful for Namba, while JR routes may suit Osaka, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. For Kyoto, the JR Haruka is often a convenient option. Limousine buses, taxis and private transfers may also work depending on your hotel.
What should I do if my flight arrives after the last train?
Check the final trains and buses before you travel. You may need to book an airport-area hotel, use a limousine bus if still running, take a taxi or private transfer, or wait until the first train if safe and practical.
Should I stay near the airport on my first night in Japan?
It can be a good idea if you arrive very late, have young children, lots of luggage, or feel nervous about navigating transport after a long flight. Sometimes a simple first night makes the rest of the trip feel much calmer.
Which airport route actually makes sense for your hotel?
Koko Doko helps first-time Japan travellers plan realistic arrival days, hotel areas, transport routes and itinerary pacing so your trip starts smoothly instead of stressfully.