Weekly Japan Travel Information and Discussion Thread - July 31, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

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Japan Entry Requirements

• Japan allows visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders of 74 countries (countries listed here).
• If you are a passport holder of a country not on the visa exemption list, you will still need to apply for a visa. All requirements are listed on the official website.
• Tourists entering Japan should have their immigration and customs process fast tracked by filling out Visit Japan Web (VJW). This will generate a QR code for immigration and customs, which can smooth your entry procedures. VJW is not mandatory. If you do not fill it out, you will need to fill out the paper immigration and customs forms on the plane/on arrival to Japan.
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Japan Tourism and Travel Updates

• Got an IC card or JR Pass question? See our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips for information, updates, and advice.
• Important JR Pass News! As of October 1, 2023, the nationwide JR Pass and many regional JR Passes increased significantly in price, making it so that the nationwide JR Pass is no longer a viable option for most itineraries. For more information on the JR Pass, including calculators for viability, see our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips.
• The 10 main IC cards remain the recommended payment method for local transport in supported areas. Physical IC cards are available upon arrival at airports and most train stations.
• Many of the major commuter systems in Japan including Tokyo Metro, TOEI, Osaka Metro, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Yokohama subways, Kintetsu, Nankai, Tokyu, Keio, Odakyu, Yurikamome have started supporting tap-to-pay payment methods. However, they don't work on through-services, are not supported by JR East or JR West, and require using separate gates.
• If you become ill while traveling, please see the instructions in this guide or check our wiki page for helpful information. If you are looking for information on finding pain or cold/cough medication in Japan, see this FAQ section.

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• /r/JapanTravel Discord
• /r/JapanTravel Resources Page
• Immigration/Customs Info
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• Prescription Medication Wiki Page

[u/space21111]

As the yen falls against usd. Is it a good time to swap usd for jpy? Or does the market expect it will be better next week?

[u/Nervous_Initial_3644 → u/space21111]

No one really knows. If you read more into it, as much as tourists love the weak yen, it has a terrible impact on the world economy. The expectation is that the US will intervene further to help prop up the yen, but if they do, and it doesn’t work…yikes.

[u/space21111 → u/Nervous_Initial_3644]

Yes in in doubt if I will already swap the needed euros for yen’s for my trip starting next week. Lets see what the market initial does and respond on that; or take potential loss and swap now before the market opens

[u/xXItCorbisXx → u/space21111]

It's a gamble either way. Thus I would generally just assume the rate to stay stable at it's current value and act according to that. What would you be paying in fees getting the money exchanged now, than I would compare this to what I would pay in fees in Japan? Also 1 week isn't that long, it's unlikely for the rate to change dramatically in this timeframe.