Preparing a trip to Japan in 2026

Japan is an easy destination once you are there, but a demanding one to prepare: trains need to be worked out, traditional accommodation has to be booked early, and several rules changed in 2026. Here is what you need to know before you go, as I check it for my clients.

Entry formalities

For a tourist stay of less than three months, French nationals do not need a visa. You need a passport valid for the entire length of your stay, and each child must have their own passport.

Before departure, you can complete your immigration and customs formalities online on Visit Japan Web, the official service of Japan's Digital Agency. You receive QR codes to show on arrival, which saves filling in paper forms on the plane.

Japan is also preparing an electronic travel authorisation, called JESTA, modelled on the American ESTA. It is not in force at present: its introduction has been announced for the 2028 fiscal year.

The new taxes in 2026

• The international departure tax rose from 1,000 to 3,000 yen per person on 1 July 2026. It is included in the price of the plane ticket.
• Several cities and prefectures have introduced or raised their tourist tax, including Kyoto since 1 March 2026, with an amount that depends on the nightly rate. It is generally paid at the hotel.

Is the Japan Rail Pass still worth it?

The Japan Rail Pass lets you travel on most JR lines for a fixed period. Its price went up again on 1 October 2026: the seven-day pass in ordinary class now costs 53,000 yen.

It is therefore only worthwhile if you take several long journeys in a few days. For a first trip centred on Tokyo and Kyoto, with day trips, single tickets or regional passes often work out cheaper. It is a calculation I make case by case, based on your actual itinerary. Note also that the Nozomi and Mizuho trains, the fastest on the main line, require a supplement with the pass.

When to go

October and November are, in my view, the best months on the Tokyo-Kyoto route: often settled weather, followed by autumn foliage. Spring and the cherry blossom are magnificent but very crowded. June is the rainy season across much of the country, and summer is hot and humid. The month-by-month detail is on my Japan page.

How many days, and at what pace

I recommend twelve to fifteen days for a first trip. The most common mistake is adding too many stops: jet lag, distances within cities and the density of sights are more tiring than you might think. Two main bases, day trips and a night in a ryokan make for a much more enjoyable trip than five hotels in two weeks.

What to book early

• Ryokans, the traditional inns with baths and meals, especially the most sought-after ones.
• Accommodation in Kyoto in high season, in spring and autumn.
• Some museums and sites with timed entry slots, which are fully booked several weeks in advance.

Once there: a few practical pointers

• Tipping is not customary.
• Electrical sockets are type A, with two flat pins: bring an adapter.
• Rechargeable transport cards make getting around the city and on local transport easier.
• Keep some cash on you: cards are increasingly accepted, but not everywhere.

Organising your trip to Japan

I put together tailor-made trips to Japan: the itinerary, working out the most suitable pass or tickets, accommodation, the night in a ryokan and the travel book with its cultural codes. Japan is also a wonderful choice for a honeymoon.

Sources

• France Diplomatie, travel advice: Japan
• Visit Japan Web, Digital Agency of Japan
• Japan National Tourism Organization, departure tax increase
• Euronews, new taxes and price rises in Japan in 2026