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Entry requirements for French citizens planning to visit Japan
French people traveling to Japan need to ensure they have:
- A valid passport: it should cover your entire stay in Japan, and it’s advisable to have at least six months of validity remaining from the entry date.
- Travel ticket for return or onward journey: this is needed to confirm that you will be leaving Japan after your trip.
- Proof of accommodation: such as hotel reservations, an invitation from friends or family, or another document confirming where you’ll stay.
- Financial evidence: documents like bank statements or credit cards that show you can financially support yourself during your visit.
More information on visa-free entry requirements can be found by visiting the Japanese diplomatic mission in France.
Do French travelers need a visa for short trips to Japan?
No, French citizens can enter Japan without a visa for short-term visits lasting up to 90 days. This exemption is valid for tourism, business-related travel, cultural events, and other brief stays.
For longer stays or activities like working, you must obtain the necessary visa in advance.
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Top sights for French travelers visiting Japan
- Hiroshima. Visit historical landmarks such as the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Dome.
- Kyoto. Home to countless temples, bamboo groves, and the famous Ryoanji stone garden.
- Okinawa. Enjoy tropical beaches and a visit to the Churaumi Aquarium.
- Tokyo: Offers both modern city attractions and traditional areas like Asakusa.
- National Parks. Experience Mount Fuji’s beauty in Fuji Hakone-Izu, complete with hot springs and lakeside scenery.
How does a “Landing Permit” work for French citizens entering Japan?
Upon arrival, French people must go through immigration inspection to receive a “Landing Permit”. The inspection ensures compliance with Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act requirements, such as a valid passport, a visa if required, a clearly defined trip purpose, and an intended length of stay.
If all conditions are met, an immigration officer issues an “entry permit” stamped into the passport, indicating both the traveler’s “residence status” (what they can do in Japan) and their “period of stay.”
It is important to know that upon receiving this entry permit, single-entry visas become void, while multiple-entry visas remain active for their validity period. Changes to the type or duration of your stay require processing through Japan’s Regional Immigration Bureau.
Essential travel advice for French people heading to Japan
1. Customs policy: importing drugs, firearms, dangerous objects, and specific foods is prohibited. Restrictions also apply to tobacco and alcohol.
2. Immigration policy: illegal employment is not permitted and can lead to a ban from entering Japan again.
Optimal travel seasons for French citizens visiting Japan
For French citizens planning a trip to Japan, these are the best travel times:
- Spring (March-April): delight in the cherry blossoms, particularly in Kyoto’s stunning parks and temple gardens.
- Autumn (October-November): experience Japan’s beautiful fall foliage (moma-ji), especially in locations like Nikko and Arashiyama.
- Winter: visit snowy villages such as Shirakawa-go or enjoy skiing in mountain resorts like those in Hokkaido.
What can be imported into Japan by plane:
● The import and export of local or foreign currency are not restricted (amounts equivalent to 1,000,000 JPY or more are subject to mandatory declaration). Gold products of millesimal fineness 900 must also be declared if their total weight exceeds 1 kg.
● Persons over the age of 20 are allowed duty-free import of up to 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 g of tobacco
● Up to 56 ml (2 ounces) of perfume
● Other goods up to JPY 200,000
What is forbidden from imports into Japan:
● Firearms and ammunition (cold steel, hunting, and pneumatic weapons are imported only with the permission of the National Security Service of Japan).
● Drugs and psychotropic substances (their importation is subject to deportation and a life ban on entry into the country).
● Some medications (especially those containing 1-deoxyephedrine).
● Counterfeit securities and banknotes.
● Fresh fruits, vegetables and plants, animals and a number of foods of animal and vegetable origin (primarily meat and meat products, as well as various fruit crops).
● Pornographic material, movies, or publications that contain scenes of violence and cruelty.
● Magazines, photographs, drawings and engravings of obscene content.
● Printed publications and other materials that undermine public order
● Counterfeit products, as well as things and items that damage the trademark, copyright and patent law.
What is forbidden from exports from Japan.
● Art and antiques without the permission of the competent authorities
How much alcohol can be imported into Japan.
● Up to 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages (up to 0.75 liters each)
What you need to know before renting a car in Japan.
Most rental companies allow people to rent cars from the age of 18, but this depends on the specific company and the type of vehicle may vary. Young drivers should learn about age restrictions in advance.
In addition, a valid driver's license is required. A valid driver's license is the International Driving Permit (IDP).
1) When you rent a car in Japan, all drivers must be registered in the rental documents. To do this, either all drivers must be present in person at the time of the lease, or one person must have all the driver's licenses to confirm the identity of drivers and the validity of licenses.
2) Depending on the rent, a number of services are offered. Discuss additional services in advance, such as car seats for young children, multilingual GPS devices, ski racks, and more.
3) Japan has many toll roads and highways, and some routes can be very expensive. An electronic payment card (ETC) is a useful tool that allows you to charge a fare directly from your credit card or include it in your car rental bill.
● This means you don't have to stop at a payment point - just slow down and the ETC card will be activated. For more information on ETC devices and ETC card rental, see the official website.
● If you do not have an ETC card, you can only go through paid checkpoints labeled “General” in green or general paid checkpoints labeled “ETC / General”. "ETC-only tollgate" - only ETC signs marked in purple.
4) Return of the car
Be sure to fill the fuel tank before returning the car to the rental company, or you will have to pay extra for the missing gasoline. Some rental companies require a receipt as proof that you have filled the tank.
Japanese embassies in different countries can be found here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html
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