Do you need a transit visa for Japan?
Airside transit is visa-free; to leave the airport you need entry permission (visa-free or visa) by nationality. A short-stay transit landing permit may apply.
Staying airside (not leaving the airport)
Connecting airside through a Japanese airport without entering Japan generally does not require a transit visa.
Leaving the airport during your layover
To leave the airport you must enter Japan — many nationalities are visa-free for short stays; others need a visa.
Key transit schemes & facts
- Shore pass / transit landing permit: lets some transit passengers leave the airport for up to 72 hours, provided they hold an onward international ticket departing within that window and the documents for their final destination.
- You cannot apply for it in advance — it is assessed and granted at the airport, at the immigration officer's discretion, so never build a layover plan that depends on getting one.
- Many nationalities enjoy visa-free short-stay entry if they wish to leave the airport.
- An onward ticket is required.
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a transit visa to connect through Japan?
Airside transit is visa-free; to leave the airport you need entry permission (visa-free or visa) by nationality. A short-stay transit landing permit may apply.
Can you transit airside through Japan without a visa?
Connecting airside through a Japanese airport without entering Japan generally does not require a transit visa.
What if you want to leave the airport during a layover in Japan?
To leave the airport you must enter Japan — many nationalities are visa-free for short stays; others need a visa.
Check the visa you'll need at your destination
Beyond transit, you'll need to know the visa rules for where you're actually going.
Open the visa checker →