🇯🇵 Travel facts Japan
✓ Last checked:The most important practical answers for your trip to Japan — entry, tipping, plug, customs and more. Compactly verified, with source references.
| Capital | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Language | Japanese |
| Currency | Yen (¥) |
| Timezone | UTC+9 |
| Flight time from Germany | approx. 11–12 hours |
| Emergency number | 110 / 119 · Police 110 · Emergency 119 |
| Plug | Type A · 100 V / 50–60 Hz · Adapter needed |
| EU / Schengen | not an EU country · not Schengen |
Do I need a visa for Japan?
Passport required; visa-free for up to 90 days.
Filling out the Visit Japan Web (Customs/Immigration) online in advance saves time. Binding information: German Federal Foreign Office.
How much tip should I give in Japan?
No tipping — it can be considered rude.
Hotel: No tipping.
Taxi: No tipping.
Which plug adapter do I need in Japan?
Adapter needed: Plug type A, 100 V / 50–60 Hz.
Adapter for type A required; 100 V — modern chargers (100–240 V) work without issues.
Can you drink tap water in Japan?
Yes, tap water is drinkable.
What can I bring back from Japan to Germany?
Non-EU country: When returning to Germany, goods up to €430 (by air), 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits are duty-free.
Will my mobile phone work in Japan?
No EU roaming — book an eSIM in advance or buy a cheap local SIM on site.
Card or cash — how do you pay in Japan?
Yen (JPY); cash remains important (ATMs in convenience stores), cards and IC cards are common in cities.
What should I know about health in Japan?
Travel health insurance with repatriation is recommended; check vaccination/health advice with the German Federal Foreign Office or Tropical Institute.
Sources & Note
Information from the perspective of German citizens, as of August 2026, without guarantee. Entry and safety information can change at short notice — the binding source is the German Federal Foreign Office (Japan travel advice) . Health information does not replace medical travel advice.
