Preparing for Your Trip
Over the years we have gathered a large amount of helpful information that we provide to all our tour members in the Tour Handbook that they receive before their trip. We've provided some of that information here on this page to help you get ready for your trip to Japan. Select a topic below for more.
Passports & Visas
In Japan, the only document most people will need is a passport. For most travelers, the only time any customs official will examine your documentation is at the airport as you reenter your home country. U.S. passports, good for 10 years, cost $97 ($67 to renew). Minors under age 16 pay $82 for a passport good for five years. You can apply at some courthouses or some post offices. For details and the location of the nearest passport application office, call (800) 688-9889, or visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/
Although they say applications take six weeks (and you should be prepared for delays), most passports are processed more quickly. If you are flying within two weeks and can prove you're in an emergency situation (by showing a purchased plane ticket or a letter from work requiring you to travel overseas on short notice), go in-person to the nearest U.S. Passport Agency and pay an additional $60 Expedited Service fee.
For U.S. citizens, no visas are required for entry into Japan. U.S. citizens will be given a 90-day tourist visa upon arriving in Japan. For our international customers, make sure you understand document requirements for your home country before leaving for Japan.
Before your trip, we highly recommend making several photocopies of your passport, leaving one in the US with family, and bringing one with you. If you should happen to lose your passport, it is much easier and faster to replace your passport if you have a photocopy.