Visas

Visas are not normally required for Australians entering Japan for tourism for less than 90 days.
All foreign nationals, including permanent residents of Japan, are required to have their fingerprints electronically scanned and are photographed upon arrival in Japan. Refusal to provide fingerprints or be photographed is grounds for refusal of entry into Japan. People under 16 years of age and holders of diplomatic or official visas are exempt. More information is available from the Immigration Bureau of Japan.

Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Cash is preferred in Japan. Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, however, many shops and service providers do not accept payment by card. Credit card facilities are not widely available, especially outside Tokyo.
ATMs that accept foreign cards are not widely available within Tokyo or other Japanese cities, and many ATMs operate only during business hours. Check with your bank and card provider as to whether your ATM card and credit card will work in Japan and the location of ATM services for your card in Japan. Banks that exchange travellers' cheques may also be limited in some areas of Japan. Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

Laws
When you are in Japan, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you.
Police powers in Japan may be very different to Australia. Police have broad authority to stop, search, seize and detain. Police can stop you on the street, demand identification and search you and your possessions. Travellers visiting for less than 90 days are required to carry their passport at all times. Foreigners residing in Japan must always carry their residence card.

Health

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Where to get help
Emergency contact numbers in Japan are as follows:
• Police: 110
• Fire and Ambulance: 119
• The Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL): (81 3) 5774 0992 provides advice and counselling in English.

Australians residing in Japan can obtain information on living in Japan, in English, from the Japanese Cabinet Office, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, and the Tokyo International Communications Committee. In Tokyo, the Foreign Residents’ Advisory Centre (81 3) 5320 7744 can provide assistance and advice in English.

In Japan, you can obtain consular assistance from the following:

Australian Embassy Tokyo
2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku
TOKYO 108 8361
Telephone (81 3) 5232 4111
Facsimile (81 3) 5232 4057
Web: http://www.australia.or.jp/en/consular/
Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Australian Consulate-General Osaka
16th floor, Twin 21MID Tower 2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku
OSAKA 540 6116
Telephone (81 6) 6941 9271 or (81 6) 6941 9448
Facsimile (81 6) 6920 4543
Web: http://australia.or.jp/en/consular/osaka/

Australian Consulate-General Fukuoka
7th Floor, Tenjin Twin Building 1-6-8 Tenjin, Chuo-ku
FUKUOKA 810 0001
Telephone (81 92) 734 5055
Facsimile (81 92) 734 5058
Web: http://australia.or.jp/en/consular/fukuoka/

Australian Consulate Sapporo
17th floor, Sapporo Centre Building North 5, West 6 2-2 Chuo-ku
SAPPORO 060 0005
Telephone (81 11) 242 4381
Facsimile (81 11) 242 4383
Web: http://australia.or.jp/en/consular/sapporo

If you are travelling to Japan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency – whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.