A handy planning check list of important things you may not have even thought of that you need to do before you take off for Japan!
Here are the essentials for your trip to Japan – it’s not a packing list, but a must-know reminder list of things to do before you leave for your trip to Japan! Let’s get into it…
The Essential Japan Trip Reminder List
Download & Print this list on my Patreon for free
Legal essentials – for when you arrive
- Check your passport expiry date will be valid for your trip and that you have blank pages for your Japan arrival Stickers.
- Check if you require a Visa to visit Japan.
- Apply for your Japan entry QR Code. Read my Japan QR Code beginner’s guide with step-by-step video here.
What is the Visit Japan Web Arrival QR Code?
The Visit Japan Web QR Code is your online arrival card. Learn all about how to get your Visit Japan Web Arrival QR Code in our step-by-step guide.
Cover yourself – medical considerations
- Arrange travel insurance – focus on medical – don’t forget to make sure it covers pre-existing conditions such as Epilepsy and check for extra activities such as skiing and hire cars. (Check if your current credit card offers travel insurance for free as long as you’ve purchased your trip on it!)
- Research if any medication needs special arrangements or is a prohibited or controlled drug in Japan. Always take original medicine packaging and any prescriptions.
- Arrange doctor’s letters if you intend on accessing Universal Studios Japan DAS, Tokyo Disney Resort DAS and other theme park disability accessibility tickets and passes. Ensure you bring only original documents and proof of disability.
Finances – arrange back up money sources
- Let your bank know the dates that you will be in Japan so that they don’t block purchases you make on your card in Japan as a security precaution.
- Consider if you should pay for at least a small amount of overseas service access on your home phone number to retrieve notifications like credit card purchase confirmation number SMS text messages – or consider changing your method of receiving credit card confirmation numbers to the bank’s mobile phone app or an email address you can access overseas.
- Have more than one form of accessible money with you in case one fails. Buy a small amount of Japanese Yen cash. In addition to Apple Pay and a physical credit card, consider ordering a free Wise travel money card or other overseas money card with good currency exchange rates and no fees.
Get your free Wise travel money card!
Take advantage of our free Wise travel money card offer to save the AUD$10 card fee here.
Communication – you need your phone overseas!
- Arrange a mobile phone service provider – buy and set up an Airalo eSIM or other eSIM which is proven to work well in Japan to make calls and access the internet – particularly for when you are on the move.
- Download any extra apps onto your mobile phone that you think you might need in Japan before you go. This will save data and time while you are away. Themepark applications, Google translate is a good app to translate Japanese conversations on the spot. NHK WORLD-JAPAN is a useful Japan app which sends emergency alerts to your phone such as earthquakes. Before you leave for Japan, turn off background-draining mobile phone apps which might use up your overseas data too quickly.
- Photograph everything of importance in case of loss before you leave – Passport pages, credit cards, any important documentation, etc. – it will make your life easier when arranging replacements.
Extras you may not have considered…
- Tourists must arrange for an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country before traveling to Japan to drive a tourist go kart in Tokyo & you will need an IDP plus a valid driver’s license from your country of residence if you wish to hire a car in Japan.
- Many Japan activities such as theme parks and other tourist attractions book out weeks and sometimes months in advance. Consider booking the top attractions you would like to do in advance, as soon as you have your trip and accommodation dates confirmed.
Have I forgotten any essentials? Tell me in the comments below!
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One less thing to plan – book your Japan theme park entrance tickets online before you go!
Klook is a reputable, official online Japan attractions ticket seller.
buy your Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea tickets online at Klook here.
Exclusive attractions discount: Get up to 10% off popular Tokyo attractions like TeamLabs, Shibuya Sky & many others (not TDR tickets) using my Klook discount code:
LETSGOMUMKLOOK at checkout
Klook conditions: $50 min spend, $50 max discount, 5 times use. Klook new customers can get 10% off and existing customers get 3% off. Klook exclusions list here. This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!
What’s the cheapest airline to get from Australia to Japan?
We partnered with Jetstar Australia to fly from Australia to Japan. Jetstar Australia offer cheap fares to Japan every day – check their website for their low Tokyo and Osaka fares and frequent sales!
Japan mobile phone coverage information
Add international coverage onto your normal mobile phone service provider or buy an eSim so that you have data from the moment you land in Japan. Airalo eSIM is proven to work well in Japan, including Tokyo Disney Resort, and allows you to make calls and access the internet in Japan.
Additional Tokyo planning reading
Top Tokyo Tourist Attractions you shouldn’t miss
Tokyo Disney Resort area hotels with free shuttles
Pre-order these Amazon items especially to make your Japan visit more comfortable!
Tokyo Disneyland Facebook Group
Love all things Tokyo Disneyland, or just have more questions? Join our 100k+ member Tokyo Disney Facebook Group here!
Have a question? Drop a comment below! I’d also love to hear about your own Japan experiences!
