Your first three hours in Japan: airport to hotel
Immigration, customs, data, cash and the train into the city, in the order you will do them, for Narita, Haneda and Kansai.
Most first-day stress comes from doing things in the wrong order: queuing for a SIM card before getting cash, or buying a train ticket you did not need. This is the order that works.
Before you fly: Visit Japan Web
Visit Japan Web is the government's free online service for immigration and customs forms. Fill it in a few days before your flight and you get QR codes to show on arrival. It saves filling in paper cards on the plane and speeds up the customs gates.
- Register with your passport details and flight number.
- Take screenshots of the QR codes in case your phone has no data on landing.
- Each traveller needs their own entry, including children.
Step 1: Immigration
Follow signs for "Foreign Passports". You will have your fingerprints and photo taken. Keep the address of your first hotel handy.
Step 2: Baggage and customs
Collect your bags, then go through customs. With a Visit Japan Web QR code you can use the electronic customs gates, which are faster than the staffed desks.
Step 3: Data
If you installed an eSIM at home, switch it on now and turn on data roaming for that line. If you need a pocket Wi-Fi router or a physical SIM, the counters are in the arrivals hall. See our eSIM guide.
Step 4: Cash
Airport ATMs accept most foreign cards. Take out enough for a few days. ¥20,000–30,000 per person is a good start.
Step 5: IC card
Add Suica, PASMO or ICOCA to your iPhone's Apple Wallet, or buy a Welcome Suica card at the airport station. One tap pays for trains, buses and convenience stores. See our IC card guide.
Step 6: Into the city
| Airport | Main options | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Narita (Tokyo) | Keisei Skyliner to Ueno and Nippori; Narita Express to Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku; slower, cheaper Keisei trains; airport limousine buses | Skyliner for Ueno and Asakusa; Narita Express for the west side; buses if you have heavy bags |
| Haneda (Tokyo) | Keikyu line to Shinagawa; Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho; limousine buses | Close to the city. Trains take about 15–30 minutes |
| Kansai (Osaka) | JR Haruka limited express to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka; Nankai Rapi:t to Namba; buses | Haruka if you are going straight to Kyoto |
Arriving late at night
Trains stop around midnight. If you land after about 22:00, check the last train before you leave immigration. Late buses and taxis run, but taxis from Narita are very expensive. An airport hotel can be the cheaper choice.
