If it is your first time in Tokyo from the USA in 2026, the basics are simple: Americans can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days, Tokyo is 13 to 17 hours ahead of the mainland US, and you will pay most things by card or IC card. What has changed this year is the money side: a higher departure tax since July 1, 2026, and a new refund-style tax-free shopping system from November 1, 2026. This guide covers those changes, plus jet lag, payments, phones, etiquette and where to base yourself.
Updated October 2026 — reviewed by Sunny Pham Sensei (Lệ Nhật Sensei), Japan National Acupuncture License No. 196186 (鍼師) / 195591 (灸師). Written by the Fuji Wellness team, based locally in Edogawa City, east Tokyo.
What is new for US visitors in 2026?
| Change | What it means for you | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Departure tax up to ¥3,000 | The “international tourist tax” rose from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per departure from July 1, 2026. It is normally added to your airfare | In force |
| Tax-free shopping becomes a refund system | From November 1, 2026 you pay the full price, including 10% consumption tax, and claim the tax back at the airport before you leave | Starts Nov 1, 2026 |
| JESTA (pre-travel authorization) | An online pre-screening similar to the US ESTA, for visa-exempt visitors such as Americans | Law passed in 2026; launch targeted for fiscal 2028. Not required yet |
| Visit Japan Web | Free online immigration and customs form with one combined QR code | Optional, recommended |
The ¥3,000 departure tax
According to JNTO, the tax is charged once each time you leave Japan by air or sea, and in most cases it is already built into your ticket price, so you will not pay anything at the airport. Infants under two are exempt. If your ticket was issued before July 1, 2026, the older rate may still apply; your airline can confirm.
Tax-free shopping from November 1, 2026
Under the new system explained by JNTO:
- Spend ¥5,000 or more (before tax) in one shop on one day and show your passport at the till.
- You pay the full tax-inclusive price.
- Before checking in for your flight home, and within 90 days of purchase, use a tax-free terminal in the departure area so customs can confirm the goods are leaving Japan. The tax is then refunded.
- Keep goods unused. Food or cosmetics you open in Japan are no longer eligible.
The practical tip: keep receipts together, pack tax-free items in your carry-on or at the top of your case, and arrive at the airport a little earlier than you would have done in 2025.
JESTA: do Americans need it yet?
No. Japan’s parliament passed the law creating JESTA in 2026, and the government is targeting launch in fiscal year 2028 (April 2028 to March 2029). The fee, application process and start date had not been published at the time of writing. For now, a valid US passport and a return or onward ticket are what you need for a stay of up to 90 days, as set out on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa exemption page. Be wary of websites already “selling” JESTA applications.
Visit Japan Web
Visit Japan Web lets you register your passport, flight and hotel before you fly and generates a single QR code for immigration and customs. It is optional, as paper forms are still available, but it usually makes arrival at Narita or Haneda quicker.
Flight times and the time difference
| From | Approx. nonstop flight to Tokyo | Tokyo is ahead by (summer / winter) |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle / San Francisco | 10.5–11.5 h | 16 h / 17 h |
| Los Angeles | 11–12 h | 16 h / 17 h |
| Dallas / Chicago | 13–14 h | 14 h / 15 h |
| New York | 13–14 h | 13 h / 14 h |
| Honolulu | 8–9 h | 19 h (no daylight saving) |
Flights home are usually shorter thanks to tailwinds. Japan does not use daylight saving time, so the gap grows by one hour when US clocks go back (on November 1 in 2026).
Jet lag: what helps on your first days
Flying from the US to Tokyo is effectively a huge eastward shift, and the CDC Yellow Book notes the body usually adjusts more slowly when travelling east, at roughly one hour per day. Practical points from CDC guidance:
- Shift your sleep a little earlier for a few days before departure if you can.
- Get daylight in the morning in Tokyo, and avoid long naps on arrival day.
- Keep caffeine for the morning and go easy on alcohol on the flight.
Plan a gentle first day rather than a 25,000-step marathon. Our guide to jet lag in Japan and your first three days has a day-by-day plan, and neck and shoulder stiffness after a long flight covers the other common complaint. If you notice a swollen, painful calf, chest pain or breathlessness after the flight, seek medical care promptly.
Money, IC cards and getting around
- Cards are widely accepted at hotels, chain restaurants, department stores, convenience stores and stations. Japan’s cashless payment share reached about 58% in 2025, according to METI, so cash is still needed at small shops, shrines, some family restaurants and market stalls. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 in cash as a buffer.
- ATMs: 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs generally accept US debit and credit cards and have English menus.
- IC cards: a Suica or PASMO card covers trains, subways, buses and many shops. Physical cards went back on sale in March 2025, and iPhone users can set up Suica in Apple Wallet or use JR East’s Welcome Suica Mobile app before landing. Some US-issued cards are declined when topping up in Apple Wallet, so carry a backup.
- Buses: on Toei buses in central Tokyo you board at the front and tap your IC card once; the flat adult fare is around ¥210.
Phones, eSIMs and staying connected
Most recent iPhones and many Android phones support eSIM. Buying a data-only Japan eSIM before you fly is usually cheaper than US roaming plans, but check your phone is carrier-unlocked first. A data-only plan does not give you a Japanese phone number, which is fine for most travellers: maps, translation apps, LINE and WhatsApp all work over data. Free Wi-Fi is common in stations and hotels but can be patchy on the street.
Etiquette: tipping and the small things
- No tipping. JNTO’s tipping guide is clear that tips are not expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels; a sincere “arigato gozaimasu” is enough.
- Trains are quiet. Avoid phone calls, keep conversations low and wear your backpack on your front in crowded carriages.
- Escalators: in Tokyo people usually stand on the left.
- Rubbish bins are rare, so carry a small bag for your trash.
- Shoes off in homes, some restaurants, temples and ryokan; look for a step up or a shoe rack.
- Medication: Japan restricts some common US medicines, including stimulant ADHD drugs and some decongestants containing pseudoephedrine. Up to a one-month supply of permitted prescription medicine is generally fine; check the Embassy of Japan in the USA guidance on bringing medications before you pack.
Where should first-timers stay?
Shinjuku and Shibuya are the default answers, but many US visitors now choose the east side for lower prices and easier airport links:
- Asakusa and Ueno: traditional atmosphere, temples and museums, and direct trains from both Narita and Haneda.
- Kinshicho and Ryogoku: practical bases on the JR Sobu Line with rapid trains to Narita, sumo at Ryogoku and good-value hotels. Read is Kinshicho a good area to stay? for the pros and cons.
If you are staying in east Tokyo and want an English-speaking practitioner during your trip, Fuji Wellness in Edogawa City is about 20 minutes from Kinshicho and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station. Consultations are in English with a Japan-licensed acupuncturist, by appointment only. Some jet-lagged early risers like our weekend opening at 8:00 (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays); weekday hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00, and we are closed on Fridays. You can message us on WhatsApp, which works on a data-only eSIM. See how to get here for routes.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Japan in 2026?
No. US passport holders can visit Japan visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. JESTA, a planned online pre-travel authorization, is not yet required; the government is targeting a launch in fiscal year 2028.
How much is Japan’s departure tax in 2026?
The international tourist tax is ¥3,000 per departure for tickets subject to the new rate, up from ¥1,000, effective July 1, 2026. It is usually included in your airfare, and infants under two are exempt.
How does tax-free shopping work in Japan from November 2026?
You pay the full price including tax, then within 90 days of purchase you have the goods confirmed by customs at a tax-free terminal before check-in when you leave Japan, and the tax is refunded. Purchases must be ¥5,000 or more (before tax) per shop per day, and items must stay unused.
What is the time difference between Tokyo and the USA?
Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of New York and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles during US daylight saving time, and 14 and 17 hours ahead respectively in winter. Japan does not change its clocks.
Should I tip in Tokyo?
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese service culture and can cause confusion. Restaurants, taxis and hotels include service in their prices.
Related reading
- Jet lag after flying to Japan: your first three days in Tokyo
- Is Kinshicho a good area to stay in Tokyo?
- How to get to Fuji Wellness from Kinshicho, Kameido and Shinkoiwa
- English-speaking acupuncture clinic in Tokyo
- East Tokyo in one day: Asakusa, Skytree and Kameido
Reviewed by Sunny Pham Sensei, Japan National Acupuncture License (鍼師 / 灸師). Travel information is approximate and may change; please check official sources before your visit. Health content on this site is educational and not medical advice.