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Get answers: what is allowed in Japan
Quick answers on what is allowed in Japan, with the verdict first, the rule behind it and what to do instead, from onsen tattoos and drift taxis to fishing, diving, medication and remote work.
Guides
Yes, if...Bring medication into Japan: limits and banned drugsUp to one month of most personal medication needs no paperwork. Stimulants and cannabis are banned. Rules for longer stays and who to ask.
YesSkis or snowboard on a flight to Japan: fees, rulesSkis and boards fly as checked sporting equipment, but fees and size limits vary by airline. Renting at the resort is the usual alternative.
Yes, if...Tattoo cover stickers at onsen: size limitsStickers work only where the bath allows them, usually for small tattoos. No national size limit is published; one chain is reported at 8 cm by 10 cm.
Yes, if...Dive in Japan without certification: intro divesA supervised introductory dive needs no card in Japan; fun diving does. Minimum age, medical form and a price range for a two-dive Ishigaki session.
DependsWhich IDP do you need for a drift lesson in Japan?Drift lessons depend on the operator: two Tokyo-area schools list no licence or IDP, a skidpad and a snow course do. Road car rental needs a paper 1949 IDP.
DependsCan tourists fish in Japan without a licence?No national rod licence is listed. Visitors are limited to small-scale methods at sea, and cooperative rivers need a day permit. What applies where.
DependsHike Kumano Kodo or the Alps without booking huts?Alps huts need reservations. For Kumano Kodo, the tourism bureau advises booking about six months ahead in spring and autumn. Cutoffs and the day-hike fallback.
DependsOnsen with a tattoo in Japan: yes, no or ask firstNo national law bans tattoos in onsen, so each bath decides. Some say yes, some no, many say nothing. Ask first; a private bath is the fallback.
DependsCan you photograph maiko on Hanamikoji in Gion?Hanamikoji is a public street, but stopping, following or photographing maiko without permission is not accepted. Private lanes carry a reported fine.
Yes, if...Rent a car in Japan in winter with an IDP: 1949 onlyA paper IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention lets you rent a car in Japan. Digital IDPs are not valid. Winter adds tyre and chain checks.
DependsDrift taxi in Japan: no licence needed, winter checkA drift taxi passenger needs no licence, only 140 cm of height. Ebisu in winter is unconfirmed, so check first. Rusutsu runs snow drift rides.
Yes, if...Ski Hokkaido without a car: transfers, times, faresYes: Niseko, Kiroro and Rusutsu have public transfers and trains from New Chitose or Sapporo. Confirm 2026-27 Resort Liner dates first. Times and past fares.
DependsOff-piste in Japan without a guide: gate rulesNo Japanese law requires a guide, but resorts set the rules. Niseko and Hakuba gate rules, avalanche kit and rescue costs, in plain wording.
YesSnowboard on the Shinkansen: size limits and feesYes, a board bag rides the Shinkansen. JR East reportedly allows 250 cm total on the Nagano routes; JR Central wants a seat reservation or a fee past 160 cm.
DependsJR Pass for Tokyo, Hakuba and Kyoto: worth it?Whether it pays off depends on your legs. A 7-day JR Pass is $340 (¥53,000) via agents from 1 Oct 2026, $325 (¥50,000) on the official site for now.
Yes, if...Ikon or Epic pass in Japan: where it works, day capsYes, at set resorts. Epic gives one 5-day ticket across Hakuba Valley plus 5 days at Rusutsu; Ikon covers ten areas, 7 days each. Nozawa is on neither.
Yes, if...Private onsen (kashikiri): booking, price, couplesWhere a venue offers one, a private onsen bath is exclusive: solo, couples and tattoos are fine. Some are overnight guests only. Beppu Hyotan: $15 (¥2,400).
NoWork remotely in Japan on a tourist visa: the ruleTourist status is for tourism, with no published allowance for remote work. The Digital Nomad status needs $64,520 (¥10 million) income and insurance.
Each page answers a “can I” question about Japan with the verdict first, then the rule and a fallback.
What do the verdicts mean?
- Yes: allowed, with no special conditions.
- Yes, if…: allowed once you meet a stated condition, such as a valid permit or a booking.
- No: not allowed, or not realistic.
- Depends: the rule changes by venue, season, route or operator.
How are the answers sourced?
Arigato Japan is researched from official sources: ministries, police, tourism agencies and resort rules. Every figure shows its source, and anything unconfirmed is marked in a “To verify” callout, including rules known only through a search summary or a secondary source.
All 18 questions
- Can you ride a drift taxi in Japan without a licence? Depends: passengers need no licence, but Ebisu in winter needs a check first.
- Which IDP do you need for a drift lesson in Japan? Depends on the operator: no IDP at two closed-circuit schools, a licence at the Fuji skidpad and Rusutsu. A paper 1949 Geneva IDP only for road rental.
- Can you go in an onsen with a tattoo in Japan? Depends on the bath, not the law.
- Can you cover a tattoo with a sticker at a Japanese onsen? Yes, if the bath allows it; where stickers are accepted, it is usually for small tattoos.
- Can you book a private onsen bath alone or as a couple? Yes, where the venue offers one; some are for overnight guests only. Exclusive use, so solo, couples and tattoos are fine.
- Can you photograph maiko on Hanamikoji in Gion? Depends: the street yes, the people no.
- Can you fly to Japan with your own skis or snowboard? Yes on most airlines; fees and limits depend on the airline.
- Can you take a snowboard on the Shinkansen? Yes. JR East reportedly allows 250 cm total on the Nagano routes; past 160 cm on the Tokaido line you reserve a seat or pay.
- Can you ski off-piste in Japan without a guide? Depends on the resort: no guide law, but gates and bans apply.
- Can you use an Ikon or Epic pass in Japan? Yes, if the resort is on the pass: Epic gives one 5-day ticket across Hakuba Valley plus 5 days at Rusutsu, Ikon covers ten areas, 7 days on the full pass.
- Can you ski Hokkaido without a car? Yes: public transfers and trains exist; confirm the 2026-27 Resort Liner dates first.
- Can tourists fish in Japan without a licence? Depends on the water.
- Can you dive in Japan without certification? Yes, if it is a supervised intro dive.
- Can you hike the Kumano Kodo or the Japan Alps without booking huts? Depends: no for Alps huts, which need reservations; book Kumano Kodo ahead in peak seasons.
- Can you rent a car in Japan in winter with an international licence? Yes, if the IDP is a paper 1949 Geneva permit.
- Can you use a JR Pass for Tokyo, Hakuba and Kyoto? Depends on your legs: price each leg first, and note the Alpico bus to Hakuba is outside JR.
- Can you bring your medication into Japan? Yes, if the drug is allowed and within a month’s supply.
- Can you work remotely in Japan on a tourist visa? No, not a recognised route. The Digital Nomad status is the route Japan has set up for it.