International First-Timer

[MoonWatcher]

I wasn't certain if I should put this in here or in Travel Tips, but oh well

I'm planning (hopefully - cross your fingers!) to go and surprise visit my SO in Japan come January-March, when some of his family are planning to go see him. I've never been out of the country before, so I'm not sure what all I need to start preparing for now, what can wait til later, information I need, etc.

For example, I currently don't have a passport. Should I start working on that now in order to have it in time? What kind of things should I/should I not bring? What kind of regulations are there for international flights that are different from national flights? Any hidden expenses I should be prepared for? How will leaving the country be different from entering it?

Any kind of information or advice from people who've experienced this would be most appreciated !

~ Caitlin

[noodle]

Are goin with his family? Cause if so just ask them I'm sure they know what to do
Other than that just go the japanese site (like country's homepage) and check what you need. I think you do def need a passport and of course the sooner you have it the better.
As for what you can bring or not, it's mostly all listed on the homepage of the country you travel to ^^
And check the airlines page for luggage size etc
Maybe this will help you: https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ (just googled it ^^)

[Tanja]

First of all, welcome to LFAD Caitlin

This would fit well in the travelling section because I think there already is some answers to your questions...? Maybe I'm wrong lol.

What country are you from? It's hard to give much detailed information because all the regulations vary so much between countries.
Getting your passport early is not a bad idea at all, it will save you time and effort (and stress) later when you have it ready.

Which airline are you gonna fly with? Go through their websites and see their specific baggage regulations (they also list all the fees you'll have to pay for extra baggage or weight, etc.).

I can't give much advice on the flights/check-in/security control itself cause I've only flown once and I was in shock the whole time so I don't remember much of entering or leaving the country

[Moon]

If you're in the US, go here for some good info on traveling to Japan https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_.../cis_1148.html, if you aren't, I'm sure your country has similar info if you google it.

[Zephii]

Get your passport as soon as you can, because sometimes there are delays, sometimes you need more ID than you think you did, your sponsor might sign something the wrong way... who knows? Besides, if you need a visa, you need to have your passport first, and visas often take time.

I've never flown domestically, so I can't help there. But when you go to fly it happens like this:
* Check in & check baggage. They give you a boarding pass and point you in the direction you need to go.
* Go through security. They scan you and your carry-on stuff. Sometimes they take things off you. But it's pretty easy, and they are used to people who don't know what they are doing, so just ask and you'll be fine.
* Wait for ages at the gate
* Have boarding pass and passport checked and get on the plane.
* Fly and fill in declaration form on the plane. They ask if you're bringing a lot of money with you, food, weapons, pets, anything that could harm the country's economy or ecosystem.
* Get off the plane and go to boarder security. These people are scary. They ask a lot of questions, and they check your passport and the form from the plane.
* Go get your bags.
* Talk to the guard at the door. He/She checks your form again, and sometimes asks questions, like "What kind of food?" and then points to which door you need to go through (if more than one) to meet up with where your loved one waits.

Easy stuff

[Silviar]

I've been to Japan, and it's a lovely, if very culturally different place than the US. you'll want to get your passport done now, as you never know when significant delays can ensure. As of right now, processing time for the US is 4-6 weeks. If you're not US, I apologize. It'd be helpful to know where you're from. If you start now, you can get your paperwork and pictures in order.

You'll also need to check your visa requirements depending on your country. US citizens are part of the Visa Waiver Program, so you still have to get the electronic visa waiver filled out, but you can't do that until your passport is in. Either way, Japan is quite strict with their visas, so do make sure you have it sorted before you leave.

[MoonWatcher]

Ah yes, sorry I didn't mention it sooner. I am in the U.S.

Going through customs is, as I've been told, the scariest part of the trip. I also haven't really talked with his family because I haven't had much of a chance to, but I definitely plan on it.

Thank you all so much for your help! I really was so overwhelmed, I didn't know where to start!

[Moon]

Customs isn't too bad, really! I've been through it in a few different countries, and the US is the worst one All they do is ask some weird questions, answer honestly and don't bring back anything you shouldn't, and you'll be fine. Sometimes they're actually pretty friendly, so just smile and say the usual polite "hello's, please's and thank you's". Just a word of advice though, I'd talk to his family asap, before you start getting everything together and spending a lot of money (passports are kinda expensive these days), just in case there's a chance they'd have any issues with you traveling with them. Not saying they will, but just in case!

[milaya]

Japan is a lovely country, I can definitely recommend going there.
I've been to Japan 5 times, in two years (traveling around alone) and I always wish to go back. I'm now engaged to a Japanese guy, so I'll probably live in the country in the future.

I'm not sure what rules applies for US citizens when it comes to entering Japan. You should check if you need a Visa. As a Danish citizen I can be in Japan up to 90 days without a visa.

Visa or not, there is the Japanese immigration procedure, which is rather simple. No worries.
- In the airplane they will give you two pieces of paper. One is for your personal information, ex: name, birth, passport no., flight no., duration of your stay, purpose of stay, address in Japan and etc. This paper, you give to the immigration guard together with your passport.

- While they check your passport and immigration paper. They will ask for your fingerprint and take your picture. Don't worry, very simple and only takes 1 minute. You just put your fingers on a machine, which tells you to look at the screen. The guard will give you back your passport with an "immigration approved stamp" and a piece of the immigration paper (the immigration paper has two parts) This get stuck to your passport - so it's hard to lose, but it's also important you leave it where it is. You will need it when you leave the country.

* Get off the plane and go to boarder security. These people are scary. They ask a lot of questions, and they check your passport and the form from the plane.

In Japan? The immigration control (boarder security) in Japan isn't scary at all. Of all the times I've been going through, the guard has never spoken to me. They don't speak well English and will do what they can to avoid speaking with you. As long as you have filled out the form, they will let you pass, with no questions. No need for worries.

- The other piece of paper is meant for customs. They just ask if you're bringing illegal goods into the country or if you have been previously convicted of a crime in Japan. (illegal goods are things such as: raw meat, fresh vegetables, porn, drugs etc.) This paper you keep with you until after you've picked up your suitcase. Just before you get to "arrivals" the customs will ask you for this paper and maybe as you a question or two. (often: what is the purpose of your stay? - just answer: sightseeing.) Sometimes they will ask to check your suitcase. Don't worry that is standard procedure.

- Remember to keep the numbered slip (sticker), you receive when checkin' in (in the US) Since in Japan they often ask for this, as a proof that your suitcase really is your suitcase. I'm just saying this, since I know some people throw this away. But the check in often stick this to your passport, so should be no worries.

Then you have entered Japan - my number one favorite country in the world.

It's very simple to leave Japan again. Just bring your passport (with the before mentioned immigration slip). After going through the security check, they will ask for your passport. They're just checking to see if you have exceeded your stay (based on the date on the stamp from the immigration) then they will take out the remaining part of the immigration paper and stamp your passport again. Then you're free to go to your gate.

This got long, sorry. I always get carried away as soon as I hear the word: Japan.
If you have any other questions concerning traveling in Japan, feel free to ask.
日本を楽しんでね (Nihon wo tanoshinde ne) - Have fun in Japan.

[Mio]

Prepare and research!!!