How do I book hotels cheaper using a VPN?

Set your VPN to a Thailand server before searching on Agoda or Booking.com. Thai IP addresses are shown prices 20-40% lower than US or European IPs — for hotels anywhere in the world.

Is using a VPN to find cheaper hotel prices legal?

Yes, using a VPN is completely legal in most countries. You are simply browsing the internet from a different location. CheapStay teaches you how to find the best publicly available price.

Which is cheaper — Agoda or Booking.com?

It depends on the destination and dates. CheapStay compares both in real time so you always see the lowest price. In Asia, Agoda is often cheaper. In Europe, Booking.com tends to win.

What credit card is best for hotel bookings?

Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points on hotels with no foreign fees — best for most travelers. Amex Gold has the biggest welcome bonus. Capital One Venture is the simplest — 2x miles on everything.

Can I get cashback on hotel bookings?

Yes. TopCashback and Rakuten offer 3–8% cashback on Agoda and Booking.com. Stack this with Thai IP pricing and a travel credit card for maximum savings.

Expert guideVerified: July 4, 2026

🇯🇵 Flying to Japan

Visa · Health · Arrival · Flights — everything you need before you fly.

⚠️

Content under review. Entry requirements and health rules change frequently. Information marked [VERIFY] has not yet been confirmed against authoritative sources. Do not rely on this page for travel decisions until verified content is published. Always check IATA Travel Centre and your government's travel advisory.

Last verified: July 4, 2026

Sources: www.mofa.go.jp, travelhealthpro.org.uk

Avi's Insider Tip

Japan is still cash-heavy outside the big cities — I always grab yen from a 7-Eleven ATM right at the airport before I even find my hotel.

Travel essentials

Scannable data for the efficient traveler.

Sources: www.mofa.go.jp, travelhealthpro.org.uk

password

Visa-free entry

68+ nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, including US, UK, all EU countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore. Check the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your specific passport.

Japan does not offer visa on arrival. Travelers not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate before departure.

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Health & vaccines

No vaccines are legally required to enter Japan for most travelers. Hepatitis A and routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, flu) are commonly recommended by travel clinics. Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is sometimes recommended for rural stays or extended trips during transmission season (May–October).

warningYellow fever

Yellow fever vaccination certificate is NOT required for Japan. Japan is not in a yellow-fever risk zone and does not share a border with endemic countries.

gavel

Customs

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars duty-free. 3 bottles (760ml each) alcohol. Declare cash over 1 million JPY. Strict rules on certain medications — declare anything prescription.

🛂 Entry requirements

Visa-free entry68+ nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, including US, UK, all EU countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore. Check the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your specific passport.

Visa on arrivalJapan does not offer visa on arrival. Travelers not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate before departure.

e-VisaJapan e-Visa available for citizens of some countries — apply via the Japan e-Visa portal. Processing typically 5–7 business days. Check eligibility before applying.

Passport validityPassport must be valid for the duration of your intended stay. Japan does not require 6 months validity beyond arrival for most nationalities — but check with your airline, as some apply stricter rules.

⚠️ Verify current entry requirements at Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.go.jp) or IATA Travel Centre before booking.

💉Health & vaccine requirements

Recommended vaccinesNo vaccines are legally required to enter Japan for most travelers. Hepatitis A and routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, flu) are commonly recommended by travel clinics. Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is sometimes recommended for rural stays or extended trips during transmission season (May–October).

Yellow feverYellow fever vaccination certificate is NOT required for Japan. Japan is not in a yellow-fever risk zone and does not share a border with endemic countries.

MalariaJapan is considered malaria-free. No antimalarial medication is needed for travel to Japan.

⚠️ Health requirements sourced from NaTHNaC (travelhealthpro.org.uk). Always confirm with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.

Essential local apps

Download these before you land — tap a card to open the real app or site.

GO

Ride-share

Japan’s dominant taxi-hailing app — ride-share is limited compared to the West, but GO works with regular metered taxis and is widely used.

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Suica

Payment

Rechargeable IC card for trains, buses, and convenience stores — buy at the airport, essential for getting around.

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Arriving at Narita International Airport (NRT) / Haneda Airport (HND)

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SIM & connectivity

SIM vending machines at Narita and Haneda arrivals (IIJ, Mobal, eConnect). IC Card (Suica/Pasmo) essential for trains and convenience stores — purchase at airport.

Japanese Yen (JPY). Japan is still largely cash-based — always carry cash. ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post reliably accept foreign Visa/Mastercard. Airport ATMs also available.

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Getting into town

Narita: Narita Express (N'EX) to Shinjuku ~90 min (3,070 JPY) or Keisei Skyliner to Ueno ~41 min (2,570 JPY). Haneda: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho ~20 min (500 JPY). Limousine Bus also available from both airports.

location_onNarita International Airport (NRT) / Haneda Airport (HND)

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Japan?▼

68+ nationalities can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days, including US, UK, EU, Australia, and Canada. Check Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.go.jp) for your specific passport.

Do I need any vaccinations for Japan?▼

No vaccines are legally required to enter Japan. Routine vaccines and Hepatitis A are commonly recommended. Japanese Encephalitis is sometimes suggested for rural or extended stays. No yellow fever certificate required.

Is Japan safe to visit?▼

Japan consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world — very low crime, excellent infrastructure. Main natural hazards are earthquakes (prepare with the NHK World app) and typhoons (August–October).

Can I use my credit card in Japan?▼

Japan is still heavily cash-based, especially outside major cities. Always carry cash. 7-Eleven ATMs and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign Visa/Mastercard most reliably. Many smaller restaurants and local shops are cash-only.

What is the cheapest way from Narita airport to Tokyo?▼

Highway buses (~1,000–1,500 JPY) are cheapest but slowest. Keisei Skyliner (~2,570 JPY to Ueno, 41 min) is the best value-speed combination. The Narita Express N'EX (~3,070 JPY) is convenient if you're staying near Shinjuku or Shibuya.

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