Visit Japan Web Step‑by‑Step 2026 Guide
Japan’s Visit Japan Web portal is now central to how many travellers handle entry procedures and tax‑free shopping. Initially launched as a pre‑arrival portal, it has evolved into a multi‑purpose tool that streamlines immigration, customs and, in many cases, tax‑free shopping processes using QR codes.
In 2026, using Visit Japan Web effectively can save time at airports, reduce paperwork and even speed up tax‑free shopping. This guide walks you through the process.
Table of Contents
- What Is Visit Japan Web?
- Step 1: Create Your Visit Japan Web Account
- Step 2: Register Your Personal and Passport Details
- Step 3: Register Your Trip and Entry Information
- Step 4: Prepare Tax‑Free Shopping (免税) QR Code
- Step 5: Using Your Visit Japan Web QR Code in Shops
- Step 6: New “Pay First, Refund Later” Rules (J‑TaxRefund)
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Visit Japan Web?
Visit Japan Web is an official online service that allows visitors to:
- Register their trip details and personal information.japantravel.
- Prepare immigration and customs declarations in advance (where supported).
- Generate a tax‑free shopping QR code that some participating shops accept in place of scanning your passport every time.
The portal is part of a broader push to digitise border and shopping procedures for foreign visitors.
Step 1: Create Your Visit Japan Web Account
Before travelling:
- Access the Visit Japan Web site from an official link, typically via government or tourism portals.
- Create an account using an email address you can access during your trip.
- Set a secure password and note it carefully; you may need to log in multiple times during and after your trip.
Official tourism bodies recommend using the same account for all linked services, including tax‑free shopping QR codes, to avoid confusion.
Step 2: Register Your Personal and Passport Details
Once your account is created:
- Enter your full name, date of birth and nationality as appearing on your passport.japantravel.
- Add your passport number and upload or scan any required passport information, following the instructions on screen.japantravel.
- Confirm your entry status (short‑term visitor, diplomatic, etc.) if prompted; tax‑free eligibility typically requires short‑term visitor status and less than six months in Japan.
Accurate passport data is essential because Visit Japan Web uses this to generate QR codes and link to immigration and tax‑free systems.japantravel.
Step 3: Register Your Trip and Entry Information
For many travellers, Visit Japan Web allows pre‑registration of:
- Intended arrival date and airport.
- Flight number and airline.
- Accommodation details for at least the first night.
Some functions also allow pre‑filling of immigration and customs questionnaires, reducing the need for paper forms on arrival.
Follow the portal’s “Pre‑arrival” or “Prepare for entry” sections and complete whichever forms are available for your nationality and airline.
Step 4: Prepare Tax‑Free Shopping (免税) QR Code
A key 2026 addition is the tax‑free shopping QR code function. Certain shops in Japan now accept a Visit Japan Web QR code instead of scanning your passport, speeding up tax‑free processes.
To generate this:
- Log in to Visit Japan Web once you are in Japan or just before travel.japantravel.
- Navigate to the section labelled “prepare for tax‑free procedures” or similar wording.
- Confirm that your passport and entry information are correctly registered.japantravel.
- Click “create tax‑free QR code”; the system will generate a personal QR code tied to your passport and entry status.
Important points:
- QR codes are typically valid for 24 hours and must be refreshed if they expire.
- Screenshots of QR codes are not accepted; you must show the live code from within Visit Japan Web.japantravel.
Step 5: Using Your Visit Japan Web QR Code in Shops
At participating tax‑free shops:
- Shop as usual, ensuring your total pre‑tax spend meets the tax‑free threshold (generally ¥5,000 pre‑tax at a single shop in one day).
- At checkout, tell staff you wish to use tax‑free and show your Visit Japan Web QR code on your phone.japantravel.
- Staff will scan the code, which contains your passport and entry data, and then complete the digital tax‑free procedure.
- Your purchase is registered with customs electronically; you may receive additional instructions for handling goods before departure.japantravel.
If your phone battery dies or you have connectivity issues, you can still present your passport manually; the QR code is a convenience tool, not the only way to access tax‑free shopping.
Step 6: New “Pay First, Refund Later” Rules (J‑TaxRefund)
From late 2026, Japan’s tax‑free system is expected to shift further towards a “pay first, refund later” model via services such as J‑TaxRefund. Shoppers pay the full tax‑inclusive price at the till, then claim refunds later via online systems linked to receipts and Visit Japan Web data.
In this system:
- Your Visit Japan Web QR code helps identify you and link purchases to your passport.
- Receipts include QR codes that direct you to J‑TaxRefund, where you register purchase data and preferred refund methods (card, bank account or e‑wallet).
- Customs confirms that goods leave Japan, and refunds are processed automatically within a few weeks.
Visit Japan Web is therefore becoming a central identity and data link between shops, customs and refund platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Visit Japan Web to enter Japan?
Not strictly, but using Visit Japan Web streamlines immigration, customs and tax‑free processes, and is strongly recommended by official tourism sources.
Is Visit Japan Web free?
Yes. It is an official service, free to use, though you still pay normal visa and travel costs
What happens if my tax‑free QR code expires?
You must log in and generate a new code; expired codes and screenshots cannot be used for tax‑free procedures.