Weather heads-up: Typhoon Champi heads for Okinawa, Japan’s 30th named storm this year. Details
Japan LookoutOn the lookout so you don’t have to

What’s changing for visitors to Japan

Rule changes, fees and closures in plain English, each one checked against the official source.

NEXT CHANGESFRI 23 OCT 2026
NOV 01
TAX-FREE → REFUND AT DEPARTURE
ACTION
IN 9 DAYS
NOV 23
SHURI CASTLE MAIN HALL OPENS
GOOD NEWS
IN 31 DAYS
FEB 28
FREE HAKATA–KAGOSHIMA RIDE ENDS
GOOD NEWS
IN 128 DAYS
SPR 27
PAPER TICKETS SWITCH TO QR
HEADS-UP
SPRING 2027
OCT 21
TYPHOON CHAMPI: OKINAWA, KYUSHU
HEADS-UP
WATCH
OCT 20
YUGAMA CRATER TRAIL CLOSED AGAIN
ACTION
CLOSED
OCT 02
KUROBE-UNAZUKI CANYON ROUTE OPEN
GOOD NEWS
OPEN
OCT 01
RESIDENCE PERMIT FEES REVISED
HEADS-UP
IN FORCE
Good newsHeads-upAction needed
Full changes calendar →

Latest changes

Checked 23 October 2026
RECEIPT TAX REFUND AT DEPARTURE DEPARTURE 1 NOV 2026
Tax-freeAction neededStarts 1 Nov · in 9 days

From 1 Nov: tax-free shopping becomes a refund at departure

Shops will stop taking the tax off at the till. You pay the full price and get the consumption tax back when you leave Japan.

What changes
For purchases from 1 November 2026, tax-free stores charge the tax-inclusive price.
Who it affects
Visitors to Japan who shop tax-free.
When
Purchases made on or after 1 November 2026.

What to do: Keep your receipts and purchases together and carry them with you to departure. Goods you have eaten, drunk or used up in Japan cannot be refunded; tell the customs counter if that applies.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

OpeningsGood newsStarts 23 Nov · in 31 days

Shuri Castle’s rebuilt main hall opens to visitors on 23 Nov

Seven years after the 2019 fire, the main hall (Seiden) of Shuri Castle in Naha opens to the public at noon on 23 November 2026.

What changes
The interior of the reconstructed main hall opens to the public from noon on 23 November 2026.
Who it affects
Anyone visiting Okinawa from late November 2026.
When
From noon, 23 November 2026.

What to do: Book a main-hall viewing slot in advance on the park’s site. The park is closed all day on 22 November and on the morning of 23 November.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

Alerts by area

Tap a pin
OkinawaKyushuHokkaidoHonshu1234567
  1. 1Kagoshima
    Free Hakata–Kagoshima ride    ›
  2. 2Kumamoto & Kyushu
    Kyushu recovery discount stays begin    ›
  3. 3Gunma
    Yugama crater trail closed again    ›
  4. 4Tokyo area
    Paper tickets switch to QR    ›
  5. 5Toyama
    Kurobe-Unazuki Canyon Route opens    ›
  6. 6Ishikawa (Noto)
    Noto Pokémon With You Airport    ›
  7. 7Okinawa
    Shuri Castle main hall opens; Typhoon Champi forecast for Okinawa    ›
HAKATA → KAGOSHIMAFREE RIDE · TO 28 FEB
RailGood newsRunning to 28 Feb 2027

Free Hakata–Kagoshima shinkansen ride for visitors from 8 markets

A Klook and Kagoshima Prefecture promotion covers a one-way Hakata–Kagoshima shinkansen fare, but only for visitors from eight markets.

What changes
Visitors get the equivalent of a one-way shinkansen fare from Hakata to Kagoshima (up to ¥11,420).
Who it affects
Visitors from the USA, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China who arrive via Fukuoka Airport and book at least one night at a hotel in Kagoshima Prefecture through Klook.
When
18 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, or until the budget runs out.

What to do: Check you are eligible before you book: it only applies to Klook hotel bookings in Kagoshima Prefecture and to travel via Fukuoka Airport.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

RailHeads-upFrom Spring 2027 · announced 13 Oct

JR East and 6 other operators replace magnetic paper tickets with QR tickets

From spring 2027, paper tickets from the machines on seven Tokyo-area and Sendai operators will carry a QR code instead of a magnetic strip.

What changes
Keisei, Keikyu, Sendai Airport Transit, Tokyo Monorail, Tobu, JR East and Hokuso will replace magnetic tickets with QR-code tickets from spring 2027, on all of their lines and stations.
Who it affects
Anyone who buys paper tickets from machines on these seven operators.
When
Announced 13 October 2026; the switch starts in spring 2027 (no exact date yet).

What to do: Nothing yet. An IC card such as Suica or PASMO, or the mobile versions, is the operators’ main way to ride. We’ll add the exact start date when it is announced.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

AirportsGood newsRunning to 30 Sep 2029

Noto Airport becomes “Pokémon With You Airport” until 2029

Noto Satoyama Airport in Ishikawa has been renamed Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport, a tourism campaign to support recovery after the 2024 Noto earthquake.

What changes
Since 7 July 2026, the airport carries the Pokémon name and has themed decorations, food and goods.
Who it affects
Visitors to the Noto Peninsula and Pokémon fans.
When
7 July 2026 to 30 September 2029 (planned).

What to do: Flights connect with Tokyo Haneda. Think about adding Noto to a Kanazawa trip.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

WeatherHeads-upForecast of 21 Oct

Typhoon Champi heads for Okinawa, Japan’s 30th named storm this year

The Japan Meteorological Agency expects Typhoon No. 30 (Champi) to reach Okinawa’s Sakishima Islands between Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, then move towards western Japan.

What changes
On 21 October the JMA forecast that Typhoon Champi would reach the Sakishima Islands between Friday and Saturday, then affect parts of Kyushu from the weekend.
Who it affects
Anyone travelling to or through Okinawa and Kyushu in late October.
When
Forecast as of 21 October 2026 for 23–25 October.

What to do: Check the JMA typhoon map and your airline or ferry before you travel. Flights and ferries are often cancelled when a typhoon is close.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

ClosuresAction neededClosed since 20 Oct

Yugama crater trail closes again a week after reopening

The trail and car park at Mt Kusatsu-Shirane’s Yugama crater reopened on 13 October for the first time since 2018, then closed again from 20 October.

What changes
Kusatsu Town ended the trial opening of the west trail and the Yumiike pond area on 19 October.
Who it affects
Anyone planning a Kusatsu-Shirane / Yugama visit.
When
Closed from 20 October 2026, no reopening date.

What to do: Don’t plan a crater visit for now. Route 292 itself is still open to traffic.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

OpeningsGood newsOpen since 2 Oct

Kurobe-Unazuki Canyon Route opens through the Japan Alps

The new route links the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route with the Kurobe Gorge Railway. Tours started on 2 October 2026.

What changes
The Kurobe-Unazuki Canyon Route runs between Keyakidaira Station and Kurobe Dam, mostly underground, by elevator, battery-powered mini train, underground cable car and tunnel bus.
Who it affects
Visitors to Toyama and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
When
Tours from 2 October 2026.

What to do: You can only ride it on a tour: book a package through a travel agency (sales started on 23 July 2026).

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

VisasHeads-upIn force since 1 Oct

Residence permit fees revised from 1 Oct

The Immigration Services Agency has revised the fees for changing or renewing your status of residence, and for permanent residence.

What changes
From 1 October 2026 the fees for a change of status of residence, an extension of the period of stay and permanent residence are revised.
Who it affects
Foreign residents changing or renewing their status of residence, or applying for permanent residence.
When
Applications made on or after 1 October 2026.

What to do: Check the official notice for the fee that applies to you before you apply.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

RailGood newsIn force since 1 Oct

New Supreme Class private cabins on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen

A new class above the Green Car, with private cabins, runs on the Tokyo–Osaka–Fukuoka bullet train line from 1 October 2026.

What changes
JR Central and JR West have added Supreme Class above the Green Car: a double cabin for up to two people in car 7 and a single cabin in car 10 of each train that offers it.
Who it affects
Travellers on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen who want a private cabin.
When
From 1 October 2026.
Official source
JR Central, Supreme Class ↗ English

What to do: Supreme Class needs a Smart EX membership to book. Only a few trains a day have it, so check the train before you plan around it.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

Fees & discountsGood newsIn force since 1 Oct

Kyushu recovery discount: 50% off stays (60% in Kumamoto and Kagoshima)

A government-backed discount for trips to Kyushu after the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake applies to stays from 1 October 2026.

What changes
Travel and stay packages of one night or more in Kyushu are 50% off, or 60% in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures.
Who it affects
Anyone booking a stay in Kyushu.
When
Stays from 1 October 2026. Each prefecture sets its own booking start and end dates.

What to do: Check the prefecture you’re staying in for its booking dates and which booking sites take part.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

RulesHeads-upIn force since 1 Oct

Employers must now protect staff from customer harassment

Since 1 October 2026, every employer in Japan must take steps to protect staff from customer harassment, including from users of stations and airports.

What changes
Under the revised labour law, employers must set a clear policy, train staff, have a consultation desk and respond to customer harassment.
Who it affects
Everyone dealing with shops, hotels, stations and airports in Japan.
When
In force from 1 October 2026.

What to do: If something goes wrong, stay calm and polite. Staff may now be told not to deal with an abusive customer alone, and to call the police for possible crimes.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

Tax-freeHeads-upPublished 25 Sep

Tax-free stores fall by 372 in six months, to 64,127

The Japan Tourism Agency’s latest count of tax-free stores, as of 31 March 2026, was published on 25 September 2026.

What changes
There were 64,127 tax-free stores in Japan as of 31 March 2026, down 372 (0.58%) from 30 September 2025.
Who it affects
Shoppers and tax-free retailers.
When
Count as of 31 March 2026, published 25 September 2026.

What to do: Look for the tax-free symbol at the store, and see our alert on the 1 November refund change.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →

Fees & discountsHeads-up2026 season ended 10 Sep

Mt Fuji 2026: ¥4,000 fee and a daily cap of 4,000 hikers on the Yoshida Trail

Yamanashi Prefecture’s rules for the Yoshida Trail in the 2026 climbing season: a ¥4,000 fee per hiker and a daily limit.

What changes
Each hiker paid ¥4,000 per climb, and the Yoshida Trail took up to 4,000 hikers a day (not counting mountain-hut guests).
Who it affects
Anyone climbing Mt Fuji from the Yamanashi side.
When
The 2026 season ran from 1 July to 10 September 2026.

What to do: The 2026 season is over. We’ll add the 2027 rules when they are announced.

Checked against the source on 21 October 2026 · Full alert →