Complete Guide to Traveling to Japan from New Zealand: Everything you need to know.

Japan, a nation rich in culture and history, has been a popular choice for tourists worldwide. From the iconic temples and shrines of Kyoto to pop culture and art in Tokyo, Japan offers a nice blend of tradition and modernity.

Generally, you need a visa to visit Japan. However, Japan has friendly relations with most countries and has extended convenient travel privileges to citizens of 71 nations, including New Zealand.

If you’re thinking of making a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, read on to learn more about how to enter the country for long or short stays, how to prepare for a trip and ways to manage New Zealand dollars and Japanese Yen while abroad.

Table of contents

New Zealand to Japan Travel Requirements Japan Visa for New Zealand Citizens Japan Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit Holders Applying for a Japanese Visa from New Zealand Flying to Japan from New Zealand What can I bring to Japan? Document to carry before flying to Japan Checklist for New Zealand to Japan Travel Travel Insurance for Japan Managing Your Expenses in Japan Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards Cash Considerations Save on Japanese Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

New Zealand to Japan Travel Requirements

A visit to Japan for 90 days or less doesn’t require a visa for New Zealand citizens. However, a visa is necessary for New Zealand permanent residency holders to visit or stay in Japan.

Japan Visa for New Zealand Citizens

Japan has an arrangement with New Zealand, where NZ passport holders can enter the country without a visa as long as they meet these requirements:

1. The stay is not over 90 days.
2. You don’t take part in any income-earning activities.

Visa-free entry is only for tourism, visiting friends and relatives, attending conferences, and any other unpaid activities.¹

While you don’t need a visa, the Japanese government recommends that all passengers submit declarations electronically through the “Visit Japan Web.” This helps with entry procedures at arrival and makes tax-free shopping services available online.

If a New Zealand passport holder wants to stay more than 90 days or earn money while in Japan, they must apply for a regular visa. Visas include working in Japan, doing business, and attending university or higher education. You can apply for the appropriate visa for the intended type of stay:

Type of Visa	Who can Apply
Working Holiday Visa	NZ passport holders between the ages of 18 and 30 who reside in NZ can apply for a working holiday visa. It allows them to work for one year in Japan.
Visa with Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)	NZ citizens and resident permit holders holding a CoE can apply for this visa that allows them to undertake higher studies or work in Japan
Transit Visa	NZ travellers who stop in Japan en route to a different destination can apply for a transit visa.

The Working Holiday Visa is a unique one-year visa that allows young people to work temporarily to supplement their income. This visa is only for NZ passport holders who live in NZ; New Zealand citizens residing outside the country are not eligible.

If you’re looking to primarily earn money or perform income-generating activities, you must apply for a Work visa.

Japan Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit Holders

Non-New Zealand citizens with NZ Permanent Resident Visas must apply for a visa to enter Japan for sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, school trips, and non-profit business activities.

Here is a list of all non-immigrant Japanese visas for New Zealand permanent residency holders:²

Type of Visa	Who can apply
Temporary Visitor Visa - Type A	NZ PR Visa holders without NZ passports can apply for a Type A visa to visit relatives and friends and go sightseeing.
Temporary Visitor Visa - Type B	NZ residency permit holders without NZ passports can apply for a Type B visa to attend conferences, business meetings, athletic tournaments, and non-profit activities.
Temporary Visitor Visa - Type C	NZ residency permit holders without NZ passports can apply for a Type C visa to participate in school trips.

The 90-day Temporary Visitor Visa is valid for tourism, visiting friends or relatives, attending business conferences, and other activities. Depending on the purpose of their visits, NZ resident permit holders can also apply for a Transit Visa and Visa with CoE eligibility.

It’s important to note that whether you need a visa depends on the passport you are travelling on. NZ resident permit holders who are citizens of the 71 nations with which Japan has a tourist visa-free arrangement don’t need to apply for a tourist visa.³

Applying for a Japanese Visa from New Zealand

The Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland offers a straightforward process for applying for temporary visitor visas for NZ residence permit holders. While you can’t apply online, you can easily submit your visa applications in person or by post.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.⁴

1. You can visit the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland on any working day from Monday to Friday (9 am to 12 pm or 1 pm to 3.30 pm). You do not need to book an appointment.
2. If you reside outside Auckland, the Embassy of Japan in Wellington and the Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch accept visa applications.
3. Fill out the pledge form and send it by email before sending your documents.
4. Your original passport must accompany the supporting documents.
5. You don’t need to send any money upfront. You can pay the visa fees when collecting your passport from the office.
6. The Consulate-General’s office emails you about the visa decision.
7. To collect your passport, you must visit the Consulate-General’s office in person. The office does not send it by post.
8. If approved, you must pay the visa fees when collecting the passport.

You can apply for a visa up to three months before your intended arrival date in Japan. Depending on your passport and application, the visa processing time is around five working days.

Depending on where you live, you can submit your Working Holiday Visa applications at the following three offices.

1. The Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland
2. The Embassy of Japan in Wellington
3. The Consular Office of Japan in Christchurch

The Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland handles the visa applications with CoE. The application process is the same.

Keep in mind that the Consulate-General Office does not offer any urgent or priority visa processing services.⁵

Flying to Japan from New Zealand

Nineteen airline companies offer multiple flights from New Zealand to Japan. They include:

• Air New Zealand
• Cathay Pacific
• Japan Airlines
• Qantas
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Fiji Airways
• Nippon Airways

The most popular airline route is from Auckland Airport to Narita International Airport. On average, a one-way flight takes around 16 hours. The average flight time to Kansai International Airport is around 19 hours, and to Haneda International Airport is approximately 20 and a half hours.

Usually, the flights from New Zealand to Japan are direct flights. However, depending on the airlines, there could be one or two stopovers which can bump up the flight time.⁶

What can I bring to Japan?

New Zealand citizens must keep in mind that Japan severely restricts what items can be brought into the country. Here are some of the items restricted and prohibited by law:⁷

• Narcotic drugs such as heroin, MMDA, cocaine, cannabis, stimulants and psychotropic substances
• Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
• Precursor materials for manufacturing chemical weapons
• Counterfeit currency notes and coins
• Obscene literature, including child pornography
• Articles infringing upon intellectual property rights

Document to carry before flying to Japan

Before flying to Japan, have the following documents ready:⁸

• A valid round-trip plane ticket, either printed, on your mobile phone or tablet
• Your passport with a validity period of at least six months
• New Zealand citizens who are staying longer than 90 days and permanent resident visa holders must have their Japan entry visas
• You can carry currency up to the equivalent of 1,000,000 JPY. You should declare the money if you are bringing more than that amount
• Carry a copy of your travel insurance policy
• Information on your stay and itinerary for Japan

Checklist for New Zealand to Japan Travel

Travelling to Japan is exciting but you may feel there's a lot to do before you leave- here’s a checklist to help you pack, prepare and have a good time when you arrive:

• Keep your travel documents in order, such as your passport, visa, tickets, and hotel accommodation. If you need a visa, make sure you meet all the requirements and have a copy of your visa ready.
• Japan can be expensive. Make sure you have a budget and ways to pay through credit, debit, travel cards, or even cash.
• Keep an ample supply of your prescription medicines for your trip and ensure they are readily available when you need them.
• Pack your everyday items, like skincare, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos, soaps, and sunscreen lotions.
• Type A and B plugs are common in Japan, so it's better to carry a universal plug adapter. You can also carry a mobile power bank to charge your smartphones and tablets on the move.
• Roaming charges can be high in Japan. During your stay, consider a local prepaid SIM card.
• Having a travel insurance policy on hand is helpful to take care of any emergencies.
• While English is growing in popularity, Japanese is still the predominant language. Learn a few words, carry a translation app or keep a language guide to make your trip go smoother.
• Keep some extra space handy for packing your shopping items because Tokyo and Osaka are some of the best shopping destinations in the world.
• Before you leave, note the climate forecast in the cities in Japan you are travelling to. Pack adequate and appropriate clothing.
• Wrap up your home for your trip abroad- that can mean creating a plan for pets, cars, and even watering plants in the house.

Travel Insurance for Japan

Many travellers opt for travel insurance to get financial coverage for the unexpected. Travel insurance provides reimbursement for travel surprises like lost baggage, illness or injury on a trip, flight delays, or theft.

Travel insurance requires an upfront payment for the policy. If you don’t use the insurance, you won’t receive the funds back, but the peace of mind of having coverage can make it worth it. Learn more in our full guide about the best travel insurance in New Zealand.

Managing Your Expenses in Japan

Managing your finances in Japan should be relatively easy with digital transactions and cards that can be used internationally. All major credit cards can be used in the country, and there are ATMs available for cash, so you won’t need a bank account locally - especially for a short-term stay.

One thing to remember is that prices in Japan can be higher than you’re used to, so plan your finances accordingly and research ways to save money, like finding budget eats, when you’re there.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards

You can use your debit and credit cards easily in Japan, or wallets like Google Wallet or Apple Pay (if you have a mobile data plan). But when looking at your budget, which card you use can make a big difference. Most credit cards can be expensive to use in Japan because of foreign transaction fees, currency markup charges, and exchange rate fluctuations. Check the fees and charges on your card before your trip.

Save money by switching to a Wise travel card. You can convert New Zealand dollars to Japanese Yen and hold a balance on a Wise travel card at the actual mid-market exchange rate. That means no markups or extra fees on your exchange rate.

With a Japanese Yen balance, you can spend like a local on your trip. You can transfer money to make payments or reservations, and with the Wise travel debit card, you can spend directly from your balance with a swipe or a tap. And you can add money to your balance on the Wise app, with just one small fee, so you can top up as you go.

Cash Considerations

Cash is still a popular way to pay in Japan, and is still used at smaller shops or restaurants.

It makes sense to carry sufficient Yen when travelling in Japan, but just be careful, as cash can be easily misplaced or stolen. One way to avoid carrying too much cash with you as you travel is to use local ATMs as needed, but you'll need to watch out for cash withdrawing fees charged by your cards carry, plus any currency conversion markups on mid-market rates.

If you need cash at a local ATM, try the Wise travel card. With Card get up to NZD 350 per month in free withdrawals from 3 million ATMs worldwide. It is an easy and safe way to get cash abroad.

Save on Japanese Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

A trip to Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Get the most out of your trip by getting a Wise travel card. With a Wise travel card, you can load up Japanese Yen so you can spend and travel like a local. Whether it's trying amazing sushi, visiting a teahouse or buying the latest fashions, you can pay for it all with a Wise travel card.

Wise uses smart tech to make global payments fast, simple and easy. You will always pay the real mid-market exchange rate when converting from New Zealand dollars- that’s the same rate you see on Google. And with just a small fee, you can keep more money in your wallet when compared to banks or credit card companies. And with an award-winning app, you can track your spending and keep to a budget easily.

Sign up for Wise today

Join Wise today and see how easy it is to spend like a local in Japan.

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Sources used for this article:

1. Non-requirement of visas for New Zealand citizens
2. Visa requirement for New Zealand citizens
3. List of 71 nations having visa exemption arrangements with Japan
4. Step-by-step procedure for applying for a temporary visitor visa
5. Where to apply for the Working Holiday Visa
6. Flight options from New Zealand to Japan
7. What items can you bring into Japan
8. Documents to carry before flying to Japan

Sources verified on 9 August 2024.