Japan Customs Guide: Medications & Digital Nomad Visa

Real Stories

1. Adderall Confiscation

Case: American tourist brought prescription Adderall into Japan. Result: Intercepted at customs. Adderall contains amphetamine, which is completely prohibited in Japan, even with a doctor's prescription. Medication was confiscated, and the tourist was questioned for hours. Lesson: Never bring Adderall or Vyvanse into Japan. This is a criminal offense.

2. Ritalin Success Story

Case: Traveler brought Ritalin into Japan. Result: Applied for "Yakkan Shoumei" (import medication permit) in advance. Customs checked the permit documents and cleared entry. Lesson: Certain controlled medications (like Ritalin) can be legally brought in by applying for Yakkan Shoumei. Must apply at least 2 weeks in advance.

3. Digital Nomad Visa Experience

Case: Among the first applicants for Japan's Digital Nomad visa. Result: Visa approved. At entry, customs officers were not yet familiar with this new visa type and took longer to verify, but ultimately cleared entry smoothly. Lesson: When entering with a new visa type (DN Visa), it's best to print out the official visa explanation page (Japanese version) just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which cold medicines can't I bring? A: Cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine (like some Sudafed products) are restricted or prohibited in Japan. Medications containing codeine are also restricted.

Q: Is the 6-month Digital Nomad visa worth applying for? A: The community generally believes that if you meet the income requirement (10 million yen/year) and want to deeply experience Japan, it's worth it. However, note that this visa doesn't allow you to get a Residence Card, making renting and opening bank accounts more difficult.

Q: Is Visit Japan Web mandatory? A: Highly recommended. Fill out customs declaration on Visit Japan Web in advance and generate a QR code. The electronic lane is very fast.

Community Tips

"If you're unsure whether your medication is allowed, email Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to inquire. They respond quickly and are the most authoritative source." — u/JapanLife

"Japanese customs are very polite but very strict. Don't try to lie. If you have prohibited items in your luggage (like meat products or fruit), the dogs will definitely sniff them out." — u/TravelerSan

Latest Discussions

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