Japan adds digital nomad visa: travel tips, safety and itineraries

Japan introduced its new digital-nomad visa on 31 March 2024. Officially listed as « Specified visa: Designated activities, Digital Nomad », the scheme allows a single continuous stay of up to six months for eligible remote workers and self-employed overseas nationals, but it cannot be extended immediately.

The arrival of the Japan digital nomad visa signals a clearer path for long-stay remote work in the country, but the rules are strict: high income and insurance requirements, nationality limits, and residency restrictions mean planning and paperwork are essential before you book a flight.

What the visa covers and who is eligible

The digital-nomad visa permits up to six months’ stay and launched on 31 March 2024. Applicants must be nationals of specified visa-exempt or tax-treaty countries (check the Immigration Services Agency list for the current roster) and must be working remotely for non-Japanese employers or be self-employed overseas; employment by a Japanese entity is explicitly excluded.

An important threshold: applicants must demonstrate annual income of at least JPY 10,000,000 at the time of application. Acceptable proof includes tax certificates, bank records or contracts. In addition, you must present private medical insurance covering injury, illness and death with at least JPY 10,000,000 coverage.

Family travel is possible: spouses and children can apply for accompanying « Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad » status, provided they meet the insurance and relationship-document requirements. Visa issuance is under the designated-activities category; a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is optional but can speed processing at your embassy or consulate.

Application logistics, residency limits and re-entry rules

Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country using MOFA and Immigration Services Agency application forms. A COE is available but not required; preparing certified translations of key documents can save time if the consulate requests them.

Note a critical practical limit: holders of the designated-activities digital-nomad visa are not issued a Japanese residence card and cannot register an address in Japan’s residency system or join National Health Insurance. This affects the ability to open some local bank accounts and to sign long-term rental contracts.

The six-month stay is non-renewable immediately. If you want to return on the same visa, you must wait six months after the previous visa expired to reapply, which means leaving Japan and planning your travel cadence accordingly.

Money, insurance and tax considerations

Prepare thorough financial documentation. The JPY 10,000,000 income requirement is high compared with many European digital-nomad schemes; as a visa-community commentator put it, it does not appear Asia is introducing ‘‘easy’’ nomad visas. You will typically be asked to show tax certificates, bank statements or contract evidence during application.

Insurance is both a visa and health safety requirement: present a private policy with at least JPY 10,000,000 coverage for injury, illness and death. Also check that your policy includes medical evacuation and telemedicine if you rely on remote care; insurers’ coverage terms vary for foreigners in Japan.

Tax and residency rules can be complex. Japan designed this category for remote work for overseas employers and excludes work for Japanese firms; nevertheless, confirm tax residency and reporting obligations with a tax adviser for your specific situation before taking assignments or signing local contracts.

Daily life, connectivity and transport logistics

Japan offers excellent fixed broadband and growing 5G coverage, with especially strong connectivity in urban areas and event sites like Expo 2025 Osaka. Still, bring an international eSIM or rent a pocket Wi‑Fi as a backup when you move between regions or stay in rural areas where coverage can be patchy.

Public transport is famously punctual, plan meetings around reliable train timetables and book reserved Shinkansen seats during busy periods. Important for nomads: the national Japan Rail Pass is valid only for visitors entering as Temporary Visitors (tourist stamp); holders of the designated-activities digital-nomad visa are not eligible, so budget for regular rail fares.

Cash remains important outside major cities. Credit cards are widely accepted in Tokyo, larger hotels and many restaurants, but smaller shops, regional trains and rural inns may require yen. For longer stays, compare monthly serviced apartments, furnished rentals and Airbnb-style options to find the most convenient base.

Coworking, cities and where nomads like to base themselves

Choices of base depend on your work style. Tokyo has the largest selection of coworking hubs and networking events. Fukuoka is promoted as a nomad-friendly city with co-living projects and growing community events; Kyoto suits creatives and café workers; Sapporo brings outdoor access in Hokkaido; Okinawa offers a slower beach-focused pace.

Local governments and tourism agencies are running pilot projects and subsidies to support nomads, expect more 24-hour coworking spaces and coliving events in regions intent on attracting remote workers. These can be useful entry points if you want community, local introductions or short-term support services.

When choosing accommodation, note that some landlords may require a registered address or longer-term proof of income; furnished monthly rentals and serviced apartments are easier to book for stays approaching a month. Always check cancellation policies and peak-season pricing as inbound tourism has rebounded strongly.

Safety, health and emergency preparedness

Japan’s violent crime rate is very low by G7 standards, but petty theft can happen in crowded tourist areas and nightlife districts, use standard precautions and secure your belongings. Official travel advice from sources like the US State Department and UK FCDO recommends exercising normal caution, carrying proof of travel documents and enrolment in programs like STEP for US citizens.

Natural disasters are a real risk. Japan sits on the Ring of Fire and is subject to earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons. Register for local alerts, learn evacuation routes at your accommodation, and review Japan Meteorological Agency and JNTO guidance on disaster procedures before and during your stay.

Medication rules differ: US prescriptions are not automatically valid in Japan. Bring sufficient medication in original packaging with your prescription and check entry rules for controlled substances. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation and emergency treatment.

Sample itineraries and planning a work+travel rhythm

Plan workweeks and exploration weekends using JNTO itineraries as templates. A compact 2-week sample: base in Tokyo (one week remote + local day trips), then 3 days in Kyoto/Osaka for culture and food, finishing with a weekend in Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes for onsen and nature.

For a month-long slower route: split time between Tokyo and regional hubs, Tokyo for concentrated workweeks, Tohoku towns for nature-forward weekends, a stint in Sapporo for seasonal outdoor life, then fly to Okinawa for coastal slow travel. This lets you rotate work environments without exhausting travel days.

When mapping your schedule, account for increased tourist numbers: Japan saw a record-high near 37 million inbound visitors in 2024, so book accommodation and transport early, and consider weekday travel for popular sights to avoid peak crowds.

Practical checklist before you go

Documents: prepare tax certificates, bank statements or employer/self‑employment contracts demonstrating JPY 10,000,000 income; an insurance certificate showing JPY 10,000,000 medical coverage; passport, visa application forms and relationship documents for accompanying family.

Practicalities: buy an eSIM or reserve pocket Wi‑Fi, budget for regular train fares (no JR Pass), carry cash for rural areas, and choose furnished monthly rentals if you plan stays of several weeks. If you expect to need a local bank account, research banks that accept foreign short-stay customers or use international fintech services.

Confirm current rules with official sources before applying or traveling: MOFA visa page, the Immigration Services Agency eligible-country list, and your local Japanese embassy or consulate. Immigration practice and eligible-country lists can change, so verify the latest PDFs and consular guidance.

Japan’s digital-nomad visa opens a promising, if tightly regulated, window for remote workers to base themselves in a country famed for safety, punctual transport and rich culture. The scheme’s requirements, high income and strict insurance, mean it’s geared to professionals with stable overseas earnings rather than short-term budget nomads.

If you meet the criteria and plan carefully, document preparation, contingency plans for natural disasters, health and insurance coverage, and realistic budgeting for transport and accommodation, Japan can be a rewarding remote-work destination. Always check MOFA, Immigration Services Agency and JNTO official pages for the latest application rules and practical guidance before you apply.