PassportJapan Passport
Passport rankings out of 226 countries
Visa requirements
Showing all 226 destinations
📖About Japan
The Japan passport currently offers exceptional travel mobility, ranking 2nd globally for 2026 according to the provided data. Japanese citizens benefit from an extensive network of travel options, including visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations worldwide. This high passport ranking is supported by an openness score of 95 and a global score of 83, reflecting its status as one of the most powerful travel documents in Asia and the world. Holders of a Japan passport enjoy visa-free entry to numerous regions, including full Schengen access across Europe, as well as major destinations like China, Brazil, and South Korea. For other territories, travelers can utilize visa-on-arrival facilities in countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, or obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. While the visa-free count reached a peak of 194 in 2024, the current 2026 ranking confirms that only a small number of nations, such as Afghanistan, North Korea, and Nigeria, still require a traditional visa for Japanese nationals. This robust access ensures that the Japanese nationality remains at the forefront of global mobility.
Free One-Page Travel Guide
Download your printable Japan passport visa guide with all 139+ visa-free destinations
✈️Top Visa-Free Destinations for Japan Citizens
| Destination | Maximum Stay |
|---|---|
| up to 90 days |
| up to 15 days |
| up to 90 days |
| up to 90 days |
| up to 180 days |
Planning a Trip to Japan?
Japan is part of the Schengen Area. Track your 90/180 day limit with our free calculator to avoid overstays and plan compliant trips across all 27 Schengen countries.
📈Historical Ranking Trend
Japan's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2026
Historical ranking trend based on available yearly data.
Trend: Improved by 1 position from 2006 to 2026
Visa Requirements by Country
Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Japan passport holders
✅ Visa-Free
139 countries
China
Mexico
South Korea
Albania
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bolivia
Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cayman Islands
Chile
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French West Indies
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Hungary
Iceland
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao (SAR China)
North Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mayotte
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Netherlands
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Reunion
Romania
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
eSwatini
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turks and Caicos Islands
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
British Virgin Islands
Tajikistan
Zambia
Angola
Iran
St. Helena
🛬 Visa on Arrival
36 countries
Ethiopia
Madagascar
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Burundi
Cambodia
Cape Verde Islands
Comoro Islands
Egypt
Guinea-Bissau
India
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Malawi
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Nepal
Palau Islands
Rwanda
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Tuvalu
Zimbabwe
Indonesia
Djibouti
Myanmar
Qatar
Namibia
Niue
🔐 ETA Required
14 countries
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
Puerto Rico
American Samoa
Sri Lanka
United States
US Virgin Islands
Kenya
United Kingdom
Seychelles
Israel
Mozambique
St. Kitts and Nevis
💻 E-Visa
20 countries
Benin
Russian Federation
Uganda
Papua New Guinea
Guinea
Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Togo
Syria
Cuba
Pakistan
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Congo (Dem. Rep.)
Nigeria
Somalia
Bhutan
Cote d'Ivoire
South Sudan
❌ Visa Required
17 countries
Afghanistan
Algeria
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo (Rep.)
Eritrea
The Gambia
Ghana
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Nauru
Niger
North Korea
Sudan
Turkmenistan
Yemen
Comparison against other countries
Closely related passports based on region, mobility tier, and travel profile.
Singapore
Singapore and Japan consistently share the top mobility tier within the Asian region.
Comparison context
Japan maintains a high level of regional mobility, often sharing the top position with the Singapore passport in global index reports.South Korea
South Korea maintains a visa-free score within the same elite tier as Japan's 2025 ranking.
Comparison context
The South Korean passport offers a comparable level of international access to Japan's current visa-free count.Germany
Germany and Japan are major economic powers that historically dominate the top tier of passport rankings.
Comparison context
In terms of global diplomatic strength and visa-free access, the German passport remains a primary benchmark for Japan's international standing.Related sources and important links
Trusted references for Japan passport rules, travel notices, and government information.
❓Frequently asked questions
Check Your Passport Validity
Planning to travel with your Japan passport? Many countries require 3-6 months of passport validity beyond your travel date. Use our free passport validity checker to verify you meet entry requirements before booking your trip.
Last Updated:
Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.