Japan
Passport
PassportJapan Passport
Passport rankings out of 226 countries
Global Rank2
Visa-Free Access139
Mobility Score95
Global Score83
139Visa-free
36Visa on arrival
14ETA
20E-Visa
17Visa required
Visa requirements
Visa-free
Visa on arrival
ETA
E-Visa
Visa required
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Showing all 226 destinations
📖About Japan
As of 2026, few passports are easier to travel with than the Japanese passport right now: it ranks 2nd globally and reaches 187 destinations without a standard pre-arranged visa in every case. Asian passports vary widely, so the difference between a top-tier and lower-tier passport is especially visible here. The rank has edged up from 3rd place in 2006. Access has widened meaningfully, from 128 destinations then to 187 now. The useful part is the visa-free base: 139 destinations, including China, Mexico, and South Korea. Visa on arrival adds another 36 options, with examples like Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Azerbaijan. Visa and validity rules can change quickly; confirm the current requirement with the official embassy or government source before booking around it.
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 |
📈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.
FAQ
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.
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