Japan for Chinese passport holders: tourist visa process, direct flights, and CNY card strategy
China and Japan are separated by only 3–4 hours of flying — among the shortest international connections in the world. Chinese tourists are Japan's largest inbound market. The tourist visa is straightforward to obtain through Japanese consulates or authorised travel agents. Alipay and WeChat Pay are increasingly accepted across Japan. UnionPay provides the most practical card access at Japanese ATMs and retailers.
Visa requirements
Chinese nationals apply for Japan tourist visa at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, consulates in Shanghai/Guangzhou/Shenyang/Chongqing, or through authorised Chinese travel agents (CITS, UTour, etc.). Processing is typically 5–7 business days. Japan-China visa relations were disrupted post-2020 but resumed with more normalised processing. Multiple-entry visas may be available for frequent visitors.
Documents required
- ✓Valid Chinese passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓Completed visa application form
- ✓Passport-sized photograph
- ✓Return or onward flight tickets
- ✓Hotel bookings for full stay
- ✓Bank statements — 3–6 months (CNY 50,000+ recommended)
- ✓Employment letter or business documents
- ✓Invitation letter if visiting friends/family in Japan
Flights from China to Japan
Money, cards & forex fees
Most practical card for Chinese tourists — UnionPay has strong Japan acceptance
Best CNY→JPY rate for Chinese travellers
Mobile payment accepted at many Japanese retailers and tourist venues
ATMs in Japan
Best ATMs: 7-Eleven Bank ATMs (セブン銀行) — available 24/7 at every 7-Eleven convenience store nationwide, accept all major foreign cards. Japan Post Bank ATMs — at all post offices, accept foreign cards during post office hours. Avoid local bank ATMs (MUFG, Mizuho, Sumitomo) as most do not accept foreign cards.
Typical surcharge: ¥110–220 per withdrawal at 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs for foreign cards; many domestic ATMs do not accept foreign cards at all
Withdrawal tip: Japan is heavily cash-based. Withdraw ¥50,000–¥100,000 at a time from 7-Eleven ATMs. Many restaurants, smaller temples, traditional ryokan, and rural establishments are cash-only. ALWAYS carry cash in Japan.
Top cities in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's hypermodern capital — a city that somehow combines cutting-edge technology with ancient shrine culture. Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, teamLab digital art installations, Tsukiji Outer Market, and the world's densest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants all coexist here. Tokyo is the entry point for most international visitors and warrants at least 4–5 nights.
Kyoto
Japan's ancient imperial capital and cultural soul. Kyoto has over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Fushimi Inari's thousands of vermilion torii gates, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and the Gion district's preserved machiya townhouses make it the most photographed city in Japan. Go in cherry blossom season (late March–early April) or autumn foliage (November).
Osaka
Japan's kitchen and comedy capital. Osaka's Dotonbori neon district, takoyaki and okonomiyaki street food culture, Osaka Castle, and nearby Nara's free-roaming deer make it an essential counterpart to Kyoto. Osaka residents are famously friendly and direct by Japanese standards. Universal Studios Japan is a major draw for families.
Hiroshima & Miyajima
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is one of the world's most moving historical experiences — a profound and essential visit. The rebuilt city around it is modern, vibrant, and focused on its peace mission. Miyajima Island (30 minutes by ferry) has the famous 'floating' torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's Three Views. The Shinkansen from Osaka makes Hiroshima an easy day trip or overnight.
Hokkaido
Japan's northernmost main island offers a completely different experience. In winter (December–March), Niseko is one of Asia's best ski resorts and receives the world's finest powder snow. In summer, Hokkaido's lavender fields around Furano are extraordinary. Sapporo (Hokkaido's capital) hosts a famous snow festival in February and is famous for ramen and fresh seafood. Less crowded than Honshu's main tourist circuit.
Japan tourist visa for Chinese nationals: application process
Chinese passport holders apply for Japan's tourist visa at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing or consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Chongqing, and Fukuoka. Applications can also be submitted through JNTO-authorised Chinese travel agencies (CITS, UTour, HIS China, Caissa Travel, and others) — this is often more convenient as the agency handles submission. Fee is approximately CNY 180 ($25 USD). Processing takes 5–7 business days. Required documents: current passport, visa application form, recent photograph, hotel bookings, return flights, and bank statements showing CNY 50,000+ in savings. Employment letter with salary details strengthens the application. For frequent Japan visitors, a multiple-entry visa with 1–3 year validity may be available.
Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay in Japan: the Chinese visitor's payment landscape
Japan has made significant investment in Chinese payment infrastructure. Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted at most 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart convenience stores, many department stores (Isetan, Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi), major tourist attractions, and a growing number of restaurants in tourist areas. UnionPay debit and credit cards are accepted at most ATMs in the 7-Eleven network and at major department stores. The Suica IC card can now be topped up via Alipay in Japan — a major convenience improvement. However, in rural areas and smaller establishments, cash or Japanese card systems remain necessary. Overall, Chinese visitors now have better payment infrastructure in Japan than most other international visitors.
On-arrival tips
- 1China to Japan is 3–4 hours — one of the world's shortest intercontinental connections
- 2Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted at many Japanese stores, convenience chains, and tourist attractions — convenience for Chinese visitors has improved significantly
- 3UnionPay is accepted at 7-Eleven ATMs and most major Japanese retailers
- 4Chinese-language menus available at many Japanese tourist area restaurants
- 5Suica IC card top-up now available via Alipay in Japan
Key takeaways
- ✓Apply for Japan tourist visa through the Japanese Embassy or authorised Chinese travel agency — CNY 180, 5–7 days processing
- ✓China to Japan is 3–4 hours — one of the world's shortest intercontinental routes
- ✓Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted at 7-Eleven, department stores, and many tourist attractions
- ✓UnionPay widely accepted at Japanese ATMs and major retailers
- ✓Never tip in Japan — same cultural expectation as China
- ✓7-Eleven ATMs nationwide are the most reliable option for UnionPay and foreign card cash withdrawals
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Japan before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.