Japan Has Changed | 10 Shocking New Rules Every Tourist Should Know in 2025

Hi, hello everyone. I'm Toshin from Japan and tourist guide for foreigners. In this video, I'll show you 10 shocking new rules, everything tourists should know in 2025. In June 2025, Japan welcomed 3.37 million foreign visitors, up 7.6% from last year. Japan's popularity is soaring worldwide, but with this boom come important new rules that If you don't know them, you might get denied entry, have your belongings confiscated, face fines, or pay extra fees. So in this video, I've rounded up 10 must-know new rules for tourists in Japan. Watch this and your trip will be safer, cheaper, and more memorable. Plus, I also offer guided tour in Japan, travel itineraries based on trip duration and area, and recommendations for unique cultural experiences. You can find more information in the description below. So let's get started. No.1 New Airline Rules Hey, if you're flying to Japan in 2025, there's something really important you should know. Since Japan's an island, almost everyone arrives by plane. And starting July 2025, there are new flight rules you definitely don't want to miss. Japan's government now requires you not to store power banks in the overhead bin. You have to keep them where you can see them, like in your pocket or under the seat in front of you. And if you're using them to charge something, you need to watch them the whole time. Also, check the battery size before you pack. If it's under 100Wh, you're good. If it's between 100 and 160Wh, you can only bring two. Anything over 160Wh is completely banned. These rules apply to all 23 Japanese airlines, like all Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines. Why the change? Because there've been several fire and smoke incidents on planes caused by power banks on Korean Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and more. Actually, I once flew Jeju Air, and they took my power bank away at check-in because it was over the limit. That sucked. So double-check your charger before you fly. It'll save you a lot of stress. If you're planning to take the Shinkansen in Japan, I've got some great news for you. In a previous video, I mentioned that if you had an oversized suitcase, you had to reserve a special luggage space on the bullet train. And if you didn't, you'd be charged a 1,000 yen fee when boarding. The rule was meant to make sure people who had reservations actually had space, and to avoid fights over the limited storage area. But as of July 2025, this rule has been relaxed. You no longer need to book a space in advance for oversized luggage. Honestly, this is a big relief. I've seen tour groups stressing out at the station, unsure if their suitcase was oversized or not, scrambling to ask staff last minute. Now, no more stress. And no more 1,000 yen surprise fee. Just a heads-up though, this is a trial policy, so it might change again depending on how it goes. There's a major update you need to know if you're planning a trip to Japan in 2025. Very soon, Japan may require all tourists to have travel health insurance before entering the country. Why? Because Japan is dealing with a serious issue, a sharp increase in unpaid medical bills from foreign visitors. In just one month, September 2024, over 61 million yen worth of emergency medical fees went unpaid by tourists. To fix this, the Japanese government is now seriously considering making travel insurance mandatory for all foreign travelers. That means, if you don't have valid health coverage, you might not be allowed to enter Japan in the near future. It's not official yet, but experts say it's very likely to become part of Japan's entry requirements soon. So if you're planning a trip to Japan, this is something that could seriously impact your plans. I'll keep you updated with any new information, so please subscribe to my channel. If you've ever arrived in Japan and waited forever at Immigration and Customs, good news, that's about to change. Just recently, a friend of mine from the US told me he had to wait over an hour just to get through airport entry. But starting in April 2025, Japan is introducing a brand new one-stop entry system at Haneda, Narita, and Kansai airports. Here's how it works. Instead of going through Immigration and Customs separately, you can now pre-register your information online. When you arrive, you'll use a special self-service kiosk to take your photo, scan your passport, and complete both checks in one go. It's fast, simple, and designed to save you time and reduce airport congestion. This new system is a major step toward making Japan's airports more efficient and traveler-friendly. So if you're coming to Japan soon, make sure to register in advance and take advantage of this smoother, faster entry process. It's a great way to start your trip stress-free. Number five, tax-free system is changing. If you're planning to shop in Japan, there's a major tax-free update you need to know about because it could really impact your experience. Japan's tax-free system is changing to stop abuse by tourists who buy goods without tax and resell them inside the country. To tackle this, the First, the system is switching to a refund-based model. That means you'll now pay the consumption tax upfront and then get a refund at the airport when leaving Japan. It's similar to what countries like Germany or France already do, and it's meant to prevent fraud. Second, you won't need special packaging for consumables anymore. This will make in-store processes faster and reduce wait times. Third, the old ¥50,000 minimum for tax-free purchases is going away. You can now buy higher priced items tax-free, but if your purchase exceeds ¥1,000,000, stores must record a serial or ID number. Fourth, these updates will take effect from November 1st, 2026. These changes will help improve the shopping experience, but they also mean you'll need to plan ahead a bit more. Also, as I mentioned in a previous video, the Japanese government is even considering completely abolishing the tax-free system for foreign tourists in the future. Why? Because tourists benefit from public services like transport and emergency care, and some argue they should contribute through taxes. If that ever happens, it would be a major setback for international travelers. So stay tuned and subscribe. I'll keep you updated as things develop. Number six, no reservation, no entry. If you're planning a trip to Japan and want to enjoy its top attractions, there's one thing you absolutely need to know. Many places now require advanced reservations. For example, Tokyo Disney stopped selling same-day tickets in 2024, and Universal Studios Japan followed in May 2025. If you don't have a reservation, you simply can't get in. There are no more ticket booths at the gate, and it's not just theme parks. Popular spots like TeamLab, Shibuya Sky, the Pakemon Cafe, and the Ghibli Museum all require online booking in advance. I've heard from many travelers who showed up without a reservation and were turned away, or had to wait in huge lines just to get a spot. As a tour guide, I also get last-minute requests all the time, often the day before or even the same morning, but by then, we're usually fully booked and can't accommodate them. So if there's an experience you really want in Japan, book it ahead of time. And if you're interested in the services I offer, check out my website for more details. Hope to see you in Japan soon. Number seven, new band items. If you're visiting Japan in 2025, here's something you definitely need to know. What you carry with you could get confiscated at the entrance gate. Japan's major attractions and public sites are tightening their rules on prohibited items for safety, environmental reasons, and public comfort. Let's look at three examples. First, Universal Studios Japan. They now ban tripods, large camera lenses, outside food and drinks, folding chairs, suitcases, and fake weapons. Second, Tokyo Disney Resort. Prohibited items include alcohol, knives, gas canisters, pets, selfie sticks, and cosplay outfits except during Halloween. So no full costumes unless it's officially allowed. Third, temples and shrines like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, or Senso-ji Temple. New multilingual signs explain that eating, flying drones, and bringing in plants or fruits are not allowed. Wearing overly revealing clothing or cosplay is also considered disrespectful. These rules might seem strict, but not following them could ruin your day or get your stuff taken away. So always double check before you visit and enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Number eight, new shipping rules. If you're coming to Japan and planning to buy a lot of souvenirs, here's a very important update you need to know. Some travelers on my tour had bought so much that they ended up buying an extra suitcase and shipping it home. But starting in April 2025, there's a new rule. Tax-free items can no longer be shipped overseas. Why? Because Japan's tax-free system requires you to show those items at customs when you leave the country. If you've already mailed them home, you won't have the items with you and you'll be charged the full consumption tax on the spot. This change is aimed at stopping people from abusing the system, like bulk buying tax-free goods to resell back home. So here's the deal. If you want to enjoy tax-free shopping, make sure you personally carry the items with you when you leave Japan. If you plan to ship them home, expect to pay the full tax. A small mistake here could cost you a lot, so shop smart and avoid surprise charges. Number nine, new rules on experience. If you're visiting Japan, you might be excited to try some traditional cultural experiences like samurai or ninja activities. But here's an important new rule you need to know. Until recently, many tourists enjoyed authentic swordplay experiences wearing traditional costumes and using real Japanese swords. However, in January 2025, the city of Murayama in Yamagata Prefecture, known as the birthplace of Iwato, had to stop these experiences because the police ruled that using real swords may violate Japan's strict sword control laws. Even though these programs were popular and officially recognized, they were immediately suspended. Similar programs still operate in Tokyo and Kyoto, but this ruling may affect other areas in the future. If you want to enjoy samurai or ninja experiences now, you can still watch demonstrations by certified masters or use replica swords instead of real ones. Personally, I collaborate with a service in Tokyo where you can dress as a samurai and safely enjoy the experience with a special discount if you book through me. Check the description below if you are interested. Number 10, new no tourist area. In a previous video, I talked about how Kyoto's famous Gion district started restricting access to certain alleys from April 2024. This was to prevent incidents related to the sudden surge in tourists like meiko hunting, where tourists would block streets to take photos of apprentice geishas or even throw cigarette butts on their kimonos. Now, there's another important update starting March 2025. Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture has banned all tourists from entering the Watatsumi Shrine. This shrine is well known as the setting for the popular game Ghost of Tsushima, which led to a huge increase in visitors. Unfortunately, the shrine has faced problems like littering, smoking, mountain biking in restricted areas, and even public urination. Staff have also been verbally abused, especially when speaking foreign languages loudly, causing serious distress. To protect this sacred site, each staff and local culture, a complete ban on tourists was enforced. Local officials said they felt the destruction of culture and stressed the importance of respecting local customs and people. This is a clear reminder to all visitors, respecting the places and communities you visit is essential. Let's hope these restrictions don't spread to other areas of Japan. How was today's video? If you would like a personal guide in Japan or need recommendations for travel plans and cultural experiences, please contact me from the link in the description section. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel and like button. See you in my next video. Bye.