First Time in Japan? Your Airport Pickup Guide
You Just Landed in Japan. Now What?
Congratulations — you made it to Japan. But between immigration, customs, getting cash, finding WiFi, and figuring out how to reach your hotel, the first hour can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through everything in order, so you can relax and actually enjoy arriving.
Step 1: Immigration and Customs
Visit Japan Web (Do This Before You Fly)
Japan strongly recommends registering on Visit Japan Web before your trip. You can fill in your immigration card, customs declaration, and (if applicable) quarantine info online. At the airport, you'll scan a QR code instead of filling out paper forms — it genuinely saves 10-20 minutes in the immigration line.
If you didn't register in advance, don't panic. Paper forms are available on the plane and at immigration counters. But the QR code lanes are faster, so it's worth doing ahead of time.
Immigration
Have your passport, return flight info, and hotel address ready. Immigration officers may ask your purpose of visit and length of stay — short, simple answers are fine. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are taken for all foreign visitors. Processing typically takes 15-45 minutes depending on how many flights have landed.
Luggage Belt
After immigration, follow signs to baggage claim. Screens display which carousel your flight's luggage is on. Japan's airports are efficient — bags usually appear quickly. Grab a free luggage cart if you have multiple bags.
Customs
If you completed your customs declaration on Visit Japan Web, use the electronic gates (scan QR code). Otherwise, hand your paper form to the customs officer. Unless you're carrying large amounts of cash (over ¥1,000,000), restricted items, or excessive goods, you'll walk straight through.
Step 2: Getting Cash
Japan is more card-friendly than it used to be, but cash is still essential — especially for small restaurants, shrines, vending machines, and local shops.
- 7-Eleven ATMs — the most reliable option for foreign cards. 7-Eleven convenience stores are everywhere (even inside airports), and their ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, and most international cards. Withdrawal fees are typically ¥110 per transaction.
- Airport currency exchange — available at both Narita and Haneda, but rates are mediocre. Fine for a small amount to get you started; use 7-Eleven ATMs for better rates once you're in the city.
Tip: Withdraw ¥20,000-30,000 to start. That covers a few meals, transit, and incidentals for your first couple of days.
Step 3: SIM Card or WiFi
You need internet access from the moment you leave the airport. Google Maps, translation apps, and messaging all require data.
- Airport SIM vending machines — located in arrival halls at both Narita and Haneda. Brands like Mobal, IIJmio, and others offer tourist SIMs (typically 3GB-unlimited for 7-30 days). Prices range from ¥1,500 to ¥5,000. Insert it into your unlocked phone and you're online in minutes.
- Pocket WiFi rental — counters at both airports rent portable WiFi devices (¥500-1,000/day). Good for groups since multiple devices can connect. Reserve online before your trip to guarantee availability.
- eSIM — if your phone supports it, buy an eSIM before you fly (Ubigi, Airalo, etc.). Activate it when you land — no physical card needed, no counter visit.
Step 4: IC Cards for Transit
Suica and Pasmo are rechargeable IC cards for trains, buses, and convenience store payments across Japan. You tap to ride — no buying individual tickets.
- Physical cards: Currently limited availability at stations. Check if vending machines at your arrival airport are selling them.
- Mobile Suica (iPhone/Apple Watch): The easiest option. Set it up in your Wallet app — works even without a Japanese bank account. Add funds via credit card.
- Mobile Pasmo works similarly on iPhone.
Note: If you're taking a private transfer directly to your hotel, you don't need an IC card right away. You can set one up later at your convenience, rather than standing in line at the airport.
Step 5: Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel
This is the big decision. Here are your options:
Train
From Narita: Narita Express to Tokyo Station (¥3,140, ~60 min) or Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (¥2,300–2,660, ~40 min). From Haneda: Tokyo Monorail (¥500, ~18 min) or Keikyu Line (¥300-600). Trains are cheap and fast, but you'll need to navigate stations, buy tickets, manage luggage through turnstiles, and likely transfer to reach your actual hotel. After a long flight, this can be exhausting.
Airport Bus
Limousine buses go to major hotels and stations (¥1,000-3,200). Comfortable, but they run on fixed schedules. If immigration takes longer than expected, you might miss yours.
Taxi
Available curbside. Narita to central Tokyo runs ¥20,000-30,000+ (metered, with possible late-night surcharge). Haneda to central Tokyo is ¥5,000-8,000. Most drivers speak limited English. The meter means you won't know the exact cost until arrival.
Private Transfer — The First-Timer's Best Friend
For your very first time in Japan, a pre-booked private transfer removes all navigation stress. Here's what happens:
- Before you land — your assigned driver contacts you with pickup instructions
- After you land — free waiting is 90 minutes from actual landing time, so take your time through immigration and customs
- Meet & greet — name board pickup is included free (subject to airport conditions). Where boards aren't possible, your driver meets you at the pickup point.
- Door to door — straight to your hotel. No trains, no transfers, no dragging luggage through stations
The price is fixed when you book — no meter, no surge, no surprises.
How Much Does a Private Transfer Cost?
| Route | Alphard (4 pax, 4 luggage) | HiAce (9 pax, 9 luggage) |
|---|---|---|
| Narita → Tokyo 23 Wards | ¥24,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Haneda → Tokyo 23 Wards | ¥16,000 | ¥20,000 |
Split between 2-4 people, the per-person cost is surprisingly close to a train ticket — without any of the hassle. Flight monitoring is included: delays over 20 minutes trigger automatic pickup adjustment.
Practical First-Day Tips
- Keep your passport handy — you'll need it for hotel check-in (Japanese law requires it), SIM card purchase, and tax-free shopping
- Have your hotel address in Japanese — screenshot it or save it in your notes. Even in a private transfer, having the Japanese address ensures a smooth drop-off. For taxis, it's essential since most drivers read Japanese addresses only.
- Download Google Maps offline — in case your SIM setup takes time, having offline maps is a lifesaver
- Convenience stores are your friend — 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are open 24/7 and sell everything from onigiri to phone chargers to underwear. ATMs are inside.
- Don't tip — tipping is not customary in Japan and can cause confusion
Your First Hour, Simplified
Here's the ideal first-timer sequence:
- Clear immigration (Visit Japan Web QR code)
- Grab luggage
- Walk through customs
- Pick up a SIM card or activate your eSIM
- Withdraw cash at 7-Eleven ATM
- Walk to pickup point — your RydAgent driver is already waiting
- Ride to your hotel. Done.
No train maps. No ticket machines. No luggage on escalators. Just a comfortable ride in a Toyota Alphard or HiAce, driven by a professional who already knows where you're going.
Book Your Airport Transfer
Enter your trip — pickup, destination, date and passengers — and get a fixed all-in price in under a minute. No account needed.
Related Articles
- Haneda Airport Transfer: Complete Guide
- Private Transfer vs Taxi in Japan: What You Need to Know
- Narita → Tokyo Transfer — View Route & Pricing
- Haneda → Tokyo Transfer — View Route & Pricing
First time landing at Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami: what changes
Everything above applies at Kansai Airport. The one difference for a first-timer is distance: KIX is built on an island in Osaka Bay, about 50 km from Osaka and roughly 100 km from Kyoto, so the choice between train and car matters more than at Haneda. Your driver waits at the arrivals exit with a name board exactly as at Narita, and the 90 minutes of free waiting are counted from actual landing.
Itami (ITM) is the domestic airport inside the city; if you connect there from Tokyo or Sapporo, the meeting works the same way and the ride to Osaka is about 30 minutes.
| Route | Alphard (up to 4) | HiAce (up to 9) | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansai Airport (KIX) → Osaka city | ¥19,000 | ¥24,000 | ≈50 min |
| KIX → Kyoto | ¥30,000 | ¥34,000 | ≈90 min |
| KIX → Nara | ¥30,000 | ¥34,000 | ≈75 min |
| KIX → Kobe | ¥23,000 | ¥28,000 | ≈60 min |
| Itami Airport (ITM) → Osaka city | ¥16,000 | ¥19,000 | ≈30 min |
| ITM → Kyoto | ¥24,000 | ¥26,000 | ≈60 min |
| Kyoto ⇄ Osaka (Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Namba) | ¥32,000 | ¥35,000 | ≈60–75 min |
Full Kansai guide: KIX to Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara — full cost breakdown · Kansai Airport hub.
Book Your Transfer in 30 Seconds
Instant pricing. No waiting, no calls.