Just came through Haneda yesterday. Early morning arrival. QR code was meaningfless for immigration - no one asked for it as far as I could tell, and everyone was sent to a common line (I explicitly asked)

General line for immigration was a total zoo - probably 1+ hour long. I pulled out my APEC card, and was ushered to the shorter "priority" line that still took a good 20 minutes.
There was a poster on the wall advertising some "stricter processing due to G7" during this period, so perhaps that's the reason, although I did not notice anything out of ordinary.

QR code for the customs worked pretty well, but there was not much of a line at customs anyway so it did not save a lot of time.

Free shower at T3 on arrival for NH passengers is a nice touch, though.

How early in the morning out of curiosity? I fly in at 05:55 in a couple of weeks and trying to figure out what I have in store.

7 am. Hopefully with G7 being over it will not be as bad.

Arriving later this week and wondering do i still need to do an arrival card/QR code? I know i did the Visit Japan Web coming out of Covid but a year ago I feel I just filled out a card upon arrival. Just wondering what I can do ahead of time now to be fully prepared and expidite my arrival.

Thx :)

Using Visit Japan Web to complete your customs declaration in advance may save you some time at customs.

On arrival, you will need to use one of the kiosks near the baggage carousels to confirm the data that you entered, scan your passport, and have your photo taken - after which you can walk through the automated customs gates.

Pro-tip: If you also complete a paper form, you can choose to use the automated gates or the manned counter, depending on which has the shorter line.

Thanks for the reply. Are you saying do the kiosk as well as a paper form? And Visit Japan Web I should do also, even though I have to do the Kiosk/paper form?

^No. I believe he's saying if the line for the kiosks is backed up (or the tech goes down or breaks) it's good to be prepared with the paper form also. That's what I've done the last few visits but automated gates/kiosk has always been quicker.

Gotcha thanks. The paper form is something I will get from JL on the plane or it will be down in the immigration hall?

When I was there last I didnt have to do the pre reg with Visit Japan so I started to go to customs and they did stop me and I had to fill out a form, so if I recall there were some counters there and you just fill it out real quick.

On my last 3 arrivals, I’ve never bothered with the paper form, and the automated system with VJW has worked just fine.

Hi,

I have used the VJW auto system and it worked fine until my last visit. It worked fine for immigration but them the wifi ( Haneda airport) dropped out whilst at baggage reclaim so could not use the electronic declaration kiosk for a few minutes. I had started filling out the paper form but then the wifi came back and able to get my online QR code ( took a few minutes). this was just after midnight.
On all other visits the wifi worked fine
I did get a japan experience sim card for mobile data in Japan but only insert it into my phone once I'm at the hotel as removing my uk sim card is a bit fiddly at times and don't want to lose the uk sim card whilst on the move


Regards

TBS

Screenshot of the QR code fixes missing WiFi....

My past few trips I’ve used an eSIM. Makes it easier as you can activate it for data on landing and have all the VJW QR codes handy usually by time you get to the top of the air bridge.

Or..... you can screenshot the QR code before you take off and save it to photos. That way you have it locally with or without a network connection.

I picked up a sim card at FUK and had the guy put it in for me.
Had an Optus sim card mailed to me for Oz and took it to the Optus counter at MEL and the guy put it in for me.
Both times they were happy to do it (given multiple pleases and thank yous) so much so that I would do that again even if the card I had was not one sold at the counter.

Forgive my clear lack of being tech saavy but as long as your carrier works internationally then why do you need a Sim card? I have ATT and the phone just works at every country I've been to (so far). Is the Sim card for better/quicker service or to save money be avoiding the international plan cost that ATT, Verizon, T Mobile charge?