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Tokyo Haneda Airport
HND • RJTT
15 km • 15 km rail or taxi
Best all-around Tokyo gateway for domestic connections to Izu, Okinawa, and Hokkaido, plus many international routes.
Transport: Urban rail, Airport limousine buses, Taxis, Car rentals
Logistics · Country Guide
Coral to drift ice: Japan's full-spectrum water adventure
Updated Dec 7, 2025 • 20 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most international arrivals route through Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) or Osaka (Kansai). From there, Japan's domestic flight network makes it straightforward to reach the main dive hubs:
If you are planning a split-region trip, consider arriving in one gateway (Tokyo) and departing from another (Osaka or Naha) to reduce backtracking.
Tokyo Haneda Airport
HND • RJTT
15 km • 15 km rail or taxi
Best all-around Tokyo gateway for domestic connections to Izu, Okinawa, and Hokkaido, plus many international routes.
Transport: Urban rail, Airport limousine buses, Taxis, Car rentals
Narita International Airport
NRT • RJAA
60 km • 60 km train or bus
Major international gateway with extensive long-haul routes; connect onward to Tokyo or domestic flights.
Transport: Express trains, Airport buses, Taxis, Car rentals
Kansai International Airport
KIX • RJBB
50 km • 50 km rail or bus
Convenient Osaka/Kyoto gateway and a good choice for open-jaw itineraries across western Japan.
Transport: Rail links to Osaka, Airport buses, Taxis, Car rentals
Japan is built for transit. On the main islands, trains are the fastest way to move between cities, while domestic flights make north-south jumps efficient.
For diving:
If you are carrying heavy gear, consider luggage forwarding so you can travel light on trains.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and passport. Check Japan's official visa information (MOFA) well before travel.
Common planning steps:
Always verify the latest requirements close to departure, especially if you are transiting multiple countries.
Most dive hubs rent full kits, but bringing a well-fitting mask, computer, and exposure protection can improve comfort.
Practical tips:
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted in cities and major tourism hubs. On smaller islands and in rural coastal towns, small restaurants, taxis, and local ferries may still prefer cash.
ATMs are easy to find in cities. The most reliable nationwide option is convenience store ATMs, which are common even in smaller towns, but outer islands can still have limited access. Carry backup cash for multi-day island hops.
100V • 50Hz/60Hz • A, B
Frequency varies by region (east versus west). Most modern chargers handle both, but check your gear, especially if you travel with camera battery systems.
Communications
Tourist eSIMs, SIM cards, and pocket Wi-Fi rentals are common at airports and online. Coverage is strong in cities and along main rail corridors, but remote islands and some coastal roads can have weaker signal. Download offline maps for island days.
Language
Japanese is the main language. In Okinawa and popular dive hubs, many operators support English, but not all. Learn a few basics, use translation apps, and confirm safety briefings clearly before entering the water.
Insurance
Carry travel insurance that covers adventure activities and add dedicated dive insurance if you plan deeper or more technical profiles. This matters most for current-prone dives and for cold-water or ice diving in the north, where evacuation can be weather-limited.
Packing list
Pack for the region, not the country.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash layer for boat days, and a surface signaling kit (especially if you do boat dives). If you travel with camera gear, pack spare O-rings and a dry storage solution for humid summer conditions.