Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this.

Know Abroad

JapanJapan

Local Laws & Customs

Last verified August 21, 2026

Written for U.S. passport holders

Public Conduct

  • Smoking is restricted to designated areas in most cities (Tokyo has banned street smoking outside marked zones citywide), while vaping regulations vary by product; nicotine-containing e-cigarettes without a prescription are effectively restricted.

Medicines You Can't Bring

  • Stimulant medications including Adderall and Vyvanse are strictly prohibited, even with a valid foreign prescription and a customs declaration. There are no exceptions, and possession can result in arrest and detention.
  • Common U.S. OTC cold/allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine or certain other stimulant ingredients above Japan's threshold, including original-formula Sudafed, Actifed, Vicks Inhaler, and NyQuil, are also prohibited.
  • Legal alternatives for ADHD exist locally (methylphenidate, atomoxetine), but check your specific medication's status with Japan's Narcotics Control Department well before you travel, not after you land.

Photography & Drones

  • Drones require permission to fly over densely populated areas (essentially all of central Tokyo and most other cities) and near airports; casual recreational flying in urban Japan is more restricted than many tourists expect.

Drugs & Alcohol

  • The legal drinking age is 20. Japan enforces drug laws strictly and with near-zero cultural tolerance; penalties apply even for small personal amounts and at lower blood-alcohol thresholds for driving than most U.S. states use.

Carrying ID

  • Foreign nationals are legally required to carry their passport at all times in Japan; you can be asked to produce it during a routine police check.

The Gotcha

The stimulant-medication ban is the single most consequence-heavy item on this page for many American travelers, because it applies with zero exceptions, a valid U.S. prescription and honest customs declaration do not protect you. If you take Adderall, Vyvanse, or a similar medication, you need a genuinely different plan for Japan (a doctor-approved substitute or a legal import certificate for an allowed medication), not just 'bring the prescription.'

Sources

This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.