Japan Visa RequirementsFor Latvia passport holders
Latvian citizens can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days. Check for any new pre-registration requirements.
Great news! Latvia passport holders can enter Japan without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa required for stays up to 90 days. Complete the arrival card at the immigration counter.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Latvia to Japan: What You Need to Know
Latvian citizens enjoy visa-free access to Japan for up to 90 days per stay under the bilateral visa exemption.
Entry requirements: Fill out the arrival card. Japan is considering pre-arrival registration for visa-exempt travelers; verify with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travel.
Latvian-Japanese relations: Latvia and Japan have maintained diplomatic ties and a small but active cultural exchange program.
How to Get There
No direct flights from Riga. Connect via Helsinki (Finnair operates excellent HEL-TYO/HEL-KIX service), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), or Amsterdam (KLM). Total travel time approximately 11 to 14 hours.
Money & Banking
Japan uses the Japanese Yen (JPY). 7-Eleven ATMs (Sevenbank) reliably accept international cards. Get a Suica IC card at the airport.
Practical Tips
Japan is outstanding for its blend of ancient and ultramodern. Tokyo, Kyoto (temples, geisha districts), Osaka (street food, Dotonbori), Hiroshima, Nara, Hakone (Mt. Fuji views), and Hokkaido are all worth visiting.
Japan Rail Pass: Purchase before departure for unlimited shinkansen (bullet train) travel. Excellent value for multi-city itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Latvian citizens need a visa to visit Japan?
No. Latvian citizens enjoy visa-free access to Japan for up to 90 days per stay.
Is the Japan Rail Pass good value?
Yes. The Japan Rail Pass is excellent value for multi-city travel. The 7-day pass covers unlimited shinkansen (bullet train) travel and most JR lines. It must be purchased before arriving in Japan and activated on first use.
What is the best way to experience authentic Japanese cuisine in Japan?
Visit a neighborhood ramen shop, a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant (kaiten-zushi), a tonkatsu (breaded pork) restaurant, a standing sushi bar (tachinomi sushi) at a market like Tsukiji Outer Market, or a yakitori grill. Convenience store (combini) food in Japan is also remarkably good.
How do I get from Riga to Japan?
No direct flights. The best connection is via Helsinki (Finnair direct HEL-TYO/HEL-KIX). From Riga, fly to Helsinki (1 hour) then connect. Total travel time from Riga approximately 12 to 14 hours.
What is the currency and payment situation in Japan?
Japan uses the Japanese Yen (JPY). Despite being technologically advanced, Japan is still largely cash-based. 7-Eleven ATMs (Sevenbank) reliably accept international cards. Get a Suica IC card at the airport.
Do I need to worry about earthquakes in Japan?
Japan is seismically active. Large earthquakes are infrequent but possible. Familiarize yourself with Japan's earthquake alert system (the J-Alert system sends warnings to all mobile phones). Most modern buildings in Japan are built to excellent earthquake-resistant standards.