Japan Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Malta passport holders can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or short-term activities.
Great news! Malta 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. Passport must be valid for the duration of stay. A departure ticket is required. No work permitted on tourist status. Japan Tourist Tax applies at some accommodations.
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
Required Documents
Valid Malta Passport
Must be valid for the entire duration of stay.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of departure from Japan is required.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Immigration may ask for bank statement or credit cards.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to Japan: What You Need to Know
Japan is an archipelago nation of 125 million people with one of the world's most distinct cultures. Malta and Japan share an interesting parallel as both are island nations with exceptional concentrations of historical and cultural heritage relative to their small size, both recognized extensively by UNESCO. Japan's combination of ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity continues to fascinate European travelers. Japanese cuisine is now well-established in Malta (sushi restaurants have proliferated in Valletta and Sliema), making Japan an intuitive culinary destination for Maltese food enthusiasts.
How to Get There
Flights from Malta connect via Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Dubai to Tokyo Narita or Haneda. Total journey 13-15 hours. The Japan Rail Pass (purchased before arrival) offers exceptional value for multi-city travel.
Money & Banking
Japan uses the yen (JPY). Japan is excellent value for European visitors today: ramen JPY 900-1,500 (EUR 5.50-9), convenience store onigiri JPY 150, mid-range hotel JPY 10,000-20,000/night. Cash is still important (IC cards for transit). Suica or Pasmo cards work on all urban transit and convenience stores.
Practical Tips
Tokyo (minimum 5 days): Senso-ji temple in Asakusa (particularly beautiful at dawn), Meiji Jingu shrine in Harajuku, teamLab Planets digital art, Tsukiji outer market for breakfast sushi, the anime/gaming district of Akihabara, Shibuya crossing, and Shinjuku's Golden Gai alley bars. Kyoto (2.5 hours by shinkansen): Fushimi Inari (the 10,000 torii gates), Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Nishiki Market (Kyoto's kitchen), Gion geisha district at dusk. Osaka: street food paradise (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu), Dotonbori neon, Osaka Castle, and the Kuromon Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for Japan?
No. Malta passport holders can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
What is a ryokan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, typically featuring tatami-matted rooms (you sleep on a futon laid directly on the tatami), communal or private onsen (hot spring baths), and a multi-course kaiseki dinner and breakfast served in your room. Staying in a ryokan is one of Japan's most distinctive travel experiences. Quality ranges from budget (minshuku, from EUR 50/night) to ultra-luxury (EUR 500-1,000/night). The etiquette of removing shoes at the genkan (entrance), wearing the provided yukata robe, and proper bath usage is explained to guests.
What is Japanese tea ceremony?
The tea ceremony (chado or chanoyu) is a ritualized practice of preparing and presenting matcha (powdered green tea) with aesthetics rooted in Zen Buddhism. Participants sit quietly on tatami, the host prepares the tea with precise choreographed movements, and thick then thin matcha is served with wagashi (Japanese sweets). Full ceremony experiences are available in Kyoto's teahouses for approximately EUR 20-50.
What is the best ramen to try in Japan?
There are four main regional ramen styles: Tonkotsu (Fukuoka/Kyushu, rich pork bone broth, white and cloudy), Shoyu (Tokyo, clear soy-sauce brown broth), Miso (Sapporo, Hokkaido, thicker miso-based broth with corn and butter), and Shio (lighter salt-based, common in Hakodate). Each is a complete world. The best ramen shops have queues and often use ticketing machines.
Is Japan suitable for solo travel?
Exceptionally so. Japan is extraordinarily safe for solo travelers including women. The language barrier is real but manageable with translation apps and QR code menus (now widespread). Train stations have English signage. Japanese people are helpful though often shy about speaking English.
What is a konbini?
Konbini (convenience stores) in Japan are extraordinarily useful: they are open 24/7, everywhere, and sell excellent food (fresh rice balls, sandwiches, hot snacks), accept foreign credit cards and have international ATMs (7-Eleven particularly reliable), offer printing services, and sell train tickets. The quality of Japanese convenience store food is internationally famous and genuinely much better than anywhere else.