Arriving at the Airport
Immigration Examination
At Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose, Hiroshima and Fukuoka Airport, besides having a Landing Permission seal stamped in your passport, you will also receive a Residence Card.
At other ports of entry (including Sendai Airport), a Landing Permission seal will be placed in your passport along with a note stating “A Residence Card will be issued later”. In this case, a Residence Card will be issued after you have completed the necessary registration of your residence at the local ward office. (in principle, a residence card will be mailed by the Regional Immigration Office to your reported place of residence.)
Working Part-time as an International Student in Japan
In order to work part time in Japan, international students need a “Permit to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.” Those who have “student” residence status, and are receiving entry permission for the first time, can apply for this permit when they apply for entry permission (except those whose period of residence is fixed at “3 months”). Those planning to work part time should apply for this permit. See here for details on obtaining the permit and starting part-time work.
Customs Procedures
There will be a customs inspections after the immigration inspection. All persons entering Japan must complete a “Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles” form.
The forms are available at each custom’s desk. You can also download the forms in multiple languages from the Japan Customs’ website below.
For more information in English language, please see the Tokyo Custom’s website below.
Exchanging Money
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at international airports such as Narita, Haneda, Sendai, Chubu or Kansai Airport. Some currencies are not available at banks and post offices in Sendai, so it is preferable to obtain Japanese yen, or a major currency such as Euros or US dollars, before departing your country of origin. In Japan, bank tellers usually close at 3:00pm (though ATMs operate for longer hours), and are closed on weekends and national holidays. Before leaving for Japan, you should exchange enough currency to cover incidental expenses for the first day or two (100,000 yen to cover Shinkansen (bullet train) and other transportation fare from Narita Airport to Sendai; food, hotel etc.). Please be aware that, although Shinkansen tickets can be purchased with a credit card, compared to the US and Europe in general, credit cards are accepted in fewer places across Japan.
For further reference, please refer to Money in Japan.
Exchanging money at Sendai Airport
The following facility at Sendai Airport can exchange major currencies. (Click here for the website of Sendai Airport Terminal Building)
77 Bank Sendai Airport Branch Office (passenger terminal, 1st floor)
Foreign Currency Exchange (year-round) Teller 9:00am – 3:00pm, Money changing machine 9:00am – 8:00pm
See the link below for the currencies they deal in (Japanese only). Some currencies are available only at the bank teller. For details, please contact the office directly.
Courier Service
Almost every airport in Japan has a courier service (宅配便 Takuhaibin) which can deliver luggage directly to your lodgings. The cost is about 2000 yen for an average-sized suitcase. It can take two to three days for the luggage to arrive, so you should not send items you will need immediately.
Sendai Airport Courier Counter
Phone: +81-22-383-2088
Business hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Narita International Airport: Greenport Agency
Terminal 1, 1st Floor; Terminal 2, 1st Floor
Phone: +81-476-32-4755
Business hours: 9:00am – 6:30pm
Haneda Airport Delivery Service
Access to Sendai
The easiest way to get to Sendai from Narita / Haneda airport is by train.
You can refer to details regarding access to Sendai from this page.
Train tickets can easily be bought at the JR counters or automatic ticket selling machine at the airport.
You may refer to JR East Official Website on how you can purchase train tickets.
If you would like to get some assistance in purchasing the train ticket before your arrival, our center offers support services in purchasing the tickets, and handing them to you at the airport on the day of arrival.
Please refer to the section below for additional assistance available upon arrival and how to apply.
Assistance Upon Arrival
The International Support Center offers the below assistance for international students and researchers:
- Support at the arrival airport (limited to Haneda and Narita airport)
- Our support team will meet you at the arrival hall of Haneda/Narita airport after your arrival in Japan, and guide you through the process of purchasing Shinkansen tickets as well as guiding you to the correct train platform at the airport to board your connecting train.
- Guidance after arrival in Sendai
- ISC provides greet-and-guide transportation arrangements which includes meeting guests at the Sendai airport or train station and personally escorting them to their accommodations or our campuses.
- Please note that public transportation is used for this support service.
Please be advised that the ticket fees and any fees that incur due to changes in travel plans shall be borne by the researcher/faculty members in entirety.
