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• About Japan

Visiting Japan

• Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)　- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• TeCOT (COVID-19 Testing Center for Overseas Travelers) - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
• COVID-19: Current Japanese Border Measures - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) advisory information - Japan National Tourism Organization

We welcome you to visit Japan

Empowering the Disabled

This movie introduces the new essential steps ahead of an unforgettable travel in Japan.

General Information

Japan: the Official Guide

Japan National Tourism Organization

General tourism information of Japan in multi languages. Climate, Healthcare, Money, Visa, Emergency info, etc. WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/

Open for Professionals

Japan External Trade Organization

The Government of Japan strongly welcomes highly-skilled foreign professionals. WEB: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/hrportal/

Disaster Prevention Portal

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Portal Site for Disaster Prevention in a Tokyo Inland Earthquake Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. WEB: http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/

Safety Tips

Safety tips is an app to push notify the disaster information of Japan. Download the app from the website as follow; WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/

Japan Weather Forecast for Travelers

Weather forecast in English for travelers. WEB: http://www.jnto.go.jp/weather/eng/index.php

Japan Meteorological Agency

WEB: http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

Embassies, Visas, Customs and other Tourism Related Information

• Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions Overseas [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
• Visas – Guide to Japanese Visas – [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
• Customs – Procedures of Passenger Clearance – [Japan Customs]
• The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
• Animal Quarantine [Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries]

Studying and Teaching

• Erin's Challenge! I can speak Japanese [The Japan Foundation]
• Marugoto: Japanese Language and Culture [The Japan Foundation]
• The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET)

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Travel advice, uk – japan.

Written by BCCJ August 23, 2021 Community and Business , COVID-19 , Japan News , UK Gov / British Embassy Tokyo , UK-Japan Relations

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Entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)

This page is a snapshot of the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport, for the most common types of travel to Japan.

The authorities in Japan set and enforce entry rules. For further information you are advised to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to. Before making travel arrangements you should also consider checking with your transport provider or travel company to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet the necessary requirements.

Entry to Japan

The re-entry into Japan of foreign nationals with status of residence who have stayed in  these countries  within 14 days prior to the application for landing will be denied, unless there are special exceptional circumstances.

Foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan for work or study but do not have existing resident status and who have visited the UK or  this list of countries  in the past 14 days are currently not permitted to enter until further notice, other than in  exceptional circumstances . This guidance also applies to foreign nationals in possession of visas issued under the previous individual and Global Residence Tracks.

Other entry to Japan on a short-term basis, such as for business, tourism or to visit family, continues to be denied other than in  exceptional circumstances . Business Tracks with all countries/regions have also been suspended until further notice. Japan has also introduced caps on the numbers of people able to arrive by plane, and bookings on some routes have therefore been suspended. Check with your airline.

Further details are available on the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs website , or via Japan’s Visa Information Hotline on +44 (0)800 041 8412. Alternatively, contact your nearest  Japanese Embassy  for more information, including if you believe you qualify for exceptional circumstances.

Under the Quarantine Act, all those entering Japan currently need to provide written evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within the 72 hours before their flight departure time. Details of the format are available on the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs website . You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.

Re-entry to Japan

British nationals with Status of Residence in Japan and who leave or have left Japan with a valid re-entry permit are allowed to re-enter Japan. However, you will need to follow appropriate arrival and quarantine rules as set out below, and provide written evidence of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within the 72 hours before your flight departure time. You should check the Japanese government’s advice on this re-entry process on the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs website .

Japan has also introduced caps on the number of people able to arrive by plane, and bookings on some routes have therefore been suspended. You should check with your airline if unsure.

Those who do not have a valid re-entry permit will in principle be denied re-entry; please consult the Japanese authorities for advice.

Japan has suspended its visa waiver system for anyone travelling on a British Citizen or British National (Overseas) passport with no indication of when this suspension will be lifted. Japan has also suspended single and multiple entry visas issued by Japanese Embassies and Consulates General in the UK (and many other countries) prior to 20 March 2020 ; the full list can be found on the  Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website . Anyone arriving in Japan without a valid visa will not be able to enter.

Testing/screening on arrival

All passengers arriving in Japan are required to complete a health questionnaire before disembarkation, including contact details. They are then required to undergo a COVID-19 test at the airport. You will be asked to wait for the test results at the airport before moving to your accommodation.

Quarantine requirements

From 14 August, travellers arriving from the UK are requested to spend 3 days (a change from 6) in self-isolation at a government-provided hotel, with further COVID-19 tests on the third day (The date of arrival counts as Day 0.) Children over the age of 12 will be asked to quarantine without a guardian – the Japanese authorities may offer some flexibility on this point, but this is not guaranteed. If the tests are negative, travellers will be allowed to continue 14 days’ self-isolation as set out below. Travellers coming from various other countries must also undertake between 3 and 10 days of self-isolation at a government-provided facility, with COVID-19 tests at designated intervals. Further details can be found on the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website  (see ‘Note 1’ under part 2 of sub-heading ‘3. Quarantine Measures’).

All passengers arriving in Japan from  this list of countries , as well as  those countries  which were part of individual Business and Residence Tracks until last Autumn, are required to sign a pledge confirming that they will self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at a designated location (such as a hotel or their own home). This pledge will also ask individuals to refrain from using public transport; install Japan’s COVID-19 tracing app; maintain location data for 14 days via their smartphone mapping application; and agree to disclose location data if requested by the quarantine authority. Failure to comply with these requests could lead to an individual being subject to detention under the Quarantine Act. It could also lead to their name and relevant information related to reducing the spread of infection being released; and for foreign nationals, possible revocation of their status of residence and subsequent deportation. If someone does not wish to sign this pledge, they will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days at a place designated by the quarantine authority. These measures will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

More details on Japan’s current quarantine rules are available  here . New measures may also be brought in at short notice for travel from other countries.

Transiting Japan

The measures listed above do not apply to passengers who are transiting through one Japanese airport and do not go through immigration. If you are transiting using different airports you will need a transit permit on arrival.

To get one you will be required to demonstrate that you have not come from a country on the banned list, that you have timely onward travel plans, and that you will not use public transport to move between airports; this includes taxis.

You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the authorities. You should also check the latest entry requirements for your destination.

READ MORE ON GOV.UK HERE

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With regards to visa inquiries, you can contact “Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information” or “the Japan Visa Information Hotline” listed on the website of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan. For more information and advice, please contact the Consular Section of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan with jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Please see below for details about visa.

1. Visa Application Procedures

2. about visa.

• 3. Visa Application Documents

4. Frequently Asked Questions

5. announcements.

• 6. Inquiries Concerning Visas
• Be aware of fraudulent website, social media, emails in an attempt to extract payments from visa applicants (July 5, 2017)

Short-Term Stay

(A stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities)

Click on the nationality of the visa applicant traveling to Japan.

• Philippines
• CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia
• Other Nationalities
• The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa)
• Countries or Regions for Visa Exemptions

Visa exemption arrangements have been resumed from 0:00 am (JST) on October 11, 2022.

It is highly recommended to purchase international travel medical insurance for your trip to Japan. Overseas travel medical insurance helps you in case of emergency.

Work or Long-Term Stay

(A stay during which the applicant performs remunerative work in Japan or a stay of over 90 days in Japan, etc.)

• Procedures chart for long-term stays
• The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan
• Japan’s Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening

Visa for Medical Stay

Visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders.

• Points to Note and Application Procedures
• Visa Processing Time
• Validity of a Visa
• Criteria of Visa Issuance
• Visas and Landing Permission

3. Visa Application Documents (download)

• (Note2) Company/personal seal on Letter of Guarantee and Letter of Invitation is no longer required.
• Visa Application Form
• Tell me why you rejected my visa application.
• I want to go to Japan. Do I need a visa?
• I want to invite a foreign national to Japan. What procedures are necessary?
• What should I do to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
• The Certificate of Eligibility will not arrive by the time I apply for a visa. Can I still apply for a visa with its copy?
• As a “guarantor”, to what extent do I need to be responsible?

Newly introduced visas

• Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)
• Designated activities (Future Creation Individual, Spouse or Child of Future Creation Individual) (J-Find)
• Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)

Review on restrictions on new entry of foreign nationals into Japan

• Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
• Border measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Statistics for the Number of Visas

• Number of Visas Issued in 2023 (June 25,2024)

Relaxation of Visa Requirements

• Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Possession of Ordinary Passports(September 30, 2023)
• Signing of the Japan-Israel Working Holiday Agreement (April 28, 2023)
• Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the State of Qatar based on Ordinary Passport Registration System (April 2, 2023)
• Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the United Arab Emirates in Possession of Ordinary Passports (November 1, 2022)
• Japan’s Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (April 3, 2020)
• Japan's Visa Policy in Accordance with Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons (February 2009)

6. Inquiries about Visas Application

Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information

Address: Yotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0004 Phone: Navi-Dial: 0570-011000 (For some IP phones and calls from overseas, please call +81-3-5369-6577) Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00

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Can you travel to Japan? Restrictions for UK travellers explained

By Abigail Malbon

Japan has had strict border restrictions since the Covid pandemic started in 2020, making travel to the country impossible for most. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, the number of international tourists to Japan fell from nearly 32 million in 2019 to just 250,000 in 2021. But when will we be able to go again? Here’s what you need to know about travel to Japan.

Travel rules for Japan from the UK

Until recently, UK travellers could enter Japan, but under strict circumstances. A gradual opening eventually allowed up to 50,000 travellers a day into the country – after an initial limit of 20,000, only on organised tours.

As of Tuesday 11 October 2022, UK travellers can enter Japan in uncapped numbers, as long as they follow the entry requirements set out. Travellers must complete any required forms on the MySoS app or website, and sign a written pledge that they will abide by the Japanese rules on self-isolation and other covid measures.

There is no requirement to be vaccinated in order to enter Japan. However, those who are vaccinated and boosted are not required to produce a negative PCR test before their flight – note that AstraZeneca is not accepted as a valid booster. The UK covid pass can be used to demonstrate your vaccination record to the authorities on arrival.

If visitors are not vaccinated, or are unable to prove that they have been, a negative PCR test certificate must be produced within 72 hours of travelling to Japan. Unvaccinated travellers are also unable to use the MySos fast track system.

For now, if you’re hoping to travel to Japan, we recommend checking the government’s website regularly for updates and information on what you need to do to allow entry.

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Japan reopens to British travellers – with strings attached

The uk is in japan’s ‘blue list’ group of countries, along with the us and most of europe, article bookmarked.

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Japan reopens at last to international tourists today following a near-complete two-year ban on foreign arrivals.

However, only a select few may go – namely those booked on to private group tours approved by the Japanese government.

Those who are eligible must still test before travel, fill in a health form and wear masks for much of the trip. Meanwhile, individual tourists remain barred from the country.

The Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida last month confirmed that, from 10 June, international tour groups from certain “blue list” countries including the UK would be permitted entry.

The country’s daily entry cap on tourists has also been doubled to 20,000,

Today’s updated Foreign Office (FCDO) advice reads: “From 10 June, tourists will be allowed to enter from the UK and other ‘blue list’ countries provided they are sponsored and registered on the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS) by an approved Japanese travel agency.”

Travel hopefuls will need the assistance of a Japan specialist tour operator, since the ERFS website is entirely in Japanese.

Once booked on an approved tour, tourists must:

• Take an approved Covid-19 test within the 72 hours before their flight departure time - this can be a nucleic acid test such as an RT-PCR or LAMP test, or a “qualitative antigen test”
• Sign a written pledge that commits them to abiding by the quarantine and self-isolation rules and to a number of other requirements
• Complete an online health questionnaire and obtain a QR code

A full list of valid and invalid Covid test types are outlined here , with the clarification that rapid antigen tests and kits are not accepted.

Previously a bucket list favourite, Japan has retained some of the world’s tightest travel restrictions as the pandemic lingers on.

The country saw 32 million international tourists in 2019, a figure that slipped down to 4 million in 2020 and 0.25 million in 2021.

The government attempted to ease its travel restrictions in summer 2021, before making the decision to close its borders once more in November 2021.

Business travellers, foreign workers and visitors such as entertainers have been allowed into the country only since 1 March 2022, subject to the same strict rules as group tour arrivals.

Speaking in Tokyo in late May , Mr Kishida said: “We will resume accepting tourists on package tours with guides from the 10th of next month.

“Step by step we will aim to accept tourists as we did in normal times, taking into consideration the status of infections.”

Yesterday three of the the country’s biggest business lobbies – Japan Business Federation, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the chambers of commerce of the US and other G-7 nations – published a statement urging Mr Kishida to make a more dramatic change to still-strict border rules.

The trio called on the government to restore visa waivers for business travellers, resume individual tourist travel and eliminate the cap on daily international arrivals, among other measures.

“These additional steps will help to ensure that Japan’s entry policies are better aligned with those of G-7 partners and will contribute to a more rapid recovery of Japan’s economy,” said the organisations.

Seino Satoshi, president of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), said: “Despite the pandemic, we have worked with people in inbound tourism to prepare for its recovery.

“We will welcome the return of international tourists to Japan as the first step in the recovery of inbound tourism.”

Travellers can find more practical info on entering Japan at the JNTO website.

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Useful resources and guidance for UK students in Japan

Information touchpoints:.

The following online resources are designed to help all UK students in Japan to access current information and guidance. UK Government updates are shared through the Travel Advice page and amplified on @UKinJapan channels. You can also subscribe to receive immediate email notifications of Travel Advice updates by following the Travel Alerts sign-up link below.

• Sign up for critical travel alerts at: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice    
• For passport care visit: www.gov.uk/overseas-passports   
• Website: www.gov.uk/world/japan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukinjapan 
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/UKinJapan 
• The British Embassy in Japan will remain open and continue to provide essential consular services to British Nationals. If you would like to report an emergency involving a British national please call 03-5211-1100 at any time, and select the option for ‘calling about an emergency involving a British National’ to speak to an officer. Or use our contact form for consular enquiries: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-tokyo   

Official UK Government Advice:

• As countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel and border restrictions, the FCDO advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Any country or area may restrict travel without notice. If you live in the UK and are currently travelling abroad, you are strongly advised to return now, where and while there are still commercial routes available. Many airlines are suspending flights and many airports are closing, preventing flights from leaving.
• Students, as they are neither long-term visitors to Japan, nor short-term residents, have more autonomy to decide what their next steps are, in comparison with other groups. It is up to the individual to decide what they feel most comfortable doing in the context of their own priorities and personal circumstances. 

What will Japan's Emperor Naruhito get up to on his previously-delayed UK state visit?

• Tuesday 25 June 2024 at 3:13pm

Royal Editor

The state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan is finally underway after suffering a previous postponement, a possible cancellation following the King’s cancer diagnosis, and then a last-minute scaling back as a result of the UK’s snap General Election.

But it may not feel very scaled back when you see the carriages and horses process back to Buckingham Palace, and then on to the State Banquet tonight where both King Charles and his guest, the Emperor, will make speeches.

The Mall is lined with the recognisable flag of the rising sun and the formal welcome, as they always are, will take place in a ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.

The Japanese Emperor has already been in the UK for several days, undertaking private visits with his wife, having arrived at Stansted Airport on Saturday.

That included a visit to the world-famous Thames barrier as Emperor Naruhito is a big fan of the River Thames and has studied it closely when he was younger.

Both the Emperor and Empress studied at Oxford University, so a visit to their former college is also part of their programme of events. It will take place on Friday.

Today, however, marks the official start as Prince William meets the couple at their hotel and escorts them to the ceremonial and military welcome parade with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Following a royal salute from the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, the Japanese national anthem will be played by the Band of the Welsh Guards.

The two royal couples will then head back to the palace in a carriage procession for the tried and tested state-visit ritual of lunch followed by an inspection of items from the Royal Collection, which relate to Japan.

The Emperor and Empress also have a visit at Westminster Abbey to squeeze in, where the Japanese head of state will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The events of the day mean the election campaign will be put on pause by some of the political party leaders who have been invited to tonight’s State Banquet.

The Emperor has also requested a visit to the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.

The late Queen was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor following her death in September 2022 and Emperor Naruhito wishes to lay his own wreath there.

State visits are more than just about ceremony. 

Both incoming visits, like this one, and foreign state visits when the King and Queen travel abroad are carried out on the advice of the Foreign Office with government priorities in mind.

Diplomats were keen to keep as much of this visit intact, despite the election, in order to avoid offending their Japanese guests.

Whilst the visit is a little pared back as a result, the Foreign Office is hopeful it will still enable the usual round of trade announcements to be made and business ties between the two countries to be strengthened.

This is the Talking Royals - our weekly podcast about the royal family, with ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship and Producer Lizzie Robinson

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First-Time Visitor Info

Smooth your way with a little forward planning.

It is easy to feel a little overwhelmed and disoriented when you visit Japan for the first time, so find out the basics before you fly and get acquainted with the country through our helping you plan guide.

Learn a little more about Japan's customs, culture and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as its seasonal weather, geography and luggage delivery options. Many of the questions first-time travelers might have are answered here, along with insider tips and practical advice to help you navigate the country with confidence.

Japan's official language is Japanese, but English is generally understood in major cities and designated tourist sites.

All of Japan sits within the same time zone, and no daylight saving is practiced. The country is nine hours ahead of GMT.

Wi-Fi & Connectivity

Wireless hotspots are popping up all over major cities in Japan, so you should never be too far from a Wi-Fi connection.

Plugs & Electricity

Japan uses two flat parallel prong plugs. For guaranteed charging of your electrical necessities, purchase a plug adapter beforehand.

The Japanese yen is used throughout the country and you can exchange foreign currency at the airports and most major banks.

Tax-Free Shopping

Visitors to Japan are eligible for tax exemption on many consumer goods. The process of receiving your tax back can vary from store to store.

Tipping is not practiced in Japan. In fact, it can cause discomfort and confusion if you do. A service charge is generally added on to the final bill in restaurants.

Credit Cards

Even though Japan is a cash-centric country, credit cards are usually accepted in most shops, restaurants and taxis in major cities.

Weather (When to Visit)

The weather in Japan can vary wildly depending on where you are traveling to. Find out the best times to visit and what to pack.

Please check the latest information on Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website or contact the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country/region of residence.

International Tourist Tax

Visitors to Japan pay a 1,000 yen departure tax to expand and enhance the country’s tourist infrastructure—a small tax that will make a significant difference.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) operates a visitor hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Customs & Duty

The Japan Customs official page is your most trustworthy source to answer any questions or queries related to Japanese customs and duty.

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Japan’s Emperor Naruhito was welcomed by Britain’s King Charles III on Tuesday during his state visit to the UK. The trip, originally planned for 2020, was intended to be the emperor’s first overseas visit after he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

King Charles III welcomes Emperor Naruhito of Japan to UK on state visit

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Follow our news, recent searches, uk rolls out red carpet for japanese royals on state visit, advertisement.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday (Jun 25), receiving a guard of honour and ceremonial royal welcome from King Charles III before a lavish Buckingham Palace banquet. 

It is the first state visit to the UK by a Japanese head of state since 1998 and, unusually for such a trip, comes during a general election campaign.

Some typical political elements, such as a Downing Street visit, have been scrapped in line with neutrality rules but all the traditional pomp and pageantry has been maintained.

The emperor and empress, who arrived on Saturday and held informal weekend engagements, were formally greeted by Charles and Queen Camilla in central London to the sound of gun salutes and the two countries' national anthems.

They also met a host of other dignitaries, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose government has pushed for closer ties with Japan in recent years.

Naruhito, 64, and Charles, 75, inspected the guard of honour before the royals travelled the short distance to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession for lunch.

The king, hosting his first state visit since it was revealed in February that he has cancer, later took his guests to a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to Japan.

He showed the emperor a delicately-painted scroll from 1855 from Queen Victoria's library showing the 17th-century coronation of Emperor Go-Mizunoo.The current day emperor could be heard saying "wonderful, wonderful" as he examined the objects on show.

The visiting royals next headed to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, where they attended Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in September 2022.

The day ends with a lavish state banquet on Tuesday evening.

Sunak and Labour party leader Keir Starmer, who is widely expected to win next week's election, are attending.

Charles has made a limited return to public duties in recent months after doctors said they were "very encouraged" by his progress.

Princess Anne, the king's sister, had been due to attend but is recovering in hospital with concussion and minor injuries after apparently being kicked by a horse.

Her husband, Timothy Laurence, told reporters on Tuesday that she was "recovering well".

The trip is the emperor's second official state visit since he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, following a trip to Indonesia last year.

It was originally due to take place in 2020 and would have been the emperor's first overseas visit but it was delayed by the pandemic.

Charles is hosting his third state visit since he became king following the death of his mother.It was announced Tuesday he had approved an honours award for Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida -- making him an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) -- for services to UK-Japan business relations.

'Fond memories' 

On Wednesday, Naruhito will visit The Francis Crick Institute, the UK's flagship biomedical research centre, before the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation host a banquet for him that evening.

The emperor and empress will formally bid farewell to the king and queen at Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning before attending the "Japan: Myths to Manga" exhibition at London's V&A museum.

The emperor will later privately visit Windsor Castle to lay a wreath on the tomb of the late queen.

Elizabeth, whose 70-year reign began in 1952, hosted two Japanese state visits during her reign: Emperor Hirohito in 1971 and his eldest son Emperor Akihito - Naruhito's father - in 1998.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Naruhito said Britain's royals treated him "like family" during his time studying in England in the 1980s.

Naruhito recalled that during his two years at Oxford University, he was invited to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for a few days.

"I have very fond memories of the queen driving a car and inviting me to a barbecue... and (her husband) Prince Philip showing me around by driving a carriage himself," he told a rare press conference.

The Japanese couple head to Oxford, west of London on Friday, and will fly home from near there.

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Japan imperial couple's U.K. visit highlights history of exchanges

The eight-day visit to Britain by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako from Saturday highlights some 150 years of exchanges between the Japanese imperial family and the British royal family.

Prince Alfred had a positive impression of the Japanese side at the time, according to Naotaka Kimizuka, professor at Kanto Gakuin University and expert on the British royal family.

This event provided the Japanese side with an opportunity to recognize the significance of entertaining important people from abroad and adopt rules of international protocol including hosting banquets at the Imperial Palace for guests.

In 1921, Crown Prince Hirohito visited Britain and was well received by King George V.

In 1979, Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, told reporters that he had listened to King George V about British constitutional government. He said that being a constitutional monarch is the base of his lifetime belief.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who is Emperor Showa's first son and abdicated as emperor in 2019, read a biography of King George V together with Shinzo Koizumi, his mentor and former president of Keio University, when he was crown prince.

After years of antagonism between Japan and Britain during World War II, Akihito, then as crown prince, attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, one year after the San Francisco peace treaty took effect, officially ending the war between Japan and the Allied powers.

Exchanges between the Japanese imperial family and the British royal family became active and, in 1971, Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako, posthumously known as Empress Kojun, visited Britain. In 1975, Queen Elizabeth II visited Japan.

During their visit to Britain in 1998 by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, the Japanese monarch said at a banquet hosted by the queen and her husband that he felt deep pain in his heart for people who suffered because of the war.

Naruhito studied at the University of Oxford between 1983 and 1985. In his book chronicling his two years in Britain, the Emperor wrote about close exchanges with Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British royal family.

When he traveled to Britain alone in 2001, Naruhito said he hoped to visit Britain with Masako next time.

Kimizuka said exchanges between the Japanese imperial family and the British royal family, which he calls "soft diplomacy," helped maintain relations between Japan and Britain and also helped postwar reconciliation.

Britain wants to strengthen cooperation with Japan after its exit from the European Union, Kimizuka said. He said the visit to Britain by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who were both born after the war, "will be future-oriented, toward a new Japan-Britain relationship."

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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan arrive in UK ahead of state visit

Japan ’s Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako have arrived in the UK ahead of their official state visit.

The smiling couple landed amid sunshine at Stansted Airport in Essex on Saturday afternoon.

A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the emperor and empress’s visit would not be a political one, and it is hoped it would forge “friendly relations across generations” between Japan’s imperial family and the British royal family.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are both set to attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening.

The banquet takes place the day before Mr Sunak and Sir Keir face one another in a head-to-head TV debate on June 26 – the last of the election campaign.

Emperor Naruhito, ruler of the Chrysanthemum throne, and his wife will spend seven days in the UK in total, carrying out private engagements before the official state visit begins on June 25.

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