Long-haul, sometimes via the US
Canada eVisa (eTA): rules for Japanese travellers
From Japan, the trip to Canada is long-haul. Some routes connect in the United States, which adds a US formality to the Canadian eTA.
- Nationality
- Japanese
- eTA
- Required for air travel
- Official IRCC fee
- CA$7
- Flying time to Canada
- About 9 hr to Vancouver, 12 hr to Toronto nonstop
- Time difference
- Vancouver is 16 to 17 hr behind Tokyo, Toronto 13 to 14 hr
- Currency at departure
- JPY (¥)
From Japan
What to check before departure
Your flights to Canada
Nonstop flights from Tokyo to Vancouver and Toronto, plus seasonal flights to other Canadian cities.
Schedules and routes from Japan can change. Check the full itinerary with the airline, including the formalities of every connecting country.
- Departure airports
- Tokyo Narita · Tokyo Haneda · Osaka Kansai
- Airlines flying to Canada
- Air Canada · Japan Airlines · ANA
High season: Golden Week (late April to early May), summer and the year-end holidays. Book early during these busy periods.
Your passport
A valid Japanese passport. The eTA is electronically linked to it: if you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA.
Health
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Canada from Japan. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended: healthcare is expensive for visitors.
Point to watch
A connection in the United States requires an ESTA in addition to the Canadian eTA.
US connection: one more formality
A connection on US soil requires a US authorization (ESTA or visa, depending on nationality) in addition to the eTA. A nonstop flight avoids it.
Mind the time difference
Booking dates follow local time: an evening departure can land in Canada on the same day, or even the day before.
Good to know
Travelling to Canada from Japan
Trip idea from Japan
The northern lights draw many Japanese travellers to Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, from late summer to spring. Vancouver, about nine hours from Tokyo by air, is a good gateway to the West and the Rockies.
Combining with the United States
Many travellers combine Canada and the United States. Japanese citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA, applied for separately. Crossing between Canada and the US by road or train does not require an eTA, but flying back into Canada does.
Electricity
Good news: like Japan, Canada uses type A and B sockets. The voltage is 120 V versus 100 V in Japan, which most electronic devices accept.
Language
English is the everyday language in most of the country. In Quebec the majority language is French: a few words will help, although English is widely understood in Montreal.
To prepare
The application of a Japanese national
A passport from a visa-exempt country
The eTA is electronically linked to this passport. It must be valid, and it is the passport you will show when boarding.
A valid email address
The answer and any request for additional documents arrive by email. Check the spelling and keep an eye on your spam folder.
Your personal details
Names, date and place of birth, nationality, address and phone number, as shown on your documents.
A payment card
Payment is made online by card, securely.
Frequently asked questions
What Japanese travellers often ask us
Do Japanese travellers need an eTA for Canada?
Yes, for air travel. Japanese nationals are visa-exempt but must obtain an eTA before boarding a flight to or through Canada. By land or sea, it is generally not required.
How long is the flight from Japan?
About 9 hr to Vancouver, 12 hr to Toronto nonstop. Nonstop flights from Tokyo to Vancouver and Toronto, plus seasonal flights to other Canadian cities.
Which airlines fly from Japan to Canada?
From Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka Kansai, flights to Canada are operated by airlines including Air Canada, Japan Airlines and ANA. Routes change, so check the full itinerary with the airline.
Do I need a vaccination to enter Canada from Japan?
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Canada from Japan. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended: healthcare is expensive for visitors.
What should I watch out for during the connection?
A connection in the United States requires an ESTA in addition to the Canadian eTA.
What is the time difference between Japan and Canada?
Vancouver is 16 to 17 hr behind Tokyo, Toronto 13 to 14 hr. Canada spans six time zones: check the one for your arrival city.
When are seats hardest to find from Japan?
Busiest period for departures from Japan: Golden Week (late April to early May), summer and the year-end holidays. Apply for the eTA as soon as the trip is decided, even before booking.
Which passport do I need to apply for the eTA?
A valid Japanese passport. The eTA is electronically linked to it: if you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA.
What to see in Canada when travelling from Japan?
The northern lights draw many Japanese travellers to Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, from late summer to spring. Vancouver, about nine hours from Tokyo by air, is a good gateway to the West and the Rockies.
Can I combine Canada and the United States from Japan?
Many travellers combine Canada and the United States. Japanese citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA, applied for separately. Crossing between Canada and the US by road or train does not require an eTA, but flying back into Canada does.
Do I need a plug adapter for Canada?
Good news: like Japan, Canada uses type A and B sockets. The voltage is 120 V versus 100 V in Japan, which most electronic devices accept.
What language is spoken in Canada?
English is the everyday language in most of the country. In Quebec the majority language is French: a few words will help, although English is widely understood in Montreal.
Go further
Guides to plan your trip
- Trip planning
When to visit Canada, season by season
Summer, autumn colours, snowy winter: a calendar for choosing the best time for your trip.
6 min read - Formalities
Getting your eTA application right first time
Passport number, dual nationality, email address: the details that derail an application and how to avoid them.
6 min read - On the ground
Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver: choosing your city
What each major city offers, how to travel between them and how many days to plan.
7 min read
Other nationalities
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- AsiaSouth KoreaCanada eTA: requirements and steps for South Korean travellers.View the page
- OceaniaAustraliaCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Australian travellers.View the page
- EuropeFranceCanada eTA: requirements and steps for French travellers.View the page
- EuropeBelgiumCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Belgian travellers.View the page
- EuropeSwitzerlandCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Swiss travellers.View the page
- EuropeLuxembourgCanada eTA: requirements and steps for Luxembourg travellers.View the page
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