Irish Passport to Japan

No — Irish passport holders get 90 days visa-free entry to Japan. Granted on arrival as a "Temporary Visitor" status. For tourism, business, visiting family — no work allowed. Cannot extend the 90-day stay from within Japan without leaving + getting a different visa.

A free online pre-clearance system replacing the paper customs + immigration forms. Apply at vjw.digital.go.jp up to 2 weeks before arrival. You upload passport info + flight details + answer health + customs questions. Get a QR code. Show the QR code at immigration + customs in Japan = dramatically faster processing (sometimes 5 minutes vs 45+ for those filling paper forms). Strongly recommended.

Yes — Ireland has a Working Holiday programme with Japan. Up to 12 months + right to work. Apply at the Japanese Embassy in Dublin. Age 18-30 inclusive. Annual quota: 800 places — relatively easy to get if applied early in the calendar year. Different from visa-free tourism (no work allowed).

Passport (6+ months validity), return or onward flight ticket, Visit Japan Web QR code (optional but speeds processing massively), accommodation address for first night. Proof of funds technically required (JPY 30,000+ per day equivalent) but rarely asked. Japanese immigration is famously efficient — typical wait 10-20 minutes at HND/NRT/KIX with VJW.

A multi-day discount pass for the JR rail network including most Shinkansen (bullet trains). 7-day pass costs ~€340, 14-day ~€540. Worth it if: doing 2+ long Shinkansen trips (Tokyo↔Kyoto + Osaka). Not worth it: short city trips only. Must be purchased BEFORE arriving in Japan via the official JR website or partners. Print + redeem the exchange voucher at major train stations.