How to Plan a Japan Trip from UAE: 2025 Step-by-Step Guide for Emirates Travelers

Japan, a country with the perfect combination of traditional culture and the latest technology. No one can refuse a trip to Japan, including exploring its history, traditions, beautiful scenery, and vibrant modern culture.

How to travel from UAE to Japan? Read this article and get information about visa and flight guide, best times and places to visit, Muslim-friendly food options, and more.

Japan Visa Requirements for UAE Travelers

Since July 1, 2025, ordinary passport holders of the UAE can travel to Japan for 90 days or less without a visa, only for holders of an ePassport. For UAE residents, a visa application is required.

If you don't have an ePassport or plan to stay over 90 days, you need to apply for an E-visa before visiting Japan.

Learn more about visa requirements and exemption of visa.

Necessary Documents

Make sure your passport remains valid for at least six months after your entry date. Your valid passport must have over 2 blank visa pages.

Documentation: Round-trip flight tickets, confirmed hotel reservation, and itinerary of daily activities in Japan.

Direct Flights from UAE to Japan

Non-stop flights make your trip to Japan more comfortable, especially when you are traveling with a big family. But which airport in Japan should you fly to? In case you didn’t know, the entry cities are mainly Tokyo and Osaka. And the flight duration is approximately 9-10 hours, depending on your departure and arrival cities.

For a Japan trip from UAE, it is recommended to book the flight tickets in advance, especially during the peak season in Japan.

Dubai to Japan

Dubai to Tokyo (about 10 hours): Take a direct flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).

Dubai to Osaka (about 9.3 hours): Take a direct flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Abu Dhabi to Japan

There are currently no direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Osaka. But you can take a direct flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), about 10 hours.

Choose the Best Time to Visit Japan

Japan has breathtaking scenery in all four seasons. Whenever you embark on a Japan tour from UAE, you can enjoy its beauty. Join Hanami to view flowers in spring. Feast your eyes on dazzling fireworks during the summer. Capture fiery red maple leaves in autumn like a hunter. Ski and soak in hot springs in winter.

Spring (March–May)

If you plan to enjoy the cherry blossoms, spring is the best time to visit Japan, although there are many tourists at this time. When visiting Japan in spring, the most important thing is to enjoy the flowers and taste cherry blossom-flavored desserts.

March and April are the busiest cherry blossom seasons in Japan every year. The pink and white cherry blossoms are like a dreamy sight. During the blooming period of cherry blossoms, parks and streets in Japan are crowded with flower enthusiasts, creating a lively atmosphere. Ueno Park in Tokyo and Philosopher's Path in Kyoto are the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. You can take part in parties in the park just like the locals.

Summer (June–August)

Summer is hot and humid. Sometimes there are typhoons in August. Besides the hot weather, Japan's summer is filled with various summer festivals with mouth-watering street food, fun games, and festive performances. During the summer festival, it is often crowded. Locals and tourists in yukata gather to watch the colorful fireworks. Held in Kyoto in July, Gion Matsuri is one of the most popular summer festivals with spectacular parades.

Apart from various festivals, the most captivating thing is to visit the seaside. Kamakura boasts beautiful seaside scenery and is an ideal choice for a day trip from Tokyo. Okinawa is the southernmost island of Japan, with pristine beaches and colorful coral reefs.

Autumn (September–November)

One of the best seasons in Japan is autumn. The red maple leaves dye the city red, blending with the shrines and temples with unique Japanese characteristics. Don't miss the plump crabs in autumn.

Kyoto's Arashiyama is one of the best attractions to appreciate the autumn leaves, with picturesque temple grounds. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is also one of the iconic tourist attractions in Arashiyama. With the rustling sound of the gentle breeze over the bamboo, you can immerse yourselves in this serene atmosphere.

Nikko combines the beautiful fall foliage and UNESCO-listed sites, making it one of the best autumn destinations near Tokyo.

Winter (December–February)

Winter is very cold, but there are fewer crowds, and accommodation is relatively affordable. The most worthwhile winter experiences in Japan are skiing and hot springs.

You can ski in Hokkaido, which has the best ski resorts in Japan, such as Niseko Ski Resort, Rusutsu Ski Resort, and Furano Ski Resort. Of course, if you don't have plans to visit Hokkaido, you can still find several high-quality ski resorts near Tokyo.

Hakone is a well-known hot spring town in Japan, approximately one hour and 40 minutes' drive from both Tokyo and Mount Fuji. When you soak in the hot springs, you can enjoy the world of white snow and ice.

Best Places to Visit in Japan for UAE Travelers

Tokyo

Tokyo is the bustling capital of Japan, offering luxury shopping areas, cutting-edge technology, and cultural landmarks.

In Shinjuku, you can experience Tokyo's lively nightlife and visit the iconic Shibuya Crossing, which is said to be the busiest intersection in the world. Ginza is a high-end shopping district featuring luxurious brands and large Japanese department stores.

If you visit Tokyo with kids, enjoy magical experiences in family-friendly attractions, like Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea. As an anime paradise in Japan, Akihabara is very suitable for game and anime enthusiasts.

Kyoto

Kyoto, as the former capital of Japan, has always been one of the most popular travel destinations in Japan, featuring historic temples, peaceful gardens, and traditional culture.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers a panoramic view of Kyoto and is especially breathtaking during the cherry blossom season and the autumn leaves season. If you want to savor Kyoto cuisine, Nishiki Market is an ideal choice, which offers various culinary delights, such as seafood, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), Japanese desserts, and more. You can also buy various local specialties as souvenirs or gifts to take home.

For Muslim travelers, there are some prayer-friendly mosques in Kyoto, such as Kyoto Central Masjid, Kyoto Islamic Cultural Center, and As Salam Hall, Mosque. It is a 5-minute walk from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to As Salam Hall, Mosque.

Osaka

Osaka is a must-visit destination, famous for its street food and historical sites.Osaka Castle is a historic landmark surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring. Family can visit Universal Studios Japan, which has entertainment facilities for children and adults of all ages.

Expo 2025 Osaka is held from April 13 to October 13, 2025. And you enjoy an immersive visit to the Saudi Arabia pavilion.

Halal Food in Japan

Craving some halal food in Japan? Don't worry. In major cities in Japan, you can find halal or Muslim-friendly restaurants. Halal Navi can help you find the nearest halal places. Japan also offers many vegetarian-safe delicacies, such as soba noodles, tempura, matcha desserts, and tofu dishes.

Accommodation in Japan for UAE Visitors

Japan offers Muslim-friendly services in some hotels or ryokans, including qibla directions, prayer mats, and Muslim food. The following are several recommended accommodations for UAE travelers.

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

This hotel provides halal food and halal amenities, including prayer mats, qibla compasses, and halal-certified cosmetics.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

There are qibla directions and prayer mats in the rooms. You can also ask for a prayer room. The hotel offers halal menus, and you can enjoy food at halal-certified restaurants, such as "Le Temps" and "Ukihashi".

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka

The hotel has the halal-certified Muslim-friendly menu, qibla compasses, and prayer mats.

How to Travel Around in Japan

Consider a Japan Rail Pass during your Japan trip from UAE. It is cost-effective to travel in multiple cities.

If you plan a day trip from cities like Tokyo or Kyoto, taking a private car will be more flexible.

In major cities of Japan, like Tokyo, the subway and trains are quite complex, including subway systems, private railways, and JR lines. If you want a comfortable, carefree Japan tour, you can contact Hi Five Trip to customize your tour.

UAE-Friendly Japan Itinerary (7 Days)

Days 1-3: Modern Tokyo

Day 1: On the first day you arrive in Tokyo, the rest of the day is free for you to explore.

Day 2: You will visit Meiji Shrine and participate in Shinto activities. Next, travel to Shibuya Crossing. You can witness the busy scene of pedestrians passing through the intersection from the window of a nearby coffee shop.

For a prayer break, you can head to the mosque in Tokyo – Tokyo Camii & Diyanet Turkish Culture Center. For lunch, head to Tsukiji Fish Market, where you can find various foods, like sashimi bowls.

In the afternoon, you can head to Akihabara and explore Japan's otaku culture and electronics shops. Continue to Asakusa and visit Sensoji Temple. In Asakusa, there is a Muslim-friendly ramen shop, Gyumon Halal Ramen Asakusa.

Day 3: Spend a full day at Tokyo Disney Resort and enjoy a happy time.

Days 4-5: Cultural Kyoto

Day 4: Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. In the afternoon, head to Gion District and visit Yasaka Shrine. You can experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy a Muslim-friendly kaiseki dinner.

Day 5: Visit the iconic landmarks, such as Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. After enjoying lunch at Nishiki Market, make your way to Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kinkaku-ji Temple.

Days 6-7: Osaka Adventure

Day 6: Transfer to Osaka and then have fun at Universal Studios Japan. Besides super-energized entertainment, you can find Muslim-friendly foods here, such as potato and spice curry, seafood dishes, and plant-based food.

In the evening, you can enjoy tax-free shopping at Dotonbori. And discover delicious, local food, such as Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), soba noodles, sushi, and Mitarashi-Dango (glutinous rice balls).

Day 7: Enjoy the last relaxing time in Osaka. Head to the airport later to catch the flight home.

What to Pack for Your Japan Trip from UAE

Practical Tips for Travelling in Japan from UAE

Cultural etiquette: Bowing is the etiquette for greeting each other among Japanese people. It usually requires removing shoes when entering indoor places such as temples, restaurants, and onsen ryokans in Japan. In places like Gion (Kyoto's geisha district), it's best to ask for permission before shooting geisha. Especially refrain from chasing geisha and taking close-up photos of geisha.

Dress code: When visiting temples or shrines, wear modest attire and avoid wearing overly revealing clothing.

Onsen rules: Most hot springs in Japan are public and can be enjoyed by many people at the same time. Before entering the hot spring, you should clean your body first. In addition, there are some public hot springs in Japan that offer mixed gender baths. For hijabi travelers, booking a hotel with a private bath will provide more privacy.

Currency: Although you can use credit cards in many places, it is still recommended to carry JPY cash for rural areas and small vendors.

Traveling during Ramadan: You can visit Don Quijote, an iconic discount chain store in Japan, which opens 24 hours a day.

FAQs about Japan Trips from UAE

1. Do I need a visa for a 15-day trip?

UAE citizens are exempt from requiring tourist visas for up to 90 days.

2. Are there prayer spaces in bullet trains?

No. But there are prayer rooms in many major train stations, such as Tokyo Station and Osaka Station.

3. Which apps work best in Japan?

Halal Navi for restaurants and mosques, Qibla Finder, and Norikae (transport).

Plan Your Japan Tour from UAE with Hi Five Trip

Want to explore Japan tour from UAE? From dynamic Tokyo to graceful Kyoto and charming Osaka, the tourist attractions in Japan are all wonderful. Book our Japan travel packages, and we will help you discover the highlights of this country. We can customize the services and itineraries for your Japan trip from UAE according to your requirements.