Entry Requirements
Japanese citizens are eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program and must apply for an ESTA before travelling. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov ($21 USD, valid 2 years). Allows stays up to 90 days.
⚠ An ESTA is not a visa — it is pre-travel authorization. You may still be asked questions by border officers on arrival. Have your accommodation addresses and ticket details ready.
Flights
Direct flights from Tokyo Narita (NRT), Tokyo Haneda (HND), and Osaka (KIX) to Los Angeles (LAX) operate daily via Japan Airlines (JAL), ANA, United, and American. Flight time: approximately 10–11 hours eastbound (shorter westbound going home).
Japanese Communities in LA
- Little Tokyo (DTLA) — cultural hub: Japanese American National Museum, shops, restaurants, Daikokuya ramen
- Torrance & South Bay — large Japanese expat community; Mitsuwa Marketplace, excellent ramen and izakayas
- Sawtelle (West LA) — "Little Osaka" — Japanese restaurants, shops, Cactus Taqueria meets ramen
Practical Tips
- Currency: USD. Japan-issued credit cards widely accepted in LA. Inform your bank.
- Time zone: LA (PDT) is UTC-7 in July. Tokyo is UTC+9 — 16 hours ahead
- Tipping: expected at restaurants (18–20%), unlike Japan
- English is widely spoken but Google Translate is useful in some neighborhoods