Why Japanese hotels ask to see and copy your passport
Hotels in Japan must record the nationality and passport number of guests who do not live in Japan, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare tells them to keep a copy.
What the rule says
Under Japan's rules for hotels and inns, a guest who does not have an address in Japan must have their nationality and passport number written in the guest register.
A notice from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare says hotels should ask to see the passport and keep a copy together with the register.
What to do at check-in
- Staff may photocopy or scan the page with your photo.
- If you refuse to show your passport, the ministry's notice says the hotel may treat you as someone who is not carrying a passport and contact the nearest police station.
Who is covered
The rule is for foreign guests who do not have an address in Japan. A foreign resident with an address in Japan writes that address in the register, so the passport-number rule does not apply in the same way.
Check with the facility if you are unsure.
FAQ
Is it the hotel's own policy?
No. It comes from the rules for hotels and inns and from a notice by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Can I show a photo of my passport?
The notice talks about showing the passport itself and keeping a copy. Bring the real passport.
Do Japanese residents also have to do this?
Foreign residents with an address in Japan write that address in the register instead.
Sources
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Last checked: 2026-10-28. Rules and prices can change, so please confirm with the official sources above.