Certain travel-related activities are generally considered outside the scope of Travel Agency Business and may be performed without registration, depending on the actual business model. Main examples are the following:Ticketing services performed on behalf of transportation operators.Securing only services unrelated to transportation or accommodation (e.g., stand-alone tour guide services).Direct provision of transportation, accommodation, or related services by transportation or accommodation operators themselves.Activities that do not involve a direct contractual relationship with the traveler, such as merely accompanying a visitor during transportation.However, the need for registration should be assessed based on the actual contractual structure, remuneration, services provided and role of each party.

A Travel Agency Business (旅行業) generally covers businesses that plan, arrange or sell travel services for remuneration, including travel packages, transportation, accommodation and related travel arrangements. Depending on the scope of services, a Travel Agency Business may need to register as a Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 or Regional Travel Agency Business.

A Travel Agency Agent Business (旅行業者代理業) refers to a business that concludes travel contracts with travelers on behalf of a registered Travel Agency Business in exchange for remuneration.This category is typically relevant where a business acts as an agent for an existing registered Travel Agency Business, rather than selling travel products in its own name.

A Travel Service Arrangement Business (旅行サービス手配業) refers to a business that arranges transportation, accommodation or other travel services for a Travel Agency Business as an agent, intermediary or broker in exchange for remuneration. This category may apply to businesses involved in arranging travel services for registered travel agencies or overseas tour operators without directly selling travel products to travelers.

Travel Agency Business registration is divided into four categories. Each category has different permitted scope of business and conditions for application.CategoryType 1Type 2Type 3RegionalRegistration AuthorityCommissioner of the Japan Tourism AgencyGovernor of the prefecture where the principal office is locatedGovernor of the prefecture where the principal office is locatedGovernor of the prefecture where the principal office is locatedMinimum Surety Bond (JPY)70 million11 million3 million150,000Reference Assets (JPY)30 million7 million3 million1 millionOverseas Organized Planned ToursAllowedNot allowedNot allowedNot allowedDomestic Organized Planned ToursAllowedAllowedAllowed (adjacent area only)Allowed (adjacent area only)Order-Made Planned ToursAllowedAllowedAllowedAllowed (adjacent area only)Arranged ToursAllowedAllowedAllowedAllowed (adjacent area only)

The Travel Agency Act distringuishes the following 3 categories of travel contracts:Organized planned tours (募集型企画旅行): travel plans prepared by the Travel Agency Business in advance, including destination, itinerary, transportation, accommodation and travel fees, and then offered to travelers. Example: package tours. Order-made planned tours (受注型企画旅行): travel plans prepared by the Travel Agency Business at the request of travelers. Example: school excursions or group travel. Arranged tours (手配旅行): arrangements of transportation, accommodation or other travel services based on the traveler’s request.

The reference asset amount is calculated based on the applicant’s balance sheet or statement of assets. In principle, it is calculated as follows:Reference Assets = Total Assets − Total Liabilities − Deferred Assets − Goodwill − Business Security Deposit / Payment Guarantee ContributionIf the book value of an asset clearly differs from its actual value, the actual value must be used. Assets that are not recoverable or whose existence is unclear should therefore be reviewed carefully before application.The required minimum reference asset amount depends on the registration category:Type 1 Travel Agency Business: JPY 30,000,000Type 2 Travel Agency Business: JPY 7,000,000Type 3 Travel Agency Business: JPY 3,000,000Regional Travel Agency Business: JPY 1,000,000

Yes. A Travel Agency Business is required to deposit a surety bond with the Legal Affairs Bureau. The required amount depends on the registration category and transaction volume. As an alternative, a Travel Agency Business that becomes a regular member of a travel agency association may pay a Contribution of Payment Guarantee, which is generally equivalent to 20% of the required surety bond. Please use the Travel Agency Business Financial Requirement Assessment Tool at the bottom of this page to assess the approximate financial obligations.

JATA, the Japan Association of Travel Agents, and ANTA, the All Nippon Travel Agents Association, are the two travel agency associations designated under the Travel Agency Act.A Travel Agency Business that joins one of these associations as a guarantee member may use the Contribution of Payment Guarantee system instead of depositing the full surety bond directly with the Legal Affairs Bureau.Membership screening, timing, fees and contribution amounts differ depending on the association and the registration category.

Yes. Travel Agency Businesses and Travel Agency Agent Businesses must appoint at least one Certified Travel Supervisor (旅行業務取扱管理者) for each business office.If an office has 10 or more persons engaged in travel business operations, at least two Certified Travel Supervisors must be appointed for that office.The Certified Travel Supervisor is responsible for managing and supervising key travel business matters, including explanation of transaction conditions, delivery of contract documents, posting of handling fees and terms and conditions, advertising of planned tours, measures for the proper provision of travel services, complaint handling, and record-keeping.

There are three types of Certified Travel Supervisor qualifications:Comprehensive Certified Travel Supervisor (総合旅行業務取扱管理者) may be appointed at any business office, and is required for offices handling overseas travel;Domestic Certified Travel Supervisor (国内旅行業務取扱管理者)  may be appointed at offices dealing exclusively with domestic travel;Regionally-limited Certified Travel Supervisor (地域限定旅行業務取扱管理者) may be appointed at offices dealing exclusively with travel within the municipality where the office is located, neighboring municipalities and other areas specified by regulation.​Certified Travel Supervisor qualifications are obtained by passing the corresponding national examination. The Comprehensive Certified Travel Supervisor examination is administered by JATA, the Domestic Certified Travel Supervisor examination is administered by ANTA, and the Regionally-limited Certified Travel Supervisor examination is administered by the Japan Tourism Agency.An appointed Certified Travel Supervisor must also complete periodic training every five years.

A rental office or serviced office may be acceptable if the applicant has an exclusive private space where the travel business is actually conducted and where required items can be posted or kept, including the registration sign, handling fee table and travel business terms and conditions.A shared office without an exclusive space is generally unsuitable because the operator may not be able to make the required postings or keep the required documents properly. Personal information protection should also be considered.A virtual office cannot generally be registered as a business office. Even if a virtual office address is used for corporate registration, the actual place where travel business operations are conducted must be registered as the business office.The office arrangement should be checked in advance with the competent authority before filing the application.

Yes. At the initial application stage, the company’s corporate purpose and planned business activities should be consistent with the registration category for which registration is sought. If the company’s registered business purpose does not clearly cover the intended travel-related activities, an amendment to the corporate purpose may be required.

A Type 1 Travel Agency Business registration typically follows a structured process involving the Japan Tourism Agency, the competent Regional Transport Bureau and, where applicable, a travel agency association.In practice, the workflow may include:Eligibility and requirements checkPreparation and collection of required documentsMembership procedures with JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents)Receipt of JATA “membership confirmation” (入会確認書)Hearing by the Japan Tourism AgencySubmission of the registration application to the competent Regional Transport BureauSubstantive review by the Japan Tourism AgencyIssuance of registration notice by the Regional Transport BureauPayment of the Contribution of Payment Guarantee (弁済業務保証金分担金)Submission of proof of payment to the authorityCommencement of operations The overall timeline is often approximately 4 to 6 months. The Japan Tourism Agency’s review period alone generally requires around 2 months, and this portion is typically difficult to accelerate as an administrative matter.

Type 1 Travel Agency Business registration often takes approximately 4 to 6 months in practice, depending on the applicant’s document readiness, association membership process and administrative review. The Japan Tourism Agency’s substantive review generally requires around two months and is difficult to accelerate.

After registration, a Travel Agency Business must comply with ongoing obligations, including posting handling fees before commencing business, maintaining approved or deemed-approved terms and conditions, appointing the required Certified Travel Supervisor for each office, and filing the annual transaction amount report.The transaction amount report must be submitted to the registration authority within 100 days after the end of each fiscal year. If the Travel Agency Business is an ANTA regular member, it must also report to its ANTA branch in accordance with ANTA’s rules. If the Travel Agency Business is a JATA full member, it must also report to JATA in accordance with JATA’s procedures.

Travel Agency Business registration is valid for five years from the date of registration. A Travel Agency Business that wishes to continue the registered business after the five-year period must apply for renewal. If the renewal application is filed by the expiry date, the existing registration remains effective until the authority issues the relevant notice on the renewal application.

Yes. The surety bond amount is calculated by reference to the Travel Agency Business’s transaction amount with travelers during the previous fiscal year and the registered scope of business. If, after the end of a fiscal year, the deposited surety bond is insufficient, the Travel Agency Business must deposit the shortfall and notify the authority. This must be handled within 100 days after the end of the fiscal year. If the Travel Agency Business is a member of JATA or ANTA and uses the Contribution of Payment Guarantee system, the required contribution should also be checked after the annual transaction amount report.

Yes. A Travel Agency Business must establish terms and conditions for its travel business and obtain approval from the competent authority.If the Travel Agency Business adopts terms identical to the official Standard General Conditions of Travel Agency Business, those terms are deemed approved. This is often the simplest approach where the official standard terms fit the business model.A Travel Agency Business may also use its own custom terms and conditions, but they must be approved by the competent authority unless they are identical to the official Standard General Conditions.JATA and ANTA have prepared model terms for certain business models, such as BtoB order-made planned tour contracts. Depending on the terms used and the competent authority’s practice, approval or change approval may still be required.

Yes. Before commencing business, a Travel Agency Business must determine the fees to be collected from travelers for handling travel services, except for fees relating to planned tours, and must post those fees at the business office in a manner that is easily visible to travelers.

Before concluding a planned tour contract, arranged tour contract or other travel service contract, a Travel Agency Business or Travel Agency Agent Business must explain the transaction conditions to the traveler. Unless an exception applies, the business must also provide a document stating prescribed matters, including the travel services to be provided, the fees payable by the traveler and the name of the Certified Travel Supervisor.

A Travel Agency Business should check whether a registration of change or notification is required when there is a change to registered information or operating conditions.Relevant changes may include the registered scope of business, business offices, representative, Certified Travel Supervisor, terms and conditions, handling fees, association membership, surety bond or guarantee contribution, or other information submitted in the original application.