JapanDR Congo: Visa required

JapanDR Congo

Do Japan passport holders need a visa for DR Congo?

Visa required

Yes. Japan passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to DR Congo.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: leganet.cd (checked July 21, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance13,360 km, straight line (~16h 13m nonstop)

Visa-free access to DR Congo8 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? DR Congo passport holders visiting Japan: Visa required.

DR Congo drives on the right, the opposite side to Japan. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near DR Congo

Japan passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Japan passport holders

See all Japan destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Japan passport holders need a visa for DR Congo?

Yes. Japan passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to DR Congo.

How far is DR Congo from Japan?

About 13,360 km in a straight line, roughly ~16h 13m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in DR Congo?

Congolese franc (CDF).

What is the emergency number in DR Congo?

113 / 114 / 118.

Does DR Congo drive on the same side of the road as Japan?

DR Congo drives on the right, the opposite side to Japan. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is DR Congo in?

Kinshasa (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to Kinshasa?

Maya-Maya International Airport (BZV), about 11 km away.

How many countries can enter DR Congo without a visa?

8 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter DR Congo visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Japan passport holders visit without a visa instead of DR Congo?

Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland, it is bordered to the west by the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk in the north, and the East China Sea in the south. The Japanese archipelago consists of four major islands alongside over 14,000 smaller islands. Japan is divided into 47 administrative prefectures and eight traditional regions, and around 75% of its terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, concentrating its agriculture and highly urbanized population along its eastern coastal plains. With a population of almost 123 million as of 2026, it is the world's 11th most populous country. Tokyo is the country's capital and largest city.

CapitalTokyo

RegionEastern Asia

Population123.4M

Area377,930 km²

CurrencyJapanese yen (1 USD ≈ 158.02 JPY)

LanguagesJapanese

Calling code+81

Drives on theleft

TimezoneTokyo (UTC+9)

Nearest airportTokyo Haneda International Airport (HND), 13 km

Emergency number110 / 118 / 119

UNESCO sites32

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$35,951 (2025)

Tourist arrivals4.1M (2020)

Climate in Tokyo

Warmest August, coolest January, driest December, sunniest August. Best time to visit: May, August.

Monthly climate normals for Tokyo, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	10°C	2.6°C	137mm	193h
February	11.4°C	2.4°C	38mm	248h
March	14°C	4.9°C	132mm	234h
April	16°C	7.6°C	177mm	281h
May	22.1°C	15.2°C	130mm	258h
June	25.9°C	19.7°C	199mm	239h
July	26.8°C	22.2°C	341mm	127h
August	31.8°C	25°C	45mm	372h
September	27.2°C	22°C	144mm	209h
October	20.3°C	13.9°C	240mm	188h
November	17.1°C	8.6°C	39mm	238h
December	11.1°C	2.2°C	20mm	224h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Japan, known as Nihon or Nippon (日本) in Japanese, is an island nation in East Asia. Its insular character has allowed it to develop a unique and very intricate culture, while its closeness to other ancient East Asian cultures, in particular China, has left lasting influence. Despite belonging to a nation long at war, Japan's people have always placed emphasis on inner balance, tranquility and natural beauty. These traditional values have become increasingly important now that Japan has grown to be one of the world's most densely-populated countries, and its legendary work ethic makes life in its cities quite hectic.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Amami-Ōshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara
Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area
Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region
Higashi Kairō
Himeji Castle
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land
Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Upcoming public holidays

November 3, 2026文化の日

November 23, 2026勤労感謝の日

January 1, 2027元日

Full source list on About.

About DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, and formerly named Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is the second-largest country in Africa and the eleventh-largest in the world. With a population of about 124 million people, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the fourth-most populous country in Africa and the most populous Francophone country in the world. French is the official and most widely spoken language. There are over 200 indigenous languages, of which Lingala is the most widely spoken. The capital, largest city, and economic center is Kinshasa. The DRC is bordered by the Republic of the Congo, the Cabinda exclave of Angola, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west; the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east; and Zambia and Angola to the south. Centered on the Congo Basin, most of the DRC's terrain is covered by dense rainforests and is crossed by many rivers. The east and southeast are mountainous.

CapitalKinshasa

RegionMiddle Africa

Population112.8M

Area2,344,858 km²

CurrencyCongolese franc (1 USD ≈ 2313.90 CDF)

LanguagesFrench, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili

Calling code+243

Drives on theright

TimezoneKinshasa (UTC+1)

Nearest airportMaya-Maya International Airport (BZV), 11 km

Emergency number113 / 114 / 118

UNESCO sites5

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$807 (2025)

Tourist arrivals351K (2016)

Climate in Kinshasa

Warmest March, coolest June, driest July, sunniest July. Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Kinshasa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	29.7°C	23.4°C	199mm	276h
February	30.1°C	23.5°C	239mm	241h
March	30.7°C	23.8°C	255mm	278h
April	30.3°C	23.8°C	337mm	255h
May	29.8°C	23.5°C	116mm	302h
June	29.5°C	21.5°C	8mm	314h
July	30.2°C	20.7°C	1mm	336h
August	30.3°C	21.9°C	36mm	267h
September	31.1°C	22.8°C	40mm	283h
October	30°C	22.9°C	181mm	269h
November	28.9°C	22.9°C	257mm	259h
December	28.5°C	22.8°C	184mm	236h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest and most populous country in Central Africa, as well as the world's largest Francophone country.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Garamba National Park
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Salonga National Park
Virunga National Park

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

January 4, 2027Martyrs Day

Full source list on About.