Introduction to the facilities
In order to achieve its three missions: safe and secure society, fair taxation including customs duties and smooth foreign trade, Japan Customs is working for the development of orderly trade through the entry of export/import cargo, collection of customs, crackdown on smuggling and other efforts.
View Japan Customs website
Facilities for tour
- Yokohama Customs
- Kobe Customs
The content of the tour
Yokohama Customs
Free tour
- Exhibition zone (description using QR codes in five languages)
A section introducing the history of the main office building of Yokohama Customs, which is a historic building known familiarly as Queen’s Tower, the background to the opening of Yokohama Port and other stories using panels and drawings; a section introducing the history of Yokohama Customs and changes in imports/exports through Yokohama Port using graphic chronological tables, and; a section exhibiting tactics of smugglers, fake products and goods covered by the Washington Convention. - Kids Corner
Small children can fold origami paper and do coloring featuring Custom Boy, the Customs’ mascot.
Limited to group tours (prior reservation essential)
- DVD showing
DVD introducing the mission and services of Japan Customs - Explanation at the exhibition corner
Specialist staff provides a detailed explanation of the exhibition corner
Kobe Customs
- Exhibition Zone
There are a section introducing the jurisdiction and history of the Customs and a section exhibiting smugglers’ tactics, fake products and goods covered by the Washington Convention. - Hands-on experience zone
Learn how to distinguish genuine brand goods from fakes and detect smuggled goods in a game. - Information theater zone
An original video in a documentary-like fashion introduces customs officers cracking down on smuggling.
Tour image
Access
Yokohama Customs
Address: 1-1 Kaigandori Naka-ku Yokohama-shi Kanagawa
By train
- From the bus station at the East Exit of JR Yokohama station to Municipal Bus (#26) "Yokohama Zeikan Mae" and then a 1-minute walk.
- The Minatomirai Line
Three minutes' walk from Nihon-Odori Station - The JR Keihin Tohoku Line
(1) 15 minutes’ walk from Kannai station
(2) 20 minutes’ walk from Sakuragi-cho station.
Kobe Customs
Address: 12-1 Shinkocho Chuo-ku Kobe-shi Hyogo
By train
- 15 minutes’ walk south from JR Sannomiya Station