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
  • Yokohama Customs
    Yokohama Customs
  • Kobe 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

  • Kobe Customs Exhibition Room (entrance)
    Kobe Customs Exhibition Room (entrance)
  • Entrance of public relations Exhibition room of Kobe Customs
    Entrance of public relations Exhibition room of Kobe Customs
  • Kobe Customs Exhibition Room
    Kobe Customs Exhibition Room
  • Kobe Customs: genuine or fake
    Kobe Customs: genuine or fake
  • Kobe Customs: goods covered by the Washington Convention (1)
    Kobe Customs: goods covered by the Washington Convention (1)
  • Kobe Customs: goods covered by the Washington Convention (2)
    Kobe Customs: goods covered by the Washington Convention (2)
  • Kobe Customs: exhibits (1)
    Kobe Customs: exhibits (1)
  • Kobe Customs: exhibits (2)
    Kobe Customs: exhibits (2)

Access

Yokohama Customs

Address: 1-1 Kaigandori Naka-ku Yokohama-shi Kanagawa

Yokohama Customs Map image (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

Kobe Customs Map image (12-1 Shinkocho Chuo-ku Kobe-shi Hyogo)

By train

  • 15 minutes’ walk south from JR Sannomiya Station