Selling travel without registration is illegal?

¥1M fine
Maximum fine
2 years
Max imprisonment
Act No. 137
Travel Agency Act
s. 3(1)
Registration required
The Short Answer

Yes, selling travel services to the public in Japan without registration as a 'travel agency' under the Travel Agency Act is illegal.

What the Law Says

Japan strictly regulates the sale of travel services to protect consumers and ensure service quality. The Travel Agency Act requires formal registration for any person or entity engaging in travel agency business.

Under the Travel Agency Act, anyone who 'sells or mediates the sale of travel services to the general public for a fee' must register with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) or the relevant prefectural governor — depending on the scale of operations.

Unregistered operation of a travel agency business is a criminal offense. The law defines 'travel agency business' broadly, including arranging transportation, accommodation, tours, or related services for others in exchange for compensation.

Even one-off or informal sales — such as organizing group trips and charging participants — may constitute regulated activity if done repeatedly or publicly.

Statutory Text

No person shall engage in travel agency business unless he/she has registered as a travel agency pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

— Travel Agency Act, s. 3(1) — Registration Requirement
Statutory Text

Any person who violates the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1) shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than two years or a fine of not more than one million yen, or both.

— Travel Agency Act, s. 65(1) — Penalty

What to Do

1

Determine whether your activity meets the legal definition of 'travel agency business' under the Travel Agency Act.

2

Apply for registration with MLIT (for nationwide or large-scale operations) or your local prefectural government (for small-scale, local-only operations).

3

Ensure compliance with financial security requirements (e.g., depositing ¥5 million or obtaining insurance).

4

Display your registration number publicly when advertising or selling travel services.

5

Consult MLIT’s official guidelines or a licensed administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) before commencing operations.

Sources

statuteTravel Agency Act, Act No. 137 of 1952, s. 3(1) — Registration RequirementstatuteTravel Agency Act, Act No. 137 of 1952, s. 65(1) — Penalty

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.